“Bhai, you asked for me?” Vansh queries, as he opens the door of Sampath’s chalet and peeps inside. Sampath looks up at the door, flaking his gaze off the file which was lying in front of him.
Sampath raises his hand and gestures to him to come inside. Vansh smiles softly, he then shoves the door moderately and walks inside before closing the door behind him.
Sampath suppresses, before standing on his feet and walking towards the anterior side of his table and then leans on it.
“I have heard that our board panel called for an urgent meeting. Well, what do we owe them for this sudden exposure? As far as I remember, they were all busy and couldn’t attend our success party, which was held for the accomplishment of our last project.” He speaks casually while Sampath laughs at his cynicism.
“Well, what do you think brother? No matter how filthy and cynical they are, they do have some place in this company. And by the rules that we already have, we should just bear them, under duress.” Sampath shrugs while Vansh frowns at the precision.
“Why should we even bear them? I mean we are hardworking, responsible and successful, then why the hell should we entertain their taunts?” Vansh asks, his face clearly blaring about how aggravated he was. Sampath nods his head, as he stands straight and stretches his arms as if trying to relieve his exhausted body.
“Vanshu.” He pulls Vansh’s cheek, irritating him further and he swats his hands away.
“My cheeks must be really spongy, anyone and everyone squishes them.” Vansh exhales in misery. He then recalls the way his wife plays with his cheeks and flushes.
Sampath chuckles, before resting his arms on his shoulder.
“That’s what the whole society is based on, finding flaws in a person who is redeeming himself and stepping ahead and towards success. They say because they fear of you, they fear because you are clear with your aim, you are clear because you are confident and breaking that confidence is their target. If you get agitated and angry when someone points out a flaw in you, you lose your wisdom. So to keep yourself intact, just listen to them, and accept what you feel is true, introspect the consequences and then make a change. Just remember this flawed genius is better than flawless talent.” Sampath says while Vansh looks up at him in admiration. This was the man he was inspired from.
“I never knew that you were this repulsive towards our board members.” Sampath jokes as he goes back to his table and picks up the file into his hands, signing the papers after thoroughly analyzing them.
“Not just board members in particular, Bhai. I just hate it when the so-called society, who doesn’t care about your colossal achievement but comes out and criticizes your petite failure as if you are totally useless and good-for-nothing. They just behave like these nosey relatives, who want nothing but your exam results, your relationship status, your salary, your marriage, your kid’s birth, if possible they will even ask about your death date.” Vansh breathes deeply as he speaks, his nose flared in frustration.
Sampath bursts out in fits of laughter, already imagining him being asked about those questions. Vansh looks at him confused but then smiles at how fervently he was chuckling.
Vansh twirls towards the door when he hears someone knock. He mutters a soft ‘Come in’ and gets surprised to find Meera opening the door almost immediately. Her eyes directly landed on Sampath, who was having his own time in controlling his laughter. She then looks at Vansh and raises her eyebrows in confusion.
“Why is he laughing so deafeningly? I almost had a panic attack.” Meera says, as she steps into the room.
“Well! Hello to you too, Bhabhi.” Meera narrows her eyes on him as he smirks at her mischievously.
“First of all, I am not your Bhabhi. Second, this is office and I am your-
“Bhabhi.” Vansh interrupts her, making her scowl.
“Oyee Sir.” Meera snaps at Sampath, who immediately stops laughing and sits innocently. “Please tell him to not call me that.”
“Vansh.” Sampath looks back at Vansh. “As much as I would love to hear you call that, this is the office and we should behave professionally.” He warns him to which Vansh nods meekly. He then looks at Meera and mutters a soft apology to which she smiles faintly.
“Sampath, the respective delegates have come and are waiting in the conference room. They are expecting your presence soon.” Meera informs, her tone firm and serious.
Sampath nods at her before turning towards Vansh, who was suppressing his mirth; he was enjoying how his elder brother is getting nervous under this woman’s gaze.
