ArHi FF - Aftershock: Chapter 9, Pg 26, 23 September - Page 7

Originally posted by: Gogoismita

Amazinggg updateee :)

Thank you (:

Chapter 5:

Arnav feels before he hears the impending tornado that is going to hit his house. Angst surrounds the large property splattered in green like a smog during the festival of lights. He wonders for one rash minute if it is wise to turn back and stay the night at one of his apartments. It is an inevitable fallout that will drag on for days if not addressed immediately. Its a derisive decision and the impending bad mood that will follow the evening, that has him groan.

"I can't believe you didn't consult me while hiring personnel for such a high position in your company Arnav. After everything I have done for this family-" Mr. Jha has already begun talking to him the moment his presence was made aware in the living room.

"Can I get a cup of coffee?" He blurts. Arnav looks at the house help whose talent lies not only in making excellent breakfast food but also lurk around Arnav merging with the shadows. Hari Prasad slinks away and that's the acknowledgment Arnav gets for his request.

"I have no idea what's going on in your brother's head Anjali. I was so humiliated in board meeting today." Mr. Jha roared.

Arnav sighs as Anjali turns her worried head to give him a look of confusion.

"What have you done, chotey?" Anjali asks, her tone matching the confusion on her face.

Its her tone that brings back the irritation he has for the older man, full force. "Honestly?" He snidely smirks loosening his tie, "I have no idea." He tugs out his tie a little harder than necessary. The action leaves a whoosh of air like a whiplash and he idly wonders if it was allegorical.

Mr. Jha, however, was ballistic. "Oh, now you have no idea?" He rounds on Arnav. "How about hiring that wench as VP of operations without consulting me? How about the fact that you overruled board's decision to outsource hiring? How about not supporting your closest family, adviser and your family's friend?"

Arnav winces at the word 'wench' but refuses to raise to the bait. It isn't his style to confront people on their face. He is more screwed up than that.

"Give me three good reasons why hiring Khushi as VP of operations was a bad idea." He subtly cocks his head at Hari Prasad after accepting a mug of coffee. Over the years he has developed an excellent non verbal communication with the man and in moments like these, they come in handy.

Jha splutters. Anjali beats him to it. "Who is Khushi?" She asks, delaying the argument that's five seconds from erupting to gigantic proportions.

Jha snarls, "You remember that girl Anjali-"

"The previous owners of Raizada industries," Arnav interjects rudely. Anjali pales.

"What the f**k were you thinking Arnav?" Anjali's voice is several degrees below room temperature. Unlike her father-in-law, Anjali becomes cold and ruthless, and her voice drops several decibels below normal as opposed to loud, heated and, well, ruthless. And not to mention profanity. "You hired someone from that godforsaken family? Have you forgotten how it was for all of us after what that wretched man did?" Anjali seethed.

"Careful, Anjali." Arnav warns. Anjali frowns. "Think before you say something that you cannot recover from." He adds a fair warning. By the look on Anjali's face, its obvious that his words have thrown her off.

She whirls and addresses her father-in-law instead. "You should have objected to this nonsense in the board meeting papa. We cannot allow this to happen. What about Shyam, Arnav? Shyam was supposed to be taking that job and be on the board." Her voice reduces to a hiss and Arnav has gone past caring rats ass about his sister's family drama.

"Your brother went ahead and hired her before consulting me." Jha rewinds the same deal.

"Why should I consult the board?" Arnav asks instead. "And uncle, you still haven't given me even a single reason why Khushi is not the right choice for the post. Are you butthurt that I didn't consult you or do you want the problems we are facing within the company to remain?"

Anjali looks shocked at Arnav's tone and Jha scrutinizes him. "She is bad news Arnav. Remember what his father did? They have blood on their hands beta. Her father didn't help by committing suicide and passively accepting his role in the disaster that ended their company. If words gets around that she is now working for us, it sends a bad vibe everywhere."

Arnav raises an eyebrow at that. "Why are you refusing to answer my questions?" He asks, baiting the older man. "Besides what happened two decades ago, what other argument do you have against me hiring her?" He shrugs. Coffee sloshes dangerously around the rim reflecting the violence of his shrug.

"Its reputation chotey," Anjali replies in a pacifying tone. Its mildly patronizing and an annoying way to pull rank on him. "And as a board member, I cannot accept her in our company."

"Anjali, if you have to say anything against the decisions I make as a CEO of Raizada industries, then get your ass down to the board meeting and question me there. Don't hide behind your proxy and behave its two people because you choose to give your opinion on dining table." Anjali recoils as if she is slapped. Jha cannot hide his surprise. Arnav was rarely confrontational when it came to Anjali but the times have apparently changed.

"Apart from her history, you have nothing to hold against her, do you?" Arnav adds for good measure.

