FF: SECOND CHANCE part 44 pg 73 UPD. 19/11

Hey guys,this is a new ff that has been bouncing around in my head for quite a while and though i haven't gone very far with my other one i hope you will like this one too.i think it will be short though.

& ;nbs p; &a mp;n bsp; Characters

Uday and Krishna walia

Jigyasa and Jai walia...children of uday and krishna

Aditya bali...jigyasa's husband and father of her kids,ranvir and anu

Pushkar shukla...bani's husband

Bani dixit shukla...pushkar's wife and mother of their kids,Krishna,Atharva and Ganga

Rano and Pia...Bani's sisters

Rakesh...Mr.Diary room(you'll understand soon enough!! <!--[if !vml]-->😉<!--[endif]-->)

HAPPY READING!!



There was pin drop silence in the room.Noone dared move a muscle as this was the almighty Disciplinary Committee.People got fired whenever they were sent in there and for the first time,the person who was facing the committee was staring at the other occupants of the room without so much as an expression of fear in her eyes.There were four other people in the room...the chairman of the committee,Mr.Bakshi,his deputy Mrs. Singh,the chief accountant Mr.Gupta and the external auditor,Mr Bhavinani.
"Okay since we're all here shall we begin?"Mr. Bakshi said,opening the file in front of him,"Mrs.Shukla I'm sure you know why this meeting has been called..."
She merely raised her brow in acknowledgment of her knowing why she was in the hot seat.
"Well we would like to know how a mistake of this magnitude could occur without your having caught it."
She looked directly at Mr.Singh and said,I'm here to find out the exact same thing myself."
The chairman was taken aback.Then he sighed,removing his glasses,"Look Bani,I'm on your side here.This could all go away if you would just co-operate with us..."
"And say what Mr Bakshi?"she shot forward in her seat.
"Mr.Bakshi I really don't know why we are wasting time here.We should just fire her and get this over with.As far as I'm concerned there is absolutely no need for this meeting,"Mr.Gupta said forcefully.
He threw Bani a dirty sly look that said,I told you I always keep my promises.All he had wanted was too date her but the stupid prude had rebuffed him,humiliated him in public severally and the last straw was when they had both been sent by the bank to represent them in an annual ball there in Bangalore.Right there and then in front of everyone in the banquet hall,she had slapped him and rained all sorts of insults on him when he had backed her unto the balcony and tried to kiss her.
It was no secret that he desired her,I mean look at her.At thirty seven she was very much the looker most twenty five year olds could never be on their best days.She was beautiful in an elegant,classy way and looked like she had been pampered most of her life.She knew what suited her and what didn't and she filled out her clothes well.She was all beauty and brains and most women if not admire,hated her for that.
He looked at her with eyes full of spite.No woman ever made a fool of him and got away with it.He had heard the snickers and snorts when he walked down the hall of the offices as news of his humiliation reached the office ahead of them.He had sworn to make her pay and this was it.
"Careful Mr.Gupta.This is a hearing and we are yet to give the verdict,"Mr Bakshi said,giving him a warning look.
He grumpily sat back in his chair and matted his hands together,but smiled again when he realized this meeting could only go one way--his way.
"Bani,please explain to us the chain of events that led to you handing over a check for five million as opposed to five hundred thousand to Mr.Mehta?"
"I think Mr.Gupta will be in a better position to tell us that seeing as he is the head accountant."
"Look,the way I see it she has no reason for her carelessness and has cost this bank a lot of money.What does it say of our bank if its employees cannot take care of the money entrusted to it by its customers..."
"Mr.Gupta!"Mr.Bakshi roared,"When I need your opinion I will ask for it.Until then,shut it!"
Stunned,he settled back into his chair.
Bani gave him an amused look,anxious people always let the cat out of the bag and got themselves into trouble.She wanted to see how far they would go with this charade of a committee.Mr.Bakshi himself was in on the reason why she was here and was doing all of this for show so that Mrs.Singh had no complaints about how the meeting was inevitably going to end as she wielded quite a lot of power in the bank.
"Bani,just tell us what happened?"Mrs.Singh said.
