HALF WAY IN LOVE (CHAPTER 7)
Chapter 7
It was the commercial branch of the State Bank.
"Are you ok? Where are you taking me?"
Dev kept his voice low. He was first time into a bank. The glass cabins, formally dressed employees and crowded banking hall gave him some kind of nervousness.
She turned to him and rolled her eyes in a sweet, admonishing way, keeping one hand on her hips. He understood what it meant.
He shut up.
She walked straight to Branch Manager's cabin.
Dev could see a man in early fifties, sweating even in the air-conditioned room, and typing furiously at the key board.
She looked into the cabin through the half glass door, and waved at him.
"What is she into..? " Dev wondered. But he didn't dare to ask her.
On seeing her, the Manager got up from his table with a smile, and pulled open the door for them.
"Hi, uncle. Hope you are not busy. Troubling you anyway. Hope Lakshmi told you I was coming."
She went on at a speed, most of the sports cars would fail.
" Yes, she told me. Come sit Sukanya. And you too Dev."
Dev looked at him with a how do you know question in his eyes.
"I know you Dev. Lakshmi had told me about you."
"But not wise to bunk your classes."
He continued turning to Sukanya now.
"You could have come after your college too".
Probably her classmate’s father. Dev looked at his name board on the table.
Ananthanarayanan, Chief Manager.
He seemed a reasonable guy altogether.
Sakthi's face flashed in his mind for a second. Two extremes of human race. He got that burning sensation again.
Now, assuming the business like posture, Chief Manager asked Sukanya.
"So you are saying he wants to start a business. And you want me to finance his business. Is that right dear?"
" Yes uncle"
Dev now looked at her with disbelief. What is going on. Business, me? When did I tell her?
Over the corner of her eyes, Sukanya watched him asking questions to her. She stopped him once again with that trademark rolling of her eyes.
Dev kept quiet again.
"What business is he going to do? Or rather, you want him to do?"
He again asked, with a smile.
Experience does make one wise. He did all the talking to Sukanya. He knew she was taking the lead.
Dev prayed god, the manager won't ask him anything.
"Uncle, he will do sub works for hosiery export companies. I have talked to few guys there.
They are ready to help him. Please uncle, you provide him the loan, to start off with. Like, the stitching machines, the tables, chairs for employees, and you know what all. "
She was indeed an heir to the business family she belonged to. Dev, kept looking at her, as she kept on talking to the manager, with loving animations of her hands.
Dev, noticed now, she was beautiful.
And when she was over with the Manager, she had left him no choice. He could not doubt her business acumen. It ran in the family.
All the family business, of Sukanya, operated their banking transactions through this branch. She was a known face, even before Lakshmi became her class mate.
He gave her a checklist, a list of documents required, for sanctioning of the loan.
"Minimum documents required dear".
He answered her ‘now what uncle?’ look.
"We have to satisfy the auditors. The business part, I will take the risk. It is on me. Don't worry about it Sukanya dear. Dev will start his own company. But guide him. Without you, he will be lost."
She looked at Dev sweetly, pampering him with her eyes.
Dev felt shy. He couldn't meet her eyes and tuned his face slightly away. She was smiling.
She picked up the checklist from the table and pinged Dev to get up.
" Thank you sir". Dev folded his arms in namaste. And smiled at him in gratitude.
He just wanted to thank him. Though, he half understood the whole drama.
Here is a man who is willing to help him. He understood that part.
" Thank you uncle, and see you again with documents. "
Sukanya smiled at him, and walked to the door.
Dev followed her.
"I am hungry", she said, walking towards the nearby bakery.
They sat opposite each other with a cup of tea.
"You want something else?"
She asked while munching her cheese buns. Dev said no.
He continued looking at her, with amusement. Sukanya saw him eyeing her even while she kept sipping her tea. A faint smile appeared on her face.
Girls have two eyes and multiple visions!!
"Why are you doing all this for me, Sukanya. Does your father know?"
"Don't care much about that Dev. You finish your tea. Have to call too many people to get your things done."
"And go home safely," She continued with a mischievous tone;
"don't get groped by local girls on your way home."
She laughed, covering her mouth. She looked cute.
And she started her scooty.
"You know Dev, why I am concerned about you?"
She asked in a low voice now.
Her eyes were moist.
"I didn't like what my father did to you yesterday. In fact I don't like many things that he does. I felt sorry for you."
"And one more thing Dev. I love your father. Probably, I like him more than my dad. He was my Mr. Dependable ever since I was a kid. He took care of me, he dropped me school every day, brought my meals, took care of my needs. I don't want him to get hurt. "
"And.." she drew on..
"From what I heard about you from your father, you are not bad too."
She rubbed her eyeliner done eyes.
"And go home Young Turk. We have works to do starting tomorrow. And find a name for your company.”
She giggled.
One last look at him, and she slid away.
Dev, kept looking at her receding figure, till she turned a corner and was gone.
He walked towards the bus stand to catch a bus back. Only now he realised how hot the sun was.
"I should not disappoint this girl. For all that she is doing for me, I must not disappoint her."
And he had made up his mind by the time he reached his bus stop. Challenge accepted, @ Sukanya.
