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Chapter 2
Completed
Next morning Kalpi opened her door and dragged herself to the kitchen. She was very irritated as she was thirsty and the medicines she ate made her feel nauseated and bloated all the time. Though she managed a few hours of sleep but her body seemed to protest when she fell asleep as she used wake up even more tired.
She never had servants inside the house. The servants stayed in the guesthouse. They came home only to clean and left. There were no male servants at home and even the driver she had hired was a young lady in her twenties. The cooking department was handled by Kamla. She had appointed some cook who used to cook the meals. However Kamla knew Kalpi preferred only meal cooked by Kamla.
She was so simple and never indulged herself to treats. Kalpi never ate sweets, or food that usually people love to indulge in. Kamla used to feel Kalpi ate just to survive. She ate two meals in a day. Breakfast and dinner. All she used to have in breakfast was a glass of juice, toast and sometimes oats with fruits.
For dinner all Kalpi ate was a staple diet of 1 cup rice, dal and 2 small rotis. Afternoon Kamla used to send her lunch but Kalpi never had the time to eat them. She would give it to someone who did not have lunch. She used to survive on coffee and sometimes the buttermilk that Kamla used to send.
She never refused for a cook as she knew Kamla could not cook and look after her girls. So she asked Kamla to do as she liked. She never prohibited the girls from doing anything except that they were not allowed to go anywhere without their bodyguards who were again women. Her girls were lucky thought Kamla! If only Kalpi was lucky enough to be with her parents when she was a child, she would not have this problem of trust. Kalpi had a severe problem of trusting people. Kamla wondered how did Kalpi manage the business with no trust in anyone. Maybe that is the reason she overexerted herself by loading all the important work on herself never trusting anyone to do any of her confidential jobs. The BOD's of her company used to have an issue with this too, her secretary Paakhi had told Kamla once. Paakhi was secretary to Kalpi just on papers and for the outside world. Paakhi usually had no clue what was Kalpi's plans or schedule. But Kalpi used to manage her meetings and mail all by herself and let Paakhi handle the petty issues. Especially the job of sending away people who were of no help to Kalpi. She used to find Kalpi rude, curt, cunning and haughty in the beginning. Kalpi had ridiculed her when she had worn pretty clothes to office. She had asked Paakhi to wear clothes for office and not fashion show. Pakhi almost hated her.
However later her opinion had changed due to an incident and now she worshipped Kalpi and would even die for her. She looked upto Kalpi as her elder sister. She was also loved by Kalpi's daughters as she was fun for them.
Kalpi had finally reached the kitchen and found the jug of water. Without even waiting to find a glass she poured the water into her parched throat. She felt old. She felt as though every part of her body screamed for help. Since the past eight years she hardly remembered a time when she took rest or a holiday. She worked even on Sundays and then spent her time with her children. For her even that was her duty. She never let herself get too emotionally attached to them. She would not cuddle or hug them now and then. She decided to be like a father figure to them or more or less like a guardian. She was already an emotional mess she did not want her daughters to be affected with whatever she was struggling with. They seemed fine to her. They seemed strong which is what she wanted them to be. Strong and independent.
Soon they would all be done with their studies and choose their own careers and then if they wish they can get married, settle down or continue with whatever they want to do. She would then assign their property to them and leave. Maybe then I can rest. Until then I cannot afford to. I have to keep going.
She was hungry and her tummy rumbled. She opened the fridge and took the orange juice and downed a glass. Finding nothing else she started chewing on a carrot. Breathing a sigh that now she was full, she went to the living room and fell on the couch! She was reminded of her Doctor's words. To go on she had to look after her health. What would happen if something happened to her? She had to be strong atleast till Smruti had finished her education.
Maybe after a year I could introduce her to the business? Or would it be too much for her. Poor thing wont be able to enjoy her life then. How she had wished she had someone whom she could look upto and take advise from. She had no friends no one to share her secrets with. At the most she did talk to Kamla but then she started getting irritated with Kamla's rants of getting married again and blah blah. So she had decided to shut Kamla too.
Suddenly she remembered about the meeting yesterday where she managed to get the contract and everybody was happy in her company so much that they had a party organised in the evening. They had beaten Singhania group of companies to win this contract. And moreover it was a government project where they had to build certain amenities in certain villages of India. These included school and hospital buildings. Kalpi had not expected to get this contract as she believed that the government officials were all corrupt. However the current ruling party had just come into power and they could not afford to get involved in any controversies and it was made sure that the contract will be given to someone who is totally unrelated to any of the party members and also were honest businessmen.
They had narrowed down to two most competent and interesting tenders. However the State chose to select Kapoors because of two reasons - 1) lesser amount quoted in the tender and 2) the government had initiated plans to promote women enterpreneurs and so this was the best way to show the media and public that were practising what they were preaching.
An thus Kalpi managed to get the contract. But the reaction to this was very different somewhere back in the US. Kalpi had no idea that Raghav too would approach the government for this contract. And she was yet unable to find out why has he returned? Would he think she defeated him purposely. She did not want to. Defeat him or humiliate him would be the last thing on her mind. He would surely be upset about this she thought. Her thoughts were completely true.
Somewhere in the US.
Raghav had thrown a glass of water on the floor with fury blazing in his eyes.
What did you say, he growled on the concall.
S-Sir I- we are sorry actually the reason we lost contract is just because the owner of Kapoors is a woman and the government favored women enterpreneurs, you know that plan and all. Sir it is totally political...aa- actually we gave our best quote s-sir.
Even though the person was on the other side of the camera and sitting safely in the other country, he was sweating and nervous cos no one upsets the tycoon Raghav Singhania. If he wanted something he always got it. And thats the end of the story. Raghav had wanted to make a grand entry in the Indian market by winning this government contract and had even spoken to a few MLA's who had promised him to favor his tender. But at the last moment the Kapoors won?
Kapoors? It had to be none but Kapoors? But who exists now? Mrs Kapoor? His chachi was never a businesswoman. Prem got married before he died? When? The last he heard about Kapoors was Saahil Kapoor died in a fire accident and so did his son. They were survived by Mrs Kapoor.
And her? Was she still with them? Did Prem and her get married? No no. No way. Did Prem have any maternal cousins that he wasnt aware of? He needed to talk to his mom.
It cant be you Kalpi! He sighed closing his eyes. Suddenly the memories flashed in front of his eyes as though it happened just a few hours ago. Those doe shaped jet black eyes and the quivering lips. She had looked so innocent and so fragile, that he had hugged her. Kissed her forehead and her eyes. Her cheeks had turned crimson red and he whispered in her ears asking her if he could kiss her. You already did she said and he had lifted her chin touching her lips lightly giving her a clue what he wanted. He saw her ears turning red too. With her nervous fingers that fidgeted with her dupatta he heard her gulp and look left and right in fear and her rapid breathing making her bosom heave up and down. She bit her lip and looked down. R-Ra- Raghav I - I dont know, what if someone comes? He just bent and had claimed her lips never wanting to leave them.
S-sir! The car is ready!
Shiv Shakti
Madhubala - Ek Ishq Ek Junoon
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