27/11/2019 - Wednesday - ( Three days after the engagement) - At Chennai

Shiva's P. O. V:

I walked downstairs and fetched my bike key from the stand.

Amma and Appa returned from Bangalore yesterday. They finally decided to visit their daughter in law.

I rushed past the dining hall without touching my breakfast. I made sure to not look at my Amma's face. I don't think I am going to forgive her ever again.

" Shiva, it's time you drop your firm. You should start coming to the shop, only then you will know about the dealers. By the time you get married, you will be trained enough to take over the shop. " Appa said to me.

" I have work in Office. " I said and started wearing my socks and shoes.

" Let's see for long you would be able to turn deaf ears to my words. When the bank officer comes knocking next time, it will be your headache. " He said.

" If something like that happens again, I swear, I will shut down my firm. " I said angrily and ran out to my bike.

I started the bike and drove past the streets.

When I reached the office, Hari and karthik were already there.

I walked in and threw my bag into my chair.

I gulped hard and sat down. Hari sat beside me.

" What happened? " He asked.

I showed him the ring on my finger. Hari nodded his head silently.

" But you went to Theni, so stern that you will cancel the engagement." Karthik said.

" I told my amma that Anjali was blackmailing me with suicide. I thought amma would understand. I was wrong for thinking that only I was blackmailed by Anjali. " I said.

" What do you mean? " Hari asked.

" She is doing the same to my Amma. Not just Anjali, Anjali's Appa too. She had already did it once when my brother ran away, all of them are so scared that she would do it again. " I said.

" But Shiva, it's your life! I am really sorry for saying this,but if it's too much,then do as your brother did. " Karthik said.

" At least he didn't have Amma torturing him with a death threat, and a dream office which was going in loss and I don't even have a girl to run away with " I said and bit my tongue after saying the last line.

" That I won't accept. She went away only because of your commitment issues. " Hari said.

" Wrong, she came in after knowing about my commitment issues. " I said.

" Just remember okay, if you really want to run away, tell us, we would help you" Karthik said.

" Please drop the idea of me running away. I promised to my Amma that I won't. Even if situations get worse, I won't run away. " I said.

" We won't let the situation get worse then" Hari said patting me.

"Thanks " I said. I took off the ring from my hand and placed it on the table.

" We have one problem though. " Hari said.

" What? " I asked looking up.

" That residence plan we were working on, the client asked for sample plans three days ago. You were in Theni , I sent the plans to him. " Hari said.

" So, what? " I asked.

" But after he got the plan, he just disappeared. I have been trying to call him, his number is switched off. I called his friends, and they are saying, he has vanished.

I know you are coming to office after your engagement only today. I don't know what to do" Hari said.

" He was supposed to pay 16,000! How can you do the same mistake again Hari! " I shouted.

" I am really sorry, he said he would pay within a day. I trusted him. I didn't expect him to vanish! " Hari said defending himself.

" You know what, we all are losers. You, me, him. We all are just not right for this firm. " I said standing up.

" I will compensate for the loss, even if I have to pay from my salary! I will do it! " Hari said.

" You and karthik have some other business supporting you. That's why you are being careless here!, You have everything settled.But I am stuck with only this firm! You both are just being here for the sake of it! I don't need your sorry ass here! " I shouted.

" We are here, for two years, damn it. We are learning with you. Understand that. And stop putting the blame on someone else! " Karthik shouted and left the office.

" You were right, we were being here only for you. And you have shown me nice respect for that! I swear,ill never step into this office again. Enjoy your wonderful firm! " Hari said and started packing his bag.

" Fine! Don't come in again! " I said.

Hari left the office behind karthik.

I sat alone and started regretting my words instantly. The loneliness started dooming on me. I was a mess.

With all the loan problem in my head, I didn't know how to tackle everything.

The pune silently walked in. He was a 60 year old man, who cleans and takes care of the office.

" Is everything alright Sir? , I heard you shouting " He said.

" Uncle, please start seeing for another job. I don't know when this office will be shut down" I said looking at him.

" The energy you all had when this office was started, was so much. Most people start with high energy, but only some can keep up the energy. Mark my words, your talent will be appreciated. Just wait patiently " He said.

" Thanks Uncle. I have waited long enough. Nothing is going right here. No Angel is going to jump in here to save me. " I said laughing.

" Who knows, an Angel might just be standing outside your office, waiting for you to invite her in. " He said laughing.

I shook my head and went back to the work on my desktop. I sent message to Hari and Karthik, that I was worried too much about the loan and I vented out my stress on them. Both of them didn't respond.

Close to Afternoon, my brother called me.

" Hello Shiva! " Rajiv said.

"How is your wife now? Is she alright? Are you back to your apartment? " I asked.

" Everything is fine. But, what is going on there? " He asked in a serious tone.

" Here, everything is as it was before " I said.

" You piece of shit! You lied to me. When Amma and Appa came here, they made jokes on your office! What the hell are you doing! " He shouted.

" I didn't feel like telling you. I know that I am a joke material to everyone now. " I said.

" Listen to me Shiva, when I saw you after four years, you told to my face that I was responsible for your suffering. I know I am. Let me help you" He said.

" No Rajiv, I don't need it" I said.

" I am done with your shit. You are going to do as exactly I tell you to do , if you don't I won't be your brother anymore" He said.

" Okay, I don't know why everyone is so into blackmailing me. " I said.

" I am going to pay back that loan that you took. And don't start your lamenting on you don't need money and shit. I am investing in your firm. You can put 50% shares on my name. Do you get it? " He asked.

" You can't be serious. My firm is running in loss, I don't think I would ever be able to pay you back. " I said.

" To make sure that you don't fuck up again, I am going to send someone I trust there. That person is completely eligible to help you. And you are going to take them into your office without a word. You get me? " He said threatening me.

" But who would jump into this sinking ship? " I asked laughing.

" Someone who knows how to get the ship back to it's float and someone who also knows to help you swim out if it sinks" He said.

" Thanks for your help Rajiv. I feel really grateful. I really hope I would be able to pay you back soon. " I said.

" Remember what I said" Rajiv said and cut the call.

Within an hour, he transferred nearly 4 lakhs to my account. I tried calling Hari and Karthik, but both of them didn't respond. I decided to give them some time and space.

By lunch time, pune brought my lunch to the table. I sat alone and started eating.

" Uncle, can one person change the fate of someone else? , can one person save this office? " I asked him.

" Sir, one person can do anything. " He said.

" But I really doubt it " I said.

" You were the person who asked for an angel to jump in here to save you, but why won't you trust the angel now? " He asked smiling.