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VIVEK
After meeting a couple of owners of existing computer centers, Vivek suggested his uncle and Arjun join him at his home. “Let’s tell Mum about our meeting with Ravi and others. She will be eager to know the details.” He drove home.
He led them to the patio and rang the doorbell. His mother opened the door for him; she appeared rather charmless in her white sari with a yellow border; her fair complexion glittered in the sunlight.
“Hi, Mum.” Vivek’s chest lightened.
Prabha smiled. She backed away to let them inside. “How was your visit?”
“It was good,” Pankaj said. “We gathered the required information.”
They all made themselves comfortable on the sofas.
“The only concern we have now is how to arrange funds,” Vivek said.
“How much money is required?” Prabha raised her eyebrows.
Vivek’s heart sank. He didn’t want to burden his mother for financial help. He needed to invest the money out of his savings and avail a bank loan if needed.
“Mum, you don’t need to worry about it,” Vivek said. “I have saved some money from my salary and I’ll invest it.”
“Vivek, is it not my duty to help you? Don’t hesitate to ask if you need any financial support.” She shifted her gaze to Vivek’s uncle, and then back to Vivek. “You must consider me as a member of your business venture. I’m eager to know all the happenings associated with your career.”
“Okay, Mum. It’s a pleasure to have you on my team.” Vivek looked up at his uncle. “Ravi told me he has invested around seven to eight lakhs. If we want to make our venture more sophisticated with additional classrooms and instructors, we require about ten to twelve lakhs.” He looked at Arjun. “What do you say, Arjun?”
“I agree if you’re going to set up a larger institution than Ravi’s,” Arjun said.
“Let’s discuss the matter over a cup of coffee.” Vivek’s mother went and came back with a tray containing cups of coffee. The aroma of hot beverage wafted in the air.
“Before we come to a final conclusion about the money required, we should consult a civil engineer,” Vivek’s uncle said. “We need to get an accurate estimate of the project.”
“Do you know any engineers?” Vivek asked.
“I know a few who are my Dad’s friends,” Arjun said, his eyes wide. “I can make an appointment if you want to meet one of them.”
Vivek nodded. “I should.”
He had around five lakhs rupees in savings. “What are the other options to get the money? Ravi said he got a loan from a bank.”
“You too can think of it,” Pankaj said. “There is a gold loan scheme as you might call it. And if you have a fixed deposit with the banker, you get yourself off it without liquidating.”
“Vivek,” Prabha said. “I’ve some gold jewelry. You can use it as I no longer need them.”
“No, Mum.” Vivek tightened his fists. “I don’t want to use any of your savings or ornaments which Dad had given you.” He drew in a heavy breath. “I have my savings and the remaining amount I’ll find it in some other way.”
“Vivek,” Arjun said. “I am sure you have an insurance policy, do you?”
“Yes, I have a couple of them.”
“You can get the loan with them. I recently took out a loan on my policy for my son’s school donation.”
Vivek was not convinced about what Arjun had said. “How about we visit a nationalized bank?” He shifted his gaze to Pankaj. “Uncle, shall we go to your banker? We can get to know more information.”
His uncle nodded. “That’s a better suggestion. We’ll know the types of loans they offer. Let’s go and meet the bank manager, whom I know well.”
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VIVEK PARKED HIS CAR in front of the bank. He hoped he would get the required loan with the help of his Uncle. He would avoid asking his Mom to handover her precious jewelry.
The bank manager, in his blue-striped tie, sat in his glass office. Pankaj led them inside the cabin.
They made themselves comfortable on chairs. Vivek’s uncle introduced Vivek and Arjun. After an informal talk, they sat in silence for a few seconds.
“Vivek is planning to start a new business,” Pankaj said. “We are here to know how your bank could help him financially.”
The manager mentioned the different types of loans and suggested Vivek get a business loan.
Vivek found the interest rates too high and decided to seek his mother’s help.
The manager told Pankaj to get a loan out of his fixed deposit and lend the money to Vivek.
Vivek was sure his uncle would agree to it.
