‘7 CHEFS’ was written in big, bold orange colored letters outside a modern three storied building covered with glasses all over it. It was one of the prestigious hotels in the one of the pose areas of Ahmedabad. This is where I was invited by ‘Impeccable Solutions Pvt. Ltd.’ – a national level tax and financial consultancy firm for the interview. As I got in, first thing that caught my eye was a huge chandelier in the center of the ceiling and the next was a sexy girl at the reception desk. I smiled at her, she responded back with a plastic smile taught to her in her trainings (maybe).
“Mr. Nevan Mehta?” A neither young nor aged guy came from somewhere; he was wearing a brisk grey colored business suit, matching tie and a white shirt. Apparels seemed expensive; he must be very highly paid person. He was calm and mannerly person; I immediately stood up from my seat.
“Yes, Good Afternoon.” We had a firm hand-shake. As per my GMCS classes Body-Language expert, it was the indicator of non-threatening, relaxed personalities.
“Afternoon, I am Sameer Sinha, Sr. Associate, Impeccable Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Pleased to meet you.”
“Pleasure is all mine Mr. Sinha.”
“Call me Sam. This way please.” He probably was leading me to the room where I will be interviewed, a regiment of tax and financial experts might have been deployed over there and they will do the heavy-shelling of tax, finance, accounts and compliance questions on my innocent little brain. I am not nervous, I definitely am not nervous. It will be good; all good. I kept on retelling my own mind throughout the way to the Room No.309.
The atmosphere of the room was rather calm and composed, deem lights were turned on. Two Gentlemen were sitting on the one side of the little table. One of them was looking alike an experienced guy, he was in a formal shirts and trousers. His cherry colored tie, caught my attention at the first. The guy sitting next to him was like Mr. Sinha urfe Sam; neither young nor aged. He seemed like more of a modernly dressed; he was in black waist-suite, a matching trouser and a light blue colored shirt. He has copied Amir Khan’s Executive Look from movie Ghajni. I smiled on my thought.
“Please have a seat Nevan, I am Jigish Shah, Managing Director of the Company and this Mr. Jaxay Shah Vice Chairman of the Company.” The Guy who had copied Ghajini look, started the interview.
“Good Afternoon Sir.”
“Look, Nevan you already have passed our written exam, so there is no question doubting your ability and knowledge. Now only a few things required to be discussed. Final Discussion you say.” The experienced guy wearing cheery colored tie, spoke taking appropriate pauses.
Ohh, I am already selected; they have just called me for negotiation. “Thanks you sir.”
“Jigish can you please take care of his induction a bit, I need to make a call; excuse me Nevan.” He hastily got out of the room, dialing some numbers on his expensive Blackberry.
“Look Nevan, we are not a big company with lots of clients and looodddzz of work. We believe in Quality rather than Quantity. From our clientele we earn enough to have a luxurious life and enjoy our family life as well. We don’t recruit much either. We have one of the best working environments in the country and I can say this because I am working here since last twelve years. I joined at the post you are being interviewed right now and today I am the MD. Our company is a Growth Machine if you have right attitude and approach.” Front Door opened all of a sudden and both of us turned towards it, it was Mr. Jaxay back with his usual calm and composed expressions.
“Look Nevan..” Mr. Jaxay immediately took over, I shifted my focus on him
“As Jigish would have told you, we only believe in quality. We give quality to our clients and we expect the same from you. And if you are willing to work hard, sky is the limit for you. Jigish is best example of it. He joined at your post some ten-twelve years back and look today he is the MD. So choice is yours.”
I nodded to him; to make him clear I was listening to him properly.
“Jigish, you told him about the conditions and other things? Oh, Nevan I am really sorry..!! What would you have tea or coffee?”
“No Thank you sir. By the way what are the conditions?” I asked
“We invest lot in you when you start working with us Nevan. Company takes a lot of care in your development and many resources are used to make you better every day. Thus, we expect you to sign a no-exit Bond for three years. And you will be dealing with Tax Matters of the clients which may have some confidential details about them. Thus, we want you to sign a NDA as well.”
“Three Year Bond?”
‘Yes, Its MANDATORY.” Mr. Jigish made it lound and clear
“Non-Negotiable?”
