New Arshi FF : Merger - Link to Thread # 2 on Page 141 - Page 12

superb update.. .thx for the pm 😊

I totally love your story . continue soon

woah!! High on business jagron!! Gave a real feel to the chapter.

waiting for an update ... 😛

WAITING FOR THE UPDATE PLZZ POST IT SOON

Wednesday has come and gone :'(

Very nice would love to see how the business progresses

wow...just got this ff... very interesting story line... ur wittting style is awesome...
loved it..

A/N: I am really really sorry for not uptdating last week. <<Holding ears>> As I said, I have some deadlines to meet and they are taking up all the time. Here is the next chapter.

CHAPTER 5

Its been six weeks since Arnav and Khushi have joined Mallik Fashions.

IN DELHI...

"Chotey..." Tears were flowing in her eyes in a stream. She hugged him tightly.

Arnav embraced her with all the love. He had missed her so much all these years.

"Aapko ab fursat mili hamse milne ke liye." She mock punched him on his chest.

"Galti hogayi Di. Maff kardo". He stroked her back gently.

"Chotey, aapke aaneka ham kitne hafton se raah dekhat rahe". His Naani caressed him on his cheek.

"Naani, kuch urgent kaam tha, jiske wajahse mein pehle nahi aa saka".

"Arey humrey bitwa ko pehle ander to aane do. Doors pe hi standing rakhoge kaa". His Maami cooed from behind, with moist eyes.

"Aao aao bitwa. Kitne dinon se tumhara intezaar tha." His Maama had his widest smile.

Arnav was overwhelmed with the love he was receiving. He had missed all this so much. He entered the living room, only to see Aman there. They shook hands and everyone settled around.

It was 2 in the morning. Arnav had caught a late night flight on Friday evening and arrived in the wee hours. They made small talk after which Arnav asked them to retire to bed. And not disturb their sleep anymore. The elders went to their rooms. Anjali made some coffee for Arnav and Aman. And kept his suitcase in his room. Before going to sleep herself.

"Aman, now that the funds are in India. We can get started here". Arnav started to update Aman, while taking his first sip of the coffee. "WHAT THE!!" He grimaced at its taste.

"What happened ASR?" Aman took a sip too. It was not all that bad. It was fair enough. He didn't understand what was wrong.

Arnav immediately remembered his coffees at his office. The ones that Khushi made. It was just so good. Every sip soothed him. Calmed him. Cleared his mind.

"ASR. What's wrong?"

"Nothing Aman. Umm...where was I." He came back to the present. "Yes, I was telling you about what we need to do next. Out of the list of Supply Chain companies that you have sent, I have selected 3 companies. South India Logistics. North India Logistics. And PAN INDIA Logistics.

"What we need to do is to start talks with PAN INDIA logistics. And by the end of six months, acquire more than 50% share holding in it. And once we are settled there, PAN India in turn will acquire North India Logistics and South India Logistics. Do you understand?"

"ASR, I understand what I need to do. But what I don't understand is why we are venturing into Supply-Chain business when our core competence is in Fashion Industry."

"Aman, I am not deviating with my plan at all. These particular companies excel in transporting garments. Not only in India but internationally too. They will transport the goods and hold them in their warehouse. It will save so much of our costs. Trust me on this."

"Alright ASR. If you say so."

"Next, please find me the best garment suppliers in the market all over India. I will share the kind of garments I am looking for. Ask the suppliers to make sample copy of those garments. The best match at the lowest price will be the supplier we will be dealing with. You will also have to visit the manufacturing units of these suppliers and ensure that they are genuine."

"But we don't have any customers right now ASR". Don't you think we need to start approaching customers too, simultaneously."

"Not yet Aman. I will tell you when the time is right."

"Here, these are the sample garments for now." He took out some garment samples from his suitcase and returned to the living room. "I will share more with you as time goes by."

"I think we should get some sleep now."

They moved back to the bedroom. Aman had just arrived in India. And Anjali insisted that he should stay with them, till he finds an accommodation. So, he was put in Arnav's and Akash's room. Arnav was not staying with them right now. And Akash was in a college hostel.

