Free Food & Free Advice
"You DIDNT go?" she asked panicking
"Where?" he said straightening up reaching out his arm to hold her hand
"AGM MEIN?" she asked aoftly
"NO... I went... " he said not saying anything further
She was eager to dig more
WHAT SHOULD I SAY?
WHY DID U LEAVE EARLY?
U SHOULDNT HAVE
HE IS DEPENDING ON YOU?
WHY THE F--- DO U CARE DI?
ITS NOT LIKE ITS YOUR COMPANY
ITS HIS DAD'S
U ARE NOT HIS ADMIN SO SHUT UP
She gave him her hand, he pulled her down seating her by him
"Why are u wearing teekas?" he asked, astute
She had forgotten
"Ummm... Amma said I should go to Malai Mandir" she mumbled
"For what?" he asked still on his email
"Ennoda pesareya ille email panreya nee?" she complained
(Are u talking with me or doing email?)
He half smiled setting his Mac Book Air on the coffee table throwing his legs back on it
Turning towards her
"Happy?" he asked
"Already?" she shot back
He chuckled smiling fully
"Amma said I should go for skanda shashti... its a special day of the month" she explained
"I thought u were running late?" he reminded her
"Sorry next time I wont go" she mocked
they ended up staring at each other for a few minutes
"I have to go to Uttam Nagar at 2 I was done maine socha I will grab some free food" she whispered
"Sounds like a plan"
He rotated her engagement ring, back and forth on her finger
"U never got it resized?" he asked
"I thought I will just grow into it" she whispered giggling
He leaned, and she leaned back
"How is the apartment?" she asked longingly
"Must be good" he said confused? amused?
"I miss my birds...and the kids across the block" she said
Life seemed to give the impression it was going to be breezy and uncomplicated
Eat, laugh and make love... and throw in the occasional blood thirsty war with husband
She could live that way forever
No hating Appa, no begging Ranjan
Indifferent Manny
"I was thinking you would miss the chocolate syrup and olive oil sexcapades" he muttered
She shook her head, he felt her huge saucer like eyes, with his thumb... basically drew the shape with the pad of his thumb
"Have u measured ur eyes?" he asked
"A guy once told me its 2 inches" she whispered in disbelief
"Who?" he asked silkily
"The one I crushed on at KV Andrews Ganj" she laughed
"The one in 11th grade?" he asked
She nodded
His thumb caressed her cheek... and her chin, heading to his favorite spot the lips, in the absence of her nose ring
There was a knock on the door
She moved startled, pulling her hand, he held it firmly
"ayyo" she whispered
It was Tan...
In formals... she had rarely seen him in those
"Amma Appa send u to work to make a decent living, tch tch tch tch, here u are romancing the hottie on 20th" Tan mocked
II pulled her hand from her husband's grip
Tan walked over and bent down to give her a warm hug
"I came for the free food" she said sheepishly
"Thats even worse, daughter steals food from a floor she doesnt work in" Tan informed
II turned red...
"I know... I am going to go check" she mumbled
She moved away from the dude, and he pulled her back on him
"Did u listen to the Maruti Outlook?" Tan chuckled looking at R&B
R&B looked confused at first, he twirled his hair
"Uhh... were u in it?" Tan asked
"I am leaving" II said
"I was KIDDING" Tan said smiling
"I dont cae I am here I will eat" II said
"Tu Ops Director ki biwi hai khaana desk par aayega" Tan teased
II shook her head, she relaxed girpping her husband's fingers warmly
Tan and R&B talked about the morning session giving her hope
"Whats going on at work?" Tan asked
"Just the usual"
"Too much money and dont know who to give it to?" Tan chuckled
"somewhat like that"
Ranjan peeked
R&B looked at him
"Chupke se yaha baithe ho, maine apne peon ko neeche bheja to bring u" Ranjan said
R&B pulled his feet off the coffee table
Still unwilling to let go of her hand
"I asked her Dad, kya chakkar hai, D II mein woh bichaare kya kya sapne le rahe hain, yeh yaha aapke bete ko pareshaan kar rahi hai"
"I only stopped by at 12:48" II said defensively
Ranjan wandered to her and tapped her head...
Mrs Sagar came in, and informed, food was set up in the dining area by the Exec conf room
"U missed the reading of the financials" Ranjan said
"I am sorry... I cant take so much time off Dad" she said sincerely
"I am ur client, u are obligated to" Ranjan chuckled
"To attend AGMs for all our customers?" II clarified
"Not all only us" he smiled
They got up to leave, Tan finished up his call with Sam, texted II a picture of Lasya holding a sippy cup
R&B let her walk with Tan as he made a work call
It was Thai today, II had a blast, eating for two? three? four?people
The dessert was Western though, which was good... acc to her
she interacted with the CPAs and the Lawyers Ranjan introduced her to them all
She clearly told them she was there only to eat, so as to avoid any perceived conflict of interest
The review of the annual report was done in her personal time at home, and that was legitimate as a seller, it was required KMPG review it periodically to ensure
the solvency of the client/Excelsior
Chachu was there too along with his 4 sons, one was constantly on the phone she noticed
Chachu was explaining the numbers and the process of AGM to them
He was a lil startled to see her there
He made polite conversation, enquired about her parents and her work
Reminded Ranjan the SW didnt work quite as it was supposed to at the Gurgaon workshop
I KNOW THAT
THANKS FOR PUBLICLY ANNOUNCING IT FOR ALL TO HEAR
He told her how R&B was too busy to attend the whole morning session and how curious and keen his sons were in learning the "business"
She nodded uncomfortably
He explained to her as to how complete devotion and dedication are required to make anything work and half ass attempts only lead to failures
How some people are not cut out to be "traders" case in point R&B
II gently extricated herself from Chachu's virtual grip of free advice
and walked back to the Accountants suddenly reminded of her two friends from her CPA days
Talked about them, found out where they were...
They had realigned some items on the agenda and voting was TOMORROW!!,
since one of the main attorneys had to leave on a sudden trip, the Company Secretary wanted the voting to be recorded by the attorneys
R&B mainly looked inscrutable, she wanted to ask Ranjan if he paid attention and asked pertinent questions, but held back
Pictures were being taken for, company newsletter. Ranjan treated his employees really well, promotions,
raises, opportunities for acquiring technical education were all available, for being a mere auto
dealership he tried to offer everything a multinational would
His Benefits Expenses for employees as a % of sales revenue was at par with big name product companies
"Come over for voting puttar" he invited her with pride
"dad Ashwini and I are hoping to test Uttam Nagar and Rohini tomorrow, woh apne IT waalon ke saath aayegi aur hum subah subah chale jaayenge" II explained
"I will promise to reward u" Ranjan winked
"No... no... no.. I cant.. I dont want anything... I cant take" she reiterated in as many ways as possible
"Try ur best" he said softly
"was he here?" II asked in a whisper
"was he here this morning" Ranjan said flatly
"he looks busy to me, he wont tell me anything" II explained
"Welcome to the club" Ranjan said cynically
R&B left half way through lunch, texting her
"I am taking a call"
"I have to go to Uttam Nagar" she texted back
"Do u have a ride?" he asked her
"will u drive me if I say I dont?" she asked
He half smiled...
Coming up in the evening, Tuesday & voting😲
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