The Return of Passion (Complete)

Chapter 9

"Alisha are you alright? " Dhruv asked once beside her in the garden, relieved that his useless brother has left her alone.

Shrugging her shoulders in a non noncommittal way she increased her pace to go back to their table and understanding that she isn't in a mood to talk, he silently followed her.

By the time they were back, their choice of food has already been served and another round of drinks were going around as they chattered away loudly.

"Oh here you both are! " Kumar the head of HR turned towards them as they took their seats. "We have been wondering where you two just disappeared. " Shalini piqued in with her all time humor.

Smiling back a little at her, Alisha decided to dig in her food, for one it was getting almost impossible to keep the calm and smiling facade up while it was unbearable inside and for two, she was extremely hungry and the food looked delicious.

She had ordered 'Moqueca' (pronounced as moo-kek-a)

A Brazilian kind of fish stew, teamed with rice and farofa. But what stood out more was the theatrical flourish with which it was served. In the piping hot clay pot, amidst cloud of fragrant steam.

'At least something good happened tonight! ' she thought before digging in, as did everyone else.

***

Next day

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"Mrs. Shah...please do me a favor and contact the pilot and tell him to be ready,...yes I have to fly back tonight inatead of saturday......no...no worry there...the deal has been signed....yes thank you......I have been myself trying for last half an hour but he isn't responding...thank you! " He hung up before putting his phone off and layed down on the soft, round bed of his hotel suite to have a little nap before his flight back in the evening.

After all he has so much to do once he gets back.

***

"First of all, thank you Laura for being an amazing host and the tour you offered me of this place. It's amazing to know how much we could do, if there's understanding and cooperation between the employees and the heads. It's mind boggling to know that we actually produce for one and for all. That it's our creation which rules the world because of it's latest trends and the varying ranges of cost. But what unsettle me is the fact that the branch in India still seems to be in its primitive stage as compared to what I saw in last two weeks, first in Paris and then here. And more surprisingly, nobody has taken charge to develop that either, in the years prior to when I came. " She deliberately stopped, sending a pointed look at Dhruv who sat at the end of the table, as unperturbed as ever.

"Now, that I have decided to do that, I would require all your help.....because minus the fact that I am a fashion designer myself, I am new in the field of business and you all seem to be running this company more efficiently and smoothly than anyone could ask for." Alisha stood back for a moment before, Laura, the chief executive officer of this branch of Nihar spoke up. "We sure will help in every way we could. But what do you suggest? How should we start?" Alisha smiled, this thirty two year old, women was the most straight-forward person she has ever met.

"Well I have something in mind, but I would like to hear your suggestions too..." She sat back down on her chair as the propositions came rolling in from all around the conference table, and she sat there listening to every bit of their said and unsaid words along with comprehending their pros and cons.

And then came Dhruv's gruff voice resounding in the glassy conference hall, who had now stood up from his chair as well. "The suggestions are all very promising as we say, but along with that we essentially require professional help right now. A person who had done this before, that is to build an umpire from a scratch and could also deal with the situations that arose there on daily basis. someone who could help us in expanding, expanding the quantity without loosing the quality, that Nihar has always been providing."

Surprised, Alisha looked at him. 'This...wa..was exactly ...what she...was..thinking...what he said!' A involuntarily smile spreading across her face.

"Indeed very well said, So I think if we make a group with a few of our professionals, who knows how the system runs..... and send them to India along with you all....to work there for a year or so....i think that way it could work out! what say?" It was Laura, an enthusiastic glow on her face, as she had got something new to do, but then observing the faces all around her, Alisha understood why nobody approved of the plan.

India is far away from here, almost an ocean away. And this was most probably a trap set up by laura, so if anyone even mouthed even a little yes, she would sail them off to India on the next flight. No doubt she was a manipulator. But the fear and nervousness on the faces of people around the table told Alisha that it wasn't a good idea.

"This is a good idea...but i think, this trip to India for one year must be voluntarily.....no pressure seriously, I understand you all have your families here and no one would like to leave them for god know how much time. So, this would be an open opportunity for all, anybody who wants to join could put their names till tomorrow and .....well...yes...There will be a big bonus from my side of course." He put up onto a broad smile putting an end to the afternoon meeting.

"Thank you all!"

***

TWO IN THE NOON, INDIA

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" I don't even know, why I am doing this!" Zainab grumbled into the phone, as a smile erupted on Aditya's face. "You know why! You are my best friend after all."

"But on another note Adi.....you were the one ending things between you two, so why don't you just leave the lady alone?"

"I am leaving her alone...Zainab....It's just that....." I could not bare to see her carrying someone else's child. But he couldn't say that aloud, ever. It would be just a little secret, that nobody would ever care to know.

"Forget it! Are you going to help me or not!" He said instead.

"Alright tomorrow!" Zainab muttered and hung off, before Aditya heard a loud, "Dadddy..." as the line went off.