If God Was A Banker

by Ravi Subramanian

  'Kalpana, for god's sake, get serious. If you guys wanna have fun, I am not interested. I'm leaving. See you tomorrow.'

  'I am not joking, Sundeep. I am getting married. In forty-five days time.'

  'And who is the lucky guy?' Natasha asked as she walked into the room with some coffee. One glare from Sundeep told her that he did not find it funny. Sundeep turned towards Aditya with a questioning look, hoping that he would respond.

  'Don't look at me. Ask her who the guy is. I will not spoil her surprise.'

  Sundeep looked at Kalpana. 'Out with it.'

  Sundeep was waiting with bated breath for hearing the name. But he went momentarily deaf. He could see the movement of her lips and knew that some words were being formed, but he couldn't grasp them. Maybe he didn't want to hear the name.

  'Swami!' shrieked Natasha. 'You are getting married to Swami. Wow!' Natasha's excited yell brought Sundeep back to ground zero. He blacked out for a moment, lost his balance and stumbled backwards. The sofa stopped him from falling flat on the floor. He was quick to regain his composure and looked at Kalpana. 'Kalpana, you never cease to surprise me. That's great news. WOW! How did this happen?'

  Kalpana smiled. 'It just happened, Sundeep.' She was grinning from ear to ear. She didn't realise the pain in Sundeep's heart, and couldn't see through the lie in his words. Natasha did. Boy, wasn't she pleased that Kalpana was getting married to Swami. Yes, Swami was a good guy, a guy you would like to take home to mom, but that was not why Natasha was thrilled. Kalpana was out of reckoning now for Sundeep. At least now she had a chance. She moderated her ecstasy in the fear that Sundeep may not like it.

  After that, Sundeep was lost in his own thoughts. Why did this have to happen to him? And why Swami? He did not have looks, charisma, aggression. Nothing at all. How did Kalpana fall for a Tam-Brahm? And where did he falter? He was utterly disappointed.

  Natasha felt sorry for him, but at the same time she was glad that now she would have Sundeep all for herself.

  When Kalpana and Swami decided to get married, Swami's conservative mother was surprisingly happy. She did not have any issues with a Rajasthani daughter-in-law. Kalpana's parents, however, were initially against this marriage. Swami was not from the same economic background that they came from. However, once they met Swami, they too fell in line. In him they saw someone who would be honest and dedicated to his family, and, most importantly, someone who would keep their daughter happy.

  Kalpana was very clear that she would not work in the same organisation as her husband. She also wanted time to adjust with this change in her life before she caught on with her career. Despite Swami's advising her against it, she decided to take the next couple of years off, to focus on her married life. She was the one who took the call and Swami respected her decision. Aditya, of course, tried to talk her out of it, but when she didn't budge, he let her go.

  Meanwhile, Swami returned to Aditya's room. He had, in fact, just stepped out to meet somebody, while Natasha thought that he had gone back to his hotel.

  Inside Aditya's room was a private cabinet. Inside the cabinet was a well stocked bar. Aditya would throw it open on special occasions. Today was one such day, as he was extremely happy for Kalpana and Swami. Aditya took out a bottle of Don Perignon. He had bought it on his way back from New York. 'Special moments call for special champagnes,' he said as he uncorked the champagne.

  Sundeep was quite distressed at this sudden turn of events. He couldn't even show his displeasure. 'Who am I to approve or disapprove of her decision?' he thought and picked up his first glass of champagne.

  Before Natasha, who was next, could pick up her glass, Sundeep had gulped down his first one. As he reached for the next one, Natasha knew that this was going to be a difficult night for him.

  After downing another glass, Sundeep held Swami by his elbow and said, 'Well done, my pal. This is the biggest deal you have struck ever since you joined New York International Bank. Cheers to the two of you.' He gulped another glass. Natasha nudged him, trying to stop him from picking up one more. Sundeep didn't bother and helped himself to another drink. Swami knew that Sundeep had a soft corner for Kalpana; so he did not respond to his taunt. He liked Sundeep and respected his intelligence. He thought of him as a good friend.

  23

  By the time Swami and Kalpana left, it was well past ten. Aditya too left after instructing Natasha not to let Sundeep drink too much. But Sundeep was already sloshed and on the brink of passing out.

  Natasha got up and went towards Sundeep. The moment she held him, trying to help him stand up, he pulled her down. 'Now listen to me,' he screamed at the top of his voice. 'What is wrong with me?'

  'Nothing, Sundeep. You are absolutely fine.'

  'Then why did that bitch do this to me? Why? Tell me why?' He was screaming at the top of his voice, shivering in anger. He had controlled himself in the presence of Aditya and Kalpana. The moment they had left, the bubble burst.

  'Women. All you women are like this. Bitches. Never to be trusted!'

  'You never bothered to tell her about your feelings for her, Sundeep. How can you expect her to reciprocate?' Why was Natasha even trying to reason with a drunk Sundeep?

