Welcome back my Sparklies, if y'all are enjoying the tale of Kartavya and Soniya then please show us some love by voting and also commenting your bejeweled opinions your even one vote would mean a lot to me.
Happy Reading.
KARTAVYA
'With the year coming to an end, today the Industrial federation of India is gathered here to honor and recognize those business leaders and entrepreneurs who played a major role in growth, expansion, and invention of technology and made a name for themselves from their respective endeavors in different fields. We would like to call the chairman of IFI to present the first and perhaps the most important title for tonight, 'THE CEO OF THE YEAR' award'.
The chairman thanked the host and took over the podium, ' Greetings to one and all present here, saying from experience a business is not all about capital gains but also about the satisfaction of the consumers, the working condition of workers, the happiness of employees, a vision not only to succeed but also the yearning for perfection and achievement of the overall socio-economic development of all sections of society. While employees are the head of a business, the leader is the neck which leads the head into the direction, and therefore each year the CEO of the year award is most discussed and celebrated in the whole country, now before I bore you all with some more of my speech I would like to announce the winner chosen by the board members after a thorough evaluation.'
'And the award goes to undoubtedly THE CEO and FOUNDER OF SWAMI STEEL CO. PVT.LTD. NONE OTHER THAN MR. KARTAVYA whose company not only reached to new heights of economic growth this year, but also had a share of thirty percent in the export of steel and other alloys of India in the past financial year...'
While the chairman continued to speak the praises and valuable contribution of the company to the economic arena, only a handful of attendees paid heed to him because each pair of eyes, camera lens, spotlight and reporter turned every iota of their regard to the said man, their gazes unfaltering. The women had desire and longing in their eyes, his competitors with bitterness and spite, the media people watched his every move with hawk eyes, and his well-wishers whom he could count in his one hand and would still be left with spare fingers, looked upon him with admiration and hint of loyalty.
Kartavya was wearing a Bottega Veneta black tuxedo which he got custom made specifically for this occasion. In the midst of all the attendees he felt before he even caught the sight of a woman whose face was not fully visible as she stood behind the media house people, but her eyes were undoubtedly set on him with an undecipherable expression and a glare that could melt the finest quality of gold, it made him feel conscious, a feeling he never experienced prior so he gave the reaction he had learned at a very young age, he looked back at her, directly into her orbs with molten expression of his own which was full of defiance and dare.
Before he could do something or anything more a very loud applause broke out and he broke the eye contact and took in the scene in front of him. The chairperson had likely completed his speech and now Kartavya was called upon the stage to grace the attendees with his winning speech. He looked back towards the media houses, but that woman was nowhere in sight.
He got up from his seat, straightened his tux and walked towards the stage. He received the award and thanking the chairperson he took over the podium. Kartavya's secretary Akaalpreet Singh a.k.a the most irritating, jolly but loyal and trustworthy man he had ever met who also happened to be his best friend had drafted a speech for him which lay inside his trousers' pocket neatly folded. Kartavya did not intend to refer the speech, he never did, maybe because he wanted to just annoy Akaal or that Kartavya knew what he felt could not be expressed by words on paper, words were never enough for him, never will be.
He also knew that most of the attendees belonged to the higher strata of society which did not pay their mind to the true expressions of people, they wear masks which hide their persona, every action of theirs is influenced by their want for more of everything. No one was interested in hearing him speak, what they were actually interested in was in making acquaintance with him to know the dynamics of his future plans and to pursue him to make them a part of it. Today He was the target of their false pretenses, over sweet talks, flattering gestures, tomorrow there would be someone else. Their smiles which were very carefully crafted, provided a veil to their serpent heart and cunning mind, he returned with one of his own nonetheless and cleared his throat.
'I would thank the IFI for considering me worthy of this title (well I'm really not 'cause who are they to judge and evaluate me on the basis of a few transactions when they have not even the scratched the surface of my real self). I might be the head of my company, but the real strength lies in the hands of our hard working and determined employees from the grass root level to those at managerial positions. I am nothing without them and this award is dedicated to them and because of them.'
'Today some people might say I am lucky or even destined for winning this award, but I would like to say to every teenager, young entrepreneur, struggling man that destiny my friends does not decide your fate, it never can. The lines on your palm are your own to change and that change comes not through destiny but through hard work, determination and a willpower of steel. Situations will come where you might think it is the end, but sun always sets up after the night and just like a bobo doll always bounces back, you too just need to be hopeful for that one opportunity.'
' Your qualities may decide your career path but the situations under which they are tested decide the magnitude of your success and that success is not ascribed by fate but achieved by resilience.'
He caught the sight of Akaalpreet wiping a lone tear from his eye that Kartavya was sure he would deny having if asked about it later.
'On this note I would like to put an end to the speech and last but not the least, AP thanks man, it could not have been possible without you.'
He took off the stage and went back to his table shaking hands all the way with some associates of his, Akaal pulled him into a tight hug which he responded with force of his own.
'Okay okay get off me A.P or else all the hot ladies out here may think otherwise. God you are awfully clingy today'
'Ha! Like you pay any attention to those onlookers, you barely return their eye contacts asshole and I'm not clingy just happy for my friend' he said breaking their hug.
Kartavya suddenly remembered the orbs of the faceless woman with whom he had an encounter previously in the evening.
'What if our candid shot ends up on the news tomorrow, imagine the headlines- CEO allegedly having relationship with his secretary? I don't want to horrify your mother AP.'
'Don't worry that's not gonna happen, firstly, my mother knows that her son would rather drink a bottle of amla juice than be in any sort of relation with an annoying and grumpy butthead like you. Secondly, I am not interested in men especially not of your kind anyway,
'What do you mean my kind?'
'...Thirdly speak for yourself Mr. CEO I have a gorgeous plus one with me tonight unlike your loner self' Akaal said with an amused expression.
They talked a bit more about business and schedules and then many guests came over to congratulate Kartavya some even with flower bouquets and gifts. AP left with his date after reading over to him the schedule for the following day. Kartavya was also about to call it a day when his phone rang, and what the speaker on the other line said next caused a thrilling jolt of adrenaline in his body.
'it's time for action, K'
Check out the CHAPTER- 2 AVENGE NEXT.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED OF THIS CONTENT©
LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST PLEASE FOLLOW, LIKE, SHARE, VOTE AND COMMENT ANY VIEWS YOU MIGHT HAVE, THE POV OF MY SPARKLIES IS ALWAYS WELCOME.
FOR ANY QUICK UPDATES, SPOILERS, OR TIMELINES FOLLOW MY INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT (@author_jaispen).