Sampath clears his throat before leaning towards Vansh. “So, today you are dealing with them.”
Vansh frowns at the sudden piece of information, it was totally out of the blue, but then he trusts his brother and then on his self-confidence, so he just nodded.
They both stand up almost together, their bodies screaming poise and authority. As if they both just swapped themselves into an opposite version of themselves; the much powerful and dominant business men, the version which was only reserved for their rivals, if they are any?
Meera felt herself getting nervous at the sudden change in their demeanor. The aura around them accurately turned intense which bothered her.
“Don’t let their opinions influence you. You are what you decided to be. Life gets better when you stop caring too much.” Sampath advised, his voice held command and wit. Vansh smirks at him in acknowledgment.
“Just saying, you both are looking really dangerous, as if you are going to slay them with your stance.” Meera exclaims in approval.
****
There was a total silence as soon as he opened the door. He kept his head high as he stepped forward and towards the head chair. Every moment he made was a sight to the sore eyes; He undoes his suit button before sitting on the seat elegantly. His gaze moves on all the seven men who were present in the hushed room. A small smirk crawling on his lips as he perceives the effect he was having on people present over there, who were watching him with bated breaths and keen inspection.
He then looks to his right, finding his brother who was smiling at him.
“So” He starts “Good afternoon gentlemen, hope you all are having a great time. I was just surprised at the sudden mention of this meeting but then I respect you all so I have decided to address you all properly.” His voice was calm and demanding.
“Well Mr. Rai Singhania, heard about your father’s arrival. How is he?” Vansh shifts his gaze towards the man sitting on the left corner, who has always been a great well-wisher for him and his family.
“Yes, Mr.Verma, He is hale and hearty. Thank you.”He replies warmly.
“Well Mr.Singhania, recently we have noticed the drastic changes in the stock value of the company. The continuous fluctuation in the investments the company is having has been bothering the shareholders. I feel their trust in the organization is in jeopardy.”A voice addresses and Vansh trails his gaze in the direction of voice.
He nods in understanding. “Well there is this saying; to get profit without risk, experience without danger, and reward without work, is as impossible as it is to live without being born. While we receive huge profits this month we also cannot promise the exact profits the following month. And then when you aim for a growth in production and are not willing to risk the unusual, then you will have to settle for the ordinary. Coming back to the shareholders and their trust, I don’t think they doubt about our attainment, they are more loyal than people sitting here.” He could hear the set of gasps coming at his last sentence but he overlooked them. He was really enjoying it.
“Alright Mr.Singhania, I am really surprised to see you address the conference. Is it an indication that things between you and Mr.Sampath D’souza are falling apart? Is he stepping back from the headship?” Vansh gets baffled at that question and turns his head to look at his brother, who was equally surprised. Sampath turns back towards the one who asked that question and chuckles amusedly.
“That’s an absolute nonsense.” Vansh utters, his eyes widened at the question. “My brother will always be the mentor for me, our family and this company. He chose me to deal with this meeting because he envisioned a new conduit in the near future of this company. I completely trust his guidelines and approaches; for he is the reason this company has crossed milestones. He is a true leader; you don’t have to hold onto a position in order to be the leader. One more thing, brothers are like streetlights alongside the road, they don’t make distance any shorter but light up the whole path and make the walk valuable. He sure showed me the path but didn’t compel me to walk along but it is me, who willingly wants to pursue the journey with his back.” He completes confidently and then smiles softly.
“And If I didn’t know better, I would have really considered this meeting to be a professional one. But neither your questions nor your conduct is suggesting the same. Let’s get into the main point as we all know how busy you all are.” His tone was acute while his gaze moved around keenly.
He could see how people were contemplating within themselves to answer his question and then question their questions for him, but then he finds that one man sitting leisurely with a smirk on his face.
Meera walks in the room silently and could feel all the eyes turn towards her, as much as she was really nervous, she chose to hide it with her smiling face as she finally takes a seat across Sampath, who was looking at her deeply.
