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VIVEK
Vivek took his phone from the table and tapped on Arjun’s name.
“Hello, Vivek,” Arjun answered. “How are you?”
“I am all right.” Vivek paused for a moment. “Can you spare a couple of hours with me?”
“Why not?” Arjun sounded curious.
“I told you already, we will search for a location to set up my business.” Vivek tried to maintain his voice low.
“When are you planning to do it?”
“Can we go now?” Vivek said. “I don’t want to delay anymore.”
“Okay, you can stop at my place. Have you decided where we are going first?”
“We’ll discuss it when I see you. I’m leaving now.” Vivek ended the call.
Vivek had wanted to meet Arjun’s parents and his wife. He had met them on his wedding day; he couldn’t attend the cradle ceremony of Arjun’s son because he’d been busy at work.
He picked a light grey pants and a pale green checkered shirt from the closet and put them on. He combed his soft and neatly cut hair and made sure everything was perfect.
He went to his mother’s room. She was flipping through the pages of a women’s magazine. Her pale green Mysore silk sari glistened in the sunlight.
Vivek approached her. “Amma, Good afternoon.”
“Good afternoon, Beta.” She turned to him, placing the magazine on the table.
“I’m going out with Arjun.” Vivek parted his lips. “We need to find a suitable location for my business.”
Prabha stared at him with a look of admiration. “Make sure you select a proper place. It should be close to the college students and well within the city.” She leaned in. “Are you taking your uncle with you?”
Vivek didn’t want to trouble his uncle. Pankaj had already helped him in many ways. He nodded, not to disappoint his mother. He silently walked out of his home.
He drove his car into the heavy afternoon traffic. Many vehicles – cars, buses, and motorbikes – obstructed the flow and Vivek struggled to cross the intersection. He parked his car outside Arjun’s home.
Arjun’s parents were seated on the sofa; he sat on a wooden chair; Vivek made himself comfortable on a smaller couch.
Arjun’s father cleared his throat. “Arjun said you are planning to settle here.” He raised his glasses, encased in a brown frame.
“Yes, Uncle. I should live here for my mother’s sake.” Vivek swallowed.
“Is she all right now?” Arjun’s mother asked. “I’m very sorry to hear about her ailment
“Yes.” Arjun smiled. “She is recuperating.”
Arjun’s wife entered from the dining room, carrying a tray with cups. His son followed her, clung to her nightdress. Her pregnancy was quite visible as her belly bulged. She gave the coffee cups to all.
“Hey, cutie.” Vivek grabbed the kid and sat him on his lap. The child wiggled on his leg, trying to get free from his arms.
Vivek gave him a chocolate. “Do you like it?”
The boy nodded; he jumped on the floor and went to his mother.
They exchanged some small talk, sipping their drinks. The aroma of hot coffee permeated the air.
“It’s getting late,” Vivek said and rose. “Let’s go.” He led Arjun towards his car. He opened the passenger door and motioned Arjun to sit. “Where are we going?”
“First, we’ll go to our Engineering College,” Arjun said. “I have noticed a new shopping complex being built there. We may find a place there. ”
“Sure,” Vivek steered his car and headed down the main street.
“Why didn’t you invite Pankaj uncle?” Arjun asked.
“Well, I don’t want to disturb him. He has his own responsibilities.” Vivek steered towards the right. “We’ll meet him after we finalize the location.”
“That makes sense,” Arjun gave a crisp nod.
It took twenty minutes to arrive at the college. Vivek parked his car beside the street.
“That’s the building being constructed,” Arjun said, looking at the half-constructed building.
Vivek stared at the partially completed shopping complex. The place was located opposite their college and in the center of the town. It was near to his home too. Vivek felt lucky to have his business setup there.
He entered the building and looked around to see if anyone was available. Vivek’s glance shifted to a fair person seated on a metallic chair. He looked serious in his navy blue coat and blue pants. Two laborers in their soiled clothes sat in front of him.
The fair man in the suit introduced himself as the owner of the complex. Vivek and Arjun shook hands with him.
The owner motioned Vivek and Arjun to sit on the chairs in front of him.
After they introduced themselves, Vivek told the mall owner about his interest in renting a place for his business. The owner took them to a particular place that suited for the venture. Vivek and Arjun decided to rent it. Vivek gave the owner some token advance and reserved the place. He told him to get the shop glass partitioned according to an architect’s plan. He negotiated the monthly rent because he liked the place. The place will surely attract the students as it stood opposite the Engineering College.
Vivek drove his car back to his uncle’s place and updated him about his visit to the shopping complex. Pankaj discussed if space was sufficient, and then approved to rent the place.
Vivek thought of opening the center during the Deepavali festival - an auspicious day. He’d invite his classmates over the email and go talk to those who’d stayed in the town, along with Arjun.
On an inaugural day, Prabha’s face lit with a smile. The invitees gathered in Vivek’s institution. The entire place was decorated with balloons and colorful papers. The bright fluorescent lamps lit the place and the surroundings were filled with guests’ muffled conversations. The men and women, clad in their suits and saris, had snacks soon after performing Pooja to Goddess Saraswati in a classroom.
The invitees congratulated Vivek and his mother. They praised his decision to settle in the town and care for his mother.
After the invitees left, Vivek sat in the visitor’s lounge, along with his mother, Pankaj, and Arjun.
“Everything went according to plan,” Vivek said, smiling.
“I am glad to see the opening ceremony with all this decoration and invitees,” Prabha said.
Vivek crossed his arms with content for his mother was cheerful. Her health had improved in the last month because he took well care of her. Even though she spoke less, her encouragement always motivated Vivek to do the job better. Her suggestion about how to handle the financial matter was helpful to him.
Vivek looked forward to hiring an instructor and a receptionist to work for his institution.