Sensational Internship

As all the other days, I was sitting at the cafe with Rahul, Tarun, Sulekha and Aditya during the break. I used to think earlier that exercising as an intern was gratifying, but only when it comes to facing the real shit, does one actualize how peculiar a particular thing can be. Break was the only time, the five of us used to look forward to. It has been a fortnight since we joined the Nexus Venture Partners as interns, only to work on a project which was to be submitted as a part of our curriculum at our post graduation.

Both Sulekha and Rahul were from Pune, and Tarun, Aditya and I, Parul, were from the locality itself, Mumbai. Our hometowns were different though. Tarun was a mirthful Mumbaikar, Aditya was a muddled Manipuri and I was an intellectual Indori.

This was our final year of post graduation and to accomplish our live projects we had to do this shitty internship job. Well! As I mull over, Nexus is not a way too bad company to be an intern in. It is after all, one of the renowned companies in India and moreover, all I desired to go ahead in my future was entrepreneurship, which was what we all were acquiring here.

It was still 10 minutes left for the break to end and Rahul and Sulekha stood up to leave. They had that extra work to do. They always had. After the first few days, when we started together, they left us and went towards the other end of the edifice we worked in. I thought to spy them one day. I did. And what bullshit, they were smooching each other under a tree, nobody besieged them. Ah! Clear from then on, they were a typical girlfriend- boyfriend material. But anyways, Sulekha was cute. She was adorable. She was sweet as well; the reason why probably Rahul fell for her. Rahul was handsome too nonetheless.

When they left, I leaned forward to break this news to Tarun and Aditya; my then best friends. It has been about 7 days since I have been trying to digest this news, but no, no-more! I had to tell them, after-all even we needed some gossip. Didn’t we? So, I finally broke the news to them... Aditya, the fatso who was drinking water spilled it from his mouth on Tarun who was sitting across him at the table. Eeww! Weird!!

“But I like her yaar... No! You are saying this to tease me. Isn’t it?”, said Aditya, facing his fat, spectacular face towards me.

Looking at his grave expressions for a few moments, I and Tarun sat quite and then giving a ‘Hi-Five’ to each other we started laughing our ass out.

“Damn! Aditya... Since when? And you never even mentioned it??? You are such a hypocrite!” and I and Tarun couldn’t just stop laughing.

Looking at us, a boy started towards us, almost our age, 23; or maybe a year or two older... “Would you mind if I sit here with you people?”

Our expressions turned solemn. What the heck? One break of 50 minutes and somebody comes and wants to enjoy with us... Do we appear like fucking clowns?

“Yeah sure!” said Tarun invitingly and I gave him that cold look. I hated it. Tarun was always very inviting. This chap from Mumbai, at times I don’t know but what happens to him, he was such an easy going guy, happy with everybody.

It was still 5 minutes for the break to get over. We introduced ourselves to each-other.

“Hi, I am Tarun, he is Aditya and she is Parul”, said Tarun “And you are?”, he questioned.

“I am Raghav. Raghav Verma.” He said with a big grin. On his square face, with his hair coming half-way till his fore head, he appeared to me like a cute boy. But, he wasted our 5 minutes of fun and fervour. No, he was not cute, he was a pervert. Huh! I hated him for this and so did Aditya... I knew, from his expressions; he wanted to talk about Sulekha.

Anyways, he inquired about what were we doing and Tarun replied generously “we are interns at the Nexus.” I finally pinched Tarun and indicated my watch to him. He understood it was time to go. If we got even a minute late, we would be given a good piece of our manager’s mind.

We stood up, shook hands... he gazed me a little longer than required. Do hell with it, every girl things the same I guess. I skipped that part... and then we started back towards our magnificent Nexus edifice.

The day went off good, a little refreshing actually with fatso Aadi, poking his nose again and again and talking about Sulekha stealthily. I and Tarun couldn’t help but laughing at that site. Sulekha used to sit parallel to me; sharing the same cubicle. So, now it made sense as to why Aadi always wanted to come to see me and take my help in one thing or the other. I never thought the reason was Sulekha. Boys will be boys!

The day ended and we started our journey towards our flats. Tarun and Aditya used to stay together; Tarun’s parents shifted abroad last month but he insisted to stay here. He did. I used to stay with yet another girl, who was out of my interpretation! She was always bewildered. Damn creepy! Our flats were just a block away and so I decided to go with Tarun and Aadi first before I leave for my room. Aditya was sober, he bought a bottle of whisky on our way back to our flat and as soon as we entered the room he opened it and gulped it all in one shot.

