Chapter 21

2 years ago

varshaoforange

@varshaoforange

Aryan kept his eyes on Imlie for a few more seconds, hoping the smile on her face wasn’t just an act for Aditya. He fought the urge to punch Aditya Kumar Tripathi right here in the office.

Aditya’s fury at Aryan’s gaze, at seeing both Imlie and him laughing and talking like old friends and new lovers in front of everyone, at Imlie’s refusal to even consider his apology, it was becoming too much for him.

“Aryan Sir, I think it might be best if you took a picture, it will last longer.” Aditya said, pulling Aryan out of his daze.

Aryan looked at Aditya, his glare changing easily to a smirk, “Sure Mr. Tripathi. Sure. But as Imlie said, I’m free to talk now, seeing as I’m done for lunch. Please sit.” Aryan sat back down and piled the files he’d left open together. Surreptitiously he picked up his phone and opened the voice memo app. Recording this imbecile was the best way to get what he wanted, because no matter what Aditya wanted printed, Khanna would definitely sue.

Aditya wanted to say more about Imlie, but he was already getting sick of the smirk on Aryan’s face. Instead he barreled forward with why he’d come in the office in the first place, “My story on Mahendra Global and Sunil Khanna is finished. I’m here to turn it in and suggest you print it tomorrow.” Aditya waited for Aryan’s complaints and doubts.

Aryan raised his eyebrows, and tried his best to hide his glee, if he wanted to prevent any liability from falling on him or Bhaskar Times, he’d have to put up a good fight, or at least pretend to, “So quickly, Mr. Tripathi? Were you able to double check the information your source gave you? Is there accounting evidence to back up any claims you’re making? Should we call in Surinder to see—“

Aditya interrupted Aryan, as Aryan knew he would, “Mr. Rathore, I have ten years of experience as a journalist, and I have written on more complicated issues than this slush fund and Khanna’s corrupt practices. I don’t need you to tell me how to do my job. However, if you’re not interested in printing my work anymore, perhaps I should find a new paper which is interested in my work.”

Aryan smiled and looked intently at Aditya, “Relax Mr. Tripathi. I didn’t say it wasn’t going to be printed, I just think that the story probably required understanding complicated accounting and financial statements, also sometimes it’s difficult to get sources within a business to turn on their employer. Like you said, you have ten years of experience as a journalist, Surinder has twenty. Did he approve the story and its findings? If so, then would you like me to give it one more perusal to confirm the financial facts? That way we can be a hundred percent sure we’re avoiding any liability before publishing.”

Aditya sneered, “I knew someone like you would be focused only on liability instead of the truth. I’ve shown the piece to Surinder, and he had issues, so I decided to bring it straight to you. I can guarantee that there are no problems with the piece. I’ve done my research, I’ve checked the facts and evidence, and I’ve gotten quotes from at least five different senior level employees at the firm, on background of course. But we don’t need anyone on the record because the financial statements are clear enough. Now the question is, are you brave enough to print it, or will you decide to support one of your own? Khanna is a billionaire like you, I assume you’ve rubbed shoulders with him a lot over the years. This is why you shouldn’t have added a newspaper to the roster of your businesses, you don’t have the experience or the integrity to run it.”

Aryan clenched his fists, but then took a deep breath, “There’s no reason to question my ethics or intentions. Lagta hai yeh aapki bhuri aadat hai, sach jaanne ke pehle hi aap apni raay banaalete hain. Mujhe lagta hai ki jo aapne Imlie ke spath kiya, woh aapko apne kaam mein doharaana anhin chaahie.” (This seems like a bad habit of yours, before you know the truth you create your own opinions. I think that what you did with Imlie, you shouldn’t repeat that in your work.)

This hit the target Aryan knew it would, Aditya’s ego and guilt. Deep down, no matter how ignorant this man was, Aryan could tell that he had some regret over what he did to Imlie. But more importantly, Imlie’s response yesterday and her refusal to come back to him, that hit his ego more than it should have.

Aditya stood up, furious, “I am doing nothing of the sort. I don’t give a damn what relationship you have with Imlie, but I’ll say this one time, I don’t let anything, not even Imlie, affect my work. If you want to publish the piece, go ahead. I’ve emailed it to you. If not, await my resignation tomorrow.” Aditya turned and left the office.

Aryan opened his email and read through Aditya’s piece. It was well written, emotional, but critically, it was all bullshit. Aryan could tell from the sourcing and the quotes that Aditya hadn’t gone further than using the accounts Aryan had sent to him. The quotes were clearly from those biased against Khanna. There was no mention of Khanna’s affairs, nor the possibility that these accounting discrepancies could be legal but just unethical. Aditya had written himself into a legal corner, and Aryan couldn’t wait to see the front page of the Bhaskar Times tomorrow.