Chapter 1 The Auction

4 years ago

Tardis

@DreamOfEndless

Chapter 1 The Auction

"But why do you want to auction it Rudra? It is the last memory of your father, and he always wanted you to head this company." Rishi asked taking sips from the coffee.

"Because Rish," said Rudra wandering in the balcony of his room, "I no longer feel obligated to carry on with this charade. These three years I took care of Roy Publications only for mom. But even she is running away from dad's memories. So I have decided to auction the company, besides —"

"Besides you are still angry with MJ uncle for God knows what reason. Fine, do as you please, and remember.. Koi ho ya na ho, I am always by your side."

Rudra gave a bright smile and hugged Rishi, "Rish, I love you man!"

"Chal, nautanki!" Rishi laughed.

Exactly two weeks after the conversation, a Sunday afternoon was officially finalized for the auction. Mrs. Roy flew down from Venice to preside over its proceedings. After MJ's death, she seldom spent time in Mumbai, maybe because the place constantly reminded her of her late husband. Still, Rudra had a tough time convincing his mom to agree for the auction. Roy Publications was started by MJ after their engagement with the help of a generous investment by Rudra's Nanu, Mr. Radhanath Bakshi. No wonder Mrs. Roy was so attached to it (yet ironically stayed away). Also in the long run, auctioning away the company was not a good idea, given its profitability and consumer goodwill. But Rudra will be Rudra, and Rishi promised to be there for him no matter what. The bro-code.

The reception of Hotel Heritage was buzzing with who's who from the business world. From the Singhs to Lahiris, Gargs and Adanis, everyone were present eyeing the auction. For most of them, the event commemorated the failure of Rudra Roy, the only heir of MJ Roy's business, in standing tall in the business world. Many arrived there just to mock him. Only if they knew Rudra a little better, they would know that his business acumen matched that of Warren Buffett, although he wanted to be a wildlife photographer initially. Rudra had a contented smile, he was least bothered by what they thought about him. He was too free a spirit to be bound by what others expected, and too courteous to rub that on their face. The only person he had a long standing conflict with was his father, Mrityunjay Roy, aka MJ.

Rudra was busy directing the staff about further proceedings of the auction.

"All set?" Rishi asked.

Rudra nodded, when he saw his mom on the verge of tears, frantically checking her bag.

They rushed to calm her down. Mrs. Roy had lost her prescribed anti-depressants that she needed immediately but couldn't find, she wasn't feeling well. "Let's cancel the auction, we can reschedule it when you feel better." Rudra said. It was almost time for the event to start. Mrs. Roy denied, she said she could wait till the medicines arrived. He should carry on with the auction. Rishi assured Rudra that he would get them for her, and Rudra agreed. Being best friends since Rishi attained his senses, he could do this much. He rushed outside the lobby. Wait, did he see someone familiar inside? Someone they had met years ago? No, Rishi needed to concentrate. He rushed outside the hotel and located the nearest pharmacy.

Ten minutes of queue and a super-slow guy at the billing counter had taken a toll on Rishi's patience. He thought back to Mrs. Roy's condition to hasten back. They didn't use an app to order the medicine to keep the matter away from media scrutiny.

Trusting the emptiness of the afternoon, he jumped in the middle of the road to make it back faster. Screeech! From the middle of nowhere, headed towards the hell's alley, a speeding jet black sedan screeched to a stop in front of him. MH 26 XD 444 What an unusual number! Worth memorizing in case one wanted to file a complaint. Had it not pulled its brakes on time he would have... The rest of the thoughts died inside in his head.

A dusky beauty dressed in black, with long jet black hair, strict stern expressions, indiscernible yet fluid eyes descended from the car. One sight and Rishi had almost fallen for her. This was the first time he had met her. Had he known the course of the history, he would have stopped his heart then and there.

"I am sorry. Are you okay?" She asked.

Rishi blinked stupidly, like he had got concussions without getting hit.

"Come, I will drop you wherever you want." She offered.

Rishi berated himself mentally. Rish, get a grip on yourself, and never sit in a stranger's car. However beautiful.

"No ma'am, thank you for your offer. I am completely fine. I only need to go across the road, Hotel Heritage."

Her expressions changed for a second. "Takraye aise jaise manzil ho ek, lekin raaste hai alag-alag."

Rishi did not understand a word, except maybe she too was going to Hotel Heritage.

The auction event was going on in full swing, coupled with a healthy dose of media coverage. Familiar with the venue, Rishi managed to find Mrs. Roy quickly and give her the medicine. Rudra was sitting with the organizing committee looking after the proceedings and announcements.

Dressed in black, she walked in the hall, her expressions still unreadable. She seemed to be looking for someone in the gathering. Rishi's ears and cheeks became warm imagining it to be him. Moments later his misconception evaporated. As the quotations were going on, that gorgeous woman gave a distant nod to the man who looked familiar but whose face Rishi couldn't remember.

"Twenty crores," the man quoted from the crowd.

For a moment, Rudra's eyes fell on her, and Rishi felt jealous on finding him admiring her mysterious beauty. Not breaking Rudra's eye contact, she came forward and said,

"This auction cannot take place."

All eyes fell on her. There were murmurs throughout the hall.

"Who authorizes you to close the auction?" someone among the guests questioned.

Maya said, still holding Rudra by the eye,

"I am Mrs. Roy, and it's my order."

Thanks for reading. Looking forward to your comments and feedback.