April 15th 2012
Gopaldas Bhavan
Connaught Circus
11:45 AM
Krishan is deep in conversation with Pawan and a few other
board level execs. Nayana is flitting in and out of the room softly. One woman
exec is taking notes on her PC.
Krishan: It depends on how we present the whole thing.
Pawan: There are 3 layers of holding companies… District
Magistrate has been taken care of, Industries Minister se meri baat hui pichle
hafte…
Krishan: Pawan last year ke balance sheet mein hamare
unsecured Liabilities kitne the?
Pawan gives him a number. Krishan types something…
Removes his glasses…
Walks to the huge wall of windows… stares down, there is
hushed conversation behind him, he turns to see who it is. “Nobody was allowed”
that’s the instruction Nayana had.
Ateendra was working with the woman exec on something.
Krishan watched as Raghav walked in… dressed “for conducting
business” for a change………..
Grey trousers, white cotton shirt, grey suede shoes...
Pawan smiles and greets him, Raghav nods casually scanning
the room.
His Dad is not facing him, but sideways…. Peering into his
phone, his glasses on his head….
Exec 1: We were wrapping up the quarterly review.
Exec 2: Would you like
a copy?
Krishan watches from under his lashes
Raghav shrugs… he receives one anyway
Nayana walks in wearing a skirt that could have been longer,
her short shapely legs, have a nice sheen, he notices…. She does too “ Yours
black with no sugar”
Pawan: Raghav we wee going through projections for fiscal 12,
next year mera malab…. Baitho beta.
Raghav: Was Dadaji here?
Exec 1: In the Kapoor Spinning & Weaving Office on 7th
floor an hour ago…
Pawan speaks about the year, Raghav lounges in a pearl
leather couch by the wall… fingers his soul patch… his phone beeps
Pawan: Le lo, shaayad Radhika ho?
Raghav: Shaayad nahi (smiles)
He texts back
Exec 2: When is the wedding?
Pawan 29th
Krishan is on the phone now, he steps to the far corner of
the HUGE room…
Most Execs are in the late 30s early 40s, savvy, well
dressed, a couple are in their 50s….
Exec4: Congratulations Raghav
Raghav smiles…
Nayana walks in to refill coffee
Exec 1: Is it a week long ce,ebration?
Pawan: His fiancĂ©e works for an NGO…
Exec 2 (female) Oh! REALLY? Which one?
Pawan (unfazed) Something called “Clean Water”??? Not sure…
Lots of mutually conclusive looks exchanged quickly… a couple
look shocked
Raghav: Dad, Anuttam wanted you to approve the change to the
extension for the paint plant…
Krishan approaches his son, confused, and pleased to hear him
talk about work..
Krishan: Did you guys meet?
Raghav: No! We played a game of tennis this morning, he had
to go to the physical therapist for his foot… he mentioned it at the game…
Krishan’s enthusiasm fades away
Exec 2: Is it a big wedding?
Pawan: Its at Claridges… we don’t know about Sangeet Mehandi
etc yet… everything is consecutive… one after the other
Nayana: Does he get a bachelor’s party? (picking up the cups,
setting it on her tray, as she darts her ex-lover a quick look)
Pawan: Ateendra should know
Ateendra winks at Nayana… “ Ofcourse!”
The execs start to chat with Krishan… some are still subtly
over hearing, Pawan is making some notes on his copy of the proforma annual report..
Nayana saunters to Raghav
Nayana: Soon to be husband? (smiles)
Raghav barely twitches his lips
Ateendra and his Dad are talking…
Nayana: she is gorgeous! (accusing)
Raghav: I know!
Nayana: I cant believe your Dad agreed…
Raghav: He didn’t… (shrugging)
Nayana’s jaw drops imperceptibly..
Nayana lingers… “She talks a lot”
Raghav: And works a lot”
Nayana: And is an activist…
Raghav gets up… from where she is standing, their bodies
almost rub…
Nayana: is she good in bed? (inaudibly)
Raghav gives her a long expressionless look before he leaves.
Krishan has noticed that exchange from the far corner!
Raghav turns towards Pawan "I am supposed to give Dadaji a ride home"
Lets himself out...
Thanks very much Chandu (?) Did I get the name right? I LOVE TO WRITE. What ever I see or hear when I am writing a tale gets saved in some corner of the brain and I bring it out when I start to type :-)
ReplyDeleteI started quoting the place and time in Casa because I would update SIX times a day sometimes... and they would want to know "So where is Shantanu" "Is Khanak home now?"
:-P
To keep the sequence of events straight I started doing that.........
About places... I feel things appear more REAL if I use actual location names in Delhi
I am a Dilli waali so I use Dilli locations in this kahani with GUSTO!
THANKS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH FOR READING AND APPRECIATING YOU GUYS!!!
You all have no Idea HOW HAPPY IT MAKES ME
Thank you so much aditee for such wonderful stories!!!
Deleteyes!! the name is chandu (full name is chandana, but chandu is fine)
That's what i love about your stories, its like everything real!!
Superb!!! Where Krishan is happy that finally Raghav started getting interest and involving in his business..Raghav proved wrong when he said he just came to give ride to his Dadaji..
ReplyDeleteThe conversation between Nayana and Raghav was normal till she popped up the last one..Looks like some one is jealous of Radhika..
Coming to Casa ShaNak..Awww!!! miss them!!! please do consider starting season 2 soon..it's almost a year now..hmmm..
Thanks for the update :-)
Awesome update aditee!!
ReplyDeletei can't judge Nayana here, is she ok with her Ex getting married?? or is she planning to have an affair with him after the marriage also??:p
He was wearing formals to give dadaji a ride??
Well, all are in your mystery box!!
Waiting for next one eagerly!!
Ho kya raha hai yahan pe..
ReplyDeleteRaghav is on roll..Nayana doesnt want to miss her chance..I just wish to give her a smack on her head..
LOL!!! So Raghav was not here for work but to pick up daadaji.. He is really something..