Dedicated to Megha Saraf, who despite of all my problems convinced me into writing this stuff.

THE PROPOSAL DESIGN OF LOVE

The Problems Post Love

Part 5

Ramniklal Batliwala left Jharkhand and came to Bombay because he saw Amitabh Bacchan’s picture on the banner of Coolie. He did odd jobs, slept on the roads and survived each day. On Sundays he would, however watch the pirated book sellers lay their books on the streets of Parle, and here he got a chance to read about a company called Coca Cola. He was deeply intrigued by the advertising strategies it adopted and became America’s most love company. His first job was when one of his mates, who worked in a small dhaba, asked him to work for his boss who was opening a small hotel near Dalal Street. The South Indian was worried about other hotels that had established themselves and were a meeting point of the brokers. Ramniklal asked two things instantly.

“I want 33 percent of you profits that you make a month from now.”

The owner of the hotel looked at Ramniklal with raised eyebrows.

“You know that you are not in a position to dictate.”

“But then,” Ramniklal remarked with a glint in his eyes,” I am also not in a position to lose everything.”

The owner didn’t argue further.

“And I want you to set up a television, with cable. And an yearly subscription of The Economic Times.”

The owner looked at him dumbfounded. Not many people had heard of cable that time.

“Everyone will be able to give them food sir, we will give them a topic to discuss.”

Surprisingly, revenues hit an all time low in the next few months, however with the emergency being declared and the brokers fearing its backlash, they swarmed around the hotel for news. This in turn bought revenues like never before.

As time passed, Ramniklal’s thirst for success only increased. He set up a small newspaper shop, and also helped collect advertisements for local newspapers. In time he set up his own small ad agency. His first big break came two years later when an Indian soft drink company approached his agency for creating a TV ad. Ramniklal himself directed the ad which became a super success. He used a small part of his profits to buy the upper floor of his rented ad agency and the other half to return to Jharkhand and marry Radhika Mittal, the daughter of the local cinema owner. To Ramniklal’s disappointment Radhika delivered a baby daughter next year. The daughter was given the name of Anushka, however things never remained the same between Ramniklal and Radhika. The years kept passing , and the empire which Ramnikalal built kept multiplying. With time the distance between the couple increased to such as extent that divorce was the only way out. Radhika moved out of the plush bungalow only with her old suitcase and her daughter.

Ramniklal Batliwala remarried again, this time giving more thought to the association , that he now perceived could act to his advantage. He married Triveni Dhanuka , daughter of the owner of Telecon Media , 5 years later when the owner died , Ramniklal inherited an empire he would have taken years to conquer. Later he sold off the entire company to buy Positone, the biggest advertising agency of Mumbai. By that time Triveni had given Ramniklal three sons. Yet when his lawyer asked what will the rechristened name of Positone will be , Ramniklal remarked, “ACM, it will be called ACM.”

“And that stands for ?”

“Anushka Chandra Mittal.”

With 38 offices in India and 13 abroad ACM became one of India’s most famous ad agencies. Ramniklal also ventured into productions , ACM producing two major Indian films by 2001. With graying hair Ramniklal often wondered what happened of her daughter. He got the answer months later when his news paper carried the article of a girl who had topped her graduation in Presidency Economics. He saw the face and he knew it … the blood line was the same. He traced Radhika and convinced her to come back. He brought them a plush bungalow in Powai. Radhika thanked God to have found her love back . However Anushka didn’t share the same emotion. She hated the man who had left her when she needed him most. It was only when Radhika pleaded to Anushka did she join the Kolkata offices of ACM.

…………………………

As he heard the story, he saw her eyes moist.

“I am sorry Anushka ,” he said, “ I never knew you had to suffer so much.”

She did not say anything. Prakarsh wanted to hug her, but they were sitting at Mc D , so he thought to give the idea a pass.

While returning, they held hands together. It was a moment he would never forget.

As she was about to enter her PG, she looked back at Prakarsh .

“Prakarsh, I haven’t told this to any one. Thanks for listening.”

He smiled at her . “Anushka, what are friends for ?”

“But then Prakarsh… ,” she remarked,” some are always special.”

…………………………..

6 months later.

“Can you please stop staring at me?” she growled as she looked at people around her watching them.

“ Whats the problem? You look beautiful.” Prakarsh remarked, “ When will we get married?”

Marriage was a topic that Anushka didn’t feel comfortable discussing. She was convinced she wanted to marry Prakarsh, but she also knew that her mother Radhika would ask Ramniklal’s opinion on this . Ramniklal would never let her marry an employee of the company, least of all a Brahmin.

“Prakarsh , lets wait for the right time. “ as she said it she saw peeping at the girl sitting at the far corner table of the restaurant.

“Know her?” Anushka asked.

“Umm… yeah sort of. Rishika Basu , studied with me in my Bschool.” He didn’t add anything further.

“She liked you didn’t she?” Anushka asked , with an impish snigger.

“I dunno. But she has a job I will kill for . That’s all that I know about her now.”

“Where does she work?”

“ Backstars , as a media consultant. I tried for the job twice.” He said with a note of disappointment in his voice.

Anushka gave him a wry smile.

“Prakarsh if it can console you , let me tell you , I have tried for the job thrice. I will give my right hand for this job. I envy this girl for two reasons now.” She smiled as she said it.

A few minutes later as they were exiting the restaurant, they met Mr. Pansari Batliwala.

Mr. Pansari didn’t say anything to Prakarsh when the latter greeted him. He just kept staring at Anushka.

On her way back , Prakarsh felt Anushka’s hand. She was shaking.

“Anushka , I think you are over reacting. He is just an office colleague.”