"It was supposed to be Shyam's job Arnav," Anjali's voice is hard. She is furious that her husband isn't going to hold the position that was cleared out for him.

Arnav chuckles without humorlessly, shaking his head."Shyam brought our subsidiary to ground within three years of taking its helm. Do you think he is capable of running a company this large that is already knee deep in problems?"

"But-"

Arnav snorts and stops his sister from defending her husband. "The question was rhetorical Anjali. The answer is - No. I don't trust Shyam with my laundry let alone being VP of operations at Raizada industries. Khushi is with us for close to two weeks and she has started fixing primary problems we have been facing for more than two years."

"By overruling board's decision." Jha fumed. Turning to Khushi he throws up his hands. "Khushi fired Cadillus Consultants last week without-"

"Will you quit doing that?" Arnav slammed the coffee mug on table. A second later, the mug disintegrated to several pieces and the remnants of coffee splashed on table and on his shoes. He finds it necessary to explain further seeing Anjali and Jha looking at him questioningly. "It is not board's decision to be told every little thing that happens in the company. It is not board's decision to hire or fire external vendors because that decision is company internal. It is not board's decision to question daily operations and the measures that are taken to improve day to day activities. If you don't understand your role as board members, read the f**king rules. Cadillus Consultants are shitty company who have extorted us of money and practically helped in largest brain drain our company has ever seen. It is done. Deal with it." His audience is stunned.

Arnav's patience is legendary in the industry; cool to the point of faulty. But there is a line that isn't meant to be crossed and that line is what strengthens his confidence in decision making. If anyone blatantly disregards his capability to scavenge the farthest recess of his mind to exploit every possible route that could be taken and chooses the best - then his patience dies.

Jha looks defeated. His lips presses to a thin line and he shifts from one foot to another. "I think I should go home beta," he addresses Anjali. "Don't worry." He adds looking at her worried expression. "I will break the news to Shyam once he is back from London." Arnav resits an eye roll.

"Look Arnav, I know you believe that Gupta had nothing do with the food poisoning that took place ages ago. But the families hold him responsible and so does a greater section of society because it was Gupta's responsibility in the first place. There is going to be a hit back from several companies we rely on because of this and I hope you are aware of that and not be too surprised when you find yourself in a situation where you are axed just because of your association with Khushi."

Arnav chuckles. "Don't worry about it uncle. I can handle myself in a sticky situation."

Jha shakes his head. "Honestly, I am more worried about my daughter-in-law. Like me, she worries too much about you and this company."

Arnav looks at his sister who is refusing to meet his eyes. "What's there to worry uncle? Its a large company I am running here. I will have to take tough decisions so that company at large doesn't suffer. If it means I have to make someone unhappy, I honestly don't care flying f**k about it." Anjali looks up from the broken coffee mug and glares at him. Arnav continues with a menacing smile, "And you have issue with every decision I make that doesn't go along with your father-in-law's or Shyam's agenda, then you better start getting involved in your role at office than sitting pretty at home and bitching about it."

Arnav blames Khushi for planting that idea in his mind - to get Anjali to come to board meetings and not send Jha as a proxy. He wishes to find a way to balance this animosity between the two parties when they are living together in same house.

"Hari Prasad," he calls. "Make extra portions for dinner tonight. Khushi is coming." He smiles wanly at Jha and Anjali. "You two should join us." He slinks off from the living room, leaving its occupants livid.

He doesn't like confrontations. Full stop. But Jha was becoming more and more involved in organizational activities and his views collided with Jha's on many levels.

And then there was the whole incident with Gupta from which only Jha had made out with his image intact. Arnav never understood how Jha absolved himself off that responsibility so quickly and jump ships.

For now, confrontation was the way to know. Even if it meant dragging his sister into the mess.

AWESOME SIMPLY GREAT LOVED THE FIGHTS THE BATTLE HAS BEGUN WAITNGFOR THE DRAMA TO ENFOLD MORE.

Wonderful update . Great that Arnav was so clear about his views & not backing down. Anjali is not sounding so nice in the story .

Anjali is way too caring but for her inlaws and her hubby to that extent where she doesn't think of arnav and his company.
Jha is too fishy..his convo with arnav was speaking more abt his insult of non acceptance of his words.

Bang on update!!!!!
wow!! khushi is coming😈

Anjali is already getting on my nerve...

wonder in which way Jha helped Raizadas...

Jha family is awful...

Arnav was 😎...

marvelous update!!!!!!
will see more of tempers flaring when Kushi comes for dinner...
Bring it on.

Very interesting ...like this decisive arnav who is not believing his sister blindly ...a very professional khushi...I am in to read this story

Originally posted by: abivicky86

AWESOME SIMPLY GREAT LOVED THE FIGHTS THE BATTLE HAS BEGUN WAITNGFOR THE DRAMA TO ENFOLD MORE.

Yeah, more drama coming soon (: