Karan was out for his cricket practices and Arjun was left
alone. It was a very peaceful afternoon, no one to disturb him. His book of
Advanced Law and Politics lay open in front of him. He had his notebook open as
well where he scribbled notes he had learned dozen of times and just needed a
quick recap. At afternoons like these, Arjun wondered why he was here, where he
could be out there and earning billions by doing almost nothing. Thoughts like
these always bothered him, hurted him, drove him crazy, and yet he loved them.
Just as he was about to go the next chapter, making a target
of completing 35 pages within that afternoon, there was knock on his door.
"Come in", said Arjun.
A blonde boy entered wearing what looked like a dungaree.
"Um, Arjun, you are called at the Dean's office right now, he said it was
confidential".
Calls like these meant that he had probably offended the
Dean in someway and obviously he was called to be corrected, reminded that he
was becoming ruthless day by day and that his actions needed attentions. "Why",
he asked. The boy nudged and said, "No idea".
Arjun assembled his books and went to the office at the
fifth turn.
Inside the office, he saw someone whom he had apparently
expected two days ago, when Chris gave him the horrible and most annoying news
ever. Abhimanyu Kapoor was talking happily to the dean, telling him about a
huge business deal that he signed with a firm that can take him to the top of
the world in almost three days, if the work was done efficiently. "Of course,
now a days, you don't get good employees to work for you, they are always on
their own whims and fancies and don't care what others say and want them to
do".
The Dean saw Arjun waiting outside his office and smiled and
said, "Ah! There he is! Our lad is here! Come, come in Arjun. Look who has come
to see you". The dean's tone of happiness made Arjun feel more humiliating. He
knew that Arjun never bonded well with his father and he knew the reason why.
But it made Arjun feel very very horrible deep down inside to hear the Dean say
that way and see his father smile, sarcastically."Arjun, you father just signed
a deal that's worth a million. And so he wants to celebrate it with you while
he is in Oxford".
"Yes, Arjun", said Abhimanyu Kapoor."I want to celebrate my
success with you. I wanted the Dean to come as well but looks like he's very
busy at the moment."
"I have got exams round the corner, I can't afford to waste
time", said Arjun.
"But you have your finals next year", said the Dean.
"Don't be such a spoiled sport Arjun, its your father's
victory. We must celebrate with a drink. Plus, its only Law, not a tough
subject", grinned Abhimanyu.
This comment only meant to be an insult, thought Arjun. His
father never appreciated the fact that his only son studies Law and become a
Lawyer rather than succeeding him in business. It always did bite him, but he
was aware of Arjun's spitfire personality and the grudge he bore against his
father. Arjun, very aggressive at the moment, wanted to say something in return,
something that would make it clear that he was not interested in his business
world and profit making schemes, but he kept quiet, knowing that the Dean was
there.
"I don't drink", said Arjun.
"Ah…that's new. You don't drink but you smoke", smiled
Abhimanyu.
"Is it really that important for me to go now, sir?" asked Arjun
to the Dean.
"Arjun, you know your father always stays away from home and
you hardly get to see him. Infact, your father will soon be away on another project
in Tokyo and you'll hardly get to see him after that. Indeed, he's a very busy
man. You must go with him", advised the Dean.
Arjun was unable to do anything. He knew very well that a
heated argument with his father right now would drown his image considerably.
So he kept quiet and did as he was told.
The Kapoors drove to the most amazing hotel in London, The Marriott
Hotel in Park Avenue. Indeed, this five star hotel has impressed people around
the world but a very few can afford a day in here. Arjun never had the opportunity
to go inside this piece of wonder before and he was very happy indeed that he
said yes to accompany his father for the small celebration. The floor was
carpeted and the lobby dazzled with lights and essence of the royal touch of the
Great Britain. As soon as they entered, a waiter dressed in tux and suit cam
forward and asked, "This way please, Mr. Kapoor. Your reservation suite is
ready".
Abhimanyu Kapoor opened his luxury suite and allowed Arjun
to enter first. He followed later on. "So, how did you like the place?"
"One of a kind", lied Arjun.
Arjun made himself comfortable on the couch and starred
outside the balcony. Abhimanyu poured two glasses of champagne and handed one
to his son. "Cheers boy", said Abhimanyu, raising a toast. Arjun, not bothering
to do the same, drank the drink quickly and emptied the glass. An uncomfortable
pause followed.
"Arjun there is a reason I called you here today", said
Abhimanyu. "I know that you'll never agree to this but atleast I can still try".
Arjun looked up. He had anticipated something of this kind
coming from his father.
"Its not too late. Change your mind and come with me. Don't
you want to run this huge successful business?" asked Abhimnayu, desperately.
Arjun was shocked. How can his father even think of asking
this question when he himself knew the possible and determined answer.
"What?!" Arjun was stunned.
"I am saying, you have to forget this law thing and start
thinking about your goodwill now. Business is a great achievement, and
especially if its my business. Don't you want to earn huge profits every single
day, control the world sensex, operate the people to do your dues and tell the
world how powerful you can be?"
"No….I'm pretty comfortable studying what I should".
"You are a fool Arjun and you are arrogant. And this
arrogance of your will lead you nowhere!"
"I know where it'll lead me…in a better secured place than you can ever
imagine".
Arjun was losing his coolness.
"Look, Arjun, please think about what I have just said to
you. This is very very important. Who's going to succeed me after I retire?"
"That's your damn problem not mine".
"This sis seriously crazy, you have no idea……."
"What do you take me for? A moron picked up from trash and thrown
in a lavish place to earn for himself?"
"That's not what I mean……."
"I know exactly what you mean…..and it'll not do good to you……"
Arjun went to the balcony. He just could not stand the hot
intense temperature inside the room. He felt like someone was trying to strangle
him to death, someone trying to pierce a blade through his body. He was suffocation
and wanted to run out of the hotel, back to his pavilion. Just then, his blood
froze. Abhimanyu had his licensed gun point towards his Arjun's temple and
smiled. "You will do whatever I tell you to", he said.
"What the hell are you……." Arjun stammered. His body was
shaking.
And to his surprise, the next moment, Abhimanyu was laughing
out loud. "You are such a scary-cat, like your mother. This is a toy, silly."
They went inside. "Here's what we do, we shoot dots on that
board over there and see how may you can hit".
Arjun was petrified for a moment thinking that all these
were some sort of a joke, but seeing his father hit the first shot, he was
fully convinced.
His father ofcourse, could not hit the bull's eye. "Your
turn".
Arjun carefully aimed the smallest dot on the board and
Bingo!, he got it right. Bull's eye it was! And so, this game continued for
sometime. Abhimanyu could not get any of his dots corrected at the bull's eye
but Arjun succeeded at every shot. Arjun was loving the fact that he did far
better than his damn father who thought his son was nothing but a loser. After
almost two hours of this regular exercise, his father gave up and sank on the
bed. He smiled and said, "Guess I would have to be scared of my own son".
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Hope you guys like it....sorry for the delay!
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