New life is very hard to cope with. We have to answer everyone frequently about our life choices. People around us doubt our capabilities. They even question our intelligence as if they are supporting our life expenses. However, going out of that cycle gives a new beginning, leading to new life. I, Lakhsya Bose aka Lucky, came to Mumbai from Kolkata to open my brand's showroom there. I have been living here for the past three months in a small rented flat. My apartment is located in Mumbai, Bhayander West. I usually cook my food in the apartment, but unfortunately, my gas cylinder ran out last night. I had to go out to get my daily dose of coffee from a nearby shop. While I was returning, an unknown guy was standing in front of the building where I lived. The guy was smiling at me. "Hi, aren't you Lakshya, Lakshya Bose?" A thin yet strong muscular boy of around nineteen years old said. "Yes, it's me. You?" He said. "My name is Suresh. I came here to deliver your gas cylinder," he replied. I had informed my landlord to send me a new gas cylinder, and he had even sent it by morning.
Lakshya: Oh yes, my flat is on the 3rd floor. Were you waiting for a long time?
Suresh gave a big smile before saying, "Oh no, no bhaiya. I have just come here now. I have never seen you before. So I had to call the registered number, and he told me your name. He must be your landowner."
Lakshya: Yes, I have recently shifted to this city, so I didn't have a registered cylinder.
Suresh: Bhaiya, you go first. I just got up after delivering it to the lady on the first floor. Your room no. 301, right?
Lakshya: Yes. There it is.
Suresh: Barabar bhaiya.
He said and walked, lifted the gas-filled cylinder on his one shoulder.
I was waiting for the lift to come down. The aunty who was also waiting for the lift asked about me.
Aunty: Are you new here, at the flat of Deshmukh Bhau? Where is your hometown beta?
Lucky nods yes: I live in Kolkata. I came here for work.
The lift came and both of them got in.
Aunty: Mine is also the same owner. He has many flats in this building, all rented.
She lives on the Second floor and is a bit curious about every new tenant coming and going. The people living in apartments should be curious about what is happening around them to avoid bad incidents.
Suresh took the old cylinder and asked me, "Bhaiya, should I change the cylinder for you?
He kept staring at Lakshya, waiting for his approval.
Lakshya: Oh! That will be great, Suresh.
Suresh: Bhaiya, nowadays, it is easy to get a new cylinder connection. If you wish, I can give you the form. I have it with me.
Lakshya: Oh, thank you, Suresh, but I will leave after a few months.
Suresh: Okay, if you need a new cylinder, call me directly. Take my number. Sure, thank you.
He leaves after sharing his number.
My phone suddenly started buzzing. It's Anand. He is my assistant, manager, friend and one of my family members.
Lakshya: Hey, Andy.
Anand: Hello, Lucky.
Lakshya: Yes, Andy. What is the matter?
Anand: Hey, I called you to remind you of today's appointments. You have a meeting with the solicitor at noon. There, you check all the documents carefully, if it is okay, sign them, then meet with the interior designer, Mr Kamble. He will be waiting in the showroom area around 3.30 pm.
You must have your lunch by 1.30 PM.
Lakshya: Okay, boss.
Anand: Lucky we have found that the owner wants to sell the property within a year. So I was thinking, why don't we open a clause for buying it later on?
Lakshya: Okay, then tell the solicitor to update it. Andy, you need to be present at our Gariahat showroom. Once you reach there, start making videos and take a few more photos to share with Mr Kamble.
Anand: Okay, Lucky.
Lucky: After I finish meeting with the solicitor, I will reach there directly.
Anand: No problem, Lucky. Now I am leaving for a survey at our Behala showroom. I will reach there by 12.30 PM, then I will be at the Gariahat showroom by 3.30 PM. By the way, today, Renuka Aunty will come to the office for a few signatures at 5 PM after Gini's exam.
Lucky: Oh God, I completely forgot I was supposed to call Gini to wish her. Okay, Andy. Don't forget to visit the Park Street showroom at 6.30 PM. Some staff members are making a fuss. The store manager called me yesterday, saying that he is unable to handle them. So you go there and solve it.
Anand: How are you supposed to reach the solicitor's office by noon? It is already 11 a.m. I don't see any car booking for you, Lucky.
