Susheela’s Whispered Wish

Aswarti glanced around the restaurant then continued to talk.

“I did my research on you before approaching you at the plantation to find out how formidable you’d be in the event I had to represent against you in court. You have an impressive family tree and are known for honest dealings and are very competent and astute.”

Raj laughed.

“Aswarti I’m always cautious about people who offer praise and do background checks on me and my family but my dealings with you indicate I can trust you so thanks for the complement to my family. We own a multilevel building in the central district where we maintain an office and staff and rent out the rest of the premises. I could check to see if there are any leases available if you want me to and if so, we can talk about your space needs and tenure of lease you’re looking for. Now I must return to business for the afternoon at our office in town. If you wish to accompany me, you could look at the building to see if that’s the kind of location to suit your business needs and I could ask staff to look at any empty space available or leases expiring and needing renegotiation. My staff will look after you and if you have an interest, you can contact me later. I’ll be in meetings all afternoon, so cannot look after you myself.”

Aswarti picked up her phone and punched in the number of her receptionist at the law firm.

“Shaku reschedule my appointments for the afternoon as I have to attend to some other business urgently.”

She then turned to Raj.

“Thank you for the offer. Let’s go!”

They caught an auto rickshaw and were dropped off at the Konkan Business Centre, a multi storey building for various business offices in the central district. Aswarti nodded with interest as they alighted from the auto rickshaw.

“Do you own this building, Raj?”

“My father bought it ten years ago before it had finished construction and approval to occupy before he died, and I’ve had it recently refurbished.”

Aswarti paused to study the size of the building again before entering.

“Probably beyond my means but a great place to do business as it’s so conveniently situated.”

Raj guided her up to the second level where his business office was located and introduced her to his manager instructing him to show Aswarti around and see what her needs were and acquaint her with the pricing and common rules governing those who leased space from the Patil’s. Then he took his leave and headed for the interview room followed by a secretary.

One-week later Raj was enjoying the company of his half-brothers and their families on the front veranda of the bungalow at sunset as they watched changing colors of the sky as the sun departed for the day. With them Susheela now old and in a wheelchair sat with hands shaking as she watched her grandchildren at play in the front yard. The adults were eating their evening meal under watchful eyes of servants willing to attend their slightest wish. The children had already been fed by servants and were enjoying their final freedom of the day before being ordered off to their rooms and bed. A servant approached and bowed whispering in Raj’s ear. There was a phone call from some memsahib Nayar. Raj rose in irritation. He valued his evenings with family when not travelling and didn’t welcome phone calls. Those he’d done business with over the years knew this and were careful not to disturb him at night, but this woman was new and didn’t know his habits. He’d have to bring this to her attention in a diplomatic way eventually. He strode to the home office and the servant handed the phone to him.

“What can I do for you lawyer Nayar?”

There was a moment of silence and Raj realized he’d come across as rude remembering they’d agreed to avoid formality when in personal engagement. He forced a laugh to cover this and tried again.

“How are you Aswarti, did my office look after you when I introduced you to them last week and did you find anything of interest to you there?”

Aswarti had been surprised at Raj’s business-like introduction to the phone conversation but relaxed as she thought he’d been being playful with the first approach.

“They were all very helpful Raj. It certainly helped when introduced by the big boss. There were a couple of spaces coming up for grabs on the lower street level but out of my price range so they took me to look at the level above where your office is and there is a large area that could fill my current emerging need. Your manager for the building shared that any refit of empty space would need not only city approval but your approval too as you have stringent rules about the use of the building. No food preparation for example only business offices. I know you have a manager to look after that building but could I have a visit with you personally to explore both plans and price?”

“Let’s see. It’s Monday today, let me check what appointments I have this week at my Ratnagiri office. Give me a few minutes to check my cell phone for the appointments schedule.”

There was a couple of minutes silence as Raj muttered to himself and Aswarti smiled at the other end of the line. Her father had that habit of talking to himself as he checked out appointments and the thought of her happy growing up years at home made her feel good.

“Aswarti sorry for the delay. I know you have court appearances in the mornings and office in the afternoons so I’m trying to work around that. How does 1pm on Thursday fit with your program. Not sure if you have court appearances in afternoons as well.”

“Let me check Raj.”

Aswarti quickly searched through her appointments.

“I have appointments but can have my secretary reschedule tomorrow so will see you at your Ratnagiri office at 1 pm on Thursday. Thanks for taking my call this evening. I’m sure you don’t normally welcome business calls of an evening Raj and I appreciate that.”

“I will make you an exception Aswarti. See you on Thursday.”

Raj put down the landline phone and thought over what he’d just said. Was he out of his mind? He’d just indicated this woman could phone him any time of the evening she chooses when he valued this time with his family more than anything else.

Similarly, that statement had arrested Aswarti’s attention. This man would make an exception for her. She was not used to that. It had been so difficult to establish a law practice as a woman and the other attorneys treated the small number of women legal professionals as inferior and attacked them personally when fighting a case against their clients. Even most of the judges were patronizing in their treatment of women fighting a case. But Aswarti was tenacious and clever and slowly they were beginning to recognize her as a worthy opponent and give her respect. Her arguments were telling, and judges had to admit she knew the law and how to argue it successfully. And slowly the public was beginning to realize there was a good chance of establishing their case going through her.