Arnav freshened up and bid good night to Aman and lied on his bed. This was a modest 3 bedroom house in Delhi's suburban area. After his parents' death, Arnav and Anjali had moved here. This house, this room and this bed, knew him. His adolosence, his struggle ridden years. The mischief that Akash and he would play on each other. The scolding from his Maami for the pranks they played on Anjali. His grandma's stories. His books, his achievements. This house knew him.

But did it know his turmoil? Yes, he thought. The house knew, when he came home sad. When people outside this house would taunt him about his father. His classmates would sledge him about his mother. The days he was tired to the core after doing two part time jobs. Those late night studies with a lamp or a torch. His need to take back all that was snatched away from his sister and him.

He knew that his Maama and Maami had to cut corners to raise three children. Out of which two were dumped' on them. They never showed it. Raised them as their own. But the least they could have had, was the money that Arnav's father had left behind.

His paternal uncle ruined everything. He exposed his father's despicable character. Nobody knew about it. His father had done a good job of hiding it from the public and from his family. So, what was the need to bring it out in the open? The public humiliation immediately stalled Anjali's wedding. Their reputation was lost forever.

His Uncle had physically pushed them out of their house in the middle of the night. And so hard did he push Anjali that she was hit badly by a sharp stone on the pavement. She kept bleeding for hours as they slowly walked in the night, to the nearest hospital, which was 4 kilometers away. And the doctor refused to treat them as they did not have money to pay. It had led to a permanent ligament damage on her knee. And her limp was more pronounced during winter or days when she would work too much.

This affected her marriage too. Even if someone was ok with the limp, his father's reputation would reach the groom's side. And the alliance would be broken off. Unable to bear the humiliation and disappointment, Anjali had told the family that she was not interested in marriage anyway. So they should stop looking for grooms.

And on his front, he ended up being a diabetic at a tender age of 22. His mother was a diabetic. He knew he may get it too. So, he was always careful about his food. But the stress and lack of sleep and sometimes food, pushed his body.

Aman's bed creaked, which brought Arnav back to the present. It hurt him to see his family suffer so much. All because of one man's greed. He had to suffer. And suffer he will.

He tried to concentrate on the present now. What he had been doing in the past 6 weeks and what was imminent in the near future.

NK and Deepak were attending the Quaterly Business Conference in Mumbai. It was a conference that Mallik Fahions conducted every quarter, where all the branches presented their financials and business achievements. Ideas were shared. And new garments designed by the company were displayed by the Head office production team. It was attended by all the Branch heads and Marketing & Production Managers.

Arnav refused to attend this time, saying that they did not have anything worthwhile to present in front of the entire company. He had asked NK and Deepak to attend instead of him. Arnav had given them strict instructions to not open their lips as to what they were upto in this Branch. It would be a surprise for the entire company in the next Quaterly Review. They were to video record the entire conference, including any presentations made on the screen and every word uttered by the presenters. They had to get the sample piece of all the new garments displayed by the Factory Head. They were to know, who is who in the company and give him a report first thing Monday morning. And all this by being as inconspicuous as possible.

And he had asked Khushi to draw up a contract with South India Logistics company. And get all the terms and specifications right. They had been working for 5 weeks without a break. Not even the weekends. NK had a lot of leads, which meant Khushi had to analyse which of them were profitable and which were not. So, she must be exhausted to say the least. She needs to rest. She is such a push over. I need to ask her to learn to say no. Stop doing other's work.

You dump so much work on her.'

That's ok. I am her boss.'

Arnav closed his eyes to get some sleep...but all he could see was Khushi's face. Her smile, which she did more often these days. Her self talking while concentrating on her work...

Aman was not able to sleep either, due to the jet lag. He sat up on his bed and watched ASR. His face was visible from the dim light coming from the road. ASR was smiling with eyes closed. It was a small smile and the face was relaxed. Aman frowned, eager to know what had managed to bring a smile on the grouchy face of ASR. Yeah Aman, why not, go head and ask him.' He silently left the room shaking his head.