“Not at all, but believe my word you won’t be willing to leave us and that is my promise.” Mr. Jaxay was the more humble and sober person.
“What about the Package?”
“Oh yes, very important question. We demand work from you but we make sure you have enough motivation to carry on that work. At this point we are offering you package of 8.40 Lacs per annum plus residential accommodation, a car and a Blackberry from company. After six months based on your performance we will increase your package by 25% and afterwards it will be increased as per routine appraisal model.”
70k per month + Car + Accommodation + Blackberry = CA. Nevan Mehta “Okay, its good one for sure.” My mind had already started calculating a few equations.
“So does that mean a yes, Mr. Mehta?”
“Where will I be posted?”
“New Delhi.”
“Is it okay if I take some time to think? By what time I need to give my affirmation? And if I say yes, from when will I have to join?”
“Very enthusiastic of you Nevan; so many question at once. I like young blood full of zest. Take your time, tell us in this week. If its yes you can join immediately.”
“Thank you.”
“Nevan, wanna meet you right now.” imperativeness was palpable the way Mati started the dialogue on the call.
“Right now?”
“Yes.”
“I am away.”
“Where are you? Busy?”
“Nopes, m at C.G.Road.”
“Then wait at MM, will be there in ten minutes.” She hung up.
It was an early evening; The Municipal Market wasn’t over crowded. All the snacks vendors were busy preparing for late evening burst at the place. It was the place always clogged with people, vehicles not properly parked, horns yanking and people enjoying Vada-Pav or Pani-Puri or Dosa or Pauva or Maggie or atleast Chai. It was the place rich people (Higher Class) came for shopping and I mostly to grab a cup of tea. I slowly went to Shree Chehar Tea Stall, “Ek Cutting bhaiya.” He poured hot tea into the thermocol glass. I took it, placed myself on my Hero Honda Passion Plus and started to enjoy the evening at MM. As I was about to finish my cup of tea, I saw Mati parking her activa in the parking, I waved my hand to her to recognize my presence.
“Not bad, you are here in twenty minutes after saying ten. You are improving your time management.”
“Bau Saru…!!”
“So what all the fuzz is about?”
“I’m getting married.” My eye-balls got widened; I don’t know what came into my mind that moment.
“Say something, don’t stand like a statue.”
“Oh yes, Congrates and all the best.”
“Such a cold reply..!!!!!!!!!”
“What else am I supposed to say..!!”
“Leave it Nevan; He is coming back from US for three-four months and then he is planning to start his business over there only. So I’ll be going to US with him.”
“Hm..! Good.”
“You don’t sound too interested, do you?”
“You are the one to be excited and interested; you are the one getting married Mati.”
“So you are the first one to know it and first one to be invited as well.”
“I won’t be able to attend your wedding, sorry!”
“Why?”
“I am moving to New Delhi, got the job today.”
“Still you can come for wedding day, c’mon Nevan you have to.”
“Can’t say anything.”
“You are not even saying you will try, how cold of you. Your behavior is as unexpected as ever.”
“Even I have not been able to know myself totally till date…!”
“Go to hell.”
“Planning to have a trip there later, running short of time as of now..!”
“Nevan, I am serious, I am getting married in three months.”
“And I am leaving for Delhi TOMORROW..!!”
“Oh, and you are telling me today?”
“Even I got to know today only..!”
“So, you won’t be coming on my wedding day.” I studied her face, normally I was able to guess what was going in her mind easily but today I thought my imagination was out of focus. I decided to stay silent for a while.
“Silence is not something I am used to Nevan, especially from you.”
“I don’t have anything to say but Mati.”
“Sure?”
“Confident, Lock kar dijiye.. Aur ye Sahi Jawab……….!!!” I said making an uncanny face.
“F**k you, Nevan.”
“No Mati, you can’t do that; you are getting married to someone else.” She smiled on the comment; “I wonder, are you gonna change ever?”
“I don’t feel like changing. Do you think I should?”
“Nopes, you are great the way you are; please don’t change for anything in the world.”
“Cya, I need to pack myself for Delhi.”
“All the best and BYE (may be a final one).” She gave me a tight hug, I felt some sensation within, I pondered what that was; I closed my eyes.