"Mr.Mehta came to us for a loan of five lahks and after mortgaging his house to the tune of the same,a cheque was issued for that purpose only.In line with the bank policy,there have to be three signatures.Mine,being the assistant general manager of this branch,Mr.Shroff being the general managerMr.Gupta's,being the chief accountant of this branch.The amount remained five lahks until it got to Mr.Gupta's office and it suddenly became five million,"she said throwing him one of her famous 'silly child' glances,"I wonder how that happened?"
"What are you trying to say?"he blustered.
"The same Mr.Gupta,that if there is an inconsistency with the check its because it came from your office being the last point of call,"she fixed him with a chilling stare.
"I thought as much!You will never accept that you made a mistake so why not blame it on someone else?I tell you Mr.Bakshi this is a waste of time.Fire this woman!"
"We need to get the facts straight,"Mrs.Singh said in an effort to calm rising tempers.
"What I don't get,"Bani said,looking from one to the other as she spoke,"is the fact that in the ten years I have worked for this bank,this is the first time an allegation of this sort has been brought against me.The amount said to have been lost can easily be covered from the funds in my saving account. In the time I have been here several employees have lost money in sometimes alarmingly huge amounts and yet, this is the first I am hearing of a meeting of this Committee. I wonder once again, why that is?"
"Do you see the kind of insolence we have to put up with everyday?" Mr. Gupta said.
Bakshi sighed, "Bani, I need you to admit to making a mistake and I promise you the most lenient measures will be taken against you seeing as you have always been a model employee."
Bani laughed and began to clap her hands, "Wow Mr Bakshi, you're talking as though you are not a part of this whole sherade.You and Gupta here plan every sick thing that goes on in this office. This randy fool here lets no woman who refuses him work in this office and you have always backed him up. Pray tell, how do you expect me to think I would get a fair hearing today?"
"Mrs. Shukla those are serious allegations,"Mrs.Singh said, a frown on her face. She had heard these allegations but had never had them substantiated.
"And I can prove them all," she said confidently.
Mr. Bakshi took a deep breath, "Mrs. Shukla, this board is of the opinion that you can no longer work for this bank. You are to immediately hand in your resignation and return the keys to the company car. You are too vacate the office before the end of the week."
Bani smiled happily, "You know what? I am also of the opinion that I can no longer work for this bank with you bunch of foul people. But we need to discuss my severance pay."
"You will have a reasonable package..." Mr. Bakshi began.
"Now according to my lawyers and being as I know a little bit of math," she began cutting him off as though he wasn't talking, "The amount of money this bank owes me for the years I'll forgo is about thirty million and my pensions and allowances and all the itty bitty little things that people here get paid for it comes to a cool forty million."
"Are you insane?" Mr. Gupta exploded.
"Ahh,no," she said, "Actually I have never been more sane in my entire life. Seeing as you seem very excited about this meeting and you are the head of Accounting, I should think you would be able to push the papers in faster and get me my money by the end of the week in which I am finally to leave this office."
"Mrs. Shukla you have gone too far," Mrs. Singh said a little thrown by what Bani was pulling.
"Not nearly far enough," she said unfazed, "I will egt my due Mrs. Singh. Now how soon can I expect my check?"
"You will not get a dime..."
"I wouldn't antagonize me if I were you," she fixed him with a cold stare, "You have a lot of dirty laundry you don't want to come out, but they will if you force my hand."
"What?" Mr. Gupta and Bakshi exchanged glances.
She smiled sarcastically, "Two words for both of you," she said, "Illumina Project."
Both men paled and exchanged glances again, both in fear of what she had just said.Mrs.Singh was positively confused about what on earth was going on here that she had no idea about.
Bani smiled at the effect of her words, and rose with a victorious smile, "I really hope my check is ready by the end of the week,today being Friday.I'll leave you all to decide whether or not to pay me."
So saying she waltzed out of the office,and once she was in the hallway, she did a little victory dance.

