Watch and Learn

jagrutid

@jagrutid

Thanks all hope to see lots of comments and likes on this which will convince me I need to keep writing more! Hope you’re all happy and healthy.

Watch and Learn 

She heard him in the shower and realised she’d overslept. A fresh cup of coffee with one of Kukis heart shaped biscuits tucked into the white porcelain saucer was sitting on the beside on top of the holiday brochures. 

The aroma got her attention, kuki had been baking again no doubt with the help of George. The thought put a smile on her face. 

There was a silent feeling of gratefulness for being in a environment such as this.

So different from her past where everything about her new home with Rishab and Kuki felt like a home. 

Prerna flicked on the TV for a moment, picked up those honeymoon leaflets again  when the news on the Television set caught her eye. 

“Basu’s one of India’s most successful and richest entrepreneurs” 

The reporter was talking about the success of Basu publications. 

It caught prernas eyes and made her immediately uncomfortable. 

Uncomfortable enough to switch off the television something witnessed by Rishab who walked into the room as he made his way to his cupboard to get a shirt. 

He wished her good morning like he knew nothing of what had gone on and went about getting dressed.

She didn’t reply not immediately. 

Her mind was thinking about all the horrid things the basus had done to her and her heart racing to do something about it. She closed her eyes for a moment to calm herself.

“Mr Bajaj, I want to destroy the Basus”

Rishab who had his back to Prerna turned around pinning his eyes on his wife as he buttoned his white shirt. He could make out what she was feeling vs what she was saying effortlessly. 

She gave him pleading sort of look only there was a coldness and determination to it. 

“And the honeymoon.. ?” He asked 

“it can wait can’t it?” She asked back not sure what he would say.

“Very well”, he said as he stepped up to the bed and took a seat with his back turned to her. He had to twist his posture somewhat to take her hand in his.
Prerna looked at the way her hand seemed so small and fragile within his.  

“The best way to have your revenge would to beat them at their own game. The Basus game is business. Join me in the office today and we”ll go from there.”

His suggestion felt a little unrelated and soft but Prerna knew her husband was a intelligent and experienced  man his suggestion would have its reasoning and tact that was beyond what her mind could conjure 

She nodded and he replied with warm eyes.

..

That morning Prerna joined Rishab at his office for the first time. They travelled in one car and Prerna followed his lead. It was the first time she’d stepped into his office but as she imagined he was treated with the upmost respect in his office. He commanded every room he walked into and every person he walked past. 

Entering his cabin to see a familiar face was both pleasant but also a little awkward for Prerna. Mr Mehra normally saw her in her domestic avatar.

“Prerna is going to join the office” said Rishab as he unbuttoned his blazer and took as seat behind his desk.

“Great to have you ma’am” said Mehra with a smile and Prerna smiled back. “Nice to be here Mr Mehra” 

“Take a seat” asked Rishab noticing her stood a little out of place in the corner. She did in a corner.

“Now what’s on the agenda Mehra” she watched him ask and Mehra read off his notepad.

There was a whole host of legal and money related things that were talked about. Mr Bajaj had asked Prerna to do only one thing today and that was observe. So she did.

There was however times when Prernas attention swayed and Rishab took note.

When she heard a text message and it happened to be from  Kuki she couldn’t go without responding to or now when she saw Mr Bajaj had got himself a paper cut whilst flicking through freshly printed paperwork. 

She was bedside him taking his hand in hers examining his thumb before he knew it. “Mr Mehra I have a plaster in my handbag please can you find it” she said worriedly.

“I’ll be just fine thank you” said Rishab but Prerna looked on worried.

Encouraged further by Mehra “ I think a plaster would be a good idea” he added. 

Rishab rolled his eyes but couldn’t deny that having his wife apply it made him feel cared for. Keen to be professional he excuses Mr Mehra. 

Once Prerna is done with his plaster Rishab gets up from his seat walks around the table and pulls her chair closer.

“Take a seat” he says noticing that he’d put the chair closely adjacent to his. She sat down. 

He took off his blazer hung it on the back of his chair,  taking to his chair he pulled a piece of paper in front of them and put a pen to it.

Prerna watched him draw a square and then draw a line down the middle, half and half again to make a quadrant.

He labelled the box on the top left Father, the box on the top right he scribbled son, bottom left he wrote husband and bottom right he wrote businessman. 

He talked about how it was a strength and a skill  to be aware of which box you were in at any given time and to think very carefully when blurring the lines between them.

That was Prernas first lesson. One of many which helped her towards being a great business woman.

jagrutid2020-06-05 08:04:34