New Arshi FF : Merger - Link to Thread # 2 on Page 141 - Page 46

Originally posted by: jyothim78

awsome... read all pparts at a stretch... just too good.. I LOVE THE PLOT... THE CHARECTERIZATIONS and the pace of the story... its beautiful... but how is Arnav going to take her disappearance..? Can't he ask her to apply in his company ..?but how and why will he do it..? how are they going to meet if she leaves the job ...? Can't wait for the next update... Will Khushi send Arnav a mail about her resignation..? By the way Lavanaya would be Arnav and Anjali's cousin.. its really cheap the kind of designs she has for him..

A/n: Hey all. Hopefully this update was sooner than later. Sorry, I am not responding to your comments. Have read them all and they are so .. so... much encouraging. I am using every free bit of time to write the updates...

Thankyou all so much for your wonderful comments. For taking so much interest. For waiting patiently and encouraging me to keep writing...This is for each one of you for commenting or liking my story.

So, without further delay, here is the next update. Do let me know how you felt about it.

Chapter 12

"Good Afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I am here today to present before you the progress and accomplishments of my regional branch and also to share my thoughts as to how we can take this company to new heights."

Everybody heard him with rapt attention. He went on to display his Region's achievements. It was no surprise that his region was second only to the Head Office Sales. The other regional heads were only catching up to his concept. They had no clue how to implement it.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your utmost attention please." Some murmurs here and there came to a stop. Please look at the next set of slides. He displayed 15 of the Mallik Fashion house garments. But surprisingly, each slide displayed two images of the same garment.

"I can see some questioning looks among some of you. Why two images of the same garment. Let me explain."

"You see this cardigan. Our company's price is Rs. 1200/-. Same garment, our competitor has priced at Rs. 850/-."

"You see this shawl..." He went on to show how Mallik Fashions garments were over-priced than their competitors.

This was no news for the Marketing Team. They had been complaining about it all along only to befall on deaf ears.

"I have hired a research team on my personal expense." He stressed on the word "personal expense". And we have done extensive research on the Indian Textile Market in the past 6 months. Among them, we have identified the following suppliers who can deliver the same garments at rates cheaper than our competitors.

"This is outrageous ASR." The cranky Finance Head pointed out. "Do you propose that we close all our factories?"

"Sir, with due respect, all I am presenting is only MY point of view. As I said earlier, I do not have any insight on the production side of this company. It is for the Management to figure it out if what I am saying makes sense."

"And as far as I know, we are here to make money. And run a profitable business. And change is bound to happen. If we don't go with the flow of the market, we will have to soon close our shop."

Mallik tugged at the Finance Head, indicating him to calm down and sit. "Bachcha hain. Why do you get offended? Let him share his ideas. Lets talk it over in our closed quarters." Mallik whispered into the Finance Head's ears.

Arnav continued. "Based on our research, we have identified some suppliers who can deliver the same garments at cheaper prices. Here is the list." Immediately camera lights flashed. Marketing Managers of all branches took photos of the slides, lest they don't get to see the list again.

Arnav smirked mentally. Game 1 sucessful.

"My next target was to reduce our supply-chain costs. In my region, we have outsourced it to South India Logistics. The most trusted Logistics company in South India. We have just started to see the benefits. It has directly lead to reduction of costs by 20%."

"Again, based on my research team, here is the list of notable Supply-Chain companies all over India." This time, all the Branch Operations Managers clicked the photos of the screen. Game 2 successful.

"Again ladies and gentlemen. I cannot stress enough that it is based on a very superficial research. I regard all of you to rely on your prudence and experience before implementing these ideas. I only mean well for all of us sitting here." He gave his disclaimer clause.

He saw that the Management Team and Mallik were flipping his presentation booklet. Game 3 successful.

He was through with 75% of his presentation. Just then he saw Khushi getting up and making way towards the door. He paused. Everyone looked at him. And followed his line of vision. Arnav looked at the turned heads. Suddenly conscious that all were now looking at Khushi's walking form he continued.

"I would like to next present how we have successfully implemented these two ideas in all the branches in our Region." The heads turned back.

Khushi paused just before opening the door. He kept looking at her, while continuing to address the gathering. He could see her gently smile. He gave a slight nod. Where is she going? May be to the restroom? She will be back in a while. Or she must be tired after the all-nighter...

Thinking on those lines he continued to explain how his two ideas would make extensive profits for the company.

***

Khushi looked at Arnav. She was at the door of the conference Hall. Arnav stood all glorious at the podium. She smiled. Yes, this is the way she would always want to see him. May Devi Maiyya be with him all the time. She prayed.