hi again,

Wonderful begining👏👏👏 I love this brave Bani😃....😕 but what is this Bani as Mrs Shukla😕😆 and she haves 3 kids with Pushy and what about JW😛

It sounds really interesting ff😉 will be waiting for nxt part😃

Continue soon😃😛

Sukh here, and take care

hey nice start
so am i right in thinking bani is married to pushkar and they have 3 kids 😕 where does jai come into this 😆


plz cont

Taj

Interesting start....wonder how Jai will fit in...

Great start
liked it.
Bani is married to Pushkar....wonder as everyone else how and when Jai will come in the picture.
plz cont. soon

guys just give me a little while and you will see how Jai fits into all of this.thanks for the comments so far.

HEY GUYS,THIS IS THE NEXT CHAPTER.HOPE YOU ENJOY!! 😊



CHAPTER 2



It was a warm,sunny day in Mumbai and as usual the city was bustling with life as the various activities of the different classes of people in the city went on.The taxi drivers honked away in the gridlocked traffic,their passengers impatiently checked their watches as they seemed to be running late to wherever it is they were going and seemed more annoyed that the pedestrians were getting ahead of them in their quests to reach their destinations.
Among the cars in the frustrating traffic was a sleek black seven series BMW with tinted windows.The occupant in the back seat checked his wrist watch offhandedly.He still had plenty of time before the meeting commenced and they were barely a hundred meters from Walia Group of Companies.His father had started the business from scratch at the tender age of seventeen as a hustler in the barber's shop.He used to get the people who came there to given him their laundry and after taking care of that,if they wanted home delivery he charged them extra.He also had a day job at a restaurant called Montreal back in the day which was what would change his life forever.
He had been chosen to wait hand and foot on a group of important men the restaurant owner was hosting and to his surprise and amazement,they just kept talking about shares,shares,shares.He listened intently while serving them and being street wise soon caught the drift of what they were saying and from that day on began to buy up shares like crazy.By the time he was twenty-one he head made his first million and then he began to diversify into all sorts of businesses.The older business men had thought he was a flash in the pan but after about five years in the big leagues and only one minor set back,some whole heartedly while others grudgingly accepted him as one of their own.It had been a phenomenal rise to the top and he had remained there for over forty years.He had semi-retired two years ago,leaving the reigns to his son whom he had groomed since he finished college about twenty-one years ago.
At forty four,Jai Walia was till the spitting image of his father,more so now than when he was younger.Both men stood at a towering 6"3(love that height cos its the height of my dream man! 😳).Jai being younger was more athletic than his father who had put on a few pounds after leaving the heavy duty stuff to his son.Jai had piercing gray eyes that were hooded by thick even brows and he had a formidable chin which softened when he smiled but could scare the life out of you when he got mad.His nose was that of an aristocrat and looking at him,one would conclude that God took his time in making this one!
Finally they pulled up at the curb of Walia group of Industries while the doorman opened the door promptly.
"Good afternoon Mr.Walia."
"Afternoon Rahul,how's your day?"
"Lovely sir."
He walked into the building and could sense that every one seemed to immediately act busy.He smiled at how much his mere presence invoked such actions from people.He went to the private elevator which was reserved for he and his father and pushed the button for the thirteenth floor.The ride up was smooth and he let his mind wonder for a while,dwelling here and there until the discreet ping of the elevator told him he had arrived.As the door swung open and he stepped out,there was an instant hush that fell over the open office space.
Amidst calls of 'good morning Mr.Walia' to which he merely inclined his head in greeting,he walked into his office.
"Good morning Mr.Walia,"his secretary Mrs.Oberoi chirped,"How has your day been so far?"
"Great,and you?"he said walking into his office while she followed in his wake.
"Could have been better,"she said,"The delegates from Cuddles have arrived and will be ready for you in about ten minutes."
Mhhhmm,"he said going through his mail which she had dropped in a neat pile at the side of his table to the left.
"Your mother called too,"she went on,"Wants you home early today.Some dinner she's hosting for a friend.You ask me I thin it reeks of matchmaking."
The last of it came out in a huff,to which Jai smiled.Mrs.Oberoi was a mother-hen at the office and a dragon lady if you ever tried to pick a fight with Jai.His father had given her to him when he first started working in the company to guide him.A bond had fromed between them which could easily translate to a mother-son relationship seeing as she was almost the same age as his father yet had emphatically refused to retire,saying what would she do the rest of her life?twiddle her thumbs?No way!!
He sat down an turned on the computer to check his email.The Cuddles company wanted a fresh new look to market their products and were a rather conservative company but Jai was least bothered as he knew he had a wonderful team tackling the presentation and he had already seen it.Exactly two minutes to time,Mrs.Oberoi buzzed him and he exited the office,heading straight for the Conference room people now referred to as the Oval office.
"Ladies,gentlemen,"he acknowledged the delegates of the company who stood on his entry,"Please be seated.Shall we begin?"