Anushka looked at Prakarsh , “ Prakarsh , Mr. Pansari is my step brother.”

It was at that time , that the enormity of the situation hit Prakarsh. Both of them didn’t talk while on their way back . Before parting , Anushka nudged Prakarsh’s hand. She knew her father was coming to Kolkata today and that he would not be particularly overjoyed when he would hear this news from Mr. Pansari.

“Prakarsh , I think the time has come to give our marriage a thought.”

…………………………………

It was the first time that Prakarsh saw Mr. Pansari so close. In the morning he had got a message on his cell. “Meet me in my cabin .Mr. Pansari.”

Prakarsh knew what this was all about. He also knew he was determined to marry the girl he loved.

“You do know what you are doing? Right?” he questioned Prakarsh.

“I have never been more sure.”

“You know I have been very disappointed with you. I thought you had talent. Yeh love shuv mein kya pad rahe ho?”

Prakasrh didn’t reply.

“Prakarsh, it’s not possible. I have talked with father. He doesn’t agree to all this.”

Prakarsh was adamant.

“I think the two people who matter most have already made their decision.”

In the hour that followed, Mr, Pansari tried his level best to convince Prakarsh that his future would be seriously affected if he nurtured any thoughts of marrying Anushka. But Prakarsh didn’t budge.

When he was about to leave, Mr. Pansari called his name.
“ Prakarsh, I didn’t want to show it to you, but you leave me with no choice. Please read our employee manual. It can be downloaded from our website. Afterall the whole point of marrying must be staying together.”

Prakarsh sat on his chair and wondered what did the last line of Mr. Pansari imply and downloaded the manual. He had read it few days after coming to this company. He almost thought that the content had not changed when his eyes fell on the last clause of the manual.

IN CASE TWO EMPLOYEES OF ACM MARRY EACH OTHER, EITHER OF THE COUPLE CAN BE TRANSFERRED TO ANY OF THE OFFICES IN INDIA WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE

He noticed the date of amendment of the manual. It was inserted just two days ago.

…………………………

“I will leave the job and you will stay that the only option.” Prakarsh said firmly.

“You will be doing nothing of this sort. I have more work ex. I will quit.” Anushka replied.

After a great deal of debate, Prakarsh finally convinced Anushka that she was to stay. He shared the idea with his friend and colleague Ramesh . Ramesh was shocked, “Prakarsh , are you crazy ?” Leave your job?”

“Ramesh . I think that is the only way out.”

“Then let Anushka do it. Do you know how it feels when the woman of the house becomes the man?”

Prakarsh couldn’t think of an appropriate answer..

“I have already made the decision Ramesh.”

Ramesh didn’t give up. “Prakarsh, let me tell you that men are not meant to do this. Your family would not like it. And let me tell you, all this sacrifice looks good now , but as you see her climbing up the corporate ladder you will realize what you have missed. Had she really loved you, she would never have agreed with this plan.”

That night as Prakarsh was reading the newspaper, Ramesh’s words created a din that kept lingering in this brains. He thought about the hard work he had to put in to get the job, the happiness his family had felt that day.

Next day as he woke up, he ignored Anushka’s ‘Good Morning’ message on his cell. Instead he typed a message for her.

“WE NEED TO TALK. COME TO OFFICE EARLY.”

…………………………………..

“But we had decided that if one of has to stay it should be me.” she remarked , almost trying to drill in some reason into an almost irrational mind of his .

He did not look at her, kept staring at his coffee mug on his desk.

“I have decided that I will not be quitting my job. It will have to be you .Its my final decision.”

“Well you know what,” she said, “In a relationship its never a case of individuals. Its always our decision.”

He didn’t say anything.

“Why are you doing this?” she was almost on the verge of breaking down. Never before had she felt so miserable.

He still didn’t answer. She looked at him for one final moment as if expecting a semblance of a response. When it did not come, she walked away, slowly.

That night, she buzzed him twice but he did not pick up. Next day he reached office late. He had made the decision. If it would cost him their relationship, he would have to think twice before asking her to quit. He pulled his drawer and took out a white envelope. It was his resignation letter. He had never thought it would be so early.

When he pushed the glass door of the Vice President’s cabin, the VP just looked at him as if the foreboding of what was to take place had already dawned upon him. Mr. Pansari was standing just next to the VP looking grave . Before the resignation letter could be offered by Prakasrh, the VP handed him an envelope.

He opened it. The handwriting was easily recognized. But the content left him speechless.

“It is therefore with great regret that I wish to inform you that for personal reasons, I will not be able to continue my services and as such they stand terminated from today. I thank you and my colleagues for making this such a wonderful journey.

Regards,

Anushka Mittal

Group Head

ACM.”

Minutes later, he sat in his cubicle and stared back at the seat exactly behind him that would now be uninhabited. He put his resignation letter back in his drawer. He dialed her number but she did not pick up. He knew she could not have gone to Mumbai without informing him.

He called her Kolkata residence.

After a gruesomely long ring time, an unknown voice picked up from the other side.

“Can I talk with Anushka?” he asked.

When no reply came from the other side, he repeated .

“Saahab ji , she is …”

Somehow the fragmented words from the other side were making him more nervous.

“Sir, she is in the hospital.”

The second time of the day, he did not know what to speak .

“But, why? I mean how?” He asked frantically.

“Sir, “she paused for a moment trying to think of words that could cushion the shock that she her words were about to convey, “I think I have some bad news for you.”

The line then went dead. He had hung up the phone. He did not have the courage to hear further.

…………………….

NEXT WEEK … IT ENDS.. THE FINAL PART ..