Part 39
It had been a bright sunny morning a new beginning to a new day Inder had a major contract to bag today he was confident on him winning it. He had toiled hard at it burning the midnight oil even at this age he did not shun away from hard work. The meeting had been attended by top hoteliers of the country the contract was a major one and all had hoped on landing it. The major shock came when the tender had been handed to 'Sikcand group of Hotels' not only were they new to the field also they lacked the knowledge and capability to handle such a mammoth task. Inder was enraged and irritated someone in his office had leaked the quotations to Sikcand else how could he have lost the tender by a minimum difference of one rupee, he had reached his office furious and had asked Mr Verma to look into the matter. Mr Verma was an honest and selfless employee one who put his job above everything else. Days later he had informed Inder about the weak link in his company a certain Kabir Kaushal who had aims to make it big through all the wrong ways. Inder had hired him out of sympathy he hailed from a penurious background and was responsible for many in his family but Inder's generosity had caused him to lose a coveted deal. He had not confronted Kabir immediately but had asked Amit to keep an eye on him, follow him around and find out his contacts. Amit had done as told and soon the chain of events led them to understand that Kabir was Sikcand's spy whom he had planted in Inder's office to keep him abreast with Sah Industries' internal affairs and details. He was the reason Sikcand had known of their quotations beforehand and had changed his at the last moment resulting in his victory. Inder had fumed inwardly his hard work had gone to waste just because of that scumbag Sikcand but before he did anything against him Inder decided to have a word with him. If he accepted his deceit then Inder would warn him not to repeat the mistake twice and if he didn't Inder would be forced to take strict action against him. Amit though had advised him otherwise he knew people like Sandiip Sikcand never redeemed themselves thus warning him would only serve to make him play the game more tactfully and cautiously rather than leaving it altogether.The following afternoon Inder had called Sandiip up accusing him of tampering with his documents Sandiip had listened to his earful coolly before snubbing him off rudely telling him that he had no proof on him to justify his accusations. Inder had further been maddened when Sandiip told him that he planned to repeat the same trick to bag another project but this time Inder had had enough he slammed the phone down in disgust making up his mind to pay this Sandiip a visit that night.
Milind had yet again been rejected and sat on the charpoi outside the chawl silently staring at the star studded night sky. He had lost count on the number of interviews he had given till date, he felt like a certified loser destined to face defeat each time he even thought of following the right path. Soon he was surrounded by friends who resided in the same chawl with him. "Kiya hua aaj bhi nahin mili naukri?" Sunil had inquired gauging his depression from his facial expression. "Abey saala meri kismat main hee nahin hai achi naukri" he had answered crudely smacking his fist on the wooden post of the charpoi in frustration. Milind had indeed been a bright and intelligent student acquiring top scores throughout his academic career. He alone knew how he had funded his higher education by working evening jobs which sometimes carried on in the wee hours of the night. But he had not lost hope having complete faith in himself determined that once he earned his degree he would be able to get a job that would best exploit his talents. Little had he known that he was soon to consider this a farce, a dream shattered in a million pieces. "Dekh Milind roz roz tension leney sey acha hai apun apna koi dhanda ker lein" Sunil had advised him sharing his charpoi. "Kiya matlab?" Milind had asked not understanding him a bit. "Mera eik dost hai Kabir ker key woh eik seth key paas kaam kerta hai apun usko apni naukri key vaastey bola hai tuu bhi aa jaa aaj raat apun key saath eik ki bajaye do naukri ka baat ker leyga. Kiya bolta hai?" Milind pondered on the offer. "Per naukri kiya hogi?" Ali had asked "Apun to khud ki dukaan ki baat kerney jaa raha hai woh seth apunko paisa udhaar deyga, apun bhi chota mota business chalu ker leyga, na kisi ki sunni pareygi na koi mach mach, saala apna kamaya apna khaya. Aur thora thora ker key uss seth ko paisa waapis ker deyga" he had explained his plans to them. The offer was alluring both Ali and Milind were having a tough time these days their education appeared useless the moment they entered any institution. No one required hard working and honest men it was all a game, interviews would be held but the candidate to be selected would be decided upon even before the interview took place itself. To start a business they would need initial finance to invest right now they had nothing to get deposited as security against a loan in the bank and the interest rate would be high too. If they took money from this businessman they may be able to work out something that would be feasible for both parties. After debating over the issue for an hour Sunil had convinced Milind to accompany him that night to Sandiip's office.