×××
“And Associate of the Year goes to Nevan Mehta, my heartily compliments to him on back to back awards.” Image of Mr. Jigish Shah blurred on the LCD screen, the hall on the third floor of the office of Impeccable Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Cheered with the applause of almost two hundred and fifty employees.
I saw my image on the LCD screen put on the stage; I looked good in a black business suit.
“Thank you very much Jigish sir, it has been immense pleasure working with the Impeccable solutions, this is my second associate of the year award in two years I have worked here but that’s it, I know next year it won’t be mine. Coz, I am very much confident in the coming year I will be promoted to be, Sr. Executive Associate. So next year I am eying Sr. Executive Associate of the year award. Sam, forget the award next year, it will be mine.” As I took the pause, I heard voice of a few giggles in my head-phones, I chortled to clear my throat.
“I am sorry; I am not present there to take this award personally. I am here to attend an international tax conference at New York. I will be coming back in two days; will have some bash then. Once again thank you very much every one and have a fun tonight, I will miss all of it.” I waited for a minute or two and then turned off my Macbook Pro, the annual day celebration at the Impeccable carried on. It was two years since I joined the company, Ahmedabad was a past now, New Delhi was the present. I was happily living in the lavish apartment given by the company with my wife, driving the car given by them and spending the heavy salary I was earning. My life had become a usual routine, working on an average twelve to fifteen hours per weekday, half day on Saturday and off on (Some) Sunday. Nothing unexpected, nothing unusual, life was going at a steady pace.
Is this the end or just the beginning of a new saga..!!
Is this the augmentation of a dawn or rise of a dark night…!!
Only time can tell this tale, no one else; only TIME……….!!
×××
“Your tea, Mrs. Shah” A very small room it was, dark and suffocating. Only a deem light was turned on the center table except for that the whole room was in semi-darkness phenomenon, looking at the size of the room it was over crowded with three to four strongly built guys. The atmosphere in there was penetrating.
“Thank you sir”
“We have to get him, do you understand that. He is very very important for our objective. And especially with your involvement with him in the past makes it easier for you to get him, we can’t let him go.”
“I understand sir, how much important this is.”
“And be careful with whatever you do. They are bloody stalkers; you know what happened last time we tried this.”
“Hmmm..!”
“We can’t afford to lose this mêlée, practically we can’t afford to lose on him, by hook or crook you need to get that guy to us is it clear?”
“Got that clean and clear, will try to give my best shot”
“We are relying on you mam, Keeping my fingure crossed..!”
×××
“Morning Sam..!” I went into the first cabin on the first floor of the Impeccable Solutions House; it was Sam’s – My reporting head’s cabin. It was a nice usual foggy morning of New Delhi; the same was evident from the moisture gathered at the window of Sam’s cabin. I was half an hour early than routine office hours, thus there was hush in the corridor.
“Morning Nevan, when did you come back?”
“Last night.”
“Great, hey Nevan, can you do me a favor. Give me that second file from the first cabinet na…!”
I went in the opposite direction to his table in the right hand corner; it was the place where he kept all his files. Three on the left hand side were the ones where he kept his routine files and the ones on the right were locked all the time, I had never looked what was there. So, I guess must be non-moving files in. The first of those cabinets was open; I took second file from there and took off, handed it to Sam.
“Who the hell asked you to bring this file Nevan…!” His facial expressions changed immediately, he growled. He snatched the file from my hand, went in the direction of the cabinet space
“How the hell I kept this f**king cabinet open..!” I heard sound of his howling and then a cabinet door slammed, locked.
“Never touch those files again Nevan, they are very confidential, and it’s an official warning to you. Now, get back to work.” I walked out of the cabin, annoyed, disturbed.
“What the f**k happened if I touched one of his file, I am not a stalker, I am not gonna sell this so called confidential info to anyone. What is the prob with Sam today?” My head started spinning, rather than going at my seat I decided to go to the coffee shop opposite our corporate house. I was in complicated relationship with caffeine; it always helped me in complicated situations. Mrs. Bregenza – the proprietor of the Café Parade, knew me perfectly. Just one look at me and she would know how strong the coffee is required to be made.
“Oh, seems you are in need of very strong coffee today Mr. Mehta.” Mrs. Bregenza was a very comforting lady; she would have been very attractive and appealing in her younger days. She certainly would have done pretty good job in the marketing, she was the perfect sales person you would look for, charming, soft spoken, courteous and talkative.
