Half way in Love (Chapter 15)

World was just coming out of the first wave of Covid. Every single industry was hit badly. And so did Real estate. Deals were rare. People were scared to spend big. All were in some sort of confusion. When this will all stop? When this will all end?

Everyone put big decisions on hold.

No new cars, no new homes. Just pull on life, without getting infected. That was the general feeling everywhere.

Dev, knew the value of such a big deal now. It should not get spoiled just because of petty issues. That is why he himself volunteered. Not that he was having any kind of dull period. Still, it gave him a kind of kick that his projects were selling, when everyone else were laid off. Thanks to quality of his projects, location and value for money it offered to customers.

Vasu parked the car in the parking space at the backyard of the bank campus. The three walked to the entrance of the Loan processing center. In fact, it was a Centralised Processing center. It was the nerve center of credit activities of the bank in the district. Loan proposals came from branches located all over the district. These were scrutinised, legal opinions of title documents were taken, valuations were done, processed and sanctioned at the CPC. Documentations and disbursements were also done at the CPC. A proper loan hub of the bank.

Most of Dev's projects were approved by bank already, which meant no legal and valuations part for his clients. It was all done once and kept ready for all his customers.

Save this particular project, one unit of which was now being bought by Colonel Raghunath sir. It was a new project. The project had been submitted for bank's approval and was in process. Colonel couldn't wait that long. He had only few days leave left and wanted the registration to be done in that small window of time. So, separate legal and valuations were arranged for his plot and house.

These were all taken care of by Manoj and team in normal case. Dev never interfered in those things. And he didn't have time too. He was not a follower of micro management in any way. He liked to delegate and empower. Each person in his fold were each a business unit. Each of them was capable of taking decisions. And all of them were empowered to do so.

Today, he was unwinding. After the Mall inauguration, he felt light. He wanted to step out. He just wanted to loiter around, be with friends, and roam in sunlight. So he willingly took on the responsibility of handing over the documents at CPC. He clearly was having fun. He thought of meeting the Colonel and also Viswanath sir, who was the present AGM of CPC. He was feeling light and happy.

Security person recognised Dev, when he lowered his mask. Morning papers were full of the Emerald Mall and Dev. One had even done a half page on Dev.

He came running to Dev.

"Good morning sir. Anything sir?"

Dev smiled affably.

"Viswanath sir is in?" He asked him.

"He is out sir. Chief Manager is in. If anything you can meet him sir. Shall I take you in?"

"Thank you Ram sir", Dev said, reading name from his name tally. "Nothing much. One of my customer is in, doing documentation. I just wanted to take few papers to him. May I go in?"

"Of course sir"

And he got Dev's signature and details in Visitors register.

Security person was baffled. Morning papers were singing saga of this young man, and here he was, carrying some papers himself. He would have loved to picturise Dev in khaki shorts and fancy shirt, vacationing in Maldives. May be with his private jet basking in sunlight in the background. He had seen it in films. Big bosses and travels. They never worked, did they? He kept thinking about Dev. Success gets others think about you, even in your absence.

Dev and Vasu walked in. Baby chose to stay outside. He may wish to take a puff. Dev guessed. So he allowed him to stay back.

It was a different world altogether, which presented before them, as they opened the main door. The banking hall had around thirty counters to the right, in which officers were all bent on their own files. Each one handled a particular part in the journey of a loan file. Some did processing, some did sanctioning, some did coordination and some did hard recoveries of bad loans. He was once briefed by Viswanath sir, about the process flow. It was before two years, when he had come with a customer.

He looked into AGM's cabin. It was empty. He was out. Lights in his cabin, punctually switched off. A man with extra-terrestrial capability levels. That was Viswanath sir. And an AGM rank for him at this young age was not all surprising to Dev.

Now he looked towards Documentation table. He could see the Colonel and his wife, appending their signatures, on a pile of papers, bent and too absorbed on the papers they were signing. They didn't notice Dev entering or the world around them working like humanoids.

Dev could not see the officer sitting opposite to Mr and Mrs Colonel, who was taking their documentation. A pillar blocked his view.

And, slowly, he could make out a hand, turning pages of the documents set.

Very fair, and beautiful. A lady officer. The smart watch on her hand in direct contrast to her skin colour, shouting out loud, how fair she was. Dev started walking towards them. Vasu, followed in silence.

Now, she started coming into Dev's view.

First, her hair, cut into layers, and kept open. Flowing beautifully over her shoulders.

