" Ohh, Were you thinking about me? I appreciate that."
" Anyway, Did it go alright? I was worried for you being stretched till evening."
Rudhir asked Arav while he was settling himself.
" I was prepared somewhere."
Arav said while pulling up the seat belt.
"How did it go? You haven't answered me yet."
Rudhir asked him, worries were written all over his face.
He took a light breath and without even looking towards Arayan he replied.
"If it wouldn't have been Aryan I would have been sued by tomorrow."
Rudhir looked over him with surprise. As this was too soon. He couldn't imagine seeing his friend into the situation. He felt bothersome.
"Do you think Aryan can help us?"
" I am not very sure, he is the key person of the company on whom everyone relies. If he will take any side, it may lay a wrong example to others. But.. we can rely on him to take things fairly. We can hope him to work on finding the actual culprit.
" Fingers crossed! Do you think someone is after you playing behind the curtains?
" What do you think in this regard?"
" Could it be him? Are we thinking about the same person?"
" Hmm who else it could be?"
They have been talking to each other while driving on the road.
Soon Arav's attention went over the street they were going to cross.
" Hey, where are we heading towards?"
Arav asked him while Rudhir turned the car towards the other side.
" It has been time since we got together. Remember this place, let's talk for a while."
" I don't mind it. Anyway, I don't have anything to do at this moment."
Rudhir nodded with a peaceful smile.
They parked the car nearby and went inside the new city park.
They found themselves a familiar place. They were surrounded by plants and sat over the stairs. Down to the stairs they could see table tennis tables. Earlier there used to be one table tennis bench and now there were two.
As they sat down they found they had less to talk about and it had been a while since they sat all alone otherwise they always met with their families.
Suddenly a ball came by...
Rudhir picked up the ball and as he picked up the ball something crossed his mind.he went towards the school kids.
" Do you have any spare balls and rackets?"
" Yes"
"Yea"
" Please lend us then, for some time."
The school kids looked towards each other but they agreed after receiving some money from him.
Arav was watching his friend and laughed inwardly.
Rudhir came over.
" Come, let me check your bones and muscles?"
" You really couldn't resist yourself…"
" Ahh Old man are you backing out already?"
" Nope, let's see who is going to check whose bones and muscles."
" Right, C'mon "
They both started playing and soon lost the trek of time.
Being near the ones who could understand you at times makes the tough things a lot easier than you could think of. Somehow you find the courage to resolve them in those moments and holding on to them becomes your greatest strength.
*****************
While in the Sterlite Electronics….
It was evening now, everyone had started packing up their work.
A young man in his mid 20's was sitting on his desk. He was looking at the picture. This picture was reminding him of the day when he had won the scholarship to the Business School of London.
His father and Former CEO were also there in the picture. They both had taken this Company through all the odds. Earlier on Vishal 'Son of former CEO' and he used to visit the Company quite often to help their fathers. But now today the Company feels so much different from the earlier days.
His friend was not interested in business; he was pursuing his career in Civil Services. He had shifted his father's expectations on him. His father and former CEO had gone to great extent to being thus Company in the position in which it is there now. Their dreams and expectations were all weighing over his shoulders.
Aryan was watching over him outside Siddhant's Cabin.
The Former CEO was aware of Ravi's high ambitions. When he had started having health issues he had already transferred his shares to Siddhant. Only Aryan knew about it. This was kept from everyone else.
In everyone's eyes, Siddhant only returned to India yesterday and he took over the Company right after he returned. Aside from Arav, he was the other person who was noticing the behaviour of the people.
In just the first hour of his arrival, he took control over the CCTV. Everyone interested in watching the show today was all called upon and they were all questioned.
He had noticed the cash flow problems. Then he had also noticed that many people in the HR department were excluded from important projects. The planning team was unusually assisting the HR department. Many people had resigned and there were unusual transfers of people to different departments.
His suspicion was revolving around Ravi.
He picked the file which was in front of him. It was given by Raci. His file was flawless other than the notice there was nothing he could point out. It holds all the evidence against Arav and there were two more people. There was nothing he could deny right now. But in his heart, he could feel something was wrong. But why?
His confrontation with Ravi was more like the declaration of war against each other.
The question was if Ravi was planning to become the CEO why would he harm his own Company?
Ravi's work has always been flawless, his networking skills had greatly contributed to the company. Losing him would be again another loss of the company. He can't put any blame on him unless he finds some evidence. But he feels that the Company has already lost him.
Ravi's abilities were his advantage over Siddhant. As Siddhant had just returned from abroad. He didn't know many people here. He was beginning his career and therefore winning people's confidence over him would still take some time. Whereas everyone was aware of how Ravi had been collecting favour and support from people of the business world to his advantage.
Siddhant threw the file on the table slightly.
Today he was only able to delay the things. And he was going to delay the process unless he could sort things out.
Right now aside from Aryan, he was unable to believe in anyone, everyone was under his suspicion, Ravi... Arav.. or anyone. But it was hard for him to be suspicious of Arav. He remembered meeting him for the first time but it couldn't deny things before his eyes. He wanted to confront him by himself.
He took on his coat from the back of his chair and left his cabin.
As Siddhant went, everyone was looking at him with amazement.
They remembered the moment he had entered the office. His approaching footsteps made everyone stand on their position to greet him with respect. He had made them freeze on their respective positions alike now. They could still feel the chilling sensation down their spine as they remembered his words in the morning.
"If you are waiting for something then why don't I approve your wish."
Aside from Arav, he was also very much disappointed in the people of the Company.
**************
Back in the garden...
It was around 6 pm. Rudhir and Arav were tired by now they simply sat down back to stairs returning the rackets. They were still catching their breath.
" How is Arjun doing?"
"If you are that worried about him; why did you send him? Do you not know the present situation?
" I didn't send him. He wanted to come to himself."
"Himself!!"
"Are you surprised?"
"Nope, I can expect this from him."
" Do you remember Ritvik, How protective he had become towards Arjun back then?"
"Hmm, of course, I can't forget a thing that happened at that time; But they are always a good part of our present and our memories.
" Right, When they are together there is less to worry about them. Instead, they become our strength and our reason too., "
" Are you Philosophy?"
"What?"
"You sound like a philosopher."
" hehe, I think you are the one who is studying philosophy."
" Hey, Don't turn the table….."
Arav paused.
Rudhir paused on their very place. Their teasing smile disappeared as they saw a familiar face coming toward them.
********