Part 5: LIFE: or something like that
Business is life for you.. but life is serious business
When Sabina had first said it...my life had found a new perception.. and when Devki had said it.. my perception had found a new life.. but for once I was at a complete loss .. my whole experience, understanding, vision of life and perceptions came to a standstill. Conveniently numb, dumbfounded.. my senses had stopped responding ever since comprehension dawned on me.. as I stood there, staring..
My whole consciousness resonated with one word "DEVKI"
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'Devki'. Clearly the best thing that had happened to me ever since my parents.. Life had been easy and smooth since she walked in.. but my reconciliation and acceptance had made this journey a valuable pleasure.. She had spent the 2 days before convention working tirelessly on the presentation, making sure there were no inconsistencies, no glitches whatsoever in our strategies, designing and presentation. And working with her on it had been a terrific experience. The girl had impeccable organizational and management skills.. and where she lacked I could guide her with experience. I could finally see what Pappa had always seen.
We made a compelling team- not just personally but professionally.. 'Under pappa's mentorship we really could take V. Industries further ahead. His vision and Devki's indomitable spirit was a winsome combination and I, of course was their buffer'.. I mused absent-mindedly as she tapped my shoulder to make sure I agreed on the last minute changes she made in a slide on the flight. Her tenacity was something else.. We had fashioned our seating arrangement in the business class such that we looked like a bunch of college kids or more like MBA students huddled up on their project at the last minute, exchanging our laptops going back and forth on the finishing touches. I finally had to tell her "Devki, relax I think we are good.." as she debated "no Vaibhavji, it would help to have a visual representation of the statistical significance of our estimated returns for the next 10 yrs as a back up slide. Its bound to be questioned. Trust me most corporates are visual learners" she giggled..
"Fine if you don't mind the extra labor, go ahead while I practice the talk one more time" I conceded, putting my headphones on. She smiled before burying herself.
And needless to add her back-up slide came in handy. The presentation went rather well. We were in some ways the face of India's infrastructure boom in the near future. We got a lot of positive feedbacks besides some economic debates that Devki handled deftly and her visual learning actually proved to be a good educational tool to put it to a rest finally. At lunch both of us got involved in entertaining communications and investment proposals from various European Infrastructure enterprises especially the iron and steel giant firm based in England. The steel magnet of Indian origin, also the honorable chairman of chamber of commerce spoke to us over coffee in the evening ' he had known pappa for a while and held high regard for him. He was rather effusive in his praise, foretelling a bright future of V. Industries in our hands.. and showed great appreciation of Devki's poignance as a businesswoman. He left us only after whispering to me "Well done on the choice, young man.. tell your father he is still at the top of his game". After banquet we retired to our suite, barely managing to carry our tired frame to the room. I eventually dozed off without even changing while Devki was freshening up.
The next day was a tad better' as we didn't carry jarred nerves but still were on a continuous mental workout. It was the same ordeal of socializing, networking with known and unknown people. Devki had found some old graduate friends too and I had briefly met Kunal, confirming our dinner invite. For the most part we went about it independently as it was more time-efficient. I met her over lunch.. sharing a miniscule private moment of whispering a clichd 'miss you'.. but even that brought a blush on her face.. I couldn't help notice how extremely charming she looked in her business suit; with that color on her cheeks and made a mental note of keeping a watch on any one remotely trying to flirt with my beautiful wife. As it is young, pretty businesswomen were a rare species, I chuckled. We excused ourselves after attending half the evening reception, but only after I had few drinks with couple dignitaries I couldn't have missed.
Thereafter, we went to our suite for a quick change before dinner. Devki looked stunning in a red sari while she picked out a complementing red shirt for me beneath my black blazer. Dinner was a pleasant affair. Devki hit it off rather well with Kunal while I willingly played the audience. We eventually did get to talking business and Devki took keen interest in listening to Kunal's proposition.
On the way back, she chimed "Kunal would keep Nirali grounded.. He is a nice guy.."
"That's what I am worried about.. poor guy doesn't know what's awaiting him".. I laughed as she smacked my arm..
In the course of dinner I had few more drinks with Kunal . Only when we got to the room did I realize that my dear wife had kept count of my alcohol intake through the evening and she refused to share the bed with a drunk man..
"Come on Devki! I am used to such parties.. I am completely sober"
"Then prove it"
"What!" I rolled eyes.. but she didn't budge.. "Fine, do what to prove it"
"Stand on one leg for a minute" she ordered with a straight face..