Thereafter began his sadist tale, “I have loved only 7 girls till date. I have really loved them a lot... but I was never able to speak it in front of anybody. I have always been this shy type guy and Sulekha... Damn! I dreamt of being with her forever after our internship and all of a sudden Parul comes and says she is committed! God, tell me what should I do? I cannot live without her....”

Both Tarun and I had our tummies rolling. We weren’t able to control our laughter and this, this Bollywoodish melodramatic scene... wasn’t it getting a little too much? And wait, what he just said... he has loved 7 girls. SEVEN! Oh god! Help him.

Out of making Aadi a little placid, we planned to go to the Marine Drive, which was at a distance of about 15 kilometres from our place. We reached there at 10 P.M. We walked the 3 kilometre long Marine Drive bare foot, enjoying the wet sand beneath our feet. Not in a mood to go back, we forced ourselves back, since the next day we all had a presentation of our project and we had to work on it as well.

We reached our rooms back by 2 in the morning, turned on skype, worked on our presentations till 5 A.M and then Tarun and Aditya went off. I didn’t sleep. I instead went to do some household work, including filling water, preparing some good breakfast for everybody and then obviously getting ready. I gave a call to Tarun at 8, asking him to wake up and get ready else we’ll be late. But fatso, damn, he was such a sloppy guy, he woke up at 10 minutes to 9, came running to my room with his shirt half tucked in and ate the breakfast without brushing his teeths... eeww! The last night’s whisky still smelt, I sprayed my deodorant all over him and gave him my comb to set his hair. The last thing he asked before we were leaving my room for the office was “Am I looking all good? Sulekha would be impressed? Right?” and I and Tarun pat our foreheads in disbelief.

All the way towards our office, he kept pestering us with Sulekha, Sulekha and Sulekha. We were late by 30 minutes and expected a good blow from our manager when suddenly Raghav stepped forward to greet us.

With a big grin he said “Hi! I am your team lead. I hope you people remember me. We met yesterday.” Oh damn! So he was our team lead who was off to Pune for a project and he is back now. We all smiled sheepishly looking at him. It would be easier to go around now.

As soon as the thought of going around casually crossed my mind, he screamed “So, is this the time you people come to the office?” and that meant, we were still under the same hanging knife. And that aloes made sure that the last day when we were laughing like devils... we had imprinted a bad impression on Raghav.

With this alarming start, we all gave our presentations to Raghav. He suggested us ways by which we could work a little better. We appreciated his reviews and started working accordingly. He was though not a good leader. He was a spectator and he was harsh. He was vicious. Our job (9-to-9 life) was yet to commence and our internship experience was gruelling enough. What would happen when we’d be out, work on full time basis?

With varied unusual thoughts, we went back on our desks and gave a fresh start to our work. After about 15 minutes, the peon came to me and left a packet on my desk. I looked at him in wonderment but he went away without saying anything. I looked around; there was nobody around me either, waiting for me to open the envelope. So, out of my own excitement I opened it. It had a greeting card saying “You are my sweet-heart!” and a note attached to it which read “Wish to see you tonight at 24X7 night club at 8 P.M.... your only well wisher and lover.”

I was stunned, astonished; who could this be? Is it somebody in my office? Whom should I tell this to? Aditya was just coming around me to catch a glimpse of Sulekha, when he saw the envelope in my hand. He snatched it from me. I tried to get it back, but, he won’t’ give it to me. Instead, he went to Tarun and there he opened it. I was following him, but I got late by a few seconds. Seconds matter in such cases. Both Tarun and Aditya were awed.

“Miss Parul, who is it? Secret admirer... hmmmm??” they started teasing me.

“I don’t know!” I said politely, with a blush on my face.

They caught that girlish shy on my face and started calling out names. Frustrated, I went back to my cubicle. I sat there for a few moments and then turned back at the cubicle behind me, to see Tarun and Aditya; they were composed, and looking at me started laughing again. I smiled and went back to their cubicle. I finally said “Guys really, I don’t know anything. What should I do? Suggest me.”

Tarun said at one shot, “Dump the idea girl. Not good for you.”

When suddenly fatso jabbed a plan “Let’s go out yaar... Let’s check on who is he atleast. What say? Tonight at 9, 24X7, we’ll all go and Parul we’ll hide ourselves somewhere. You meet that guy and then we’ll give him a good punch and return back.”

The idea seemed interesting. I was this type of rough and tough girl and hated all such girly crap of sitting and crying, “oh my god! What must I do?”

