Foresight

Chapter LIV

With Jenny as new addition to the team, 'The Matrix' now had a skilled marketing executive on board. Jenny had taken a look on their previous projects, which had very low market appeal and she taken them under her wing for improvising on that. She would give final say on all the projects with their previous clients. As for SIDCO's project, marketing was handled by themselves, so Jenny did not have to divert her attention to them. In two months, they had acquired a new client, thanks to Jenny's marketing skills

"Well today's day was good" Tarun starts up the end of the meet.

"We have a new client. So we will have some more resources coming in our way. It also increases the workload. But I guess we can manage that." Neeraj adds on to that.

"The workload increase factor is little more than the revenue factor. But we can mange the increased workload. Maybe we can ask the interns to stay a bit longer." Rajesh suggests, making a note.

"No. If we do that, we will have to pay them more. And that will cost us. This new revenue, has to fill our investing wallet. So we cannot touch this revenue. We do not know for sure that whether our returns from SIDCO will increase in the next quarter. So if needed, we might have to disturb this revenue in the next quarter. I want this revenue untouched until that time." Tarun replies back.

"I can handle that extra workload. I saw our interns working on that and I have some amount of exposure in that area. I started on that department in my previous organization. I can get up to speed with the help of our interns, while you guys can keep your concentration on your individual projects." Jenny interrupts, as Tarun is scratching his head.

"That sounds great Jenny. But I guess, we ourselves can guide you. That is the least we can do." Rajesh chimes in.

"Yeah Jenny. We can guide you. Thanks for volunteering." Neeraj chimes in, packing the bag.

"All right guys .Jenny will handle the increase in workload. I guess that is for good, considering the fact that she has some experience in that area and with her marketing expertise, she could give those results a better appeal." Tarun finishes up. As they all get up, Jenny heads towards Tarun.

"We need to talk" Jenny whispers to him, as he is packing his bag.

"I know. i guess its about time we had that talk. let the guys leave." Tarun whispers back.

"Yo. We two leaving." Neeraj howls just as Tarun finishes replying to Jenny.

The trio leave the office with Neeraj and Rajesh heading to the parking lot, while Tarun and Jenny head to the tea shop. Both light a cigarette and Jenny initiates the talk.

"First of all, I am sorry for how things ended between us. I got little carried away that time. maybe it was because we both were little career headed and did not put enough efforts into the relationship." Jenny finishes.

"I know. I was also caught up with my company's progress and did not catch up with you often" Tarun confides, blowing away.

"But inspite of that, you welcomed me in your company and into your house. I am indebted to you forevever" Jenny confesses, welling up.

"Jenny. Whatever may have happened between us, its in the past. Smart people forget and forgive. Moving on ahead is best for everybody." Tarun replies, smoking in the nicotine.

"Yeah. As for me staying at your home, did your mom say anything?" Jenny asks

"I told her everything. I don't keep secrets from my mother. She was little skeptical when I told her that you were staying here. But once I told her your past and you are still recovering from that, she understood." Tarun explains.

"I am grateful for her generosity and her maturity. I think I should talk to her face to face at the earliest." Jenny contemplates.

"She would appreciate that. For now, she is enjoying your boy's company. She told that day he came close to her when she was reading and playfully tugged on her dress, asking her to play with him. And she ended up spending quite amount of time playing with him" Tarun replies with a chuckle

"Its good that your mother is enjoying with my boy. But she will definitely have some reservations with me staying with you for a week now and still not showing my face to her for a face to face confrontation." Jenny replies to Tarun's comment.

"I guess that is true. We will see if its okay with her this weekend. Maybe you two can bond over a glass of wine." Tarun replies sarcastically.

"Yeah. That's what she wants. Her son's ex-girlfriend explaining why she and her son are living at her house, over a glass of wine" Jenny replies with sarcasm of her own.

"One day at a time Jenny" Tarun replies, throwing his cigarette butt. Done with their talk, they head off to their home.

Here at Rajesh's home, Pallavi is contemplating as to how to tell Rajesh. She had been keeping the news to herself for over two days now and it was eating her alive. She was determined as to whatever maybe the situation, today she will reveal. Just then she hears the door, with Rajesh stepping inside and closing the door.

"Hey Pallavi. How was your day?" Rajesh comes inside the kitchen, hugging his wife from behind.

"Mine was good. New project in hand, new team. How was your day?" Pallvi asks back,with a slight jitter in her voice, which lucky for her goes unnoticed by Rajesh.

"It was ok. Jenny's marketing skills brought us a new client. But with our current financial predicament, we can't hire anybody new. So we decided that Jenny herself will handle the extra workload, with our guidance. Its pretty generous of her" Rajesh trails off, getting himself a glass of water from the fridge.

"How is our financial predicament. Improved a little?" Pallavi asks, stirring the veggies.

"Not yet babe. We still need time to stabilize. This new client's payments will fill our investing wallet, which from's Tarun's prediction will help us in the next quarter, if SIDCO's market value doesn't rise up as projected by them." Rajesh explains, coming back from washing his hands and getting ready to make chappathi(Indian wheat pancake).

"Ohh. So still we are getting by then." Pallavi trails off, swallowing the lump in her throat.

"Yeah. With our current situation, any change is going to cost us dearly." Rajesh replies, making the dough.

"Ohh..AHHHHH" Pallavi draws back her hand, letting out a small moan.

"What happened" Rajesh rushes to see a small red blemish in her finger.

"Its just s small burn. Nothing big." Pallavi replies, with a grimace. Dragging her to the sink, Rajesh open the tap and keeps her hand under the cool running water.

"How many times I have told you to work carefully Pallavi. Concentrate here while cooking." Rajesh instructs, rubbing her small blemish soothingly, causing Pallavi to well up, on his care and affection.

"I am pregnant."