Meera finally lifts her gaze and blinks at Sampath who replies with a smile. She strangely feels as if someone was watching her, but then she strikes it off.
“You are right Mr.Singhania, there is no gain in beating around the bushes.” A voice raises and Vansh looks at the person, who spoke, impressed at the valor of the person. “Well with the recent discovery of your father’s existence, the company’s name has been circulating around the media houses. Several articles are being published on how the company has concealed your father from the corporate world. We all have keenly observed the state of affairs and finally announced this meeting to know about the actual truths.”
Vansh stops for a moment, as he ponders on his question. He was really caught up in a web of predicaments, that even his one moment can turn their outlooks. This matter needs to be tackled with utmost care and comprehension.
“You are right, Mr.Sharma. This is something very much important for us and the future contracts we are going to deal with. We, as a team, are already working on this matter and we will definitely issue a public statement regarding this issue. As far as the media is concerned, we all know that the media loves the negative spin. In fact, in the business world, bad news is usually good news- for somebody else. We are known for our loyalty and reliability for ages now.” Vansh explains, his words held a deeper hint of knowledge.
“Huh! Look at who is speaking? His own father was living the life of a dead man and he is here explaining about his loyalty. blo*dy hypocrite.” Vansh snaps his head at the speaker, his jaw clenches as anger surges through his body. The place fell quiet all of a sudden as they looked at each other in fright.
“What do you mean, Mr.Khanna?” Vansh asks, his voice was treacherously cold that it could send shivers down the spine to the opponent.
“I mean Mr.Singhani, that all the speech you were giving has nothing to do with your own father, who had cheated almost everyone by declaring himself to be dead and then hid in some shadow like a coward.” Raj Khanna, the eternal adversary of the Singhanias, spoke with utter loathing.
“On the first note, who the hell are you to even question my father’s moral fiber? As far as I remember you were never an admirer to him. But still, your voice was literally illustrating the hatred you have in your hearts towards us. And that’s what I meant when I said people outside are more loyal than the people present on this board.” Vansh seethes menacingly, his gaze sinfully pointed on Rai Khanna.
“Woah! Look at the sudden change of attitude.” Raj mocks to which Vansh clenches his jaw. “This is how you behave when someone points out your flaws. Accept it that you are scared to hear your father’s history.”
“As I already said, you are no one to judge his story by the chapter you walked in on. Not only him but anyone, don’t judge people for the choices they make when you don’t know the options they had to choose from.” He roars, his voice still cold and distant.
“You think talking about all this philosophy will make you an intellectual. Your arrogance is because of the wealth that you think would make you superior.” Raj wasn’t going to stop his taunts, not when he was getting rebuffed.
“Money did not give me this attitude but it’s the other way around. You call it arrogance but I name it confidence. Then again, I don’t care about what you think of me; not now, not in future.”
“You don’t get to talk to me like that, gentleman. My experience is more than your age. Learn to respect people who are older to you.” Raj fakes his smile and glares at him.
“Sorry. But I don’t believe in respecting elders, just for their age, if they are undeserving and unworthy of it. Give respect and take respect.” Vansh retorts in almost the same tone, adding more fury to his rival.
“Enough.” Raj yells, slamming his hands on the table. His voice echoed in the silent room. “You don’t know me. I am just quiet because you are still an amateur with an abundance of overconfidence. Better act according to your age.”
“I don’t know how to act my age. I’ve never been this age before. If possible, you please correct me while I will think about learning it from you or not.” He replies calmly and smirks at how angry Raj Khanna had become.
Sampath was failing to control his laughter under his poker face; he was really enjoying how his brother was openly grilling the arrogant rival in front of him. His eyes then travel towards Meera, who was cupping her mouth as if trying to stop herself from giggling too.
