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Bigg Boss 19: Daily Discussion Thread- 22nd Sept 2025.
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai - 22 Sep 2025 EDT
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My sincere apologies...for not updating my FF timely. Somehow still haven't fully recovered from the aftermath of my holidays yet
and still dreaming about it. But seriously been busy at work and haven't got enough time to sit and write . I should have time next weekend and will update it on 17th August.Thank you so much for reading and your patience...and once again so sorryfor the late update.... Till then take care!
Chapter 20: Siddhi in a new City!
Some time around three years later...
Siddhi checked her wrist watch...good golly...Close to 2 am in the morning and she was still in her office doing the final touches to the reports and presentations that she was working on for the past couple of weeks...ever since the news came official!
Their chain of supermarkets was no longer profitable enough to sustain their business due to rising operation costs. . Increasing rental charges by landlords and stiff competition from other retail giants in terms of pricing, promotion were going against them in such high speed and making it virtually impossible for them to hold on to their forte...their positive margins, which has been anything but positive!. Bottom line on red for a couple of years. The last nail in the coffin! Dooms day has arrived knocking on their door to pack up and go unless someone saves them for going under! But who?
They tried but they were just too small compared to their gigantic competitors and they have no choice but to sell their business to pay off debts they owed to the banks. The longer they continued to stay, they stand to lose more which they cant afford to. Times up for the shutters of the stores to be permanently closed down for good. Final curtain call!
Each day, she keep changing the presentation to keep it to most updated after the comex meetings.
But alas, finally the executive committee made a heartbreaking decision a couple of weeks shattering all hopes now for saving their chain of supermarkets once and for all on their own!
An urgent meeting was called and Their CEO - broke the news, announcing they were going to sell , to a room filled of seniors executives, with astounding disbelief and eerie silence. They had a few offers and he had made his decision to sell . There was no going back in his decision. It was final! He called all his directors to each work on their respective decision and get ready to present to the potential buyers in the coming weeks. He didn't let anyone know who the buyers would be so as to stop media attention.
Next day, he issued a press release. Since then, their supermarket has been on the front page of every newspaper .Getting attention from media hungry reporters...wanting to know who the new buyers would be and the fate of their staff and employees, where some were with the family run supermarket which had been in operation for the last 20 years. Well they say all good things have to come to end. This is it.
Though Siddhi joined them only about three years ago, she had become very close with each and every one of the staff and the employees. They were like family and to think that very soon, they will go their separate ways was just too devastating for her to imagine.
Some of the employees have approached her, when she visited the stores and asked her if they could still continue to work with the new organization as news was going around that the new owner might want a complete change including the manpower. Everything was just rumors.
She assured them that nothing has been finalised yet and not to worry. What could she do? She could not promise them anything, just some assurances which she herself was not sure of!
What a despairing thought just when everything was working out well for her.
Ever since she came to Singapore ' a new country , a new place , new people and a dream job and a loving family, she could not have been more happier and asked for anything more. . Just thinking about her new life and family made her heart swell with pride. She has come a long way , without looking back at her past. Putting everything behind and moving forward for she had a reason now. A very strong one...but living in fear if that bubble of happiness might just burst one day should someone find out her little secret, that she kept away from everyone...
Bringing her thoughts to the present, their CEO have adamantly refused to reveal the potential but apparently a firm buyer. He just ask them to get all the relavant dept ' Finance, operations , merchandise, Marketing, IT, business development to prepare everything for an overall presentation for the buyers meeting , concerning the company organization activities and status. He just wants everything to go well with the buyers for a final good price.
As Siddhi is the legal head of the business, CEO had asked her that she had to collate all the information, reports and present it to the potential buyer next Monday. Besides, her legal aspect she has worked very closely with all the other divisions as well and hence acquiring sufficient knowledge on the retail business and seeing this CEO felt that she could be the right person to present the overview of their concern much more professionally.
Consumer Retail is tough business. Low prices and value for money offers and promotions bring in the crowd and lots of innovative and creative activities are constantly required to engage customer traffic...which their supermarket is lacking lately but seriously needed as half of their stores are located in central city . Customers are seen now flocking into to their neighbourhood stores where big giants retailers are opening smaller formats , to retain the demographic loyalty to their brand names. Stores are now being constantly revamped to current market trends to keep the consumers happy and to meet their demands with strong supply of new merchandise display with with wide assortment of products.