I put forward my hand in agreement on Aadi’s plan. Tarun did too. And fatso grimaced as if he’s done such a tough task by puking this idea in-front of us. I gave him a kick and he smiled and put his hand on Tarun’s. Our mission for the day was set; an adventurous day after lot many boring days.

When I was about to leave their cubicle, Aditya said from behind “Parul, invite Sulekha too” and I gave a smile to him. He said “You would. Won’t you?” and I shook my head in agreement. He knew I won’t.

I went back to my cubicle, muttering to myself in disguise. I looked at Sulekha, she was glued to her computer screen. I didn’t disturb her. I only thought about the evening that was to come. We all decided to meet at 8 at ‘24X7’ to have some fun before our mission starts and hell yeah! It was Saturday night. We wanted some fun. We were indeed surprised to see Raghav there with the dancer on the floor. He appeared to be such a sex freak. We took his pictures for keeping with us as his good record. To our amazement, we spotted Sulekha with Rahul too There were limited to themselves. Aditya looked towards them, and finally decided to overcome his infatuation. He sat at the bar and started drinking... 5 shots in a row. It was just about 15 minutes left to 9 when both Tarun and Aditya deserted themselves in the crowd. I was left alone. I waited at the bar for my lover to come and greet me.

Five minutes later, I had this somebody, touch my back. I turned back to give him a tight slap. I did. And oh no! Raghav. It was Raghav Verma. Out of regret I said “I’m so sorry. But, you....”

“Well! It’s okay Parul. I understand... but, I just recognized you so came to greet you.”

I smiled. He offered me a drink, but I was a teetotaller. I refused with great dignity. We were just laughing over some joke when Tarun and Aditya came by. Aditya was about to give a good punch in Raghav when I stopped him. I shouted “Noooooooo... It’s Raghav man!” But it was a little too late.

With this, Raghav looking back in astonishment, I received a call on my phone. To answer the call, I had to walk out as it was loud inside. Aditya and Tarun started running towards the door too. As soon as I stepped out; I saw somebody standing at the door, with this big bouquet of flowers; his face hidden behind it.

My phone was still ringing. I picked it up; on the phone he said “Accept it. I love you darling! I missed you hell lot.” And the phone cut, he lowered the bouquet to reveal his face. Yess.... it was Sid. My childhood friend! It was just during our post graduation that we were separated for the first time. I had a liking for him since age eleven. I hugged him tight and rejoiced. I knew he loved me, but it only took too long for him to state it.  Stupid!

But wait, Raghav and Aadi... Aditya and Tarun came yelling outside... “Run Parul. Let’s go!”

I finally knew that I’ll be facing the most adventurous internship lined up till date and wait; we also had photographs of that sycophant with us! Wink.

We were meant to be together

And with the eloquent speech by the managing director of our college, the get together which was arranged for the alumni of engineering, 2011 batch came to an end. We were requested to enjoy the dinner.

Light music satiated the evening. I was attending the alumni party with one of my close friend and group mate Aarti. Looking around, I could had seen people still greeting and hugging each other and obviously clicking photographs which were to be uploaded on facebook for a week long discussion on the party and for storing as fond memories as well.

I was happy, content and very much enjoying the evening until someone put his hand on my shoulder. I discerned his touch in just some split seconds. Yes, it was none other but Atharv himself; my love, my life until a year back. Every time I looked back at my college life I had nothing else to think but Atharv. We weren’t just best going-around buddies, best friends but soul-mates as well. 

I turned around to look at him; anticipating no new face but his own. It had been a year since we saw each other. He was still the same- tall, lean and with the same hairstyle I liked.

Looking at him, I reminisced all the time I’ve ever spent with him, lived with him. Our long drives; making love at extraordinary exotic places including the farmlands which were situated at a distance of about 50 kms from the campus, his farmhouse; those silly, innocent yet nifty fights out of possessiveness... looking into his eyes, I could had still felt the same love reverting to me, nabbing me.

Breaking the silence he said “Hey Arushi! How have you been?”, his voice still the same, strong and meek. I could see that gleam in his eyes for having spotted me.

“I’m good. How about you?” I said; forcing a smile on my face as I remembered the time, a year back when I broke up with him. All these 12 months has been a tough time to live without him, without my life (as he was) who was all mine a year back, all throughout our graduation.

“I’m good too! And by the way, congratulations for your book launch.” he said.

“Thank you Atharv!” and with this, I knew if we were into a relation yet, we would had kissed each-other and celebrated our felicity.

“How is your preparation going on?” I continued to keep the conversation alive. He was preparing for the civil service examination since he was never interested to be a part of his family business.

“Everything’s going on fine!” he said with a little unease.