“Therefore Gentlemen.” Raj turns his gaze towards the remaining people who were already in a daze about what was happening around them. “This is how people become with lack of proper parenting. These people-” He points out at Vansh. “- are unfortunate enough to not have a proper upbringing. That’s what explains how egotistical and big headed they behave.” He scoffs wildly. Vansh clenches his jaw, narrowing his eyes as he opens his mouth to speak, but Sampath beats him to it.
“Look who we have speaking that.” Sampath derides, looking at everyone. “Few months back there was an article about the son of a renowned business magnate, who was a sheer spoiled brat with no sense of knowledge, being caught while trying to force himself on his father’s secretary who was 20 years older than him and was a married woman. Do you all remember that son? Mr.Khanna, do you remember him?” Sampath asks Raj Khanna, who stilled in his place as his face drained all the colors hearing those words. Vansh looks at Sampath in surprise, who winks at him in return before looking back to Raj Khanna.
“Oh” Sampath feigns sympathy. “The person is sitting beside you Mr.Khanna. Isn’t he your son, Mr.Avyan Khanna?”
Raj turns to his left and finds his son sitting leisurely, totally indulged in his phone, without a slightest hint of what was happening around him. Spoiled brat. He then looks around and finds everyone looking at his son in disgust.
“So, I was saying. If this is what people become-” He points at Avyan. “-with ideal parenting and sensible upbringing, then I am happy that none of my siblings had such an opportunity. But then Mr.Raj Khanna thinks we are unfortunate.” He tsked, while Vansh smirks at him.
“Don’t drag him in between.” For the first time that evening, Raj’s voice held pain and panic.
“I don’t say much, but I listen a lot. Don’t be so quick to point out the flaws in others lives when you are not willing to look at the flaws in your own.” Sampath grits, pointing his finger at Raj, who lowers his head in embarrassment. “If you’re testing my waters, you better know how to swim.”
Meera almost clapped at how Sampath and Vansh just shut Mr.Khanna’s mouth with their sarcasm and wit. Damn, the meeting was no less than a movie scene, while they all were the audience who were fanning on how the protagonist just shut their haters; the only thing which was missing was pop-corn.
“Well, I guess the meeting is adjourned for now.” Vansh declares and smiles when everyone nods at him almost immediately leave the room.
“Bhaiya.” He squeals as soon as the meeting hall was left alone with his brother and Meera. “That was so intense.”
“Damn, you literally killed them with your attitude. Vansh Rai Singhania is the performer of the day.”Sampath declares while Vansh laughs out loudly. Meera chuckles at how they both suddenly became normal and jovial.
“I was literally controlling myself from bursting out of laughter. You both are very hazardous.” Meera exhales, totally in awe with their courage. They nod at her as they all laugh together.
“Siya and Sanjana went for an outing.” Vansh declares and Sampath nods in reply. “Ridhima is busy assembling things required for her start-up. Maa is almost alone at home with Dadi staying with Papa in his house. I guess I will take a leave now”
“Tomorrow we have some important work with the lawyer, make sure everyone is present.” Sampath informs, to which Vansh nods. Sampath stretches his tired body while stiffing a yawn.
“Bhai, you are really worn-out today, where were you last night?” Vansh asks, looking at his exhausted body.
Almost immediately, Sampath turns his gaze and locks eyes with Meera, who was looking back at him in stunned silence.
“We were together, we went on a date.” Meera mutters softly with a slight hue of blush while Vansh smirks at them.
“Bhai and Bhabhi went on a date.” Vansh shrieks before walking out of the room leaving Sampath and Meera alone. Meera looks at him nervously and finds him rubbing his arms to relieve his tension.
“I will bring some coffee.” She enlightens and then walks out of the room without waiting for his reply.
As she is standing near the coffee machine, she feels some gaze on her and gets confused.
“So, you are this Meera Sharma.” She frowns before turning back and looking at the person who spoke.
“I am Avyan. Avyan Khanna, owner of Khanna enterprises.” He smirks while Meera glares at him in annoyance. The spoiled brat he is.
“Yeah, I heard a lot about you.” She maintains a fake smile.
