chapter 10

SerendipityEpisode-10The day when 23-year-old Rajeev first joined the office of Supreme Group as a management trainee...He worked enthusiastically and diligently in every department of the Supreme Group... understanding and learning everything , from the basics to how an international company works...Progressing steadily through the years, the climb from Trainee to CFO had been accomplished by him in such a short period of time...Rajeev had been performing well as the CFO for the last five years. All the credit for Supreme Group’s name and respect in the international industry could be attributed to Rajeev and his hard work …Prakash Sir could now rest peacefully knowing that the legacy of the Supreme Group was in the hands of a very capable person... Rajeev Mehra.“Rajeev, I want to discuss about the charity budget of Supreme Foundation... More than the usual budget has been sanctioned for the next year” said one of the board of directors, expressing concern about the increased budget.“Mr.Sinha...the increase in the charity budget is negligible compared to the combined turnover and profit of Supreme Group...In fact , next year , Supreme Group is launching two new social initiatives... You will receive a mail regarding the same from the CSR Department...We have not established Supreme Group only to reap profits... Supreme Group will always work towards the progress of the economy and betterment of our society.We owe it to the society that there should not be any kind of compromise”Having said this, he thanked and congratulated everyone for their immense hard work during the past year. The meeting ended with loud round of applause.After the meeting got over, Prakash Sanyal and Rajeev were talking in his cabin with a proud smile on their faces...noting down some important tasks to be completed by the end of the financial year.*@*@*@*@*Returning to his cabin from the annual review meeting, Rajeev's happiness instantly morphed into dismay..Geeta, PA, had mis-arranged two afternoon meetings causing the temperature in his cabin to rise again.“Aditi, please, is this report very important and please check that report one more time...do not submit it unless it is 110% correct...Didn't you hear what happened with Jayesh a while ago!... Think again before entering that lion's den...The lion is already red with anger”Geeta said, alerting Aditi-Accounts Manager, about the heated atmosphere in the cabin.. She had just come out after bearing the brunt of Rajeev’s anger."Aree Geeta... Rajeev sir asked for that report on Saturday... but there was some problem in the systems on Saturday and the data was not available...Plus, Rajeev sir was not in office on Saturday evening as he had gone to attend an award ceremony. ... So I completed the report today” Aditi tried to explain…“Wow! Great... You are submitting a report due on Saturday at 11 am on Monday... Very good... I think you should submit your resignation letter instead of that report...I suppose the loud announcement ‘TIME IS MONEY’ from the conference room earlier this morning, which shook all 28 floors of the Supreme House didn’t reach your ears.” Geeta tried to dissuade Aditi from entering the cabin.She did not have any strength remaining to bear one more episode of Rajeev sir's outburst and Aditi , following Geeta’s advice, quickly escaped from there. Rajeev was working on Arkoma's business proposal again. Suddenly remembering the last missed call on his phone, he dialled the number immediately.“Hi sweetheart .... How are you? .... what did you do today ... ok .... great .... yes, I will come early tonight ... Yes, I will reach home by 9 pm ... yes .... promise ... dinner??... Let's do it together....Love You”After saying this, he hung up the phone, leaving promptly for a quick business lunch with the CEO of Raheja Group.*@*@*@*@*Arkoma's contract had been checked and finalized... Glancing at the clock, he realised it was 10 pm... Opening the silenced mobile, the notifications of 4 missed calls immediately lit up."Now how will I convince her?" He sat in the car lost in his thoughts .He had broken his promise to her today...again...it was not new for her anymore... but still she waited everyday...Asking the driver to take him to “Mehra Villa”, he started reading business updates and news on his mobile.All of a sudden, a link to Twitter popped up ... Surprised to see his name, he read the title which said,“Why did Megha Joshi VP, SWC & CO. refuse to accept an award from Mr. Rajeev Mehra, CFO, Supreme Group?”‘This is a true example of the fact that the media needs some or the other stupid topic or tries to make a sensational news out of any minor topic.He was angry about the involvement of Supreme Group and his name for a moment, but, after all, such things were not unusual in this industryTomorrow, the media would be chewing on some other breaking news and this news of Supreme would be forgotten.....Out of curiosity, he clicked on that video which received more than 1 million views in just two days...It was a clip of barely 40 seconds... He watched it once... and then again … and again… and again…‘I can still clearly remember her angry eyes...’He closed his eyes and rested his head on the back seat.. The car was speeding and his mind was piecing together that moment of the award ceremony and replaying it over and over again in his mind...'Yes, it was definitely my mistake too... but she was so angry at me... Yes, I know, I didn’t pay attention while talking over the call... If I was walking looking up, I would have stepped aside... but she screamed... at me??...at Rajeev Mehra!!!An important call was going on... the phone fell and got disconnected... and she was arguing with me as if it was entirely my fault... She definitely didn't recognize me...otherwise, no one would do such a mistake...Yes, I admit that I also made a mistake ... I was a little too judgmental ... I did not know that the person who I came there to give the award,  was Megha Joshi ... How would I know?I was surprised to see her on the stage...I gave her a normal smile...but she was still angry...of course her anger was justified...she is the vice president of SWC...and she earned the best VP award through her hard work and dedication and I confused her with the hotel staff...Megha Joshi ... Vice President in 10 years ... Great career ... Looking at her background, she is not from any business family... Self-made success ... Definitely a smart and hardworking woman ... There are comparatively less females  in the M&A Consultancy field ... It is a very complicated and tough job … You have to work odd hours, late seating is must and traveling, too, is unavoidable...Only someone who is very bright and diligent can reach this post... Looking at the enthusiasm on her team’s faces, it seemed like she is a well-liked boss...mostly bosses are not liked...but the way she was talking to her team, they seemed very friendly with each other …I know I got a bit too judgmental while talking to her...I should have said sorry... I tried to look for her afterwards but she left early. Surprisingly, she didn't want to have dinner with her team...But what a confidence! ... When I was standing right in front of her, she said in a dignified manner that she would not accept the award from me … It must have been the first time that someone willingly accepted the award from the host instead of the CFO of Supreme Group ...She couldn't have stopped me from getting on the stage... but , perhaps, that would have increased her anger even further …A sweet smile appeared on her face while accepting the award from the host... and her eyes... they held something amazing...When I opened the door and entered the banquet hall... I was met with a pair of helpless and sad eyes... trying to find someone in the audience who should have been there but wasn’t..Those same eyes that first flashed with surprise on seeing me, anger instantly creeping into them  Eyes filled with self respect saying that 'I' will get the award from the host... The moment I accepted her words, the fire in those eyes  dimmed a little bit , as if they were slightly satisfied ...Innocent eyes which smiled freely while receiving the award from the host...There was something different in her eyes...extraordinarily bright...but equally innocent.....If I'm not wrong ... she was the only one in the banquet hall wearing a saree ... she is definitely different ... Saree ... low bun hairstyle ... and surprisingly no makeup ... diamond ear-rings and a small bindi on the forehead... a very simple look... but she looked beautiful.... she is beautiful'His eyes closed and a small smile rested gently on his face ...To be continued....© ®️ Meghna_Yadav 2021Special Thanks to friend Gayatri and my loving daughter, my buddy.Hello Readers,Illuminate the five stars of ratings with your gentle touch. Do let me know your thoughts via comments..Thanks and Regards,Meghana Yadav...