Comeback by Suhas Mantri

Author:Suhas Mantri
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-9-3513-6062-9
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2009-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

ELEVEN

Harsh did not have to wait long. Shailesh called the next day. After exchanging news about their family members, Harsh explained the position the company was in.

‘We need money,’ Harsh said. ‘Can your company help us out? I had never, in my wildest nightmares, ever thought that our company would have to declare insolvency, but here I am. Fortunately, your company has done well despite the recession and Mehta Housing Ltd needs your support now.’

Shailesh replied, ‘From what you tell me, I can only deduce that you have indulged in gross financial mismanagement ever since you took over as managing director.’

For a moment Harsh was rendered speechless. He could not believe what he had just heard. Something in him hardened—he refused to be used as a scapegoat and shoulder the blame as he had no hand in the company’s downfall—and he replied firmly, ‘No, it’s not like that. I have had the company’s accounts audited once again, and it’s become quite clear that all the problems go back to the time when you started to take certain financial decisions in order to generate more funds.’

Shailesh cut him short. ‘That’s not true; when I was the managing director the company was doing very well. You can check the balance sheets for that period. We recorded huge profits and paid out rich dividends. I am not responsible for you now. You have to look elsewhere.’

Harsh was shocked. He had, despite all the rough times that the family had faced over the years, never been so furious. His voice trembled as he spoke, out of anger, resentment and humiliation. ‘All I need is some fund to make things right. I will work towards solving the mess we are in and repay you as soon as possible. Besides, you had promised to transfer the profit generated from the land that was bought with the money received from Mehta Housing Ltd,’ he said, trying hard to hide the tremor in his voice.

Shailesh remained unmoved. ‘I am sorry but I cannot give you money. I have already paid you whatever was due. There is nothing much I can do for you. If you have to declare bankruptcy, then so be it. You don’t have any other choice. I think you should heed the advice of your auditor,’ he said before abruptly disconnecting the line.

Harsh felt as if someone had knocked the life out of him. His own brother had turned him down in his hour of need. Were blood ties so weak that they could be snapped just like that? Over money? Was money all that mattered now? Nothing else? And finally, who was really responsible for Mehta Housing’s difficulties? To be fair, Shailesh had not tried to sabotage the company’s finances on purpose. It was all a matter of jugglery: sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. Later, Harsh sat in his office in the dark, thinking about the past. Anger and despair swirled within him at this betrayal. Nothing made sense any more.

Hours passed by; it was well beyond midnight.

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