Understanding his malaise, I excused us from Aarti and asked Atharv if we could chat while we walk around the place? He agreed.

We walked silently; walked past all the whooping eyes which were glued at us. They all smiled in return to my gaze, wishing for us to be together, forever. And with this I re-called the day- 14 February, 2008; the day when I and Atharv participated in the “Find your Soul-Mate” competition, organized at a pub by all our batch-mates, and how after winning, that same evening Atharv proposed me. I was excited, nervous, happy, didn’t knew what to do, say, express but appreciated his feelings and being a best friend, without offending him, I gave in my consent and then we had gone for a long walk holding each-other’s hand.

I was brought back from my world of memories when Atharv held my hand in his again. We had reached near the parking by then. The guard who sat outside looked with inquisitive eyes at us. I took my hand away, though I wished we could have remained.

Atharv looked around and knew why I did so. He said “Shall we go out? I certainly hope you are not interested to stay here anymore.”

I looked at him with questioning eyes. He knew I was about to deny him; when he said “Come, I’ll show you my new office, just about 30 kms from this place. Won’t you come with me? I have lots of things to tell you all the way along...” and I was still quizzical thinking what to do, when he held my hand again and said “As a best friend, for the sake of relation we shared”, and I didn’t had words to say anything further. My tongue was tied so I gave my consent by shaking my head in agreement.

We walked out of the hotel garden where the party was still set at peak, since food is what everybody relishes till the last bite. This escape reminded me of how we had often scarpered the various dinners of our college annual fest/ functions after the anchoring sessions just to catch hold of each other, more closely, for a few more moments, to create a few more memories that would last with us forever.

I got inside his car which was parked just adjacent to the gate; with all the excitement rolling back to me, with every passing moment. When I sat inside, I glanced at his hands, which were busy searching for the keys and there they were, bunched in the same key chain I gifted him on the last day of the college, on our graduation day; as a token to remember me.

When I looked back at my life, I still think as to what went so wrong between us? I had been in a relation with Atharv for past 4 years until 2011; I had many other crushes while being with him but he was always strong enough to let me stay. Then what happened the last time? Things started changing when I met Sameer about 3 months before our graduation day. He was then a post graduate intern at the Stanford University and accidently happened to send me an inquiry relating to a workshop I organized in college. His hometown was Delhi too, which only added to the familiarity between us.

The first time I was talking to Sameer, we almost chatted for about 5 hours; breaking all the time barriers; I liked the way he talked, it was inviting, flirtatious and peculiar. Soon after, I started realizing that Atharv wasn’t giving me just enough time, since he was busy preparing for his civil examinations. I had though complained about this earlier to him, but then I knew that he was doing this for his good, for our good as well. But somehow, conversations between me and Sameer increased. With each passing day we started hooking up more to each other. I told Atharv about Sameer, but somewhere he knew that as all the past times, I’ll not be pretty serious so as to taking a decision of leaving him forever.

All this way along, after about a month I came in contact with Aarti, who was off for her internship at Microsoft, Bangaluru. It had been two months I was staying alone on my flat. I was glad she returned back. I missed her and all our girly gossips. As soon as she returned, we started telling each other about what happened over the past two months. On the reference of Sameer, she got a little sceptical and further took the responsibility to explicate me what I had been ignoring for about past 3 years while being with Atharv. Yes, Atharv was everything to me, until that night when I forced myself to take a rigid decision against him. Both Atharv and I belonged to different caste and well I had a very religious family and going against them was what I was not ready for. It isn’t that I and Atharv had never discussed on this issue but somehow all of it seemed lame that night, all the reasons that I and Atharv had planned seemed feeble. I began ignoring Atharv from that day onwards. To keep myself busy and to keep him off my mind; I began talking to Sameer more than often. Finally, on the last day of our college, I broke out on Atharv demanding a break up. He had been expecting all this too lately, but I know that he always thought, he’ll handle me well... as always.

Still effete to take it all, he asked if Sameer proposed me. How on Earth could Atharv have thought about my, indulging myself into yet another relation and this being the reason to leave him? I explained everything to him very clearly, he insisted me to stay saying that together we’ll work out everything, but I wasn’t ready to go along this way anymore. For the following month, I started avoiding his calls, texts and saw him only twice. All he always explained me was- that if ever I change my mind, he would always be there and with tears in my eyes I always gave one answer, “I would never come back to you now!”.

Meanwhile, I told Sameer about Atharv, and well he had no issues. We used to discuss almost everything and I liked the way I was not bound to him; though it was 4 months we had been talking to each other and not yet even defined our friendship, but talking to him was fun. When he came down to Delhi for his vacations, we would meet almost every second day. It was a little strange but we liked it that way.

