Half Way in Love (Chapter 13)

Dev, got up from sleep with a start. Although air conditioner was on, he was sweating. He looked at the clock. 2 A.M. still four more hours to receive first sunlight.

Yesterday was the peak of his life. The launch of Emeralad Mall. He had nothing more to achieve in life now. For the 20 year old labourer kid, who got slapped in the dingy office room, he had come a long way.

Of all his ventures, this was the most taxing one. Lots of brains went into it. Lots of designs and lots of funds.

And finally, the mall was launched. And by the feel of it, it was going to be a big money spinner.

Since he arrived in Kerala four years before, he had been toiling hard for getting this online. He had other villa projects too, going on simultaneously. But nothing was bigger and prestigious than this one.

Today, though he lost his sleep, he felt relieved. He walked out from his bedroom to balcony. There was considerable traffic through National Highway, even at this hour. He sat there, watching in silence for some time.

Where will be Sukanya now? It was quite some time since he talked to Sukanya. Initially, she used to call daily. Slowly, as Dev got busier, the calls got rarer. And for the past one year, he realised with a shock, he had not talked to Sukanya. Can he call her now?

Today, here he was; Dev of today. Standing tall in life. All because of her. All because, she made him to think beyond his means. At this time of night, sitting peaceful, and free. Can he call her?

He fumbled with phone for few minutes. Something held him back. He didn't dial.

He went back to sleep.

Next day, his first stop was the mall. He got in just before the opening hours. He wanted to be among the crowds, un noticed. He wanted to walk among them through the length and breadth of the concrete garden he had made. He wanted to share their happiness, their excitement, and their feelings.

It was like the opening day. Crowd poured in. They thronged each and every store. The efforts he had taken, building it from scratch, getting the dealers, and store operators. The entertainment zone cost crores. But never mind. The customers and kids were having a ball.

He walked among the crowd, slowly, taking in the scenes. His employees, on recognising him, wished from distances. He kept smiling back.

The thing that was taking most of his efforts and time was now done. It was now time for him to sit back and relax.

He walked to his cabin on the third floor.

Devanarayan. Chairman and Managing Director. The name board proudly announced.

He walked into his plush office.

Vasudev, his friend, driver and personal assistant, was waiting on the settee. He stood up on seeing Dev.

" Vasu, please sit."

He told Vasu, while settling down on his chair. "Where is Baby bro?" He asked, with a smile.

Vasu smiled. "He must be here any time. Yesterday, after everything, he boozed like anything." Vasu started laughing.

Dev smiled too. Let them have an off day mood. They all worked like hell for this Mall. It was time to unwind, for them too.

"Vasu, once Baby bro comes, we will go to our kallekkad site. High time, we start focusing on our villa projects again. We all were too much behind this Mall. I feel, things are going loose at that end."

"Don't worry sir. I was in touch with Manoj, all the time. He is taking care of it well. And we are expecting to get clearance for the project by today. He is in touch with Pirayiri Panchayath."

And some one opened the door.

It was Baby. Dev's face widened in a smile.

"Come in Baby bro. Hope your feet can feel the earth" he laughed.

Baby cut a shy smile. For his age, he was too shy, especially when someone commented on his drinking sessions.

Vasu was laughing too.

Baby came and sat opposite to Dev.

"Dev brother, hope everything is going well here. Hope there is no hiccups." Baby asked.

Baby, although he drank hard, was very meticulous in works. He came into his projects as a part time plumber and electrician. Now he has become an invariable part of Dev's inner circle. He went with Dev, wherever he went.

Just then, Vasu's phone rang.

"Manoj", he said looking at the flashing name on his screen. He attended the call.

His face lit up. He cut the call.

"The high court order did the job. We got the development permit." He smiled at Dev.

Dev looked up in prayers. And then looked at both Baby and Vasu with a smile. Crores of his money was locked in that land at Kallekkad. He has been waiting to hear this for months now.

"Not a bad day Vasu. Come let us go to kallekkad."

With that, Dev walked out. Baby and Vasu followed him.

Cont --Chapter 14