C4 Chapter 3

Shivansh's POV

I was completely dumped in work with papers sprawled all over my office table. It's been over a month since Mr Lal's deadly declaration of his disease. Though the sickness had taken a toll, within past weeks Mr Lal had rendered complete concentration over his work to the best of his health. I promised him, I would take care of his family whenever there would be a requirement. My phone buzzed after a short while and a smile embraces my features looking at the caller Id. It was my mom. "Hello son, it's been a while since we met you. Of late you have been too engrossed in work. You rarely visit us." She complains like a five year old kid. "Mom, please don't start again." I tell her signing the documents that required my perusal. "Have dinner with us tomorrow. We can have a small get together and then you can get home." I informed her in an affirmative and continued with work but this time with a smile on my features.

Next day I went to my parent's house and had a refreshing dinner after a happy talk with my brother Atul. Over the past month he changed completely and became responsible. Atul completed his Masters in Mass communication and journalism from University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He wants to be a journalist but dad insists on him to take over our family business. I intervened in the conversation and let Atul have some cherishing years of freedom doing work of his choice. He is recently absorbed in the post of a journalist in one of the leading news papers of the country.

The next day

Buttoning up my coat, I walk to the conference hall in swift, long strides to hold a meeting with the department heads. My secretary falters behind trying to keep up with my pace and holding out the phone for me to speak. "No phone calls Neena during summon for the conference meet." I hold up my finger dismissing her abruptly while walking quickly. "Sir I think it is important. Mr Juneja wants to speak to you regarding our upcoming project in collaboration with their pharmaceutical industry." I turn back giving her a stern look. "This is my last warning to you. I state my rules only once and I don't like to repeat them." My secretary's face goes pale within a matter of seconds. In fear stricken eyes she stammers in a low voice. "Sss... sir, this would not repeat again."

Walking to the conference room, all the department heads were holding in attention from their designated places. Wishing them quickly I commence the meeting. "Mr Raghav, what is your explanation on this?" I push the file on the table towards our sales head of department. "Why is our sales depleting in basic consumables when our prices are reasonable and even a middle class consumer can afford it? Remember if you do not give me a justifiable answer you would be quick to submit your resignation on my desk within the next couple of minutes." My tone was sharper than the tip of a knife. There was a visible distress appearing in kinesics of the other department heads. Sweat appeared in small droplets on the forehead of Mr Raghav even when the air conditioning was excellent. Sucking in the breath he replies in trepidation. "Sir the raw material is not reaching our industry on time. As a result our products are not able to meet the sales demand and our competitive firms are grabbing the market."

A nerve ticks on my neck muscle and I bonk my fist on the conference desk. "So you keep your hands folded reading the whole story while our sales drop to a threshold point? Why doesn't the raw material reach our industries on time? Answer me damn it!" I shout sending the silent conference hall to vibrations. Gulping audible Mr Raghav gets to a feeble reply. "Sir please give me ten minutes. I will set the matters right." I get off my seat towards him walking in slow, threatening strides and square him inscrutable. "What were you doing all this while, Mr Raghav? Baking cookies in your home along with your wife?” My tone goes low in acrid. “I need your resignation on my desk damn right now." I behest furious, tapping my forefinger on the conference table. "Mr Murthy from today, you would be the in charge of this matter. Make it a point to brief me about the progress of affairs on daily basis.” I state my objects lucid. “The meeting is dismissed." My voice held command leaving dreadful faces of my staff behind watching me walk away.