Once Atharv spotted me and Sameer together at the Central Mall and called me to take out his frustration. There was no use explaining anything to him but still I took the pain to make him understand that we were just going around and nothing else. Atharv broke down and said that he still longs for me. The problem between us was that we were still loyal to each other, we were truthful to each other and nobody ever committed such a mistake so as to hate him/ her for a lifetime. Moreover, Atharv always accepted me with all my mistakes I ever did. I knew deep within that I would never be able to find another one just like him. I knew deep inside, wherever I go, whoever I meet, Atharv would always stay in my heart and he is the only one who loves me more than anything else in this world and more than anybody else. But, since that day, we did not contact each other.

The 20 minute ride to Atharv’s office seemed eternity. We didn’t spoke to each other. We just sat in silence with our hands together. Oh hell! What did I say... I didn’t even realised our hands were intermingled, lost in my thoughts about him; I almost paid no heed to this. His touch has always been the most comforting one. When I finally looked down upon our hands and then towards him, he gave me a shrewd look; Atharv was still the same! How many times I told him to fall in love with somebody else to forget me, but he would stay for me forever and that detested me ever more.

We reached his office, situated on the 4^th floor of the galaxy plaza. There were people still working there, they all stood up as he entered. I was not able to understand as to what was happening, I only followed him in silence until towards the end of the corridor we reached a door with the nameplate ‘Atharv Agrawal’ printed in embossed gold on a silver metal plate.

He opened the door and stood behind it, with the door held open for me to enter. I entered. The cabin which bearded the nameplate of Atharv Agrawal as the ‘Country Head’ surprised me. I looked around that four walled cabin which was beautifully contrived. That meant, Atharv had finally decided to go ahead in his family business and the best part was, he has made it happen; he has marked his father’s empire oversees.

With quite admiration, while I was busy looking at all the certificates, photographs on the wall next to his desk, I didn’t realize that he was still gazing at me. When I turned to look at him, I was taken aback. He was standing just behind me, close enough to feel our breathes. He took both my hands in his, when suddenly he realized something strange. He looked inquiringly towards my hands...

“When did it happen Arushi?”, he said with disdain. Yes! I was engaged.

“Last month”, I replied. He took a step back, not defying asking the next question. But, regaining his courage, he continued “Who is it?” and I knew, I was going to kill him with the answer then and there. I wished I could have eluded this part somehow, but no, there was no option.

And I replied “Sameer!” and he almost lost his senses. He sat on the chair kept adjacent to the wall, near his desk, one of his hands on the table. I looked at him, at his hand which was into mine a few moments ago... and I couldn’t have believed it, on the table was a photo frame with my photograph. He still loved me; he still wanted me in his life.

“But you said you and Sameer were just going around? You cheated on me, didn’t you?” he said out of wrath.

“No Atharv, I didn’t! It just happened and I couldn’t have helped it... He loves me a lot too” and I broke his heart again. Tears started rolling down our cheeks, for in some sense we both were hurt. I couldn’t have seen my best friend cry and I repented for having selected Sameer as my life partner. After I got published, I had that right to stand before my parents and demand for my wishes, for my life, the way I wanted to. Though I loved Atharv more than anything but Sameer was then my present and getting hold of Atharv after a year seemed foolish. In all, now, it was too late to get back to him.

I continued “Atharv, I am sorry. I never knew you still expected me. For the past one year, I thought you were....”

“Busy??? Busy for you? Damn Arushi... I was busy setting this all up for you, for us to be together. How could you do this?”, and I had no answer.

He stood up and started moving towards me. He knew there was still a side inside me which wanted him to be mine, which loved him. He moved closer and I took a few steps back until I was leaning the wall and until he was close enough to feel my hot breathes on his face, close enough to brush past his lips on mine. He asked me “Do you still love me?”

I knew Atharv was ready to forgive me, and with the love screaming out loud all the evening since I saw him, I couldn’t had helped but say “Yes. I do.” And with this, he started kissing me.

“But, I and Sameer....”

“We’ll work it our Arushi. I want you to be mine, which is all I know. I can’t share you with anybody, anymore” and with this, I kissed him back.

I finally knew that my life was all mine again and that his love has always been strong enough to stay.

A whimsical tale- Jane's diary entry!

Because I am, what has made me...

Because I am, what I am

-          Jane ( a diary entry)

Looking back at my life, I feel as if I am/ was insane. Life has taken a steep turn since I’ve joined the State University of Arts as a teacher. The students are abstruse but I am trying my best to live up-to their expectations.