“Oh yes, pretty much f**ked up.”
“Oh, Pardon my language..!!” I immediately excused for the ill-timed abuse.
“It’s okay Nevan, have this fultu fatak coffee and give me that typical of ‘charismatic Nevan smile’..!”
I took the steamy hot coffee-mug from her, giving her ‘I-am-forced to smile-coz you asked for the same’ Smile, it certainly didn’t had the allure of Nevan Smile (she was talking about) for sure (I wonder whether normally I have any kind of magnetism in my smile or she was saying it just to comfort me). There wasn’t any person in the café that time, only me. I sipped my coffee slowly, took the remote control switched on the television. I turned on the News Channel, some rubbish was being newsfeed from their side, beneath the screen flashed a Breaking News: “A Mig-21 Crashed in at the Ambala Airbase, pilot saved.” I instantly changed the channel; I wasn’t in best frame of mind to handle such depressing news stuff at this moment, next channel was Star Cricket, was showing highlights of Final of Independence Cup India vs Pakistan. It was of the year 1998, if I remember correctly where we chased record total of 314 against mighty Pakistan attach, Saurav ‘Dada’ Ganguly scored a match-winning century in the game. I was always a Dada Fan; this was picture-perfect to get my mood back on the swing.
“Mrs. Bregenza, one Ginger Tea..!” A female voice came in a polite manner, I immediately turned towards the voice, same bubbly eyes, same unexplainable hair style, same tuft resting on the cheek, and same mysterious smile on the face only difference was Mati had put on some weight, she was looking chubbily pleasant. We both stared at each other with ogling eyes for a while. She too was busy observing me, I guess or we were waiting for each other to start the conversation; the silence was asphyxiating.
“I thought you were at USA..!!” finally I started the conversation
“No Hi, No Hello, directly questions…!!” She dragged a chair in front of me, comforted her in.
“Oh! Hi Mati, I thought you were at USA..!” I said with a smile tickled on my lips.
“Hi Nevan, Anything on this planet can change but you can’t, can u?”
“Why should I change but. I am awesome the way I am, aren’t I? “
“That you are..!!”
“Then!”
“Then Nothing…! Thanks Mrs. Bregenza.” Mrs. Bregenza brought ginger tea in an attractive looking cup.
“So, weren’t you supposed to be at USA Mrs. Shah?” Her expression said she didn’t liked the over-emphasize put on Mrs. Shah.
“I went there for a while, but Kaushal is always busy with his business and all and I had nothing to do over there. So, I came back to Delhi and I am practicing Law over here”
“Oh yes, Vakkkiiilllll…! I know…!!”
“Don’t call me Vakil, I am Advocate Nevan…!” She never liked me calling her Vakil, I loved teasing her.
“Take this, if you need any advice on law any day!” She handed over her visiting card to me. Mati Shah, LLB, LLM. Legal Advisor Criminal Investigation Department.
“Oho, Legal Advisor CID, impressive…”
“Thank you”
“I work at very opposite building, Impeccable Solutions. Hey, I will call you at this number today evening, need to rush to office right now, will that be okay?”
“It’s okay baba, finish your work. You are here in Delhi, I am here too. We can meet any time, stay in touch but.”
“Arey sure re…! It was pleasure, meeting almost after two years.”
“Same here” I hurriedly paid Mrs. Bregenza for coffee and tea both, left the café.
“Hello, what?” She was trying to speak at very low volume
“So how was the meeting? What do you think; will you be able to get him?”
“C’mon stop being so irked, I just met him today first after two years, I need some time.”
“Matter is such I am getting impatient, sorry.”
“I understand, but you too have to understand that I will need some time.”
“Make sure, no one is stalking around when you are with him. They are pretty good with it. Though they won’t be having any of your records with them, coz you officially don’t work for us. I don’t want to repeat what happened last time around. I don’t want any causality this time around.”
“I know I am not on the suspicious list of theirs and I will try and take advantage of that. But for god’s sake stop maddening me and let me work on it self-reliantly for a while.”
“All the best..!”
“Thanks, I hope we succeed this time around.”
