Chapter 129
Uprooted and slayed
She stood there in the grand hall of Oberoi headquarters that she was now a part of, admiring the pillar of fame once again, trying to snub the feeling of connection to it. She worked hard to recall if he had said that eight weeks were consequential to him. No matter how hard she focused, her memory ditched her. She had stopped taking all the medication and felt a lot better especially her injuries were not that painful anymore. Most of them healed, and the blisters on her back were drying up too. She had been cleaning the attic with Gauri and had found her lost treasure. Today Gauri and Anika could laugh at that entire fiasco with a lot more amiability. Her hair stood at attention at the nape of her neck. She knew he was here, but determined to not look for him she continued to read the names at the pilar reverentially as if she was reading some holy scripture.
He observed her fervently, soaking in her more than elegant appearance. She looked breathtakingly beautiful in the white Kanchipuram silk with bright red border. He had got this saree for his mom years back when he had earned his first stipend after his internship at Indian Thermal Power Corporation. Power in every form had enchanted him right from the start, but he had to wait for five years after joining the business to acquire sufficient power to venture into the power sector. His mother had worn it many times today he could see how much pride she associated with everything connected with him. She wore red glass bangles punctuated by prominent gold lion head bangles, that screamed stature exerted subtly. Her mangal sutra was successfully hidden in the twenty strand plain Ruby necklace that she wore.
Soon the need to hide their status would be done away with, and he was sure she would wear his connection with him with as much pride as she observed the ceremonial pillar today.
"She is upset Shivay. Only because of Choti ma she is here Om interrupted his contemplation. He had messaged him, emailed him, and called him numerous times to implore him to speak to Anika. He had informed him that Anika was anxious about him, but Shivay remained unmoved. Eventually, the anxiety and despair were replaced by anger and resentment. Shivay knew that Anika was a fiercely independent woman and she had started to look upon him as a crutch. Every ship needed an anchor, but he did not like stagnation. Constant movement was his need, and he was ready to be her propeller but not the anchor. He had come to an understanding that Anika would never come out of her melancholy if he stayed around her doing things for her, he needed to let her find herself in all this mayhem. She had been able to endure and wriggle out of all adversities because she had stood up for herself and her convictions. With Shivay she found her beliefs questioned and that was causing a whole lot of confusions. This distance from him had given her the ability to see her strength and rise again. He wanted to make her realize that being with him did not mean she did not exist, they coexisted in the same dimension and strengthened each other as individuals first and evolved as a unit afterward. For Shivay togetherness meant an extending oneself in harmony with the other. He did not believe in the philosophy of complete dissolution of identity in the other, he believed in growing with the other. Her lack of work also was causing her anguish so he was determined to resolve all the issues surrounding them so that she could go back to complete her residency soon.
He still did not care to come to her, such an arrogant, egoistic brute he was, she thought to herself. Pledging not to care when he did not she turned towards Neil who had been standing next to her for past couple of minutes and raised her eyebrows to him questioningly.
"Bhabhi, Shivay has called you. He said softly. Anika looked diagonally up towards where Shivay had been standing just a few minutes before; she also knew when he had left. It had taken immense self-control not to grab him by his pricey coat and once again dig her nails into his neck.
"I have friends here tell him I am busy.
She was surprised to see Samar and Raghav walking in. Raghav was awestruck by Anika's appearance. Anika did not like people who have the resources and the ability yet they did not stand up against unprincipled, unscrupulous people. The way Raghav and city group had retracted themselves from the research had shown her the shallowness of the people yet again.
"You look great Anika. Samar could see that she was better not precisely her old self but a lot better.
"Thank you, sir. She said humbly, but her senses had once again located him, she knew he was approaching them, and she knew he was upset. After all, it was not all his fault, she had been whimsical with him in the week after the attack, and he had endured it with patience, but he had not called her even once, she stubbornly dismissed her heart. She realized she was enjoying this cat and mouse game with him, if not for anything else for the thrill of being able to crawl under his skin. Shivay came and stood next to her while he exchanged pleasantries with Samar and Raghav. Anika escaped his presence the minute she saw Rudra.