I had never ever thought earlier in past 27 years of my life that I would ever choose this field, but time... it makes things happen for almost no reason at all!

Provided I have given away Zedous as charity and the rest sold-out, the media is all hyped; wants to know what has really made this happen. But, one thing I learnt from both my mom and dad- one must be sedate and emancipated while taking the wisest of all decisions in life.

Will was a mistake, I lost control on my own-self then but with this tribulation I’ve learnt to move on. I had many other entertainment ltd. calling me to be their CEO or equivalent but I guess I need a break for now.

Apart from all this, what amuse me nowadays are the students at the University. Every other day I get offers for coffee or some of them bringing me flowers... I mean, it’s lovely! But, I turn them down, always.

Let’s see what my life holds for me now. Am just a lonely traveller, deserted in this populous world, but I have faith in myself... I’ll rise again!

-Jane

A whimsical tale...

And she sat across the table; placid, serene... there was not even a single scowl on her face depicting about the conflict which was going on deep inside her own self, a combat between her mind and her heart. If at one point she signs the document kept in-front of her, her heart wins and for the other... she didn’t even wanted to ponder over it. But now, the time has come when she had to decide on what she’s been putting aside since past 2 weeks.

Finally after composing herself from all the thoughts, she said, flickering her beautiful sea green eyes which appeared to be like pearls on her serene face, “I must think the matter over. I need to consider the whole shebang. I may get back to you in about two days.” And with this, Jane stood up from the brown leather chair and moved towards the other end of the room, towards the big transparent glass which composed the fourth wall of the conference hall they were seated in; her movement abstruse.

Looking through the glass, she signalled Mr. Cakaroon to leave. At once, Cakaroon, who has been Jane’s lawyer since past decade, since the day she joined and empowered the hundred billion dollar business empire of her late father Stephen Timothy started to leave. On his big brown face, with dark black moustaches and big black eyes under the thick eyebrows, he had a discordant expression. But, he knew well within that Jane would never let wrong happen.

Cakaroon who was in his late fifties had seen this business rise from a million dollar to billions. He and Stephen were friends since age 9.  They went to the same school. Stephen later though graduated as an engineer, he never did lost his interest in arts. Art was something innate; he didn’t need to learn it or cultivate his skills in this field. He was the best at it since his childhood but his father won’t allow him to take up arts at college. This though, never stopped Stephen from admiring and alluring various art forms. During his summer breaks he would spend his time at the best art university in state and hone his skills. By the end of his graduation, his father died of heart-attack and after the convocation, Stephen married Clara, his college love.

Stephen started with a job but felt stilted. It wasn’t that Stephen was not a laborious man but he was a little dissatisfied with his job. Soon he quit and started with his art-work. Making face paintings, sketching, and some tremendously creative modern art works; he started earning and saving money for his own art gallery. His wife, only too sweet and caring, took the responsibility to run the house. Within next 6 months, Stephen had enough money to invite people to his own art gallery, a small one, yet a unique one. People bought his paintings at unbelievable price at the auction and he turned a star overnight. He kept working the same way for the next 1 year and finally started  with his own firm ‘Zedous’, which is now one of the leading organization in the field of arts and entertainment. It was just like a duck to water for Stephen to be where he was and where his company stands today.

Cakaroon who went on to graduate as a lawyer came in contact with Stephen when Stephen was sitting across the judge during his trial, charged by a motion picture producer for having replicated his work which was absolutely wrong. Stephen was set free since there were no proofs found against him. It was only after the trial that Stephen was making his way out of the court room and Cakaroon who had been studying his friend since so long, followed. Cakaroon was practicing then and was earning himself a good rapport as a lawyer. Stephen asked him to be his personal lawyer and Cakaroon gave in his consent then and there.

It was 15 years back when they started working together. After 5 years, Stephen was shot dead at the streets of Lincola, near his beach house at Amsterdam, when he was enjoying a day out with his wife Clara and daughter Jane who was just 13 then. She was yet to graduate from school and join a college.

After Stephen was shot, Clara scurried towards the house and called Cakaroon who assured her he’ll reach them in just next 15 minutes. Till then, the police and ambulance were called. But there was no hope since Stephen was shot on his head. Jane stood there still, bearing the hot scorching Sun as hard as she could, without wailing; unlike her mother Clara. She stood there in disdain, looking aimlessly at her father’s body and how the grey roadway turned blackish red from his blood where his head lay.