Even though Milind was grateful to Sandiip for fixing an appointment with him at such a short notice the fact was he wasn't impressed with him at all. Sandiip had a mean look to him one that indicated he was merciless in his dealings. He was a rather short, bald and bloated fellow his thick wrists and neck were adorned with a dozen gold chains and bracelets and he smoked a cigar carelessly. His guard had ushered Milind and Sunil in his overstuffed office and now they both sat facing him. It was evident from his manner that Sandiip did not think much of Sunil but his eyes had glinted when he saw Milind. This man might be useful to him his arrogance, his confidence and his dare devil attitude made him stand out to Sandiip who had an evil scheme in mind and needed someone to execute the task with precision. Men like Sandiip were ready to cross all boundaries in their quest for wealth, their greed drove them and was the primary force behind all their actions. Signalling Milind to follow him Sandiip had led him to the lawn outside the building he could use fresh air after the stale cigar smog in the office. Milind had no choice but to follow him squeezing Sunil's shoulder reassuringly he had left behind Sandiip. "Milind naam haina tumhara" Sandiip had confirmed waddling through the musty corridors to the unkempt lawn "Haan" Milind had assented walking by his side stepping out in the cool night. "Tum jaisey log chotey motey dhandey kertey achey nahin lagtey Milind, main tumhain unchaion ko chootey dekhna chahta huun" he had smiled slyly at Milind who had stared at him in confusion. Why was Sandiip being so generous to him when he clearly hadn't even cast a second glance at Sunil. "Aap bas mujhey koi dukaan kholney jitney paisey dey dijiye main jald hi waapis lauta duunga" Milind had put his point forward. "Arey dukaan kiya makaan bhi duunga tumko lekin uskey liye tumhain mera eik kaam kerna pareyga" Sandiip had grinned evilly standing by a crop of trees. "Kaisa kaam" Milind had inquired suspiciously what single task could land him both a shop and a home he was curious to know.
"Inder Shah ka naam suna hai?" Sandiip had asked him and Milind's forehead had creased, the name did ring a bell somewhere oh yes he had been to the Shah's office for an interview recently, he hadn't met Inder upfront but had caught a glimpse of him busy with his lawyer. Secretly Milind had been deeply inspired by Inder and had wished at that moment to follow his footsteps to success and glory. "Haan suna hai" Milind had affirmed knowledge on Inder "Bas uska game baja daalna hai" Sandiip had smirked drawing a deep puff of the tobacco running his fingers on his bald head. "Matlab?" Milind had watched him confused "Matlab usko uper puhunchaney ka hai. Buhut dimagh ki dahi kerta hai aur apna number one competitor hai. Main chahta to kisi professional ko paisey dey ker kab ka usko khallas kerwa chuka hota per tuu apna bacha hai, tereyko paison ki zarurat hai or mereyko aisey aadmi ki jiska koi criminal record nahin ho. Kya samjha..... usko uraaney key vaastey tereyko do paiti deyga main boley to do lakh aadha abhi aadha kaam key baad." Milind had felt as if someone had snatched the ground from under his feet his blood boiled as he stood transfixed, astounded at Sandiip's vicious and criminal thoughts and aspirations. So that was his plan to get Inder Shah murdered and to use him to carry out his dirty tasks he felt ashamed of having even consented to meet this fat crook impersonating as a generous benefactor to lost souls like him. He wondered how many people had fallen prey to his fatal schemes earlier but he for one was not going to sell his soul to the devil at any damn cost, a human life valued far more than any monetary asset in his view. Stepping out of his car Inder had walked briskly to Sandiip's office with Amit in tow, Inder had wanted to go alone but Amit had pressed upon the fact that they were dealing with a dangerous goon and not any ordinary man. He certainly was not letting Inder go pursue and challenge Sandiip on his own, he knew his boss was a level headed man but he did not trust Sandiip for even a minute. They were about to step on the gravel path leading to the dreary corridors when they heard voices emanating from the lawns atleast one of them certainly matched Sandiip's. Putting his finger to his lips Inder had gestured Amit to be silent and tiptoed to the lawn. A thick clump of trees provided them the required cover and they hid behind the foliage in an attempt to overhear his plans from their vantage point they could see Sandiip in deep conversation with a young, handsome rather scruffy looking man. Sandiip stood smoking his cigar while the man stared at him blankly straining their ears both Inder and Amit were able to track the conversation as a plan to get him done away with. Amit was panic stricken and had it not been for Inder firmly holding him by his arm he'd have dashed out in the open yelling curses at both the men.