"Do billiyon ki ladayi mein bandar ka bhala hota hai par billu aur billi ki ladai mein iss bandar ka nuksaan hi hona hai.
"The monkey benefits in the fight of two cats but this monkey will lose big time in Billu and Billi's fight."
Rudra whispered to Om as Anika clinged on to them to escape Shivay.
"Why am I here and why are they here? Would you guys care to enlighten me? Anika asked Om and Rudra about Samar and Raghav. Om tried to convince her to talk to Shivay about this, but she remained unrelenting. Busing herself in an automobile magazine though not understanding a word in it, Anika killed time somehow. Not more than a few minutes had passed since she had sought refuge in Om's cabin that Shivay entered. He stood blocking half the exit and talked to Om and Rudra about some shares, registration and some trust of which she was unable to make out any heads and tails. She kept peeping out of the magazine waiting for Shivay to leave. He seemed genuinely worked up. Instead of Shivay it was Rudra who went out of the cabin with some documents in his hand and Om followed pursuit soon after. They just abandoned me she thought blessing them with all the slants that she knew. When Shivay did not move an inch from his place and continued to read whatever he had in his hand, Anika got up and sprinted towards the door. Before she could reach that, it was shut close, and she was plastered to Shivay, her right hand painfully twisted behind her and her left holding onto him. He stared in her eyes daring her to utter a word. His closeness undid her, and she felt a storm rising in her consciousness that threatened to consume her.
"What exactly are you trying to do? He asked indignantly, and before she could dig her nails into his skin again, he grabbed her other hand and twisted it behind too. She stopped struggling instantly conscious of the way they were plastered against each other.
"And you would be? She did not know what had gotten into her that she was determined to infuriate him.
"Really Anika? I thought we were done with games. She was somewhat warned not to take this any further, or she would have to pay for her mistakes.
"Let me go. She said looking away from him frustrated at her self more than him. What did she want from him? Why did he make are act like a 16-year-old sometimes? Shivay understood from the way she gave up the fight before he began enjoying it, that while she was much better, she still had a long road ahead to full recovery. He tugged at her arms pulling them to encircle him at his waist, holding them in place with his own, he waited for Anika to give up whatever little resistance she had left.
"I am disappointed doc; you gave up too soon. He said with a crooked smile, when she remained quiet, he asked her.
"Since you don't look inclined on telling me how I look. Let me tell you how you do.
When she remained unmoved, he bit her soft earlobe, and she jerked and tried to push him away, but he was too strong for her.
"You look beautiful and divine Anika. He said unbuttoning her blouse and reveling in her trembling body, taking pride in his effect on her. Women did admire him, but none responded to his presence the way she did.
"What are you doing? She breathed out the inaudible words.
"Checking on your injuries. Anika was back his charm broken, and she retrieved her hand from his grip.
"Oh, so you do remember me. I had started to wonder if I had miscalculated the dates and my eight weeks of Maharaja train ride was already over. So she was still stuck there meant she had no memory of that night. Shivay was confused, he searched her countenance for more clues, but she avoided his gaze. He chuckled at the thought of Maharaja train comparison, but he knew she had an inkling of that night because even now she sported a frown and that meant she was deep in thought. Om and other family members had consciously kept her away from any medium of news. They did not take the name of Daksha or Samaksha ever in her presence for the fear of the effect it would have on her. Gauri Saumya and Priyanka had not only kept her company but also kept her entertained in Shivay's absence.
"Samar and Raghav are here for a meeting Anika. This meeting will have huge impact on your and their careers. I am hoping it will be positive. He said moving away from her and forcing her to present her back to him while he buttoned her blouse up.
"I am better, you should have called me.