She didn’t cry at all. For the next one week, she set aside everything, locked herself in her room and would not eat or see anybody. Jane was a tough child. Her father’s demise had appalled her. She was very close to Stephen, they used to spend hours together every weekend working on various art forms and Jane knew it that when she grows up, she’ll only step into her father’s shoes. Her father was a source of inspiration to her.

The only man Stephen had his blind trust on was Cakaroon. During that whole week Cakaroon was busy discussing with each and every of the 10 detectives hired to find out the man behind the scene and he was awestruck when he came to know it was none other than Rizzollo Darth, their rival and one of the best upcoming business tycoon. He then remembered how Stephen has turned him down when he came to see him with a partnership agreement. That must have been the reason for vengeance, since it was not just the agreement that Stephen turned down, he also jibbed Rizzollo in-front of his crew. Though Stephen was a Samaritan, but he hated it when people came up to him with one thing he never want to approve on. And with this, Rizzollo became the antagonist for Stephen. But he’d reach to such an extent was never expected. Cakaroon, was a trustful lawyer to Stephen and so Cakaroon cased Rizzollo; and then, began the trail against him.

After that week Cakaroon went on to meet Jane and in those 7 days, it was the first time when Jane stepped out of her room. She rushed towards Cakaroon, hugged him tight and then couldn’t stop breaking down. She cried for hours. Clara, who was only so worried for Jane finally sighed with relief, asking Cakaroon to make her understand the real situation. Clara had turned pale in that one week. Cakaroon suggested her to visit the doctor and when she did, she was taken aback; not ready to digest what was before her. Her reports read she had cancer, in initial stages though and could be cured only if she agrees to a regular treatment. In some senses, that also meant the she had only enough time to see Jane grow and take on the business his husband has built.

Since then, for the next 5 years, until Jane turned 18, Clara went to the office and worked with Cakaroon. They attended meetings together, discussed important details and held the company name atop as Stephen left it.

On the day, Jane turned 18; Clara took Jane with her to the office and asked her to lead the empire from here on. Clara stayed home since then. Jane had a marvellous mind. She had both the art as well as management skills innate. Quickly with Cakaroon’s guidance she got the complete picture of the business and she then forged ahead with various projects she thought were important for the business. All along this way, Rizzollo who was at the trial, had went underground. After 1 year of regular court visits Darth decided to get rid of this matter as quickly as possible and so he joined hands with Don Jattik. All these years Don Jattik has made Rizzollo a strong power. Nobody saw him for past 12 years or so but he had connections across countries now. He was the right hand to Don. But, this was not what Rizzollo wanted; this was not the world to Rizzollo. His eyes still set at Zedous, Stephen’s business empire and so Rizzollo along with Don Jattik who would have got a fair share in the profit earned, laid a plan to let that happen. It was bait for Jane; Jane, still a novice in the big bad industry around her. Though Cakaroon was there for Jane at each and every moment but that was not enough. He cannot have a command over Jane’s personal life.

Jane then came across Will, one of the most charming, handsome and finest man she’d ever seen in her life. Will wanted to work as a casting crew at Zedous. He had reverted back to a newspaper advertisement. Though Jane never interfered with the various departments of her firm, but, during her complimentary time she used to enjoy watching the film making and the sets arranged for new projects. It was on the sets of her firm one day, when as usual she was enjoying the hustle and bustle of the entirely different world around her, near her that she got a glimpse of Will. Will, only too excited to have caught her eyes gazing at him went towards Jane with a yellow rose in his hand, asking her out for coffee. Jane didn’t want to lose this opportunity to talk to him and so she readily gave in her acceptance for the proposal he laid in-front of her.

And finally coffee’s, dinner, lunch and breakfast; it all grew at a rapid pace between Jane and Will. When Cakaroon came across this, he promoted Will to be the head of the department he was working in. Jane tried to keep him off her mind but she always failed. She was in love. For the first time in her life, she had that feeling of being with a person forever. Will only, always added to her amazement and with each passing day they felt deeper and deeper for each other. Never at that point of time, had Jane and Cakaroon thought that Will was cheating on them. Cakaroon indeed had a liking for Will.

It was unlike all the other days that Will came running to Jane that day, banging the door behind him. He was in a hurry; there was certain unease on his face. He handed out some documents to Jane and asked her to sign them. Jane was shocked since it was only Cakaroon who asked her to sign the documents; it was only Cakaroon who ever brought up anything that was to be signed. Knowing this fact, Will said- “I called on to Cakaroon and he informed me that he’ll be late by an hour. Look this is very important.....” and being blind in love, Jane without hearing any other word picked up a pen from the pen stand kept on her desk and signed the document which read “Agreement for the project on Tales of Vengeance”. She skimmed through the first page and without reading ahead; she signed all the pages that followed.