AT THE BRANCH OFFICE SATURDAY MORNING

Khushi walked into the office as usual. But today she felt different. She felt a void. And clueless as to how to go about the day. She had her work set apart for the day. So, why was she feeling so...so...so... <<she fidgeted a bit>> so empty?

Because there is no one at office.'

Khushi, almost half the company is working today.'

Yeah, but NK and Deepak are not there. And...and...HE is not there.' She told herself hesitantly.

Or, because HE is not towering over me to deliver the job at hand asap.'

She smiled, and started her work. But she was not able to concentrate. Words blurred, thoughts went back to him.

Where is he? What would he be doing? Where is he? Kaka said that he is not at home either. Where is he?'

Khushi, finish your work. Else, Monday will not be a good day for you...'

Same time, in DELHI

"Chotey, here have some coffee. I have made less this time. Looks like you have cut back on your coffee. You left the earlier two mugs half full."

"Yes Di. Half a mug is better."

Aman shot a glance at ASR.

Arnav took a sip again. But managed to camouflage is displease. He kept running his hand on the rim of the mug. He had to call Khushi and ask her to take the weekend easy.

I need to call her to find out what she is doing.'

Arnav, first call NK and Deepak to find out what "THEY" are doing in the conference.'

They will give me a report on Monday. I need to call Khushi.'

Oh right, you need' to call Khushi. So go ahead.'

He walked out of the house in to the balcony.

Damn, she doesn't have a mobile. I need to get her one.'

He dialed his direct number. If she is in the office, she should pick the call in about 5 rings. And sure she did

"Hello?!!" She said aloud.

Who is this calling on Sir's private number?' she thought.

"Khushi?"

"Sir?"

"Yes. What are you doing at office?"

You called on your personal number at office. If I wasn't there, who would have picked it up?' She spoke to herself.

But aloud she said "Ummm, I am working on the South India Logistics contract. They will visit our company this afternoon. So, I am preparing for the meeting."

"Ok...go home after that. You can finish the rest on Monday. Ok?"

"Ok Sir..."

<<Silence...>>

"Khushi?"

"Yes Sir"

"I will see you on Monday at office, ok?" His voice was soft with concern. It surprised both of them.

"Ok Sir." She said softly.

Inspite of the call, the nagging in his mind continued. He should have told her that he was with his family in Delhi. But why did he want her to know that? He didn't have an answer.

He decided to move his return tickets from Monday morning to Sunday evening. With that, he will be able to reach office first thing on Monday, instead of the afternoon.

***

Khushi kept the phone down. Her mind was not at rest either. She had heard him. Heard his voice. He was there, some where, but where was he? She will see him on Monday...

She turned around to go back to her seat. And something caught her attention on his table. It was a strip of medication. She read the name. And frowned. What was it? She kept it back on the table and went back to her seat.

She tried to concentrate on the screen to work on the contract...

IN MUMBAI 5 PM

NK stormed into the Hotel room where they were staying. He ripped of his tie and threw it on his bed. Deepak followed him slowly and closed the door.

"Calm down NK. What's wrong with you?"

"Calm down? CALM DOWN? What is wrong with YOU?" Don't you have any self respect? Why did you stop me from answering all those morons out there? How dare they mock at us? I would have told them how we have doubled our sales in just over a month?"

"And that is exactly what ASR would not have liked. He had asked us to keep our mouth's shut, remember?"

"He knew this would happen. Didn't he? That's why he sent us. To face the ridicule of our peers." NK fumed and banged on the wall.

"I will show them, I will show them how good our Branch is. Just three more months."

"Yes NK, WE will show them. And the presentations that they made were laughable. Isnt it? Khushi makes such wonderful excel and power point presentations. And ASR has much more insight on this business than our Operations Director. Now, calm down please. Nothing good will come from this anger and distaste."

"Ok. Lets prepare the report that ASR has asked us." They started to look at the video recording that they had taken.

DELHI...8 PM...

