Part 1 -
"You need a wife."
It was a ridiculous piece of advice and Angad Khanna barely raised an eyebrow before responding, " You are fired."
"You can't fire me." Shabbir Ahuwalia grinned widely, " I'm too valuable...your CFO and ofcourse tumhara best friend." He slid a fax across Angad's massive desk. " And speaking as both, i see no other way. Two other corporations are chomping at the bit for this deal, and both CEO's have wives. Mujhe aisa lagta hai ki Shyam Kapoor wants an honest, good old-fashioned family man. So if you are hell-bent in acquiring the Kapoor business, you'd better consider producing a Mrs Angad Khanna ASAP.
Swivelling around in his chair, Angad turned to face the floor to ceiling windows. From his offices on the twenty-fifth floor, he stared across the city of Mumbai and beyond to the sea. It was crystal clear Wednesday in October- no smog, perfect sunshine, but he barely saw it. His mind raced to find aother solution to the problems plaguing what should have been an easy purchase. He wanted the Kapoor Industries. Hell, he wanted every company that posed a challenge to him. Kapoor Industries was one of the leading agricultural industries in India. Started about 40 years back the Kapoor's have controlled the agricultural sector since then.
And now Angad Khanna the young entrepreneur wanted all... Shabbir was right. Acquiring Kapoor Industries was going to take more than quick thinking, clever stratergies and Angad's trademark never-say-die negotiating style.
Friday morning he was flying to Amritsar. He was the last of the competitors to stay with the Kapoor's for the weekend. It was a chance for each man to see how the company was run, tour the plant, and get to know the family behind the success.
" I spoke with Kumar this morning," Shabbir said, breaking Angad's thoughts.
Angad inhaled sharply. Ravi Kumar was as ruthless a businessman as they came. He also wanted to own the Kapoor industries- and would be willing to pay as much money needed. Kumar's own company was a longtime rival to Kapoor Industries, and he was looking to eliminate competition. But the man was three times divorced and a notorious womanizer. Angad has heard through the acquisition grapevine- that Shyam Kapoor wouldn't even review a bid from Kumar's- no matter how high he went.
Shabbir cleared his throat," He is willing to pay a hefty premium to buy Kapoor Industires from you once you get it."
" I'm considering it," Angad answered tightly.
For forty-two years, Shyam Kapoor had poured everything he had into this industy, built it from the ground up, with his family by his side. He was ready to retire and had two married daughters who weren't interested in taking over. He was willing to sell, but his actions seemed to verify Shabbir's assumptions that Kapoor would only sell it to someone with values similar to his own.
Angad rubbed his jaw. Why any man would choose to settle down, get married and have children was beyond him. Perhaps if you could see into someone's heart, know their motivations, predict their actions, it might work. But family for Angad was trouble with a capital T. Not that he had a bad childhood or anything. Angad was raised in a loving family. His parents Dilip Khanna and Naina Khanna are happily married for more than 30 years. His older brother Kartik is also married two Mishti and has a cute son Aryan who is thoroughly spoilt by Angad. But still somewhere Angad always thought marriage and kids was all investment and no return.
He has little room for opinions in this matter. If a wife was what it was going to take to win, Angad would sure as hell do it.
He leaned back in his chair, "So the question now becomes who."
" How about Sania?" Shabbir prompted.
" I don't think so."
"What about the actress you were seeing?"
Angad chuckled. " And have every conversation reduced to liposuction and fat grams? This woman can't be anyone I see socially. I don't want my female friends thinking marriage is ever an option with me. I need a simple woman, sweet, elegantly dressed, educated, but not snobbish. No party girls."
Shabbir swore. " This is Mumbai. Where are you going to look? The library?"
Angad smirked, " Why not? I can turn a sparrow into a swan if I have to."
Shabbir laughed, " Hell if you are looking for a sparrow, why not try your accounting department? My secretary informs me that the hardworking ladies down there run a sort of a daily Angad Watch. Most of them have quiet a crush on you, well except one."
Anagad sat down on the edge of his desk fascinated, " Oh really? And who does your secretary say that except one is?"
" Kripa something-or-other." Shabbir added with a chuckle.
A pair of soft honey coloured eyes and a soft mouth snaked through Angad's mind. Polite and shy, the pretty lady brought him the daily accounts report but never tried to catch his eye like most of the women in the office. She wore frumpy, conservative clothes to hide whatever she felt she had to hide, but Angad had always had a sneaking suspicion that what she was hiding was worth a look.
But he'd never know. The woman had demeanour-a look he could spot with accuracy and he stayed million miles away from women like that.
" You know she would be perfect to play the role of your wife. I hear she's sweet and simple and smart. And she is definitely not someone you see socially." Shabbir began a light glowing in his eyes making Angad nervous. " I never thought I would see the day when a woman could resist the great Angad Khanna." Saying this Shabbir left the room grinning.
Angad leaned back in his chair. How about enlisting a woman who didn't like him? No strings attached. Strictly business. That would make things pretty neat and tidy when it was time for a "divorce".
With a satisfied, confident smile, Angad flipped though the file as he awaited the arrival of his daily accounts report with uncharacteristic anticipation.
Edited by Rhydima - 16 years ago
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