And 2 weeks ago, that was the day when Will stepped out of her office and never returned back. When Cakaroon came a few minutes later, Jane was surprised to see him and she exclaimed saying “Will just informed me you’ll be late; and......” she realized, something has gone wrong. Her face turned sober and she gave each and every detail to Cakaroon. Cakaroon thought about it and thought perhaps Jane was only being a little too cautious. But, things really changed when Cakaroon himself noticed Will’s absence in the office the next day. It was followed by a call for Cakaroon. Cakaroon, recognized the heavy voice, that of Rizzollo; he trembled as he kept his ears intact to the telephone receiver.

The documents that Jane signed were none other than the partnership agreement that Rizzollo had presented before Stephen 15 years back. It wasn’t that Rizzollo wanted a hand on Zedous, he just wanted to buy some shares, sign a project which was against the law since it involved the presence of some illegal stuff; only Zedous could had helped Rizzollo with that project on narcotics since it had lot many legal contacts and that power too. It was not that Rizzollo couldn’t had done it now, being with the Don himself, but he wanted to establish himself in the market. He still wanted to be the man on Earth that people know and people would love to be, he still wanted to be clean hands and live life king size; the way Stephen lived, the way Stephen has gifted this life to his family. Rizzollo’s small firm was still running the way it was at the time of Stephen but since so many years, he had not let anybody take on the charge of the project he wanted to start.

Rizzollo’s voice was harsh. He told Cakaroon that the partnership agreement has been signed but now it was him who needs to arrange for the rest of the things; including the taking back of charges on Rizzollo and if he wouldn’t then he could destroy anything he wanted too, since now he had a copy of Jane’s original signatures. This made sense. Will was therefore a man sent by Rizzollo.

When Cakaroon broke this news in-front of Jane, she went numb. She couldn’t had thought about Will doing this to her. She remembered the time they’ve spent together and somewhere she knew that Will loved her too. But then how come has Will done this to her? There was no other way round now, except for what Will gave to her in response to the love, trust and care that Jane showered on to him. Jane’s mother Clara, who was immensely ill by this time, was unable to bear this news and died.

In a matter of few days, she thought she lost everything; first her love which was more of a betrayal, her mother and now even the business that her father built with such hard work and pride, without doing anything wrong. She tried to talk to talk to Will again, thinking something might have gone wrong, misinterpreted but there was no use. Will sent her a letter reading- she must forget everything and do what was being asked to be done. Will was the son of Rizzollo and so it made sense again to the whole story that was made to trap Jane.

Soon after, Cakaroon did what was asked by Rizzollo; he readied the documents which screamed of Rizzollo’s victory, which screamed of Rizzollo’s power. Now, if Jane signs this document, Rizzollo would be free to destroy the world with the most legal powers and if she doesn’t her own life was at stake, as her father’s was. Cakaroon only wished the right to happen, he wished to see Jane alive, and she was after-all a very bright lady. They had gone through every possible aspect of what could and could not be done, but there lay no other solution with Don Jattik being the partner of Rizzollo now.

2 days later, if there would had been some other girl, would had signed the document to set her life free, to enjoy her life in riches and continue with the firm the way it was going on. But Jane followed her father’s footsteps. When 2 days later Cakaroon entered the conference hall oh their office again, he saw Jane already waiting there. Jane moved towards Cakaroon, and asked for the documents. Cakaroon at once held out the documents to her. She only took them in her hands, glanced at them and smiled while her hands started tearing them into pieces. Cakaroon was taken aback. “Jane, what are you doing?”

And Jane handed him with yet another paper that lay on the table. She said in a calm voice, “Cakaroon, I am happy that you’ve always been with me all these years but now the time has come when we must leave this all behind. I thought a lot about Rizzollo, about that bastard Will and my father Stephen who built this empire; but somehow I feel, we cannot risk the life of millions of people. I have finally decided to give away 50% of this firm as charity to the orphanage and the remaining 50% to the Art University of the state where my dad went to learn during his summer break. I would only be happy to be a teacher at that University, if nothing else. I still respect my father's decision, being rich is not worth; you must be a good human.”

Cakaroon never considered Jane to be somebody superior, after Stephen was gone Jane was like Cakaroon’s own daughter to him. He only wanted to see her happy, satisfied and to be living the best life she could. Thinking for the mankind before even for her ownself, made his face filled with pride and he knew, Jane would come back again, just like her father did and establish yet another enticing empire.