Apparantly the team of the buyers will be in town for a week . The agenda has been prepared.
Presentations on the first day , followed by close door finance meetings between two parties. . Third day onwards will be a store visits. Siddhi together with the operations and merchandise director will have to lead the buyers throughtout this period. Walk the stores with lots of business talks. Sell the business!
She collected back her thoughts and concentrated on her presentation. Well, Finally she finished up and heaved a huge sigh of relief. Done! Well everything was just perfect for the buyers . A good purchase kit.
She just hoped that the buyers would be convinced and make their final decision by next week bringing in some good news for everyone's peace of mind and sanity.
And then she has to look for a new job...ever since the announcement of the news, she had received some important phone calls from the competitors and head hunters for new job offers. She had politely had promised to call them but told them firmly that she will be with the company till the sales and proper handover is done to whoever the new buyer is before she can start thinking about the offers. She had to be honest with them. She cant just leave the company when the going gets tough. Its just not right. Not after what the company did for her. She owed that much to the company and she will only leave when everything is handled and done properly for the buy over.
Funny, in retail everyone apparently knows your movement as if you are being watched, from an eagle eyed viewed point of vision. They know exactly when to go for the kill and reap the benefits before someone else grabs it. They want the best team of people in their team and wiling to pay the price for it.
Siddhi is paid handsomely now and she know her potential market value too. But she likes stability and a company that looks after the welfare of the people , not taking people for granted but valuing them. That's why she is still here working so late...
"Want some coffee. Siddhi ...I need one for the road" asked a friendly voice ' Isabelle ' the human resource director, popping her head, just at the entrance of Siddhi's office.
Siddhi looked up startled..." Oh , Isabelle , you gave me a shock... .I thought everyone left...what are you still doing here? Come on in...come...sit"
Isabelle sighed and walked further into room..." Well, had to finish up some outstanding paper work on the compensation proposal. Just finished up. Might as well stay in and finish before the big day on Monday. Didnt want to come back on Saturday"
"Hate to say this, but guess what? its already Sat morning!" Siddhi teased .
" Good gracious! You are right! Just look at the time! I swear Siddhi, 24hours is just not enough for us...! Isabelle sighed tiredly and leant her head against the chair and closed her eyes as if she needed it. And frankly she really looked like she needed one badly!
Siddhi looked at Isabelle. Both of them have become good friends during this past three years. They go for lunches together and sometimes, Isabelle comes over to her house for dinner during the weekends where they would go for walks at the parks.
Due to pressure of the sales, Isabelle has become very sad and withdrawn thinking about the fate of the employees Well naturally she would be being the HR director. Whether they would get a fair deal. She was truly a peoples person looking out always for the welfare and the well being of the employees. She cares alot about the company and she always get the right people for the right job.
She is a good listener and a advisor. She is well known how to keep the employees morals up and get them motivated, even when things look bleak.
Who could forget the "The Pat on the back" scheme she introduced for the employees and the award and incentive system for the ones who got more pats on the back for every month , with getaways all expenses paid trips for the winner! She was a good negotiator too. Get sponsorships from suppliers to pay for such trips.
Siddhi walked over to the coffee machine and made two coffees as she felt she needed one too before packing up and hitting the road.
Isabelle instantly woke up to the aroma of the machine made coffee...that's the best they could get at this wee hour of the morning.
Both of them had their coffee , each lost in their own thoughts about the future of the company.
"Siddhi, everything ok at home? . Your family don't mind you working this late? Isabelle asked while sipping her coffee.
" Its tough, but well it will be ok in the next few days..." Siddhi said but not so convincingly as there were still worry lines.
"Lucky me...still single and no one notices my absence! Not even my dog" Isabelle said with such an expression that Siddhi burst out laughing.
"Its true, Milo my dog, is so happy when I am not around. Sleeping away peacefully in the balcony with just the maid to feed him timely. See, whenever I am home, I bring him for walks and keep engaging him and talking to him. He must be thinking, ."good, its catch up relax time when she is not around to bother me" Isabelle said shaking her head but with a smile of indulgence and love for her pet dog.
