" Sorry sir for being late and not taking your permission to sit". "Yeah, that`s the thing. Always respect your seniors and more importantly, when that senior is your Boss".
"What! my boss. When did all this happen? " I was shocked as well as confused. " Huh, Frank as always. Well, I don`t have enough to time answer your question. Cuzz, I think there is something else I would like to discuss with you all".
" Sure, sir please go ahead and sorry for the damage I caused you" I replied. " Nice, you are good at words. Take your seat" He ordered narrowing his eyes as if he wanted to convey that this is just the beginning.
I sighed and grabbed the head of the chair to drag it out. It rolled over that cold tile with unpleasant sound. "What is it now Mr. Anderson? Why are still standing? " My new boss asked. " Sir, I guess one of the wheels of this chair is missing".
He sighed. And raised his right leg to put it on the left one." So, what? You still have got two choices why disturb the meeting?" he replied balancing his face on his left elbow. " Either stand there or seat there. And Yah!" He jumped off his seat and clapped " Or leave this meeting" he smirked.
Suddenly, someone dashed the door open." that`s enough Keril, you are going way too far" he shouted. This voice seemed familiar. When I turned around, it was my Boss. At that time, his howl was visible everyone, but my eyes noticed something more interesting.
He was holding the doorknob and his grip on that knob trembled not with weakness but with something deeper- more like hesitation that didn`t match his voice.
But his veins which were bulging out above his collar bone were whispering something else. Seemed like knob was not the only thing he was holding- holding back himself. Keril`s smirk expanded its volume.
Again, my senses took the charge shaping the reality itself. But the only thing it did was clearing the fog which was surrounding my memory. A fragment of my memory flashed in my vision.
The fragment of memory: -
(Aiden and his boss were sitting on a bar counter- which was located on opposite side of the stage. Everyone was assembled there to celebrate the golden jubilee of their company. Aiden was wearing a coal black suit along with a turtleneck t-shirt paired with a phoenix broch whose chain was pinned on his left collar.)
"Congratulations sir, it`s been a long way" Aiden said. " Yah, of course but without you, none of this would have been possible, let alone celebrated so grandly. Our number of customers increased significantly since the day you joined" Boss replied with gratitude.
"Sir, this means a lot, but I don`t deserve it". " No way, my son you are more than that. You are like a lucky charm for our company. If I had two son- I would have loved to have you as my elder son".
"Sir, you have a son?" Aiden asked. "Yeah, I have a son. He is around your age and my only support after my wife died" Boss replied. " Where is he right now?". "Right now, he is wandering in abroad " his boss replied and gulped down his drink.
Came off seat wobbling- unable to straight went towards the dance to stage to join the ladies. After, a few minutes a thumb voice echoed in the hall and when Aiden rushed there, he realised that it was his boss passed out lying on the cold tile -waiting for someone to lift him up.
BACK TO REALITY: -
So, our new boss Keril is the son of Boss. " Aiden, I am sorry on behalf of my son" my boss apologised. Yet, there was difference between the words of his mouth and his body gesture.
" It`s okay boss. I know what he was trying to do. Anyways, it`s fine as long as I don`t have to prove that I deserve this position. And my authority is not doubted". Within a blink of eye, Keril placed his hand firm on my shoulder- as if he would dig a hole in my back.
"I never meant it I was just testing you" Keril said while grinning his teeth. It was visible to me- even in the presence of his mask. "Testing me, you are not at that position". "Well, I guess I am " he replied seeing right into eyes- without a single blink.
"Your role here does not grant you the authority you're trying to claim" I claimed with a firm voice. I guess, working with him is going to be one of the worst experiences in my life. "We will see who has got the caliber to stick to their words" he replied and went back towards his seat. But sat on the seat which was place aside that seat- right side.
"I think we should end this and focus on something more alarming" My boss announced and went towards his seat and ordered the pion to arrange a chair for me. All of us took our seats and my boss`s secretary started the presentation. He started addressing the alarming issue.
"As we all know our honourable mayor has been shot in the fare yesterday. Right now, he is in the hospital fighting for his life. But this fight is not only his but ours too. Ours in this aspect, that his insurance policy has been sanctioned by our company"
(He starts showing he slides elaborating the issue. Along with the policy documents with points highlighted boldly.)
"So, how is it an issue?" one of the members asked. " It is an issue because the bullet which pierced our mayor`s heart was not an ordinary one. It was filled with an unknown substance which is the cause of chaos. As it is neither allowing the mayor to live nor die. Ultimately making the medical list long enough to make us bankrupt".
"But why do we have to pay it all? Don`t we have a yearly margin below which we are not responsible?" Keril asked.
"That`s the problem. His plan doesn`t have a margin. We have to pay it all, and it specified in the contract". " Then who was the person assisting him all this while?" Keril asked. "Mr. Anderson" Secretary replied.
"So, the ultimate cause of this problem is Mr. Anderson" Keril said pointing his hand towards me, staring with his narrowed eyes. "Huh? do you know what are you claiming right now? It`s fine cause you don`t know how these things work out. Allow me to educate you-sir" I asked, my voice steady.
"Sure, go ahead let`s see what you have got" Keril replied with sarcasm. "First of all, there`s no need for you to be so informal with me. And second it seems more like you don`t bother to follow what you advise others". "Stop it" my boss shouted, raising up from his seat.
"Sit down! dad sit down let him go on" Keril said but the mixture of tones in his voice indicated something else. (At first, he shouted but later his voice became soft. As if he suddenly, realised something which happened to slip away from his mind a while ago.)
"A while ago, you reminded me that position comes with responsibility right. I would also like to tell something". "Why not?" Keril replied. "Responsibility is not something to pass around. It is something we all share. And if you want to frame me, either come up with evidence or solutions. Moreover, if you are given the position make a good use of it instead of playing blame game. Leadership demands accountability and action. Blaming others only weakens the team."
Keril`s face flickered- he seemed as if he zoned out for a minute. A while later, he came back to his senses yet tried to put up a show as if nothing happened. The room was silent- so silent that I can hear the tick-tock sound of clock.
"I give up, you win this time Mr. Anderson. But I won`t let this happen again" Keril replied proudly yet the acknowledgement which was arising in his eyes was visible to me. Seemed my words had a little effect on him, and it was okay for this time.
"Now, shall we focus on fixing the problem instead of playing the blame game?" my boss taunted to both of us. We apologized him and took our seats. The continued further, for 2 hours.
After the meeting: -
"Aiden wait" my boss requested. My feet halted waiting for him to come. When I turned back, I saw him rushing towards me as if he carried the weight of a secret too heavy to bear. "Yes sir, what happened?" I asked politely. "Aiden, come with me huh! huh! I have got something to tell you urgently".
In the middle of it all, a voice rose from just behind me, sharp as a blade cutting through the chaos. "Daddy..." it was Keril.