chapter 10

Chapter 10Pouring oil over troubled watersShe waited for him to explain.“You are right, I have no authority here, only a responsibility… Consultant is the fancy term, I believe. Can’t sign letters, cheques, nothing… An informal arrangement. I know,” he said, raising his hands to pre-empt her, “I know, I should have told you that frankly. But I knew something like this would happen and I didn’t want you hurt… I would have told him at the appropriate moment, if you had just waited.”Through clenched teeth, she said contemptuously, “I don’t like to play such games.”He looked at her kindly. Slowly shaking his head, he said, “I know, it is games. But it is dad’s world, and best to play by his rules… Which is, pounce only when the time is right.” As she stared at him in disbelief, he added in a bitter tone. “Don’t underestimate my dad. He knows his strengths and weaknesses, and knows how to play them up and down, as the situation demands. Even having me here is his way of showing the board his power. You, I, all are pawns in this game.”“I will not be made a pawn,” she said defiantly.The evident pity in his eyes made her feel less sure of herself. “You can’t even begin to realise how scheming he can be. To achieve his ends, he will use any means – his son, his employees, his power… And right now, a lot is at stake for him. He has to prove himself right to the board – that it is he who has steadied ‘Industry Matters’. It hurts him to know that he is redundant, is behind times and that he was wrong about Ganesh – that that man had indeed turned the company around. Like an injured tiger, he is more dangerous right now. You can’t get away with hot words and posturing.” She frowned, but he continued, without waiting for her response. “What he said about copywriters…” Chintan paused and said delicately, “I know that is not why he wants to retain you. I know how my father speaks, and praising someone is not his style. But he wouldn’t try so hard to retain you if he didn’t respect your work.”She was gratified on hearing this and lowered her eyes, not letting him know how much it mattered. She said after a pause, “Ganesh was a great leader.”For a second, Chintan’s face clouded, but he resumed. “So Anu, I think he can see that you have it in you to deliver what he wants. I am sorry things have turned out this way. I don’t think you will be able to find another job in Delhi soon – he is too powerful here. I can only suggest that you either wait it out, or look for a job in another city – Mumbai, Bangalore…”She shook her head and said, “No, can’t do it.” And this reminded her that her mother would be waiting for her. She looked at her watch, and rising swiftly, said, “I have to leave. I am late already.”He paid the bill and followed her out. “I will drop you home,” he said and wouldn’t take no for an answer.As he drove towards her house, she realised her body was taut with expectation and the excitement of being alone with him like this. To distract herself, she asked, “Don’t you tire of his games?”He didn’t respond immediately and she looked ahead, wondering if she had overstepped her boundaries. She heard him say, “Yes…I do. But sometimes, it is better to lose a battle and win the war, don’t you think so?”She didn’t understand what he meant – the context – and turned to look at him expectantly.“Let’s just say that my work and his need are all tied in a way I cannot refuse just now.” He shrugged and seemed to have said all that he wanted to say.“He mentioned that you are a lyricist and a writer.”Chintan laughed, and she realised that this was the first time she was hearing him laugh. It was deep and she wanted to hear it again. But he was saying, “Did he, now? My profession varies according to his moods. I am a lyricist sometimes, sometimes a successful business man, an artist…”. “Nothing of that sort.” He didn’t explain further and so she had to be content. The controlled tension in his body worried her. She wanted to reach out and smooth out all his worries. She wished she could make him unwind, but his impassive face and intense focus made her hesitate.As they reached her house and she was about to get off, he turned to her, his eyes soft and concerned, “Must you work? Can’t you take a break, let this blow over…?”She looked at him, wondering if she could trust him with the answer. “I must work,” she said, knowing that however much he may cause her hurt, she would still trust those eyes that seemed to speak a language his tongue refused to express openly.“I am with you…I will do my best to be there, to make it easy for you.”Her eyes filled up, her heart brimmed. “Thanks,” she whispered and turned away before he could see the tears.She walked away, wondering how she could trust him so much, despite his being an Arya.