“We have to Madam, make that clean and clear in your mind. Are you getting that?”
“Okay.”
“C ya at the base today evening”
“C ya” The phone got disconnected
I went back to office from café, with a little smile on my face. I always enjoyed Mati’s company, just thought of those days of library and fun left a tinge of smile on my face, with that smile playing hide and seek on my lips; I picked the latest file to work upon.
“Hey Nevan, let’s go; Its Lunch time.” Sam appeared at my work-station, I was busy reviewing Depreciation Calculations under section 32 of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
“I’m busy you finish urs Sam, I will have later.” I coldly answered him and got back to the excel file I was working on.
“Hey Nevan, don’t be so cold re, I am sorry for the morning. I am having lodz of work these days plus theses taxation filing dates too are nearing, you yourself know it. Sorry re, don’t mind it.”
“I don’t have a mind to mind all these, you start I will join in ten.” I smiled, Just a little meeting with Mati and Nevan of old is back rocking and rolling.
×××
If the morning of the Delhi are foggy, evenings are canny and crowdie. There isn’t a space to put a foot down on the metro stations; DTC Buses keep on rushing on the chock-a-block roads to drop the people home, roads are buzzing with people shouting from windows of their car in the traffic jams at the cross roads and yanking and yelling of vehicle horns. After working unstintingly throughout the day delhiets habitually became agitated to reach home; to feel the warmth of the home every evening.
“A Veg. Grilled Sizzler, a Paneer Butter Masala and Two Butter Naan plus two masala butter milk..!” I looked at the chair opposite to mine, Mati was looking splendid in her Black Saree, ”Oh, dammm..!! Women look at their erogenous best in the saree.” As I got busy wondering in the wonderland of my thoughts, she nodded twice to approve the order.
“That will be it for now…!” Finally she said to the captain as I didn’t realize her nodding.
“Where the hell are you Nevan?”
“Here only..!” The hotel was rather quite tonight, it was a working day and not many people were in yet. A guitarist was playing melody of an old classic from Kishor Kumar from some corner, I wasn’t able to look at him clearly, but tune of his guitar was clearly audible. The ambiance of the place was great, two artistic chandeliers in the center of the ceiling were the main reason for it and the best thing about the place was it wasn’t over-lighted. There was enough light but deem and not very bright, that gave a nice setting to the evening here.
“So what about Mrs. Nevan? Got married or still flaunting around in the bachelorhood…?”
“Don’t worry ‘Mrs. Shah’, I am happily married.”
“So where is she?”
“She isn’t coming today; she has gone to her mother’s place at Ahmedabad. We are expecting a new member to our family so. There is no one to take care of her, so it’s better off she stays there till all is well.”
“Great Nevan! Congo man!!”
“Thanks.”
“Oh man, look at you, you are blushing Nevan.” And she cracked into laughter, I wondered why she laughed? Was I actually blushing? Stewart saved me from further discomfiture, as he brought the stifling Grilled Veg. Sizzler, the whole table and surrounding area bloated up with the mist and trace of it, the food looked mouth watery.
“Thanks for the dinner Nevan, it was nice.”
“It indeed was! Me and Sharvari come here often for the dinner.”
“Okies than, catch ya some other day, it’s getting late, good night.”
“How have you come? Should I drop you?”
“Nopes have brought my own vehicle. Thanks.” And with the little hug, we departed, the guitarist was still busy playing the melodious tunes on his guitar, I gave a little pat on his back, giving him a little encouragement, he nodded at me giving me a pleasing sneer.
“Are you stalking on me sir, I saw one of your guy sitting on a table next to us tonight.” She sounded very much maddened on the phone, as she entered into her jade black Maruti Swift.
“No it’s not like that, please understood. He was just there for your protection. Why would I keep a watch on you, you are the one on whom we all are counting on at this moment.”
“And I am trying my level preeminent; I am not the trained actress or competent infiltrator to carry out such an activity, still I am trying to give my best shot. So please stop stalking and bothering me.”
“I understand, will take care of this.”
“You better be and I guess it’s the time for you to come out and meet Mr. Mehta, I feel you should be the one to divulge it to him, then I will take steps forwards. We should plan the meet now. See ya at the base.”
“Let’s see.” And the phone disconnected.
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