“I know, I am famous after all.” He smirks while Meera urged to roll her eyes. Was he really praising himself even after how he was ridiculed in the conference hall?
She overlooks him and turns forward, fishing her phone out scrolling through it. She could still feel his intense gaze on her.
“Impressive, so you are trying to ignore me. I know even you are affected by my presence. I am too handsome to be ignored.” Meera snaps his gaze at him, annoyed. His face still had that stupid smirk, as if it is a manufacturing defect from birth.
“You wish.” Meera scoffs. “You really think too highly of yourself. I have seen better.”
She swiftly takes the cup filled with coffee and walks off away from the place, trying to get rid of that garbage pile behind her who was not accepting her denial.
“No need to act so rigid. I can understand your feelings towards me. You are really beautiful; your eyes are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I can do anything for you. If you want, we can meet privately and I promise you to give me whatever you want.” She almost gagged at his words, he was telling those lines as if he was well prepared with how to bury his self-confidence and senses.
“Mr. -Whoever you are, I am not interested in listening to your nonsense so please get out and stop humiliating yourself.” Meera rebukes him. He continues to smirk at her while she stops herself from kicking his shin.
“Don’t tell me you don’t want to be in a relationship with me?” Meera chokes on air as he speaks.
“Relationship? Just look at yourself and be honest, can you date someone that behaves like you?” She ridicules him but he ignores her loathing.
“Who do you think you are? A prince?” She questions, annoyed at his behavior.
“Oh! Don’t act as if you are not impressed with me. I know I am handsome and girls fall at my feet.” He smirks. He really thinks too high of himself.
“Girls might, but I am a woman.”Meera snaps, his smirk falters. “Girls desire attention, women crave respect. Get the difference and move on.”
“Isn’t all this drama for him, your boss?” Meera closes her eyes in disgust. How low will he fall?
“I get it now. I saw how you both were stealing glances at each other and was blushing. I must say, if taste lacks but choice excels.”
Meera snaps his gaze towards him, utterly appalled at his words. But then she chooses to kill him with her words, brutally.
“I really wanted to give you a nasty look, but then you already have one on your stupid face.” He clenches his jaw as she smirks. “Oops, I am sorry if you are offended with me calling you stupid; I thought you already knew about it.”
“Oh so the little kitten is feisty too, getting all defensive towards her boyfriend. What is the difference between him and me?” He seethes while she just glares at him. “Is he that good in bed?”
A piercing voice echoes in the empty hallway, as she slaps him hard across the face. He cups his cheek which was paining as hell and turns towards her in uncertainty.
“How prejudiced and disgusting you are? If you were trying to compare yourself with him, you could have done it in many other matters but you could just compare yourself with him in terms of s*xual clout. You know why you just took that category for the comparison, because you already know how much of a douche-bag you are in your life and have no sense of dignity and knowledge. People like you just think being a man is being superior in bed. But it is not; being a true man requires patience, courage, respect, serenity and most importantly the quality of treating his woman to his equal.
You know why I am telling this to you; because I really wanted to clear your misconception that being good in bed doesn’t make you a man but a pr*stitute, a pr*stitute who is used to fulfilling desires but not to be in a relationship.” She stops, taking a deep breath to control her anger while he just looked at her aghast and humiliated.
“A true gentleman seduces his lady’s mind before he even touches her body. Get the difference and grow up, boy.” She emphasizes the word and leaves from there, satisfied at how she ruined his whole audaciousness.
As soon as she opens the door, her eyes meet with those familiar chocolate brown eyes which, on her sight, immediately render love, respect and longing making her heart warm. She gently closes the door behind her, before taking tender steps towards her gentleman.
A true gentleman.
Hello Munchkins, hope you all are doing good.
One of the best feature we love in Vansh’s character is his flawless attitude and vigor. His dialogues are just too commanding and authoritative. Tell me your favorite dialogue of his. ->
I tried to portray the confidence and buoyancy he, as a businessman, has in this chapter. Hope it went well.