An hour later they emerged with smiles all round,an indication that they had liked the presentation."We'll be in touch Mr.Walia,do have a nice day."
"You too.Excuse me,"he said politely and headed off to his office while leaving them with an employee to see them off.Not that they didn't know the way.


MEANWHILE AT WALIA MANSION..............

"Tony,have all the food stuff arrived?"Krishna Walia called to the man who had just entered the living room.
"Yes madam."
"Then get started already.I need every thing done in record time,we only have three hours before the guests arrive and I will not have you serve them half cooked food!"
Smiling to himself,Tony said,"Ji,madam.Right away."
His mistress only got like this when they were hosting dinner for a hopeful bride-to be which of course never happened as her son was adamant to live life the way he wanted-on his won terms.
Walia mansion was a flurry of activities and at exactly half past five Krishna picked up the phone and called her son.
"Kahiye mama,"came the baritone voice over the receiver.
"Acha,so you know its me calling eh?"
"Of course,who else will chase after me to come home to one of her dinners?"he said teasingly.
"Don't get fresh with me,"she said,knowing fully well he was going to try to get out of it with some excuse of work,"Mrs,Oberoi says your schedule for this evening is clear so nothing can 'come up'."
"Remind me to wring her neck,"he said,rubbing his hands over his eyes in an expression of fatigue as he had been going none stop since the Cuddles presentation.
So I'll expect to see you here in exactly one hour.Am I clear?"
"Crystal."
"Good.Don't be late."
"Wouldn't dream of it."
As he hung up he sighed deeply.This game between he and his mother had gone on for years.She had tried every trick in the book to get him to commit to a serious relationship but he was having none of it.He was a happy man,but he was okay,he figured.He had the love and support of a wonderful family and could ask for nothing more.He'd had his fair share of women and knew at this point it would be more difficult than ever to find one who loved him for him,so he resolved to let it happen if and when it did.
He swiveled his chair around to look at the scenery before him.The expanse of limitless blue skies tinged with the orange and gold of the setting sun.He shut his eyes against the glare and let his mind escape for a while.
The discreet knock on the door brought him out of his reverie,"Yes?'
"I'm off dear.Did you need anything?"
"An escape route would be nice,"he said to Mrs.Oberoi,"But then you already took care of that huh?"
"Come on,it was either my head or yours and she's your mother.Better yours than mine."
"Goodnight Mrs.Oberoi,"he said with a small smile that caused the fine lines around his eyes to form.
"Goodnight dear,"she turned to go and then paused at the door,"Are you sure you're alright?"
He looked up from the computer screen he had been staring at blankly,"I'm fine.Now off you go."
She shrugged and shut the door behind her.Oh my child,so young and yet so lonely.This was not how to live,she thought sadly,all he had was his work.No one to make him want to go home at night.Heavenly father,please send him someone to love....someone who can love him in return and ask for nothing more.
So saying,she turned and headed for the elevators.