"BHAI... How have you been? I just had to see you...Its been so long..."

"AAKASH...So good to see you" They hugged each other...

"Arey Aakaasss bitwa...you didn't tell me you were coming."

"Arey maathey, had I told you, I would have missed this surprise on your face." He pulled her cheeks.

"Ssut Up karo bitwa... Hum tumhre Amma hain." She hit on his palms.

"Di, bohot zor ki pizza bhook lagi hain. Bhai's treat." He wriggled his eyebrows.

"Achcha... Is Pizza bhook different from Dal-Chawal bhook?"

"Arey Di, when Bhai is around, why should I eat Dal-Chawal and rookha sookha. Lets go out and have Pizza."

The elders refused to join them. So, the three children and Aman stepped out to have pizza.

When the pizza arrived at their table, Aakash jumped to grab a piece. The other three picked up a piece each. Anjali and Aman picked up their forks and knives to eat the pizza. Arnav took a bite of the pizza with his hand, just like Aakash.

Anjali and Aman were surprised. In all the time that they knew him, they had never seen Arnav so casual. For him, his vanity was most important when he was outside. He even insisted his family and friends to adhere to table manners and etiquette. While Aman quickly recovered, Anjali could not help herself. "Kya Chottey, tum aur pizza or who bhi haath se?"

"So what Di? This is how Americans eat. Forks and knives is European Style..."

He dodged the question and went back to his pizza.

<<FLASHBACK>>

Two weeks ago... Arnav had ordered pizza and pasta on a Saturday evening. NK, Deepak, Khushi and he were working on some customer and supplier deals in the conference room. As soon as the food arrived, NK and Deepak dug into it. Arnav took some pizza and started to eat with his fork and knife. NK and Deepak stopped. Embarrased, they started eating with fork and knife too. Khushi sat there. Fidgeting. Not knowing how to eat with the fork and knife. Arnav saw NK and Deepak hungrily digging into their food.

He looked at Khushi. She was looking at him too.

"I don't know to use the fork and knife" Her eyes said.

Arnav looked around. He understood her predicament. He quietly dropped his fork and knife and started eating with his hands. Khushi followed his cue. Eating the pasta was easy. He used the spoon instead of the fork, for her ease. And later she followed, taking his cue. All this, when the four of them were discussing about the business seriously. No words exchanged about the food.

<<FLASHBACK END>>

"Bhai, till when are you in Delhi."

I am returning tomorrow evening Aakash.

"Arey Chotey, you said you are taking an early morning flight on Monday."

"No, Di. I need to talk to my assistant, Monday morning at 8. We need to prep to close some contracts coming up next week."

"God bless that assistant Chotey. Don't make his life miserable."

Arnav did not correct her. That it was a "she" and not a "he". He let it be...

***

MONDAY MORNING

Khushi reached office early. Arnav reached just after her. She smiled at him. Felt as if she had not seen him in a long time. Arnav stopped. Looked at her for a tad more seconds than usual. He did not return her smile. But said "Coffee Khushi. In the tall mug."

NK and Deepak sat in Arnav's office at 9 AM. Khushi was there too.

"Good morning gentlemen. How was the conference? How do you feel now? Were you guys humiliated? Ridiculed? Said that, for all practical purposes you don't exist in this company? That you are losers?"

NK and Deepak looked at each other. They were surprised as to how ASR knew exactly what they went through in the conference. "But Sir, how did you come to know?"

"I know a lot of things without even being there, guys. The reason I sent you there was to prepare YOU for what you will face in the next quarter. Because, YOU will make the presentations and shut the mouths of the very people who have ridiculed you. And you will "KNOW" how much we have to strive to keep our heads held high."

"Now, get going and reach the targets..."

NEXT CHAPTER: What's going to happen at the end of 6 months?

A/N: So how was it? Too abrupt? Please COMMENT and let me know your thoughts. Or please press the LIKE BUTTON.

very nice update... Arnav and Khushi both missing each other but is not excepting that fact...lolz... well its too early to expect anything ... loved it..