She saw him nod slightly. She nodded back. Not wanting to prolong the agony, she quickly walked out of the Hall. His voice slowly softened and came to a complete blank as the door of the Hall shut behind her. She strode away from there in long steps. Her heart all constricted. Her breath held tight. Lips pursed. Reasoning to herself that there was no reason to cry. They were all adults now. And these things happened. People met and parted. This was the way of life.

She functioned mechanically thereafter. Picked up her luggage from the room. Took a taxi and arrived the train station. Found out her platform number. Saw that her train was delayed by more than an hour. Managed to find a bench. And sat there. Head hung down. The buzz of the station falling on deaf ears. Lost in the thoughts of all the good time she had had with Arnavji. The new things she had learnt. The all-nighters they had pulled. The cribbing that NK and Deepak did behind his back. She smiled intermittently. They were good times. And all good things came to an end. Had to come to an end. She sighed.

After some time, the public announcement said that the train was arriving at the station shortly. It would stop at the station for only two minutes. She had to be quick. She bent down to pick her suitcase and bag, when she saw a familiar set of shoes in front of her. She knew who it was. The hem of the pant confirmed who it was. As her head moved upwards, the belt and waist line, the shirt and the collars left no doubt who it was. And then she looked up at his face.

***

From the moment Khushi had left, it did not skip Arnav's mind that she had not returned. He kept looking at his watch. 5 minutes. 10 minutes. If she had been to the rest room, then she must be definitely back by now. If she was resting in her room then it was ok. But stop. Shyam was no where to be seen. Oh..shit shit shit...how did I miss this. How the HELL did I miss this. Is she ok? Is she safe? Panick hit him hard. He suddenly buzzed through the rest of the presentation. In less than half an hour after Khushi had left, he completed his speech.

Being the last presentation, all got up to have a word with him or to congratulate him. To hell with these people. He was now perspiring in the well air-conditioned room.

"ASR my boy. What a fantastic performance." Mallik shook his hands. "I didn't expect you to show up, after Lavanya's folly."

"Mr. Mallik, I need to finish up something very quick. I will talk to you in a short while."

"Oh... go ahead my boy. I will talk to you at the dinner party."

"Certainly Mr. Mallik." He escaped the rest of the crowd. Dashed towards NK and Deepak.

"NK, Deepak come with me. It's urgent." He strode out of the Conference Hall. They followed him. NK sulking. Deepak indifferent. After a good 15 seconds, Arnav found them coming out of the conference hall.

"What the hell is wrong with you guys? I told you its urgent. And where is Khushi. Why aren't one of you with her?" He started walking towards the lift, in the direction of her room.

"Why would we be with her? We have another day of this lousy conference to attend." NK grumbled.

"Shut the hell up NK?" Arnav decided to deal with him later. He pressed the lift button multiple times, as if it would arrive faster.

"Deepak you tell me. Where is Khushi?" The lift door opened. They all stepped inside.

"She is at the train station ASR."

"WHAT?!! What do you mean train station? Is she leaving? What about tomorrow's presentation. She has a presentation tomorrow, doesn't she?"

"Yes ASR. She was not willing to stay here for more than one night. We frankly don't know why she came here. She is anyway leaving in a week's time."

"What?? What do you mean she is leaving?"

"She has quit her job ASR." NK intervened to enlighten him. "You are the Regional Branch Head. Why would you keep track of insignificant people like us? While we are at it, let me tell you this. Deepak and I are leaving too, by the end of next week." He vented out. The lifts door opened at Khushi's floor. They all stepped out.

"What!!?? What do you mean all of you are leaving? Why wasn't I updated about this earlier?"

He looked at Deepak, the more mature of the two. "Tell me the truth."

"Well ASR..." Deepak drawled.

"Tell. Me. The. Truth."

"Frankly, this is the consequence of working under a man like like Shyam Manohar Jha. Had it been only a few of us, then it could termed as a personal issue. But the truth is, every single person in the branch is currently looking out for jobs."

"Shyam Manohar Jha" he cursed under his breath. But first things first. Khushi. He had to get her back. I mean, Retain her. He couldn't lose such a good "employee". He tried to convince himself.

"What is Khushi's mobile number?" He quickly pulled out is phone.

"She doesn't have a mobile ASR."

He pushed the lift button. It opened right away. They all stepped inside again. He pressed the button to the lobby. On the way down, he collected her train and seat details from them. As the lift opened up, he ran to the exit.

"But ASR, her train is leaving in the next 10 minutes."

"Call up the train enquiry and let me know if it is on time."

He boarded the next available taxi. Perspiring all through it. He got a call from Deepak. The train was delayed by an hour. Good...good... He urged the taxi-driver to hurry up.

