Chapter 61: chapter 61

CHAPTER-24GOWRI What the hell happened to me? Why did I tell him that? ‘I am your wife.’I was so angry with him for skipping his food and sleep. Because, when he passed out on the sofa for a minute my world stopped and I was scared like never before. Okay, I do care for him and I am concerned about his health. When he kept on arguing back with me, I got angry and acted on angry impulse. I didn't filter my thoughts or words. Something that I don't do with Shiva.I dial his number and click the call button. I examine my nails as I hear the beep sound. He picks it up at the fifth ring. “Hello,” he tells.“Hey, did you have your lunch?” I ask.Yes, I have called him to ask him whether he had his lunch or not. It is two in the afternoon and I received news that he had not gone for the lunch break and kept staring at the laptop.“Yep,” he replies too quickly.“Fine, come in a video call and show me your finished lunch box,” I tell.“That is ridiculous Love,” he tells. “I am not a little boy.”“Oh, yes, you are a little boy who lies about having his lunch,” I tell.He sighs, “Fine. I will have it now. Do you want the evidence in Whatsapp chart?”I smile, “No, I have one of my spies in your office. He will let me know.”“I am going to murder Bala uncle,” Shiva says as he hangs up the phone.🍀🍀🍀🍀SHIVA“Do you think this is funny uncle?” I ask waving the phone at him.He chuckles, “To be truthful, it is funny to see you get scolded by your wife.”“You are supposed to be on my side,” I tell showing him the finished lunch box so that he can report to Gowri that I had my lunch.He smiles at me, “Of course, I am on your side. But you can’t skip food for work. After all, we work to keep our stomachs full.”I sigh. He has a point. The only person whom I can trust in this whole company right now is Bala uncle. Many employees are resigning. I don’t blame them. I refresh my official mail for any good news but no it still shows me the old contents. There is a knock on my door and I throw a wary glance at uncle Bala. I am damn sure an employee is standing on the other side of the door with a resignation letter.“Come in,” uncle calls out.I brace myself for angry and disgusted looks and a mouthful of insults. The door opens and OH NO! Every remaining staff of my company enters the room. Are they all going to resign together? WONDERFUL!!Even if I find an investor how will I run this company with no employees? “What do you all want?” asks uncle in a tired tone.One of the employees steps forward. He is the most experienced one. He smiles at me and I am thankful that it is a polite smile and not a loathing one.“We are here to tell you that, no matter what happens to this company, we will stand by you. I know, a lot of our former colleagues had told you that you are not fit to be this company's head but I think you are apt for this position. We want you to lead us. We believe in you, Shiva. We just want to let you know we support you and your decision,” he says.The whole room is silent and every other employee murmurs their consent. I could feel the world coming in slow motion. These people believe me. They think I am apt for this position.OH MY GOD!THEY SERIOUSLY HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH THIS MEANS TO ME!“Th...Than...Thank You,” I stammer because hell! They have rendered me speechless. I take a deep breath and smile at them, “Your belief in me means so much to me. I will not let you down. This company will survive this hurdle.”🍀🍀🍀🍀“See, I told you that you are the right leader and that is what your employees think too,” Gowri says on the phone. “Yep, you were right about that,” I say with a smile. We both have been conversing on the phone for the past half an hour. She was excited when I told her what happened with my employees. She is happy for me and that makes my heart go all mushy.“So, how was your day?” I ask when we both have a pause. It is six in the evening and though I will meet Gowri in an hour, I find myself not wanting to hang up.“The same like every other day. School students complain about how stressful it is for them with all the exams coming near. Then the pressure of their parents and school. ”There is a pause again. I think about something to say. I don't want to cut the call yet. Because if I cut the call then that would mean I should refresh my mail and I don't want to feel disappointed again with no new emails. “Okay, Shiva. Be home in an hour. I going to make dinner. Stop stalling and check the mail. Bye,” she says.I sigh. Time to face the inevitable. “Bye,” I say and hang up before my mind chickens out.I refresh the mail. Ah, yes I know no new ma-NO!WAIT!THERE IS A NEW MAIL!IT IS FROM ONE OF THE MAIL ADDRESSES I SENT MY BUSINESS PROPOSAL TO.I call Bala uncle. I don't want to open it alone. I want to know if this is real.“Shiva,” he says.“Come to my room, uncle,” I say in an excited tone.Exactly twenty-one seconds later, my office door bursts open and uncle Bala looks at me with excitement.“Is it what I think?” he asks breathless. God! This man has a habit of running even at this age.“Yes, we have received one reply and I am going to open it,” I say clicking on the mail.  It takes a moment to load.WAIT. AM I DREAMING? HOLY HELL! THIS IS NOT HAPPENING.“OH MY GOD!” I yell forgetting that I am the head of the company and I am supposed to act cool-headed.“Shiva, I know I am old but not deaf. Why are you yelling?” Bala uncle asks coming near my desk. Other employees have gathered in front of my office hearing me yell.“Look at this,” I tell him showing the mail that sits in my mailbox. A mail that could get the company blooming again.“GV Industries, Inc. is willing to invest in our company?” asks Bala uncle in an incredulous voice.“Yes, but the CEO will have a meeting with me first and if he is satisfied with me and our ideas then we will get an investment.”“She. Not he.”“Huh?”“The CEO of GV Industries is a woman and she is known for her ruthlessness in the business industry. Savitha Gopinath. I hope you have heard her name,” Bala uncle tells.WHAT?My whole excitement dampens at the mention of her name. Savitha Gopinath also known as the Icy Queen of the business world. As her nickname says, she is known to be a cold woman in her late twenties. She is one of my role models in the business world. Her success is what gave me the belief that I could take over my father's company. Though she is my role model, there is a saying in the business world that says, ‘Never Mess With The Icy Queen.’Because she has a history of ruining many businessmen. This is a grave risk for the company.“Shiva, this is not a good thing. Savitha is known for destroying many companies. If she is not satisfied with your interview then she will destroy this company and your career.”I gulp down the bile that is rising. Bala uncle is not helping with his advice. “When is the meeting?” he asks.I read the full mail and HOLY GOD! “Day after tomorrow. Here at our company.”“KADAVULAE! THAT IS TOO SOON,” Bala uncle is the one who is shouting now.🍀🍀🍀🍀