C29 MY LAST HOPE

When you know that all your options except one are closed, then you put all your energies on that option. As suggested by Tiwari ji, R.K. Bajaj was my only hope. So I focused all my energies to making it a success.

Next day I reached the office of Bajaj Publications. At the gate I was stopped by a tall security guard, who would not let me in, despite all my pleadings. He had orders to not let anyone come in, unless Mr. Bajaj approved. I kept waiting outside for several hours, waiting for Mr. Bajaj to come out of office. It was 7 pm and I was feeling very hungry. But I didn’t want to miss a chance to meet the person who was my last hope.

Finally, a black color BMW car arrived at the gate, and Mr. Bajaj came out of his office. He looked like in his early fifties, very fair, with slight grey hair. He had a French-cut beard, and was wearing brown trousers, white shirt, and black blazer. Without any delay I approached him.

“Sir, please… I need your two minutes.”

Mr. Bajaj looked at me from top to bottom, and without saying a word sat in his car.

“Please Sir, just 2 minutes.” I again pleaded.

He asked his driver to stop.

“What do you want?”

“Sir, my name is Aarav. I am a Novel writer. Sir, please give a chance. Please sir.”

I was begging in front of that person. My soul was completely crushed, but I did not mind at all.

“Have you published any Novel before this?” He asked.

“No Sir. This is my first Novel.” I said with a heavy voice.

“Look, my company has a rule. We don’t give chance to any new writer. I can’t help you.” He asked his driver to start the car.

Before I could react, the car was gone. With every disappointment, I was breaking inside. I took out a cigarette from my pocket, and started smoking. People were blowing my dreams in a smoke, and I was blowing myself. Despite getting a clear ‘no’ from Mr. Bajaj, I decided to try meeting him once again. I remembered Tiwari ji’s statement that R K Bajaj was my last hope.