As he arrived at the station, he threw couple of notes at the driver, not bothering to take the change back. Ran to the display board. Found out the platform. Ran over the walk-way bridge. As he was descending the stairs of the bridge, he located her sitting on a bench. He slowed down his pace. Slowly approaching her. Panting. Missing the announcement that her train was arriving shortly.

He stood in front of her bent form. She slowly looked up. Eyes surprised. He was now only a foot away from her. She opened her mouth to say something but words failed her.

The train chugged rapidly into the station and came to a shrill halt. The people around moved hastily to board it. Pushing the two of them closer in the process.

Arnav was still gathering his breath and was now perspiring profusely. His head bent down to take in her form. A drop of is sweat fell on her forehead. Embarrassed, he quickly raised his hand to wipe it. His fingers stilled at the touch of her. Their eyes locking. Surprise written all over her face. And concern written all over his. As his fingers left her face, they moved one of the stray strands away. Khushi looked at his fingers which were now very close to her cheek. Realising what was happening, Arnav quickly dropped his hand.

The announcer said that the train was ready to depart. This is it. This is the last she was going to see him. All her poise and composure were on the verge of crumbling. She couldn't show her teary face to him. She hastily collected her luggage and ran towards her compartment which was behind him.

"Khushi..." He called out. His hand managed to catch her duppatta, but it slipped away. She threw her luggage in and managed to climb the moving train. She stood at the door. Now unable to control her feelings. Cocooned her face with her palms and cried her heart out.

The entrance of the compartment slowly moved in front of him. Arnav saw her body shaking with her sobs. Face closed with her palms.

"Khushi...Khushi...listen to me. Pull the chain. Or get down at the next station. Khushi...Khushi..." he called after her.

But she did not hear him. His voice was lost in the chugging and the hooting of the train.

As the train departed, he stood there helpless. Something at the center of his chest constricted. As if his heart was being ripped apart from his body... as if it was now following the train. Beside her. Unable to bear this unease, he slumped down on a bench nearby. His head hung down.

In all his adult life, he had never felt this helpless. In this situation, her reaction was only natural. She did not have the upper hand. So, she took the only option she had. Removing herself from the scene. While the insolent were moving scot free.

But he. Yes, he did have some power to influence the results. He could make sure she did not leave the job disgraced and demeaned. He could give her more options. And he would make the guilty pay for their crime.

He sighed heavily and looked at the direction in which the train had departed. Pursing his lips. After some time, he slowly gathered himself up and walked towards the exit of the station, slowly but surely. He knew exactly what he would do now.

He hailed a taxi. As he sat inside, the shrewd ASR came to the fore front. He took out his phone. And dialed the number to the Regional Finance Head.

"Mr. Finance Head. Do you know Khushi?"

"Yes Sir. The girl who worked all night yesterday."

"Yes, that's the girl I am talking about. I believe she is quitting her job in a week's time. Are you aware about it?"

"Yes Sir, she put down her papers couple of days ago."

"And do you think she is an employee worth loosing?"

"Frankly No Sir. I have seen her work. And after yesterday night's performance, I find her quite remarkable. But no matter what we tell her, she is not willing to take her job back."

"Will you take her into your team in the Regional Branch?"

"Any time Sir. She is quite a good employee."

"Then send her an offer right now. I mean RIGHT NOW. THIS MOMENT. Offer her the same salary as the rest of your team. I donot want any discrimination just because she is junior only by age and qualification. And mark me a copy on that email. I need to see it in the next 5 minutes."

"Next, do you know anything about Shyam Manohar Jha?" Know your enemy before you strike.

"Yes Sir. He is Mr. Mallik's close friend's son. I understand from grapevine that he is likely to marry Ms. Mallik. I also hear that Mr. Mallik does not take any decisions without consulting him. He was introduced in the previous Board Meeting of the Directors as a prospective Director."

"Ok." He cut the call.

He next called his Regional Marketing Head.

"Mr. Marketing Head. I want you to keep two emails ready. Send them only when I give a go ahead. First one, make an offer to Deepak as the new Branch Manager of his area. And make an offer to NK to join your team in the Regional Branch."

"But Sir. What about Mr. Shyam Manohar Jha?"

"As of this moment he is no longer in our team Mr. Marketing Head. This phone call is confidential. Understand?"

"Yes Sir."

He reached the hotel. Freshened up. Went down stairs to meet Mr. Mallik.

"Mr. Mallik, I have some important issues to discuss with you."

"ASR my boy. Common, enjoy the party. Why do you always look so serious? Common relax..."

"Mr. Mallik." Arnav cut in. "I have some urgent decisions to take. So, please listen to me."

Mallik concentrated.

"I am making some promotions in my team."

"Oh... when did I stop you from doing that ASR. Did you come to me to discuss this?"

"Ok. Then I will take that as a yes from you. If I have to make them happen, I will have no role for Shyam Manohar Jha. He needs to be moved out of my region."

