Chapter -8
The Waseers…
It's 11:30 AM, and we all gathered at
CEO`s Office wishing each other, Mr. Rahul came up with a surprising issue, as
he had a conversation with Mr. X in Delhi, stating that they have the offer
already on their plate. It is not so easy
to grab their plate as something big is involved.
I asked, “Mr. Rahul, did you find
out about the offer?”
He said, “It been hard but tried,
it`s Five %” of the bid.”
Yash gasped, “OMG! That’s too
much Money.”
Aravindh said, “Generally it ends
at three, but this went too high, something odd.”
Yash asked, “Rahul is the source
true & authentic? Can we trust him- blindly?”
I said, “There is no room for any
Trust in the money business, just guts & instincts and it works for me.”
Rahul Said, “Yes, I checked with
some front-end sources as well”
“Then?” I stopped.
“Then what?” Yash pushed the
files before him.
“Then we need to persuade him,” I
said.
Aravindh said, “Not so simple Lekha”
“Yes it`s not, but we are moving
it with a Better Deal.”
“What Better Deal?”
“We are offering eight %,” I
said.
“What!” All of them yelled at me
once. I hear.
“Guys, Just Calm down, we have
some margin left while quoting, and we are going to make use of that now, and
this is phase one, two more phases to be called. So we play cards for the
rest of the two biddings as well. But this has to be done only in person.” I
added.
“Means?” Rahul asked.
“We are not doing any
recorded deal with Mr. X, it`s by meeting him in person and closing very
quietly, and the percentage will be delivered once the confirmation of payments,” I
told him.
“So, Rahul please message him to
arrange a meeting discreetly and let us know the details by evening” Aravindh
ordered.
Its 1:30 PM, we dispersed for
lunch, and gathered by 3:00 PM, Rahul was finally able to arrange a meeting with Mr.
X in the hotel Marriot Delhi. Time 5:30 PM two days from now.
Yash told, “So we are offering
them eight percent and pushing the file for clearance along with the next two
biddings, so that`s our ask, Ms. Lekha?”
“Certainly yes,” I replied.
Aravindh doubted, “Folks! Are we
being played here?”
“Then set me in, I will do small homework on this, and settle,” I said.
“How?” Aravindh asked.
“I and Mr. Rahul would like to approach MR. X,
in person, and let things confirm that were we being played or positive.”
Aravindh abruptly said “Nope! You
are not on the field, and that is not what you are here for.”
“I agree why I am here, but the game changes on
demand, and trust me I can assure you a confident report on the ground and make
this happen. With most of the contacts and private sources.” I asked.
“Sorry Ms. Lekha, Rahul, please
confirm the meeting, with Mr. X, you and I were moving tomorrow evening,
Ms.Lekha please arrange the itinerary,” said Aravindh
Yash and Rahul seem okay with my
proposal but Mr. CEO shows no interest and closed the meeting. They both left the room, I and Aravindh sitting opposite working.
“You may leave.” He said.
“Aravindh please think, we badly
need this opportunity, to construct the Ray Infra back, I agree I lost your
trust, but not on the work side. I am truly good at my job, believe me, and set me
in this.” I request.
“Ms. Lekha, it would be better if
you stay on the verge. Your part of the job is done. Decisions are above your
grade, better you back off and have no more discussion on this. Thank you and you
may leave for now.” He firmly said.
“I know how to turn you, Aravindh,” I said and left.
Its 4:30 PM I came back to my
chair and settled my things and asked Preethi to call Venkat for pickup.
Told Preethi, “If I am asked by
the boss, tell him I am sick and see him tomorrow morning.”
“Okay Madam” She is jittery by my
move.
I reached the car and we drove to my flat.
After the car left, I booked a cab and drove to the place where I wanted.
The next day morning it was 10:30
AM, and I see Rahul & Yash jogging to CEO`s Office, I told Preethi to check
& inform him about the Delhi flights for the evening, two Tickets, for Mr.CEO &
Mr. Rahul. And accommodation for two in Hotel, Le Meridien, New Delhi. Preethi is on her job right away, I hear the
intercom buzzing, and I was called inside for the meeting.
I walked inside, and observed a radio
silence in the room; I asked “what happened?”
Rahul turned and told, “Mr. X is
out of the game and he is not responding to the calls.”
“So what’s next?” I asked.
“We are approaching some other
channels, do you have any?” Yash asked.
“Actually I have one but,” I
said.
“But what?” Aravindh Curious.
“But only if I deal” I shrugged.
“What? Come on Lekha, not a fun
time.” Mr.CEO said.
“Nope Mr. CEO, The only Leverage
to be in this game,” I said.
“Then, I knew a firm which makes this kind of
deal, like off- the record so coolly, but they charge us high & at a stretch
irrespective of the deal.”
“That’s fine if it works, you can deal on your
own, but who it is we are dealing with? Yash asked.
“It’s Waseer`s,” I said.
“What? The Waseer`s & Co”,
Aravindh & Yash Yelled.
“Yup!” I shrugged.
“Man, that`s big, and we can
assume we have a deal,” Yash said.
Aravindh went frozen; yes I caught them they
are the big fish in this line of business. So I am confident.
“If you are okay I can make some
calls & fix the meeting ASAP,” I said.
Rahul said, “Alright…. please
inform us once the meeting is fixed.”
11:15 AM, I went back to the office and said,
meeting fixed, with the firm, 11:30 AM two days from now. I and Rahul were
assigned to go to Delhi & Meet our new friends. Our flight tickets and
accommodation particulars are prepared by the evening, here`s the schedule, the next
day morning, the flight to Delhi, stay in the hotel, courtyard by Marriott Gurugram Downtown.
Two deluxe rooms were booked, as Ray group has corporate with Marriott.
6:30 PM Intercom buzz! received a call from the CEO to meet him. I am expecting, of course, to go to his cabin. He is
sitting relaxed on the couch and asked me to sit with him. I sat a little far from
him but comfortable.
He asked, “What`s Going on
Lekha?”
I Pretended, “What`s Going on?”
“Why don`t you be honest with me,
It`s you, I know, that Mr. X is out
and Waseer`s is in? Did I underestimate you?” He asked.
“Yes I agree, you could have
trusted me a little more, and you have no clue, what I am capable of Aravindh,” I
told.
“So, You are holding something, what
are you hiding from me & why are you here? Lekha?” He questioned.
“What are you talking about Aravindh, I
came to work & doing it well with conscious,” I replied.
“Okay, and then let me know how well
you know The Waseer& Co.” He asked.
“Is it that Important to know
Aravindh? I asked.
“Yes, It is.”
“Then Listen, I have already
worked with them twice, of course, privately & I have some friends with
common interests.” I partly lied.
“What Common Interest, Lekha?”
“Aravindh enough, stop doubting
me, we need the job to be done & it will be done.” I stood to leave.
“Lekha just Remember, one mistake
I am going to sway you” he warned.
I smiled & said, “Done.”
The next day we both left for
Delhi and I had a decent meeting with the firm of course, the deal went well
on our terms. And within a couple of days, we both were back in the office.
It's Monday 12:00 PM, Received a
mail from the CEO.
E-mail: 12:00 PM.
To: Assistanttoceo@raygroup.com
Sub: Welcome to Presentation Visits.
Dear Ms. Lekha
Congratulations! We were been called for Presentation visits from
the coming month onwards. Please read the annexure and follow as said, I have
informed the team, and will have a meeting tomorrow in the first hour.
Thank you
Mr. CEO. Ray Group.