Before Sandiip had a chance to explain the added benefits of his lucrative offer to Milind he felt a strong hand close in on his throat. "Tuu ney kiya samjha saaley Milind Mishra koi bharey ka tattu hai jo terey eik ishaarey per kisi kii jaan leyleyga." Sandiip was caught completely offguard by Milind's sudden attack he croaked in pain the cigar dropped from his hands as he fruitlessly tried to free himself of Milind's iron fingers clasped firmly around his neck. "Choro mujhey" he had managed gasping for air as Milind tightened his grip on his larynx. "Pata chala kaisey nikalti hai jaan .......... kaisey band hoti hai saans, jab khud ka tetwa dabta hai tab pata chalta hai jaan ki asli qeemat kiya hoti hai, deyga ab do peiti mujhey?" Milind had hollered at him his temper flaring. Sandiip had started flailing his arms in the air in a desperate attempt to run away his eyes had started bulging now and for a moment Inder had been tempted to blow his cover and stop Milind from strangling the man to death. Finally when Milind realized he had terrorized him enough he let go of his throat releasing Sandiip he left him sprawling on the green sputtering for air. "Arey Milind bhooka mar jayega lekin yeh ghatia kaam kabhi nahin kerey ga. Mujhey laga tha keh tuu eik acha insaan hai meri madad kerna chahta lekin tujh jaisa kamina mainey aaj tak nahin dekha" Milind had lashed out wretchedly. Sandiip lay panting on the ground he was in no position to back answer Milind lest he instigated him further he could see that this young man was not one to be messed around with. "Ab tuu dekhna Sikcand keh main teri madad key bina kin unchaiyon ko choota hoon. Sachai key raastey per chal ker tujh sey zyaada naam, maqam aur daulat nahin haasil kii to mera naam Milind Mishra nahin" saying that he had turned to leave but had retreated his steps a few seconds later.
"Eik baat kaan khol ker sun ley Sandiip agar uss Inder Shah ko eik kharonch bhi ayi to agli baar yeh haath tab tak teri gardan per raheyga jab tak teri saans band nahi hogi, apni khairiyat chahta hai to uss sey duur rehna. Tuu insaan hai bhagwan nahin or bhagwan banney ki koshish bhi mat kerna warna main tera game baja daalunga" raising his index finger he had warned Sandiip before vanishing in the dark corridor behind him. Muttering curses to him Sandiip had finally managed to stand on his feet dragging himself to his office. The scene had left Inder speechless here was a man who had not known him personally but was ready to endanger his own life for his security. Something about Milind had struck Inder at that moment and he was forced to assess Milind anew. His shock on Sandiip's offer had not escaped Inder the way he had drawn in a huge lungful of air and the way his eyes had clouded with fury were marked by Inder immediately. His displeasure and finally his wrath sealed his image in Inder's heart that of a virtuous young man caught in an intricate web of greed for power .An image of Milind threatening Sandiip flashed in his mind as he walked silently back to his parked car, there was raw passion a fire in that young man which if harnessed could be utilized for the young man's own benefit. He was young and naiive unaware of the filth and grime that often accompanied one on the way to success and Inder just could not let him fall weak in his resolve atleast not after what he had witnessed tonight. Amit too had been appalled by the young man's take on Sandiip's offer. He had thought Milind to be some street smart thug willing to obey Sandiip's orders but his conversation had cleared all misunderstandings for Amit. As they drove towards their office Inder had mused thoughtfully before asking Amit to get him all information regarding Milind Mishra his life, his past, present and his dreams they were all his responsibility now. If Milind wanted to make it big the right way, show Sandiip that he was above his schemes and complete the challenge he had issued to him Inder would make sure he did.
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Edited by blind horizon - 17 years ago