"Oh...that is not a problem ASR. Coincidentally, he himself called me just now and said that he is planning to join the Management Team in Head Office. So, I guess your problem has solved by itself."

"Arnav smirked internally. Of course he would seek a transfer. He could not possibly show his face to him now, could he?"

"And last. I need you to ask Ms. Mallik to move to Head Office too."

"Oh...that I am not sure ASR. Bachchi Hain. You know... all this is only a temporary fancy for her. When she gets bored I am sure she will return. Humour her for me, please, wont you?"

Arnav huffed in irritation. He had gotten the important things. He didn't want to push his luck. Ms. Mallik could be dealt with later.

"I have some work Mr. Mallik. I will talk to you later."

He sent a message to the Marketing Head to send the offer emails to NK and Deepak.

He approached NK and Deepak and told them only this. "If you had believed in me and shared the problems before, then this solution could have been implemented much earlier. It would have saved a lot of people the agony and misery that they have gone through. Now, please look into your emails. And I hope to receive a positive response from both of you. Because, unlike you, "I BELIEVE in YOU" to make the right decisions."

He left the Dining Hall. It was becoming suffocating again.

***

NEXT MORNING

Shyam Manohar Jha sat in his apartment, having arrived early that morning. His face black, blue and swollen at places.

He had excused himself from the conference under the pretext of bad health.

He gulped a glass of scotch, neat. The liquid matching the fire within him.

"You didn't do good Khushiji. You didn't do good at all. All along, when I was pursuing you, you never told me that you had something already going on with that ASR."

"Ha... it was a stroke of luck that I caught the two of you in act. Had I not come to your room that night, I would've never known about your little rendezvous with him. No wonder you insisted on staying only one night."

"Khushiji, if I cant have you, then nobody else will either. And I will have you at any cost. At. Any. Cost."

His lips twisted in bitterness. He gulped another round of the harsh liquid and smashed the glass.

***

Arnav held his morning cup of coffee in the Hotel Room. And called at Khushi's branch. The security guard received the call and transferred to Khushi's desk. On the third ring she picked up the call.

"Hello." came her soft voice.

"It's me."

She sucked in her breath, her surprise audible.

"Did you check your mail box? You must be having a mail from the Regional Finance Head."

"I am just checking it Sir." He waited for her to read through the mail.

"But Sir... this is so much more. I don't deserve this. And I have already put in my resignation... I wanted to tell you this in person earlier... but I didn't get a chance..."

"Khushi... Khushi... stop... and listen to me. You need to know about a few changes that I have made to my team last night."

"You and NK are moving to my team in the Regional Office. And Deepak is going to head the branch office going forward."

"That means..."

"That means that Shyam Manohar Jha is no longer there in this team. He is no longer the Branch Manager."

She sucked her breath again. And slowly relaxed, at this new found information.

"But... Sir... this salary.. it is so much more. Almost three time higher. I mean I can continue here, if Deepak is going to be the new manager. At the same salary."

"That is my call Khushi. I think you should let me choose my team. And I am not going to take a NO for an answer."

"But Sir, I have to talk to my family."

"What is there to talk? I am here. Kaka is here. What is there to worry?"

She smiled internally. He spoke as if her Amma thought of him as family.

"I will speak to them and let you know Sir."

"Let the Regional Finance Head know your joining date by tomorrow morning. And talk to HR about your accommodation facility. OK?"

"Yes Sir."

There was a pause. Both not knowing what to say next. Both not wanting the call to end.

Finally Khushi spoke. "Abhi hum phone rakhte hain."

"Hmmm..." he cut the call.

NK and Deepak had accepted the offer almost immediately. And while he would teach that despicable Shyam a lesson, he needed to have Khushi under his close watch. And having her in his own branch was the best thing. The right thing.

He wasn't sure whom he was trying to convince.

***

Khushi re-read the offer. This was the best thing that had ever happened to her. Well, second best thing. Arnavji was by far the best thing that had happened to her ever. He had taught her to look at life in a whole new light. Had taught her to take charge of life and change her destiny. And now, all her problems seemed to resolve just like that.

This money could be of so much use to her. Chutki was growing up. She could afford good school and tuitions for her. Chutki could have all that she herself did not have.

Amma could be shown to a good doctor. She could now afford the expensive medication.

She would convince Amma. She would tell her that Kaka was there, in case she needed help. She smiled a bit. Amma would be outraged if she told her that Arnavji would be there to take care of her. For no particular reason, Amma hated Arnavji as it is.

The darkness had gone past. A new bright day had begun.

NEXT: New beginnings

A/n: Let me know how you felt about it. Please do comment. Or hit the LIKE BUTTON.