"I can say the same Anika. Look at me Anika, whatever is going to happen in there might not be something to look forward to but trust me it is important. He opened the door and instructed her to go to the conference room at the extreme end of the hall. When she entered the conference hall other than the known faces like Shakti, Tej, Om Rudra, Samar etc there was Daksha. She stumbled and nearly escaped a fall as a wave of fear surged through her. Shivay stood on the door unmoved and cautioned Om against helping her. She straightened herself up and took a seat that had a place card named Dr. Anika, right across Daksha Priyanka took a position next to her. Anika did not dare to look at Daksha. Shivay entered and started with the presentation.
"Welcome ladies and gentleman to this crucial meeting. I would like to congratulate Daksha on this merger. He said very casually, but many expressions passed through Daksha's face. Shivay knew how to inflict his blows that would cause maximum injury with minimum effort. He read all the clauses of the acquisition but never used the word acquisition until the end.
"Kurtz pharmacy surrenders its license to manufacture and distribute chemotherapy drugs in India and Asia. The acquiring firm would now do them.
The acquiring firm will be marketing the medicines in question at half the price that Kurtz is currently doing. The profit margin is unethical as of now marked at 400 percent. The acquiring firm will cut it down by 300 percent.
Kurtz has acquired a license to produce recreational candies, and Mr. Daksha Khurana will look after the production, Marketing, and distribution of the mentioned candy. As an effort of the acquiring firm to provide employment opportunities to the Northeastern states they have decided to open the plant at Dibrugarh. Mr. Daksha Khurana has very happily agreed to reside there to take care of the business in its startup phase for next fifteen years. I am sure the acquiring firm will benefit from his extensive experience. Anika was now left dumbfounded, and she raised her eyes for the first time to look across at Daksh, and then look around most of the people in the room were trying hard to keep their faces straight. So this is what grand humiliation looked like. She did not dare to glance over at Shivay. Biting her lower lip, she tried to keep cool and her tears at bay. She felt his presence right behind her and his grip on the back of her chair tentatively. She felt his knuckles brush against her neck as if to tell her to stay calm. He moved to Priyanka and stood behind her waiting for her to rise and take over the presentation.
"The acquiring firm will be named Lifeline Pharmaceuticals and will work as a sister concern of Oro Pharmaceuticals.
It will be under the joint ownership of Dr. Samar Malhotra, Dr. Anika, and Dr. Priyanka Oberoi.
Priyanka had stopped for a brief second before speaking out her name loud and clear. Anika immediately understood that Daksh had tried some of his nasty trick on Priyanka. There was no way that Shivay would have brought her in for any other reason. This was nothing but Daksha Khurana's humiliation conference.
Anika felt an uncomfortable exhilaration grip her. She did not like the fact that she was enjoying what was happening here. She did not know if she wanted to laugh or wail or do both. Janhavi who was sitting next to her understood what she was going through and she held Anika's hands under the table. Anika looked at her gratefully, Janhavi glanced at Shivay with profound pride, and Anika knew without any doubt that it was all his doing.
"After deducting all the costs and investments, our predicted profit stands at 80 percent over the cost. Keeping the current currency trends and predicted fluctuations in mind the firm hopes to earn a net profit of 500-600 crore rs in first five years of its operation. The corporation pledges this amount to Dr. Dhawan's Cancer Research. In case if the firm is unable to get the predicted profits Oro pharmaceutical will compensate for the Gap.
Kurtz pharmaceuticals will be stepping out of business, and their headquarters at Lower Parel will be liquidated, to further provide for the research.
Mr. Daksha Khurana has also agreed to give up their grand home in Singapore and Japan to liquidate to meet any outstanding loans.
Mr. Daksha Khurana has also agreed to liquidate their residential five storied building at Navi Mumbai and three other apartments at Nariman Point to provide for outstanding loans.
Lifeline will acquire all the remaining immovable assets as is.