"Time to find a partner of your own..."Siddhi said, while sipping her coffee and at the same time, adding the final touches to her presentation. Isabelle just huffed at that suggestion! She was done with men!
" You know Siddhi, I really hope that the new buyer offers a good payout and our workers have a deserving compensation. Really want the best for them. I am really worried about the meeting next week. " Isabelle said anxiously
" I know what you mean... I have spoken to some of them and I hope that we get the right price from the buyers and they get to keep their jobs as well " Siddhi said brightly to cheer Isabelle up.
" Hmm, that asking a bit too much but I hope it comes true. You are done? Isabelle queried after she had finished her cup.
"Yes, finally! Now its all in the hands of the buyer" Siddhi said and switched off her lap top and started to clear up her glass top office table which was cluttered with papers.
"Siddhi, everyone will be counting on you on your presentation skill. You have a soft beautiful but a firm voice which will make everyone stop in their tracks, and whatever they are doing to listen attentively.. Must be the lawyer in you, no doubt!. And your presentation are something that everyone looks forward to as it doesn't put us to sleep .No wonder CEO wanted you to walk the talk. You are the right person. Always Very refereshing and engaging. I am sure you will ace it as you always do but anyway...all the best to you and us of course. We are going to need this one pretty badly !" Isabelle said with a sudden sombre and serious voice.
"Well, I just tweaked here and here with all the presentations given by the rest . That's all. ...its our team's effort. I cant take any credit for this. Thanks to our executive committee for their brilliant inputs for this presentations and let's hope for the best" Siddhi said
" Hmmm and modest too as always. I know the rest gave all the presentations. But somehow Siddhi you always add life to their otherwise very stale mundane boring presentations and make it look like a story telling and very meaningful in a practical logical way. What will we do without you? " Isabelle praised with a bit of exaggeration making siddhi all shy.
Siddhi laughed , brushing the compliments off and asking her to shush . Isabelle thought that this beautiful small petite woman was the most caring friendly person she had met in this aggressive retail business world where if you are not careful, you would be stabbed at the back even by someone who claims to be your awesome bosom work buddy . But Siddhi was different. She has always been supportive, straightforward and a good team worker and good honest person. She is the raw deal. She doesn't complain at all. She always took things in a positive angle and somehow manages to calm everyone and make it looks simple and not ordeal at all. . She has a great working attitude. Not everyone has it. She only wished that some of the directors had her skills or otherwise they would not be in this dilemma.
Well, it too late to cry over spilled milk now. Just far too late. Only a miracle can help them.
" All ready to go?" Siddhi asked Isabelle .
Both of them walked to the basement carpark to their respective cars. Siddhi was driving a blue Mazda 3. Her favourite colour and car. Something of her past...
They bid each other goodnight or rather good morning before driving to their homes
Siddhi , finally reached her executive apartment within 15 minutes as there was no traffic. The fastest, she ever reached home.
She let herself quietly into the living room, not making too much noises as she did not wake up her loved ones.
She tiptoed to her master bedroom and lovingly stood beside the bed, there watching the sleeping form of her loved one.Oh, how she loved this being! She thanked god everyday for bringing this being into her life. So much joy in this package. A miracle!
Working so late that she felt so guilty doing this to this poor thing, who always waited for her and who brought a new meaning and some decorum into her life once again and made it more worthwhile to live again. Made it possible to Care and love for someone. The love of her life. What will she do without this person who gave her what she craved most.? Love. Unconditional pure love. She loved this person so much that she was too scared to lose if in case something happens. Everyday she lives in fear...what if her secret is found out from the person whom she had cut all ties. Someone from the past...a link to her current relationship.
She ran her fingers, tenderly through the hair. So soft and beautiful to touch. So much happiness this person has given her... Her joy, her pride, her one and only family, the reason for her living ,her angel, her tiny secret that she carried , a part of someone whom she once loved - her little daughter ' Shika!
That's it folks for today...hope you enjoy it. Till next week, I leave you with one of my favourite songs from Eric Clapton.
CID
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