Then her eye lashes. Dev had never seen such big eye lashes.

And her eyes. And she was smiling beautifully, talking something to Colonel.

Thank god, she chose not wear a mask. Or maybe she kept aside it for that moment. Wearing a mask all day, from morning till night, was a difficult option. You tend to re fix it all time, pulling it here there and everywhere. Whatever, she didn’t wear one that time. Dev was only too happy about that.

Dev had her full view now, from where he had reached.

She was wearing a lime yellow top, and a light blue jeans. The dress lifted up her poise and grace manifolds.

Dev realized now, she was really beautiful. Somehow, for the first time after many years, his legs felt light, with nervousness. He didn't know why.

He slowly approached them. Unconsciously staring at her.

Her name card was on the table.

Revathy. Deputy Manager.

And now she lifted up her head only to find Dev, staring.

How gracefully girls take in, when some one stares at them. That abnormality is usual to them may be. They were trained to buy it. A kind of AI. Acquire it as you grow up as a girl.

She cut her smile midway, and looked at Dev with questioning glances. Dev felt butterflies fluttering in his stomach.

"Yes?"

She asked. A drawing, sweet voice.

Dev forgot what he was. Or why he came here at all.

Colonel, surprisingly didn't see him either. He was signing it with a perfection and focus of picking up mines in a battle field. Steady and unwavering.

" Wanted to handover some documents" All that Dev could stammer out was this.

Without head or tail!

" Please go and wait there, let me finish with these people. Will call you" she said, surprisingly with a stern voice for her graceful outlook.

“But..” Dev tried to explain.

“Please wait” Her voice was now more stern. She pointed at the empty chairs.

Vasu made an angry movement from behind. He could never take an insult to Dev.

Dev stopped him, holding his hand. Thankfully, she didn't notice his movement. Dev didn't want to spoil the show.

With a faint smile, and a slight movement of head to say yes, he turned to take seat for the waiting customers. It was just in front of AGM's cabin.

"What sir? You mean to say she didn't recognise you? She don't read newspapers?" Vasu was flaring up.

Dev smiled at him.

"She may not have Vasu. And certainly, not with my mask on. And just sit back and enjoy the fun. Long time, since I have been kept waiting in a lounge. Let us bask in glory."

The documentation went on for some time more. Colonel was now seen taking up phone and dialing Manoj. He was angry that the documents were not given to him still.

"No mistake sir. Dev sir himself carried it there. He must be there only"

Manoj was heard saying over the mobile speaker.

Colonel was now seen throwing searching glances all over. And he now turned sharp enough to look directly behind him.

His face lighted up instantly.

"Mr. Dev..." He stood up and came to him. Dev too stood up from his chair.

"Why all this trouble of carrying it yourself Dev? I feel bad that I made you to do it. " Colonel apologized.

"No problem Colonel sir. I wished to see you also. And today I am free. So there are no issues as such. Manoj alerted me in time. I came in long back." Dev said, smiling.

He saw Revathy watching him now. She seemed to feel now that something was not right.

"Then why you were waiting Dev. "I feel very bad that you were waiting silently for me."

"No issue at all Colonel sir. I came to your side. You were busy signing. "

Now Revathy got up and came to them. Gracefully like a wave. She understood she had made some mistake in recognizing this person. Even Colonel sir was talking with respect to him.

"Sorry Colonel Sir. He came to me. I only told him to wait for some time. He came for you?"

Now Colonel turned to her.

"I wonder what you read in the mornings young lady. Don't you recognise Dev, Devanarayan, of Emerald Builders & Emerald Mall? Whole state is talking about him now"

Revathy froze on the spot. She understood now. His face had looked somewhat familiar to her. May be his mask betrayed her. Now she recognised him well.

"I am really sorry Dev sir, I didn’t recognise you." She said in a very apologetic tone.

"Not an issue madam. You were only doing your duty well."

Dev handed over the documents to her seemingly frozen hand.

"Ok Colonel Sir. Namaste madam." He wished both Mr & Mrs Colonel and then smiled at Revathy.

She was standing still, as if she had lost her ear balance.

Dev, now turned and walked out. Vasu, followed him, not entirely satisfied.

"What kind of young men, this country produce. He would have made a fine Service officer. A thorough gentleman."

The Colonel muttered proudly to Mrs. Colonel.

Revathy, stood there, head turning now. She felt immensely guilty.

cont Chapter 16.