Mr. Khurana will be paid a remuneration of 12 lakh per anum plus perks not more than of their fixed salary to function as MD of Kurtz Candies for next fifteen years.The salary will be appraised as per the market every five years.
The salary will be drawn from the Joint account of Dr. Priyanka Oberoi and Dr. Anika.
I would like to thank Mr. Daksha Khurana for finding us capable and giving us an opportunity to serve his better interests. We are a new business and Thankful to the Oberoi group for their erudite guidance. We are open to discussing any objection or any amendments to the clauses in this meeting. Priyanka had not even finished her sentence when Daksha's fearful scream echoed in the hall. From some unknown hole in the magnificent Oberoi headquarters, a white guinea pig had magically appeared and acquired his prestigious position right in Daksha's lap. It should not be some great mystery to all who witnessed this scene that the orchestrator of this incident was none other than the Great Tej Singh Oberoi the natural animal lover of the Oberoi clan. Tej picked the mouse up gently in his big hands and then chuckled.
"Aww, Daksha you off all the people got scared of a petty mouse. The keeper of the mighty Beast'. The entire hall laughed at the good-hearted joke, but the giggle that will reverberate in Daksha's ears forever will be Anika's. She was free of all fears finally, and Shivay felt at peace with himself. Neil's phone buzzed at that time, and he whispered something to Tej. When no one objected to any clause of the acquisition Shivay once again stood up with a black folder in his hand. He a told Samar to sign the acquisition contract first followed by Priyanka when he came to Anika he saw her looking at him with her big kawaii eyes brimming with unshed tears. Scared that she will decline to accept this, he warned her against it by putting his foot on hers careful not to hurt her. How could she ever deny this, her research, her only dream was going see a finality. It may not yield a cure, but it will pave the way for future possibilities without any doubt. She forcefully sucked back her tears well aware that Shivay did not like to see any woman cry and she signed on the dotted lines. Shivay visibly exhaled feeling relieved. They all retired for refreshments. Anika chose to stay close to Janhavi with Priyanka too numb to say anything. Priyanka revealed to her how Khuranas had bugged her phone and stalked her since past few months. It was Anika's accidental abduction that led to an unraveling of this vicious plan . Priyanka also told her how Samaksha had been arrested for Singapore trafficking drugs.
"Ask bhaiya for more details She had suddenly turned coy and fumbled for words. Anika was confused by this sudden change in her demeanor but soon understood the cause. Ranveer had entered the refreshment room wearing his crisp uniform, along with a few constables.
"Mr. Oberoi I am sorry to disrupt your august gathering, but I am here to execute my duty.Words have a strange might to kill or to heal. His stress on the word execute would always remind Daksha of his beloved brother.
"How can I help you? Tej asked knowing fully well his purpose of the visit, but for the sake of some entertainment, he played along.
"We have an arrest warrant for you Mr. Daksha Khurana charging you of abetment of Dr. Dhawan's Murder. We have come here for you. His words echoed in the stunned gathering. Possibly Daksh had also given up by now, so he said nothing when he was handcuffed by Ranveer and dragged away. Ranveer stopped for a fraction of a minute in front of Priyanka and Anika, to let them observe and recognize their perpetrator's complete annihilation. Priyanka held on to Anika's hand as her heart raced and her mind gave up.
This brings us to a closure of one loop. Two more to go Tia and KT. I hope you will enjoy reading Daksh's OMM as much as I enjoyed writing it. In these few chapters, we did not see much family interaction but it is time for the Family to buckle up. Do let me know what you think and what you liked. I love reading your reviews and am open to all critiques. I will be responding to all the reviews later today. For now logging off from the laptop will continue reading on the phone though so please do keep these lovely comments coming. I just love walking around with my big head.
Lots of love
Take care
Samiksha
P,S. A lot of you did not like the name Samaksh because it resonated with my name. I am glad we wont be reading any more about Samaksh
😆
Edited by samiksha1993 - 7 years ago