*******

She looked at the time...three minutes to six.If they didn't show up at six she would take it that they had called her bluff and there would be hell to pay if they dared cross her.She was not about to let all her hard work in this hole go to waste.This could not have happened at a better time.She had become bored with her job and needed a change.Something more challenging.She had talked to her kids about it and even her sisters had agreed with her...there was nothing more for her in Bangalore.All the things that tied her down had in Bangalore were all severed...her mother-in law,her job,her husband...
At the thought of him she shut her eyes and inhaled deeply as the familiar pain washed over her.As that slowly ebbed away a whisper of anger followed it as he thought about him.She didn't have time to dwell on it as her door flew open and she opened her eyes.
"Ah,the cavalry arrives,"she said,her voice heavy with sarcasm,her smile very polite,"Have a seat."
"Stop your nonsense Bani,"Bakshi growled,"We have met with the general manager and he has agreed to your demands."
"Just like that?"she asked in mock surprise.
"You're enjoying this aren't you?"Gupta asked,his eyes shooting venom.
"Immensely,"she said,giving him a sweet smile,"You know,you did the right thing trying to trap me.Helped me makeup my mind about finally leaving this company."
"We have agreed to your demands,"Bakshi began again,then glancing nervously at Gupta,"In exchange we would like everything you have in your possession concerning the Illumina Project."
She gave them a steady glance,"I could....but what is that going to cost me?I know how you boys play and let me tell you,you don't play fair.I could hand it all over to you and the next thing I know,my accounts are frozen,fresh allegations made,end up in court,found guilty,end up behind bars,the works!"she said,throwing up her hands in mock frustration.She jumped to her feet and walked around the table to face them both squarely,not batting an eyelid.
"This is how its going to be gentlemen.Consider this my two weeks notice.I'll clear out after handing over all my clients and tying up loose ends.I expect that since you're the head accountant you could cut through all the red tape and have that money deposited in two new accounts I'll open tomorrow,latest by Wednesday next week.As for the stuff I have on Illumina,I think I'll hang on to them for a while,until I'm sure I have no further use for them."
"That's preposterous!!How can we..."
"What Gupta?Trust me?"she cut him off,a smug look on her face,"For someone of your repute I can understand why you wouldn't trust me.But a girl's gotta to what a girl's gotta do.That's my offer for the second time today.Once I'm in the clear,I'll hand it all over."
So saying,she grabbed her cardboard box containing most of her personal effects and sashayed to the door,before flipping her hair and throwing them a dazzling smile,"Nice doing business with ya!"
As the door swung shut behind her she heard one of them bang on the table and grunt,"Damn it!!"
Giggling to herself,she strolled leisurely towards the elevator.Finally she was going to be free of this place...and in the long run,this city.With that thought,she walked into the elevator and hit the button for ground floor.


She got home around eight to the sound of music coming from within the house.She shook her head,these children never learned.She walked into the house and saw they were all dancing in the living room.
She stood in the hallway watching them.Her beautiful kids...they were all she lived for at this point in her life.Krishna and Atharva were twins,born sixteen years ago with all the joy that only children could bring.They had been one of a kind...they hardly ever cried and mostly slept through the night,giving their parents time to sleep and then eventually,make another baby two years later.Ganga,she was their second....or third depending on how you looked at it.
She assumed Atharva had taken her father's build,for he was a tall and well built young man with a thick mane of curly black hair while his twin sister was the exact opposite of him,taking after her.Petite,but with the same glossy mane of long curly black hair.Ganga was shaping up to be what you called a handsome young woman.At fourteen she was already five foot nine inches which was like a head shorter than her brother.Her hair,feminine figure and striking face were the only things that made sure everyone saw her as nothing other than all woman.She was really a cross between her parents.
"Mummy!!"she called excitedly,spotting her at the door,almost as if she knew her mother had been thinking about her,"Come onin and join us!"
"You guys go ahead...."
"Nonsense!"Atharva cut her short,grabbing the box out of her hands and dropping it on the floor and pulling her to the middle of the room, forcing her to move to the beat of the music."
"Guys I'm really tired..."she began.
"Not listening,"Atharva said,still shaking her as he had his hands on either sides of her shoulders.
"OK OK OK OK,"she held up her hands,"Just this once."
It was a song from Terror Squad


