Foresight

Chapter XVI

"Guys lets meet up at our regular tea shop guys. Better come dressed" instructs Rajesh and hangs up. He races for the dining table, where his father is putting his final touches for his breakfast, before heading for the office for a long day. He wanted to consult with his father and get some contact information about a trusted realtor, for today he had planned to scout some places for their office location. He thought of having his office in a prime place where he might have some popularity with clients, but also not dig a huge hole in his pocket. As he approaches the table in a blinding speed, he doesn't pay heed to the small puddle of water that had spilled and disaster happens. Off goes the leg to the side, robbing him of the footing and 'thud' his head meets the ground. "F**k" escapes his gritted teeth, partially because of the sudden shock to his head and partially because of his father's presence in the room.

"Rajesh", Mr. Khuranna screams, as he throws his tea cup from his hand, for no parent can see their child in pain and relish even the most ravishing dishes of the world.

"God, Rajesh how many times I have told you not to run around the house like madman" instructs Mr. Khuranna as he helps Rajesh up his feet. "I will be okay dad" Rajesh replies all the while rubbing his head and heading to the kitchen for some ice cubes. Opening the refrigerator door, he fishes out some ice cubs, puts them in a handkerchief and dabs his head on the injured portion. Mr. Khuranna just gives him 'won't improve' look and shakes his head.

"Actually dad I wanted to ask you about any realtors that you might know. I am planning to scout out some locations for our office."

"I know some, but are you going to go today, with that bump on your head?"

"Better get started today dad. Otherwise if I procrastinate for tomorrow, that tomorrow might never come"

"That's true", Mr. Khuranna replies and goes digging in his pant pocket for some real estate agent cards.

"Here, this guy is trusty. He will show good places for appropriate budget" and Mr. Khuranna hands Rajesh the card.

"Thanks dad" and Rajesh heads to his room to make some calls.

"Tell him I sent you. That might do some stuff" Mr. Khuranna's voice trails off as he heads for another routine day at his office.

Rajesh makes the call and sets up a meeting with the realtor at the place suggested by the realtor himself. Satisfied with the progress, he heads for the washroom murmuring small prayer for his mother was not present at home now, or else she would have made huge drama over the fall and cancelled out his plans in a jiffy. Ten minutes later, Rajesh walks out of the restroom with a towel draped around his slender waist, with water droplets on his sleek chest and albeit a slight paunch. He admires himself on the mirror, boosting his confidence so that in case he meets some girl in the mall later on, he might woo her, for the trip to matheran did not serve the hidden purpose, at least for him. Dousing himself with his 'axe' deodorant, he pulls on a faded pair of jeans, combining it with a white shirt and finishes his attire with his denim cap, the cap is to hide his now somewhat prominent bump on the head. As he heads out, his mom spots him dressed and can't resist her urge to enquire about his plans.

"Kahan chale, bharkudar?" (where is our gentleman off to)

Rajesh stops with a sulk, and opens about his plans and the meeting with the realtor to see prospective place for the office setup. "Now that you have asked where I am going at the time of departure, the work will be damn successful" Rajesh adds with a sarcasm in his tone. "Oh now mom is bad luck for you?" pouts Mrs. Khuranna. "Come on ma, you will never be bad luck for me. I was just joking" Rajesh convinces her with a comforting hug. "Ok beta, be careful" Mrs. Khuranna finishes with a pat on his cheek. "Bye ma" Rajesh's voice trails off as he heads below on the stairs. 'How big my son has grown up' goes through Mrs. Khuranna 's mind as she watches him blast off and heads to the kitchen for the day's lunch preparation.

Rajesh puffs away at their regular tea joint as Neeraj brings the two cups of tea, with an unlit cigarette hanging off his mouth. Rajesh lights Neeraj's cigarette while taking his tea from Neeraj's hand. As they sip on their tea, they see Tarun coming in the distance, blazing and showing off his new car. "Wow, he is on time for the first time in his life" Neeraj exclaims with Rajesh backing him in a similar bewildered nod. Tarun gets out, orders a tea for himself and lights up a cigarette of his own. "So what's the plan guys?" Tarun puts forth his query, blowing away. "I have set up a meeting with a real estate agent known to my father. He will show us some places for our office setup" Rajesh asserts his plan, throwing the cigarette butt.

"Will we get any discount on the prices" Tarun asks sarcastically.

"I took the contact from my father just for that reason". Neeraj and Tarun look at each other in bewilderment and shrug it off as it was the obvious reason. They climb onto Tarun's car and zoom off to 'Starlight plaza', the well known commercial complex.

Arriving at their location in twenty minutes, they park their car in a small-cross street and Rajesh proceeds to call the realtor, leaving his friends behind. Catching the moment, Tarun makes a quick call to Jenny, his vacation sweetheart.

"Hello, who is this?" a sweet voice comes from the other side, bringing a million dollar smile onto Tarun's face.

"Hi, its Tarun. We met in Matheran ramember?" Tarun identifies their location of acquaintance so as to not startle her and come off as a creep.

"oh, Hi Tarun, How are you?"

"I am doing fine, How are you?"

"I am great too. I was kind off little sad that you didn't call me that morning. Thought that you had lost interest and was looking for just one night stand"

"Oh no. It was not like that. I wanted to contact you back. But my friends were giving me hard time waking up and we really had to grab a move on."

"That okay. Looks like you are out somewhere. Boring date?" Jenny asks with a small concern in her voice, although they never discussed anything about commitment and stuff.

"Naah. I came out with my friends to look for the office space. My friend got some contact info. And we thought better to check out some places"

"That amazing. Eager to stat the business I see?"

"You got that right"

Just then Rajesh signals from the distance, for he found the realtor waiting for them in the corner.

"Hey, I am little busy right now. How about I give you a call after a couple hours?"

"That will be great. Bye and Take care."

"You too."

"Matheran Girl?", Neeraj asks knowingly. Tarun nods with a sheepish grin, as Neeraj gives him a thumbs up and hey both head off to meet the Realtor and talk business.