Finally came the day of the deal signing. Today is Thursday, to the delight of Varsha as she can again use the excuse of being on fast. This will help her avoid anything offered to her in food or drink which might cause any problem. Swati has also told her this is a perfect idea.
When Varsha came out of washroom after bath and getting ready, it is already 8:00 AM. Meeting is planned at 11:00 but Akash said yesterday that it is good to reach there around 10:30 to familiarize themselves with the environment. Varsha wore the maroon colour saree with a cream colour blouse and adorned herself with beautiful jewellery. She came out and stood at the door of washroom and looked at her husband who is reviewing things on his work.
Akash has already prepared himself in business casual and is looking seriously on his laptop. He has been preparing the presentation in the evening to show his plan to the Shah's for partnership deal. His blazer is placed on the chair nearby. Varsha looked at the grey theme of his dress and thought it matched with her maroon colour dress.
After completing his review and finding everything fine, Akash felt relaxed finally and then closed his laptop. When he raised his head, he found Varsha looking at him and smiled at her. He saw how she was looking at him like an infatuated girl and it made him happy. Her dress, her jewellery, vermilion line in her hair with that orange dot on the forehead she looks so lovely. Her charm is in her innocence. When she found at him looking at her, she lowered her head shyly but did not move.
She is thinking about what Swati has told her on call. "Your husband is your protection. So, ask him. Be pitiful in front of him and let him make some promise." Swati has said.
Akash looked at her, standing with a lowered head. He smiled and asked, "What is it?"
Varsha raised her head slowly and made a face which looked a bit troubled and said in a low voice "You mentioned that the people who will be joining are father and son. I am the only girl there. What would I do when you are busy at your meeting? That is the hotel of Pawar's and that Pawar person we met in party gives such a sinister feeling. What if I meet him?"
"You are again talking nonsense. How can I leave you to fend by yourself? Of course, I will keep you within my eyesight. If there is any problem, I will be the one to handle it for you. And Pawar's are scary people but they also care about their public image. Even if we face them it won't be troublesome." Akash said in a relaxed tone.
Varsha smiled and said hopefully "Then I don't have to think anything and will be able to stick with you, right? Even if someone invites me for something I will say that I will only go with my husband. Please promise not to leave me. Okay?"
Akash looked at her vulnerable expression and felt like his heart-melting. How can he ignore her plea? How can he ignore a chance to make her smile? He smiled and said, "Of course."
Her smile broadened. Akash stood up from the bed and collected his laptop and the file in the bag and took the bag and said: "Let us go down for breakfast. It is almost 8:30 already." And he walked toward the door of the room. Varsha followed him smiling. "One thing is done. Now I have to try the next one." She thought.
As usual, breakfast started at 8:30. Everyone is present and no one is missing from breakfast today. Grandpa looked at the dressed up Akash and Varsha looks happy. Everyone is eating.
During the breakfast, Grandpa stated "Today is one of the good days for our business. Mr Shah called me yesterday and we talked about many things. He said that he wants to meet the younger generation of our family to understand the future of this collaboration and he also said that he likes the cultural ethos of our family and business."
Grandpa looked around the table and found everyone is looking toward him. He then looked toward Varsha and Akash who are sitting side by side today and smiled and said: "I am confident that Akash will present our business vision to them very well." Then he looked at Varsha and said adoringly "And our dear Varsha will definitely impress them with our cultural values." Hearing the praise of Grandpa, Varsha lowered her head shyly making Grandpa laugh.
Happier the people are, more anxious Varsha is when she remembered the words of Mahat Pawar. This is an opportunity for a big boost in the hotel and restaurant business of family but Varsha has been put on a crossroads because the party signing the deal is somehow related to Mahat Pawar. She has to do the second thing in her plan otherwise that evil Swati will kill her if any loopholes remained in her safety.
Varsha has not yet started her breakfast. She only has a glass filled with water and took a sip occasionally. Grandma looked at her and asked "Varsha! Why are you not eating? Everyone is already halfway through the meal."
"Grandma! You are my saviour" Varsha thought and then looked toward Grandma, she smiled and said "Grandma! Today is Thursday. I normally fast of Thursdays." She pointed toward the kitchen where maid Sita is cutting some fruits and said "Sita is bringing some fruits for me. I will eat them."
Grandma smiled and said "Okay. Good then."
Meanwhile, maid Sita brought the fruit plate and put in front of Varsha. Varsha picked one piece of Apple with a fork and put in her mouth and chewed slowly with a thoughtful expression.
"Grandpa! When we go to the meeting, what if they offer to eat something? Can I say 'No' to them? I can tell them that I am on fast but they won't feel offended. Right?" Varsha showed a worried expression and asked while looking toward Grandpa.
Eldest uncle looked at her worried expression and felt extremely annoyed. He got it correctly this time when he thought that Varsha is being too dramatic but when has he not thought in such a way about her. He always thought that Varsha is full of trickery which she uses to get the favour of her Grandpa and Grandma by showing how humble and caring she is. Otherwise, how could a girl of less education and village upbringing be able to impress everyone?
Eldest uncle said annoyingly "Father just praised you and now you have started to give excuses. When we are going to such a meeting, we need to put the next person before us. Why won't they be offended if you reject their request?"
Varsha looked toward the eldest uncle and her face paled. Yes, she does not know anything about how business meetings work and how one should act. She felt like Grandpa will certainly be disappointed at her thoughtless question. She looked toward Grandpa expectantly while waiting for his response. She tried to look calm but her fear of being scolded made her lips tremble. She knows Grandpa will not reprimand her but this time even if he suggests doing otherwise, it will still show how ignorant she is and will make Akash and Grandpa disappointed.
Grandpa looked toward his second son who has always shown a dislike toward Varsha and felt helpless and then looked toward Varsha who is looking with such an expression that she might cry even with a simple rebuke. His heart softened and he smiled and said "Dear! You don't have to worry. Mr Shah especially likes the cultural aspect of our family. How can he mind when you say that you are on fast? I believe as a good person he would understand your reason and will not mind the least bit."
Ira who is sitting on the other side of Varsha giggled and said "Sister-in-law! you don't worry. Even you burn one of the restaurants, Grandpa will say 'Dear! Do not worry. We can use this fire to cook some food and serve our customers.'" She mimicked in such a way that almost everyone on the table laughed. The one of laughed the hardest was Grandpa himself.
Grandma faked the anger and said "You Devil! When did you learn to mimic your elders?"
"Why can't Grandpa and Grandma love me as much as you love sister-in-law?" Ira said pitifully.
Grandma looked at Ira who is acting cute and said lovingly "Of course we love you both the same."
Ira laughed and said "Grandma has a good eye. Of course, how can one not love an adorable little girl like me?" Everyone laughed.
Varsha felt relaxed after this and continued eating fruits served to her. She has achieved two things she discussed to make before going for a meeting. She has asked Akash to always accompany her. She has read in novels and stories about food and drink how other people use them to scheme against someone and felt happy with the protection she made against those things due to the reason of fast.
Breakfast ended with small talks and some instructions from Grandpa. After breakfast, everyone went to their work and Grandpa and Grandma sat and talked with Akash and Varsha in the hall. Around 9:45, Akash brought the car at the front and then he departed for the business meeting with Varsha.