I almost did.. when I realized "Wait even a sober man cant maintain balance for that long"
"A sober man would have realized that 3 seconds faster" she smirked.. I made a face as she cracked up.. I couldn't believe she had pulled one on me.. With a sheepish grin I landed next to her.. I turned to my side, half-hugging her and whispered "You are looking nice".. She giggled.
"What now?"
"I remembered the time Kaka told you.. to praise you wife when she dresses up only to imagine your corporate romantic one liners" She laughed as I made a face again.. She gave me a peck, continuing "but you are not half as bad.." Embracing her, I groaned as she played with my hair "Can we sleep in till later tomorrow.. I am tired"
"We can.. but not very late.. I have a lot of things planned for tomorrow.. to show you around.. So if you don't wake up by 9 I'll have to do a reprise of the "Vaibhavji.. Uthiye na.. Please".. That did it' We both laughed like morons reminiscing those days.. Oh! the games we played.. we may have come a long way from then.. but essentially we were still the same..
Partners in crime'
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By now I knew Devki meant and lived every word she said.. It's not like I ever debated her convictions.. but boy did she manage to pack our day; with pretty much showing me around the vast expanse of London- especially the parts that were a part of her daily life during her MBA days. It was endearing how excited she was to make me a part of the little moments, experiences in her life. Somewhere I choked realizing I was a companion she longed for and never had. So I completely resigned myself to her will and cherished the lingering twinkle in her dark, innocent eyes.
By evening I was sure I had seen more places than I had collectively bothered to in my entire life; but then again I wasn't a fair tourist reference given I hardly went anywhere besides where business would take me.
Around 7pm we stood in front of this colossal convention center called Excel. Devki vouched this was the last one for the day.. and it was rather special as she did her first internship here as an event manager under certain Paul Kaprowsky. She held great regards for him and had wanted to meet him. He had kindly obliged sometime from his busy schedule considering it was the weekend. On the way to his office Devki told me how it was through the numerous seminars on world religion and common philosophies that she had taken a keen interest towards spirituality; something that had connected her to Mamma.
Paul was everything Devki had mentioned and more. His demeanor with Devki was all about affection. He was genuinely proud of her current achievements as she related them. After a while he took us around while Devki kept filling me in with trivia of her past reminiscing small moments. We finally stopped in front of a colossal glass room at the west wing- one of the grand auditorium that was currently packed.
Paul revealed with a smile "Devki, you may want to stall here for a bit. You definitely chose a good day to be here. There is a two days long symposium on philosophy of modernism. Scholars from all around the world are here. In fact this is one of the most anticipated events of the season and each session has witnessed attendance to full capacity. I have to rush but please take your time to show Vaibhav around. Here keep this special access card. You can even watch this session from the control room. Randy should be around to receive you both and be of any assistance. it has been a pleasure to see you girl and my best wishes to you Mr. Virani". He shook a firm hand and bid us after handing Devki a brochure for the schedule of the current session and hugging her warmly.
As I watched Paul leave, I heard Devki squeal, " Oh my god Vaibhavji, this has got to be a prophecy. Look" . All I managed to read was
7pm- 9pm : Idealism and Pragmatism- a false dichotomy.
Amidst the keynote speakers one name jumped out. Before I could react Devki held my hand and made a run for the control room. I was in a trance. Sheer serendipity , this.. as one name flashed in front of my eyes.
Sadhvi Parimita'
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As we entered the control room, a serene voice filled the air, the huge room below with peace and wisdom as we heard the engaging words on the mike
" Often Idealism and Pragmatism are presented in a position that forms a false dichotomy. It is based on the view that moral principles are in conflict with what's practical, instead of means to being practical. It assumes that they're mutually exclusive. But if you adopt a morality of rational self-interest, where your morality seeks to enhance your life, your moral principles become your means of determining what kind of actions will be practical" (Adapted from writings in Atlas society)
The sheer gravity of the words struck a chord in me. I couldn't quite see her from the distance, so focused on the monitor Randy worked on; syncing it with the big projector screen. I was drawn to the placid maturity on her visage as she continued her speech. The stoic enigma in her eyes.. the vibrant features, the... face
As realization dawned on me, I stood dazed, conveniently numb, dumbfounded...
My whole consciousness resonated with one word "DEVKI"
Edited by sonali.19281 - 13 years ago
CID