Her client base was expanding faster than she could cope. Hers was a multi-faceted operation with a brisk business in contract and will preparations all done by paralegals with Aswarti signing off on their work and the limited case work she’d started with in court looked like becoming a whole day event with a hint this would swamp her. She was having less and less time for exercise which she loved and recreation. The business was moving beyond fulfillment and joy to stress, and she could see it impacting on her health. She needed qualified court experienced employees but knew taking on men in that role or as partners would certainly lead to conflict as they’d resent her being the principal. She was beginning to feel the need to flee back to Mumbai and seek the safety of her parents’ home.

So, on Thursday as she entered the Patil building, she was feeling fatigued and dispirited. As Raj shepherded her into the interview room where they could lay paperwork on the table, he picked up on the body language instantly.

“Aswarti you’re not the usual person I’ve come to know brimming with confidence and joy today. Are you unwell?”

Aswarti sat silently collecting her thoughts. This man was prying into her affairs and her first reaction was to tell him it was none of his business, but she needed his favor and remained silent not wanting to give a negative vibe as she had some favors to ask of him. Raj watched realizing there was something of urgency troubling her. Eventually she unpacked plans the architect had drawn up proposing to convert spaces shown to her the week before. She needed his approval. Then she began to stand and gather up the papers again. She was not in a mental condition to make her requests and knew this would be the end of their contact but felt compelled to leave.

Raj got up from his chair and moved to where she was standing. He indicated she should sit again as he felt sympathy for this obviously distressed woman and wanted to get to the bottom of her distress. She sat and tears began to flow down her cheeks as she silently wept. Raj went to the door and closed it to prevent any of the office staff passing by seeing her in this condition. He sat next to her.

“I’m here to help you through whatever it is that is causing you this grief. Get yourself under control no matter how long this takes and when you are ready, I want to know how I can help you.”

He went to the snack table and retrieved a box of tissues placing them in front of her. Then he unpacked the drawings again and began to study them while waiting for her to compose herself. After ten minutes studying the documents, he turned to check on his unhappy client.

“These drawings look good and would meet city and our requirements. Now what’s the problem. Are you having trouble raising the capital for the site fitting? I could help you sort that out with my accountant and bank contacts. Are you unable to cope with the lease payments? This is not the Aswarti I know from the limited contacts I’ve had with you.”

She sighed. There was no one in Ratnagiri who she could confide in as her contacts were strictly business. But the empathy this man was showing penetrated the wall she’d erected to protect her professional face along with her put on aggressive image. Her concerns came out in a soft flood of words. She turned to see how her tirade was affecting this man she needed favors from. He smiled. He’d been strangely interested in this woman before but now his interest was aroused to another level, and he wanted to be her protector. Even with her wet face and troubled look he found her attractive and appreciated her taste in clothing and now the beauty of the proposed office she’d visualized. This woman was worth getting to know and he strongly felt the need to cultivate her friendship. He spoke.

“I will help you with all the issues you’ve raised. Nothing is without a solution in this world if you have the mind to try and you have done remarkable things establishing your practice in a man’s world here. Thank you for taking me into your confidence and I want to keep up our friendship and develop it further if you’ll let me.”

Aswarti smiled at last. Maybe there was a solution to all her concerns if this man was serious in what he said.

“I want to have you as my advisor and confidant Raj. Thank you!”

“OK its settled then. Leave the supervision of the lease outfitting to my office. I’ll tell them to deal with city for approval and get contractors to build this new office. You can repay me for the costs over time. While the office is being constructed, we will not charge you for the lease payments and we’ll arrange with our contacts to move you from your present location when it’s finished. You concentrate on getting more help so you can have a life, and may I suggest you limit the number of court cases you take on. I’d also suggest you look for women partners. Perhaps your Mumbai contacts may be interested in our city to relocate.

 Now you must do me a favor in return. I’m going to cancel my appointments for the rest of the afternoon and take you to a good lunch which I’m sure you haven’t had yet. Then I’m taking you to my plantation and you can sit with our family this evening and see what it’s like to have family in Ratnagiri and a great view as the sun goes down. Our cooks do a reasonable job too. I’ll drive you back to the city in the evening. You should be on track then to pick up the old Aswarti tomorrow I’ve come to know and respect.”

Aswarti followed meekly as they left the interview room and Raj gave specific instructions to his manager about the lease arrangements and work to be done. The manager listened incredulously as he was given his marching orders looking curiously at this woman who seemed to have captured his boss. He made a mental note to treat her with the utmost respect in future.

That evening Aswarti watched the interaction between the members of the Patil family and the children spent time going back and forth from their play to check this new addition to the family. Just before they were to return her to the city Susheela sent a servant to whisper to Aswarti she wanted to speak to the young woman. Aswarti went to the old woman’s side while the rest of the family looked on curiously. Susheela beckoned to the woman to come close as she whispered.

“Raj needs a good woman to be by his side young lady. I’m recommending him to you as someone to spend your life with. I hope to see you here again.”

Aswarti blushed as she returned to join the group and Raj spoke.

“What is the queen of the house wanting you to do for her?”

“It’s something personal she wouldn’t want to share with men Raj, and I always keep confidences.”

Raj laughed.

“Let’s go. I need to get you home, so you get a good rest tonight and are ready for your challenges tomorrow. Leave the refurbishment and related matters up to me and I’ll let you know when it’s all ready and we can move you to the new location. Perhaps your law practice being so close we can take advantage of your expertise when it comes to some of our legal requirements.”

They drove silently back to the city and her apartment and Raj waved as she got out and headed for her entrance door. He returned home with a happy feeling. For the first time in his life, he began to imagine life with someone as a partner in marriage. He’d take it one step at a time thinking through how he might persuade this woman to be the one. He had a sneaking suspicion that Susheela may want this too having observed the interaction between the two women.

Conclusion.

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