AND IF MY PEOPLE DON'T DANCE JUST PUT UP YOUR HANDS AND DO THE ROCK AWAY
NOW LEAN BACK...LEAN BACK...LEAN BACK...LEAN BACK

She folded her hands across her chest and joined her kids in doing the rock away much to their delight as they started chanting,"Go mummy!Go mummy!Go mummy!!"
"Alright alright,"she said,laughing at herself,"Can I go now?"
"But of course mummy dearest,"Krishna said,taking the box from her,then momentarily glancing into the box,"Whoa mom,what's this?"
She stopped on the third stair and turned to see all three kids looking enquiringly at her,especially Atharva who had the family picture she usually had on her desk in his hands with the same questioning look in his eyes.She slowly sat down on the stair and motioned for them to come sit by her.
"I was hoping you wouldn't catch on until after dinner but eh.."she gave a small laugh,shaking her head,"Nothing gets past you huh?"
"Take your time why don't you?"Ganga said impatiently,not being able to judge if the news was going to be good or bad.
"What do you want,good news or bad?"
"Bad!"they all said in unison.
She smiled.Young as they were these three were adults in teenagers' bodies."Well as of today,your mother handed in her two weeks notice."She paused to see their reaction,and when no one moved a muscle to indicate they had heard her,she emphasized,"I quit."
Silence.
They all exchanged looks,then Krishna asked,"And?"
She looked at them with surprise,"Guys,I'm out of a job."
"Is that it?The bad news?"Atharva asked.
"Yeah,"she said rolling her eyes in a duh!-like manner.
"Then its bad news worth celebrating,no?!"Ganga said happily,giving Krishna and Atharva a hi-five low-five and hugged them.
"It's about time too,"Atharva said.
Bani looked from one to the other in utter amazement,"I have never seen three people more happy about an uncertain future."
"Mum,you're Mrs.Shukla,"Ganga said,giving her the duh-look,"You never do anything without looking at the future.Now I suggest you mosey on up,take a nice hot shower and be down in ten minutes to tell us how you stuck it to them."
Frowning slightly at how well her kids knew her,"How did..."
"Mum,"Ganga said slowly,"Mrs.Shukla never goes quietly.Now hurry up,dinner is about to be served!"
Shaking her head in wonder at these three,she headed for her room to do just as her kids head ordered.They were something else weren't they?



********************************

I'LL STOP HERE GUYS.HAPPY READING AND PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS.WOULD LOVE TO KNOW HOW AND WHAT YOU THINK THE STORY SHOULD DEVELOP TO BE.CHEERS!! 😉

Great stuff, lots of mystery to be revealed reagarding mrs shukla.... 👏

Hey
wow that was an awesome part 👏
hmmm so bani has teenage kids 😕 didnt expect that and where is Pushkar and Jai is being persuaded into getting married 😉 i dont know how all this will fit in how jai and bani get together 😕
and im sure ur not going to reveal this anytime soon 😆

plz cont

Taj

Hey Ezther!!!
Awesome going yaar!!! 👏 👏 I love the way you describ the whole happinings 👏 👏 👏 ...
Bani, shes really a mystry 😉
continue soon 😃 😃