His uncle shifted his gaze to the floor. He knotted his brows and seemed not interested in handing over his instrument. He remained silent for a few moments then said, “I don’t have any other savings other than this.” He looked at the manager. “I need the money at any moment as my wife is suffering from an ailment.”
Vivek’s heart sank. He hadn’t anticipated his uncle would say this. Vivek needed to convince him. At times, his uncle had helped him without any expectations. “Uncle, I will be able to repay the loan amount in six to eight months. I’ve plans to make our venture successful.”
His uncle didn’t seem convinced. “I’m very sorry, Vivek. You already know your aunt is unwell. I need this money for medical emergencies.”
Vivek stared at the floor. His uncle was correct. He needed the money for any untoward incidents, and he might not have any other savings. Vivek didn’t like to plead further and he remained silent.
Arjun cautioned Vivek to take the office rent into account. It would be not less than seventy thousand rupees per month. So, it required eight to nine lakhs rupees to start his venture. It seemed a bit high, but Vivek was confident that he would earn his invested money back in six months.
The only option Vivek had now was to seek his mother’s help. He would speak with her about the fixed deposits and the jewelry she had with her.
On his way back home, Vivek dropped Arjun and Pankaj at their homes. Even though he was upset that none of them helped him, he remained outwardly calm. They gave him moral support if not financially.
Vivek’s mother opened the door for him. “How was your visit?”
“It was good. The bank manager explained the details about the loans.” Vivek unlaced his shoes.
Prabha sat back on the couch.
She stared at him with an eager look on her face.
“It’s better if I get a loan with the fixed deposit certificates.” He sat on the sofa beside her. “A gold loan is also one of the options we have.”
“I told you already you can use my jewelry. They will be of some use instead of keeping them at home.” She cleared her throat. “Do you want some coffee?”
“No. And thanks for helping me.” Vivek needed to talk the imperative.
“You take your uncle along with you when you carry the jewelry to the bank,” Prabha said.
“Mum.” Vivek made steady eye contact.
“Tell me.” She looked questioningly at him.
“I’m sorry if I’ve hurt your feelings.”
“Why do you think so?”
“I’m using your jewelry for my personal gain,” Vivek paused. “I hope you are not disappointed about having to lend them to me.”
“I wouldn’t give them to you if I wanted them,” Prabha said. “I told you already that I’m not wearing them anymore.”
She went inside her bedroom and came out with a black leather bag. She handed the bag to Vivek. “These are the items.”
Vivek opened the purse and glanced at its contents. There were enough gold jewelry and a few certificates of deposits. Altogether, Vivek estimated he would get around five to seven lakhs rupees, enough to fund the business.
“Thank you, Mum.” He smiled. “I am sure I’ll be successful in my venture with your blessings.”
“You can count on me for any kind of help.” A teardrop rolled down her cheek.
Vivek’s mother often became emotional and she was too concerned about his future. She seemed worried about his marriage; his successful execution of the new venture seemed concerned her.
Vivek must work hard to become successful. He mustn’t let his mother and loved ones down.
Vivek called his uncle and Arjun and told them he would get enough funds out of the available securities.
He needed to find a suitable place to set up his center, and Arjun had offered his help in locating one.
He called Arjun.
“Arjun, we need to search for a place to start my business.”
“I know about a new shopping complex coming up near our engineering college.”
“Why don’t we go there and meet its owner. I hope the place is suitable.”
“I hope so too,” Arjun said.
“I’ll pick you up later this evening and we can both go.”
“Sure.”
Later that night, Vivek pondered over Arjun and his uncle’s apathy to help him financially even though they offered their moral support.
Arjun had been silent throughout their visit to the bank. He was from a well-to-do family and he could have helped Vivek. Are they not confident I will make a profit and return their money?
Perhaps, Arjun was unable to help because the money involved was too much. He had suggested getting a loan through an insurance policy. He’d offered his help to find a proper location to set up the business.
Vivek needed to set aside such negative thoughts and remain quiet to make his plan a success. They had earned their money by working hard; that might be the reason why they remained silent.
Vivek looked forward to going with Arjun to search for a suitable location for his business.