The fiasco

Eshan was a tall, smart and a brilliant Finance head. He had just joined “Prime Clothing” and was following Sara through the corridor. The AGM, Sara was directing him to his room.

“Good morning, Sir, this is your seat”, Sara said as they entered his cabin. More interested in the lovely green eyed Sara than his office, Eshan replied “And where is yours?......The cabin of course”. He could have done anything to put her seat besides him.

“My cabin is just to your right, Sir,” she replied, fully aware of her bosses blush and his fixed gaze on her back as she left the room.

The Finance head was to directly report to Jerry, elder of the two brothers who jointly ran the company. The brothers had lost their father four years ago and since then the brother’s had taken over. Jerry’s honesty and simplicity was known throughout the social circle. Nathan on the other hand was the younger sibling, so handsome so astonishingly attractive that people christened him the “Fatal Cassanova”.

Eshan knew the problems in his job. Several heads had been replaced in the last years. They had failed to show the income and expenditure facts that tallied with auditors. The mystery had only deepened in the last three years as the account glitches had brought a series of suspensions and a black mark on Nathan who was known for his spendthrift ways. It was suspected that he had manipulated the former financial heads and had swindled indiscriminately from the companies funds. Nathan was desperately trying hard to save his image and he knew that this time he would not be able to hold on to his post of Joint CEO, in case of any financial fiasco in the company’s returns. His debts had to paid off too. The board of directors included Mr Roger Vargis, their uncle who had a twenty five percent share in the company’s profit. His verdict would be upheld.

Jerry called Eshan to his room in the afternoon. As Eshan faced Jerry, Nathan stared out of the office window. “The auditors meet is this month end. I want the soft copy of the accounts on 23^rd. March”, Nathan quipped.

“Sir,“ said Eshan gravely and continued “I will not be giving the soft copy to either of you this time. If you trust me I continue else I am ready to quit”. There was a moment of silence after which Nathan exploded,” how dare you?”

Jerry tried to quiten his younger brother, put his hand on his shoulder and said “Fine, go ahead. We both are trusting you. My brother might lose his post if the board of directors do not vote in his favor. Be very careful with your accounts. In case our interests are not served I fire you”.

“Alright then, let me get back to work, with permission, I presume”, Eshan looked at Nathan as if waiting for his approval. Nathan stormed out of the room unable to hide his anger.

 Eshan returned to his cabin and called his team of ten diligent workers headed by Sara. He went through all reports handed over by all outlets throughout India. Sara supported him no end. Her diligence, loyalty and perseverance charmed him. The team members were adamant to put things right this time.

Two days before the auditors meet Eshan went to Sara’s cabin to show her the final outcome of the presentation when he saw Nathan bending over her in close proximity. He clutched his pen drive and returned to his office disturbed. He had grown attracted to Sara, her curls, her fire and ice persona and was unable to digest this proximity.

Not to be outdone yet, he went back again with his pen drive and knocked at the door. He was throwing a trap and was sure of the catch. Nathan had by this time moved away from Sara. Eshan handed over the data to Sara requested her to edit it just in case. He also asked her to load it on Monday before the meeting starts. Nathan was about to excuse himself but then Sara said, “Let’s have a get together today at my place?”

“Make it my place, Sara. Today is Saturday, half day. Eight would be fine and I have received my first salary,” Eshan smiled at her and added generously, he wanted to dig deeper into the bond between his boss and his junior. He was also anticipating Nathan would hand Sara the changed presentation to upload.

‘Alright then I will inform the team and will come early to help you Sir, “Sara smiled and left while the two gentlemen faced each other. “Already in love with her?” Nathan smiled wickedly at Eshan and chuckled . Eshan stared at Nathan and said “ What do you mean? How did you presume that?”

“Well , I have observed you a couple of times. You seem to be staring at her when no one’s watching”, Nathan grinned broadly.” So I have some competition. Good. Lets see whether she enjoys helping you or prefers my company today evening”.

Around six that evening, when the doorbell rang, Eshan was busy getting things ready for the evening's party. Wondering who had turned up so early, he grumpily went to the door. It was Nathan. "I'm here to help you," he said with a smile. "How much can you possibly do all by yourself." Holding forward a single rose that had a long, slender stalk, he bowed dramatically. "Congratulations. For now, you could stop being jealous," he sneered. Eshan knew that the emphatic 'all by yourself' was hardly intentional, but it bothered him.

The evening went on calmly. He could see sparks fly between Sara and Nathan. Yes, he had figured out the connection! It was definitely Sara and not the financial heads who had cheated the company. Two days later the D-day approached. The auditors took over the companies files and data and the final verdict was awaited with bated breath.

The miscalculations were imperceptible and seemed to have evaporated off. The auditors rechecked the company’s datasheets several times and then a clean chit was given, that vindicated Nathan from all charges. There had been no swindling of funds and profits were a record high. Jerry was impressed no doubt and before leaving told Eshan “Now you handle them till they leave, I am happy that Nathan is saved”. Surrounded by his team and visitors the finance head remained silent and decided to wait a bit before Jerry would know the real story.

 Eshan had given Nathan an opportunity to tamper with the data on Saturday and infact he had done so. He had seen Nathan put something in Sara’s purse with a wink. He had crosschecked Sara’s presentation before uploading the correct one. The data had been interfered with but Eshan with his astute grey matter had finally outwitted the malefactor and prevented the catastrophe.

The guests left at eight in the evening and directly headed to the airport. Sara seemed to have vanished in thin air. Nathan was in the office, his face radiant with the outcome. He hugged Eshan and asked him out for a drink. “Wait till you are paid for your corrupt ways,” Eshan spoke to himself. Your fraud will be out soon dear Nathan. He declined the offer and was in a tremendous hurry to meet Jerry who had left early.

Eshan reached Jerry’s house at top speed. The wide open door of his bosses house seemed to be yearning to welcome him.

“How the hell did the accounts tally this time, where did you blunder you blockhead, dimwit?” Jerry’s voice thundered at a sobbing figure with head bent over her knees.

Eshan was rooted to the ground as he realized that the target of the berating reprimand was Sara. Sara’s head was bent and she was weeping inconsolably, unable to bear his wrath.”You are fired. I appointed you to ruin Nathan. Make him fall for you and ruin his honor. I wanted him out of this company. All the hardwork I put has nosedived within a month. What the hell did you upload? Get the hell out of here!”

“Damn!”Eshan thought. Nathan was a mere flirt, Jerry was the sham ....the impostor! No wonder he never hid his attraction or liking towards Sara.

Not waiting any further, least his presence gets discovered, Eshan dashed towards his car and galloped away  ................much faster than what it took him to reach Jerry’s house. He was aware of his advancing dilapidation. The fizz of his royal victory seemed to be a prelude to his impending debacle.