Lucky: Don't worry, Andy, I will take the local train from Bhayander West Station, which is fast and convenient.
Anand: Dude, the more I see you, the more I get surprised. You are the founder and CEO of a fashion brand, AKBO, and that too, at the age of 26, which has more than 10 showrooms in West Bengal and is now going to start in Mumbai. You are my boss, be careful. Don't be such a miser.
Lucky: No, bro, I am being thoughtful about you guys, who motivate me to work hard. After watching, Gini and I had to run, or I would miss the 11.30 pm train. Okay, okay, bye.
The phone rang.
Renuka: Hello, Lucky, where were you?
Lucky: Yes, Ma, where is Gini?
Renuka: Yes, take it, Gini, your brother is on call.
Gini: Oh, brother.
Gini roared so loudly that even Lucky heard it on the phone.
"You called me so late that I even reached school. Ma didn't let me call you, as you are busy with your project."
Lucky: Oh, my little princess. Best of luck with your maths exam.
Gini: Thank you. Bye.
Gini went inside the school, handing the phone to her mother.
Renuka: Honey, you didn't even call for a week. We got news of you from Anand. That's why I asked him to remind you to call Gini today. She was so nervous about today's exam.
Lucky: Yes, Ma, due to the showroom thing, I was a bit busy during that time. Okay, Ma, call me later.
Renuka: Bye, son.
Lucky had a meeting with the solicitor at his office. He read all the documents carefully and signed them. After the meeting, he stopped by a small roadside restaurant for lunch. When Anand called him,
Lucky: Andy, have you reached our Gariahat showroom?
Anand: Yes, lucky I have reached there.
Lucky: You started sending pictures to Mr Kamble's number. I will reach the store within 15 minutes.
Anand: Okay, Lucky I am calling him then.
Meanwhile, Lucky reached the store. Anand video called him.
"Mister Kamble, all our showrooms have the same interior and set-up."
Mister Kamble: No problem, Mr.
Anand: I am Anand Chatterjee, Mr Lakshya Bose's Assistant.
After meeting them, Lucky went back to his apartment. He was making tea for himself when Anand called him. "The meeting with the designer went great. Lucky, where are you now?" Asked Anand.
Lucky: Yes, Andy. I am now in the flat. Andy, I was thinking of starting a few more stores. I have already selected a few prime locations. Once this showroom is inaugurated, we will think about it.
Anand: That is a very good decision, Lucky. Oh, Aunty is in the office.
Lucky: Okay, after Ma's signature is done, you reach our Park Street showroom, and see what is going on. If required, call me.
Anand: Sure, Lucky. I am leaving after a few minutes and will reach them within 30 minutes.
After Anand reached the Park Street showroom, he called Lucky to give him an update.
"Hello, Lucky."
Lucky: Yes, Andy.
Anand: The Park Street manager told me that some old and new sales executives had an ego clash.
Lucky: What kind of ego clash?
Anand: There was a problem with product detailing and the customer clarifying technique from our side.
Lucky: Oh, really. And who said this?
Anand: A newly joined staff member. She asked me if we could hold training separately for our sales staff.
Lucky: How will it help us? Did you ask her that?
Anand: Yes, I did. This newly joined girl says that our salespersons are not even aware of what the difference is between AKBO-branded clothes and other branded clothes. When a new customer comes, they just show them clothes or find the right size, nothing else.
Lucky: Does that new girl know what the difference is?
Anand: Yes, she does. She was saying things. As you know, I am naive on the subject.
Lucky: Yeah, I know that. I have asked you a hundred times to learn about it.
Anand: Please get to this topic.
Lucky: Okay, what did she have to say on this?
Anand: I knew that you would ask me, so I recorded her audio. A few of them I remembered, she was saying that our branded products are completely different from the other high-priced clothes. They are specially designed and all are single printed.
Lucky went thoughtful while hearing this, "What is her name?"
Anand: Her name is Zara Roy, age 21. I have sent you the recording. Just check it once.
After checking it, Lucky replied, "Yes, she knows about the speciality of our product. She did a good job. She seems to be efficient, so she was promoted as a Salesperson, guide and trainer. Give her a bonus for this month. If necessary, train her.
Anand: Sure, Lucky.
Lucky: Have you informed the designer of our deadline? By September, we want to launch it.
Both of them continued to discuss their business plan.