Maya….. Episode 2
Kasturi was head over heels in love with Sukumar Malhotra. He was not only handsome, but also super witty and intelligent. She could not stop thinking about Sukumar. Sukumar on the other hand, was initially overwhelmed by the new responsibilities in work, but eventually he became comfortable with the work. By dint of his diligence and knowledge, he was able to make the company gain immense profits. The Virani industries became more successful with every passing month. Jagmohan was happy to the core. Appreciation for Sukumar came from all around. Right from clients to employees, everyone was happy with Sukumar. When it came to managing a team, Sukumar was stern and assertive, but nevertheless, he was just and kind.
In all of Sukumar’s achievement, Kasturi’s sibling Sunil was lost. Sunil was not happy with this and neither were his parents Amrit and Sunita. They had hoped Sunil will make it to the zenith of his career in Virani industries. Sunil was assiduous. However, with Sukumar soaking up all the limelight, Sunil felt miserable.
It has been six months since Sukumar Malhotra joined. The increase in numbers in terms of profit, made Jagmohan elated. He decided to throw a party for Sukumar. Lavish arrangements were made and the venue was the posh mansion of Jagmohan Virani. Entire office folks were invited along with some special guests of honour. Sukumar was working the whole day and he ended up coming to the party in a regular faded t shirt and a pair of cotton trousers. Apparently, he did not get time to get ready. He brought his brothers Suyash and Sujay with him.
Clad in a body hugging satin pink salwar suit with fair bit of the cleavage of her attractive bosom visible, Kasturi looked ethereal. She wore her jet black hair loose. When she walked with her stilettos, the provocative curves in her body became prominent. When she walked, heads turned. However, all Kasturi wanted was Sukumar’s attention. She walked staring at Sukumar, who was busy talking to Jagmohan. Kasturi told herself, ‘Sukumar is more good looking than my eternal crush, the bollywood star Vinod Khanna. Uffff, I love this guy.’ She was so engrossed in looking at Sukumar, that she bumped into someone and both fell down. Embarrassed, Kasturi got up hurriedly, but the man she bumped into kept on staring at her. Clad in formal trousers and striped shirt, this guy had crew cut hair style, height of around 5 feet 6 inches and fair skin and he resembled the bollywood star ‘Rishi Kapoor’ in his mid twenties. Kasturi looked at that guy and said, ‘I am sorry.’ The guy got up, smiled at her and said, ‘You are beautiful.’ Kasturi sneered at him and with a haughty note said, ‘Excuse me!’. The boy hastily extended his right hand and said, ‘Hi, I am Sujay Malhotra.’ Kasturi just said, ‘Huh’ and went away without shaking hands with him.
After talking to Jagmohan, Sukumar went ahead to the bar to have a drink, when he saw Kasturi staring at him. For the first time, Sukumar realised how beautiful Kasturi was. Blue eyes, perfect curves and super fluent in communication, Kasturi was immensely attractive. He sipped his drink and looked at Kasturi flirtatiously when Sunil came and sat beside him. Sukumar looked at Sunil and said warmly, ‘Hey, so here you are. I was looking for you at office. There are some files which I needed you to check because they are all related to accounts and I don’t have any experience in that.’ Sunil smirked and said, ‘ Really? But you do have a lot of experience in stealing people’s shows, don’t you?’. Sukumar looked at Sunil confused and said, ‘I am sorry. I don’t understand.’ Gulping the entire glass of whiskey, Sunil said, ‘ Don’t act naive.’ Sukumar was about to say something, when Jagmohan came and said, ‘Come Sukumar, you haven’t met my daughter Anita as yet. Let me introduce her to you.’ Sukumar smiled and said warmly, ‘Sure Sir.’
Anita and Kasturi were talking to each other. Anita was about to walk away and meet someone, when Jagmohan said, ‘ Anita, meet Sukumar.’ Sukumar joined his hands and said, ‘Namaste.’ Anita smiled and said, ‘Namaste.’ Anita was nowhere close to Kasturi in looks. While Anita was 5 feet 3 inches, Kasturi was 5 feet 8 inches. While Anita was plump, Kasturi was 36, 26, 36. While Anita was dusky, Kasturi was fair. While Anita was simple, Kasturi was a bombshell. After greeting each other, Anita and Sukumar went about their ways. Sukumar wanted to get glimpses of Kasturi, so he went ahead, sat in the bar and threw glimpses at her. Kasturi realised that and she sat right in front of the bar with Anita and Sunil.
Next day, Kasturi looked even prettier. Sukumar was engrossed in one of the files when Kasturi knocked at the door of his room in office. Seeing Kasturi, Sukumar smiled and said, ‘ Hi. Please come in. How may I help you?’ Flirtatiously Kasturi said, ‘You can help me in a lot of things.’ Sukumar understood where it was going. She was so beautiful that taking his eyes off her was difficult. He wanted to tell her something, when the phone at Sukumar’s desk rang. It was from Jagmohan.
Sukumar said, ‘Excuse me Kasturi, I need to meet Jagmohan Sir immediately. Sorry.’ Saying that he rushed to meet Jagmohan. Jagmohan looked worried as hell. Sukumar was shocked. He said, ‘ What’s the matter Sir?’ Jagmohan took off his glasses and said, ‘ We are in a big mess. Look at these account files.’ Sukumar said, ‘ But Sir, Sunil surely must have checked these.’ Jagmohan yelled, ‘ I never thought in my wildest dreams that Sunil can do this. He cheated us. We lost our most valuable clients today because of him. I will not spare him.’ Sukumar stood there unable to think or say anything. He had thought Sunil was a responsible co worker. He looked at the files. Indeed, there were myriad of mistakes in the files and no doubt, all the profit, the company had made in these months, will now go down the drain. Sukumar said, ‘Sir, there is nothing that can be done now. But, I assure you, we will work on it and will make our company reach the acme of success. For now, please calm down.’ Jagmohan was in utter shock. Out of anger, he screamed, ‘I need Sunil in my room RIGHT NOW.’ Sukumar could not say anything. He called up Sunil’s phone. However, no one received. Jagmohan said, ‘So he has not arrived in the office as yet. Call up Kasturi and ask her where is her brother?’ Sukumar called up Kasturi. Kasturi came running and seeing Jagmohan in his furious self, Kasturi was scared. Shivering, she replied, last night he drank a lot. He is at home. I will call him.’ Kasturi called up at the landline number at her home. Her mom Sunita received the call. Sunita said, ‘Sunil is still fast asleep. I will go wake him up.’ Sunita went to Sunil’s room. Sunil was still fast asleep. Sunita, brushed Sunil’s hair and said, ‘Wake up Son. It’s 12:00 p.m.’ Sunita suddenly felt a chill down her spine. Sunil was no more.
