A Mysterious 'She'...

Maheshwari Villa:

It was 12:45, marking a new day when she came back and the entire house was shrouded in darkness. She switched on the lights of the living room and was about to go upstairs to her room but stopped seeing her husband sitting quietly on the sofa.

“Ji.. Haven’t you slept yet?” Sakshi asked surprised.

“How many times I need to tell you to sleep on time. You don’t need to wait so late.” Even though she rebuked her husband, her lips stretched into a pleasant arc happy at his care for her.

But the smile on her lips soon disappeared at his question.

“Where were you?” He seemed quiet serious making her anxious.

Abhijeet carefully observed every expression of his wife. For the first time she lied to him and it left a bitter taste in his mouth.

“I told you that my friend needed money didn’t I?” The way she tried to avoid looking in his eyes did not go unnoticed by him.

She was lying.

“Where. Were. You. Sakshi?” He emphasised every word clearly.

He saw her flinching at his harsh tone and felt a sudden pang of regret in his heart. He himself do not want to talk to her like this but he know she would evade the question otherwise.

“I told you na, that my friend..” She whispered hesitantly.

“Really?” He grabbed her shoulders in anger cutting her mid sentence.

Sakshi was not able to see him treat her so coldly and her eyes brimmed with tears.

“SHE called me.” Figure of a woman flashed past Abhijeet’s eyes at her words and the tight hold on her shoulders loosened immediately.

Sakshi watched as her husband’s face turned pale as he realised whom was she referring to.

Both of them were worried over the same thing.

‘Does Sanskar know?’ They wondered to themselves afraid of the storm this answer could bring in their lives.

*********////////////

Maheshwari Industries :

Next day, the conference room of Maheshwari Industries was filled with investors and the high authority officials of the company.

Whispers filled around the room as everyone tried to guess the reason behind this sudden meeting.

They were discussing among themselves when the door opened and Abhijeet Maheshwari walked in followed by his secretary and a stranger. The man seemed to be in his mid 20s, a handsome, well-built figure supporting a barely visible smile on his face.

Abhijeet nodded at everyone asking them to take a seat and was about to speak when his gaze landed at the empty chair beside his. At the same time Sanskar entered with his assistant and sat down calmly on his seat not bothering to greet anyone. His gaze remained on the young man sitting on the right of his father for a few seconds before looking away.

Abhijeet cleared his throat before speaking, “Everyone, thank you for coming at such a short notice. I’m pleased to inform you that the Maheshwari Industries is going to welcome a new board member.”

Though the officals were surprised at the sudden decision but none of them dared to interrupt.

“Please welcome my youngest son Laksh Maheshwari.”
At his proclamation the young man sitting beside Abhijeet nodded his head in greeting smiling warmly.

The investors stared at the father-son duo sitting in front of them. The two men indeed have similar physical features indicating their blood relationship.

Subconsciously they turned their gaze at the eldest son, the current CEO of Maheshwaris and Co., Sanskar Maheshwari.

They watched as he sat expressionless in his seat seeming indifferent to his surrounding.

“I’ve transferred some of my shares to my son, Laksh. From now on he holds 30% shares in the company.”

Gasps of surprise echoed around the room. Even Sanskar who till now seemed indifferent was left surprised for a moment.

Who does not know the value that shares holds in the company. As the acting chairman of Maheshwaris and Co, Abhijeet Maheshwari has 50% shares with him, Sanskar holds the other 40% while the remaining 10% shares are distributed among the other investors.

If Abhijeet gives 30% of his shares to Laksh then Sanskar and Laksh’s shares will only differ by 10%. If Laksh Maheswari can somehow get additional 10% shares wouldn’t he be able to challenge the position of Sanskar to compete for the position of CEO.

What is Abhijeet Maheshwari even thinking? Giving 30% of his shares to his youngest son who is a novice in the business field.

Who does not know how much hard work Sanskar put in to be able to sit on the chair of the CEO. And this decision of his father is like a slap on his face.
.
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After some time the meeting was finally adjourned and people started moving out. Laksh stood up hurriedly. After completing his masters in US he was finally back and was excited to meet his brother after so long.

“Bro” He called. But his bright eyes soon dimmed as he saw Sanskar walking out acting as if he didn’t hear him.

A Mysterious 'She'.....And Brothers At loggerheads