  'Shut up, you bitch. You don't even know her. She is a fucking whore. She flirted with me for two years and now she wants to hump that son of a bitch. How could she? How could she? I know. You are also like her. All of you are the same. Fucking whores.'

  Natasha was getting irritated by his language, but she was also feeling sorry for him. Sundeep was in a pitiful state. She hugged him tightly.

  'All of you are the same. You will also leave me. I know. I just know it.' Sundeep was wailing like a child who had lost his favourite toy.

  She hugged him even tighter, trying to console him. 'Do not worry, Sundeep. I will take care of you. I will always stand by you. I will never let you feel her absence in your life. I love you, Sundeep. I love you.' She wanted to make him feel good.

  For a minute there was silence. Sundeep's wailing stopped. He didn't know how to react. He didn't look at her. He was scared. Kalpana spurning him for Swami had offended his male ego. He had never faced failure in his life, but the first big desire in his personal life had just ended in a catastrophe. He wanted to prove to Kalpana that he could live without her. Natasha provided this perfect opportunity for him. All these thoughts zoomed through his mind in an instant. What a creep he was!

  He turned his face upwards and looked into Natasha's eyes. All this while, his face was snug against her breasts. Her eyes couldn't hide the fact that she was madly in love with him and wanted him desperately.

  Her face was right above his, their lips separated only by a few inches. Sundeep took the initiative. Natasha closed her eyes in anticipation. Sundeep kissed her on her lips. Natasha hugged him even more tightly, but didn't open her eyes. Sundeep didn't stop. He was a devil. He had been spurned and had found a girlfriend almost on the rebound and he was going to make the most of it. Sundeep's roving hands were all over Natasha. One hand started to unbutton her blouse while the other raced up her velvet thighs.

  When his hand reached the heaven between her legs, she suddenly opened her eyes and stood up. 'No, Sundeep. Not here.'

  'Why? There's no one in office.' Sundeep knew that the chances of anyone being in office at 11.00 p.m. was remote.

  'No, Sundeep. Not here. It's not right,' she said and ran straight to the rest room.

  'Come back. I said come back.' Sundeep ran after her.

  She stood in front of the rest room mirror, staring at herself and her clothes, which were in disarray.

  'What am I doing? I have waited for this for three months, and now when it's going to happen, why am I scared of it?'

  Sundeep was inside in less than three seconds. He hugged her from behind, and kissed her on the back of her neck. Involuntarily her eyes closed. She wasn't able to resist anymore. Sundeep moved in for the kill. His hands moved to fondle her breasts. Natasha couldn't contr
ol herself and neither could Sundeep. 'Make love to me,' Natasha demanded as they got down to the floor.

  Suddenly the door opened and Aditya walked in. 'What's going on?' he thundered as he walked into the loo. The moment he saw them on the floor, he quickly covered his eyes.

  'Oh my God! Looks like I walked in at the wrong time. Keep at it! Just watch out for the security cameras.' And he walked out with a chuckle.

  Aditya had gone down to the parking lot and then realised that he had forgotten his car keys in his office. On his way out after collecting the keys from his desk, he had heard some strange noises from the ladies toilet. Thinking that someone was in distress, he had just looked in to see if everything was fine. He was in for a shock when he peeped inside. But he had pulled himself up quickly and had left the room, trying not to embarrass the two lovers.

  But Natasha was extremely embarrassed. 'Tomorrow the whole office would know about it. Well, maybe not. After all, Aditya is a gentleman. He will not make life uncomfortable for me.'

  The passion suddenly evaporated. The mood was gone. Both of them got up, wore their clothes, and stepped out of the women's rest room. They walked down to the parking. No one spoke. Sundeep knew that this was not his day. He had lost out twice. With Natasha, he knew, he would get many opportunities. Kalpana was gone for good.

  24

  New York

  'Why did things have to reach this stage?' thought Sundeep as Louisa brought in his sandwich. She had also got him a cup of black coffee. She knew that he would ask for it.

  He had a great career. Both he and Swami had a fabulous run at New York International Bank. They had been recognised for the success of the India retail business. Huge bonuses and stock options had come their way.

  Both of them had big, well-paying jobs. Both of them had good, happy families. Then why did this happen?

  He had himself to blame for this. Everything he could aspire for was within his reach: money, power, fame, career... Everything was going fine until Suneel Dutt arrived on the scene.

  25

  The next twelve months were very hectic. NYB's aggressive foray into retail business was spearheaded successfully by Swami and Sundeep. International recognition came their way. With Aditya, both of them won global accolades for having built their success story on limited resources.

  Swami and Kalpana got married in a small ceremony in Woodlands hotel in Chennai. Kalpana's parents wanted an extravagant wedding, but Swami insisted that it had to be a simple affair. He was worried that the extravagance might put off his middle class relatives. Kalpana's parents were happy to oblige. Aditya attended the wedding along with Sundeep and Natasha. Even Ramu Kaka had accompanied them. Swami was his favourite.

  Swami and Kalpana had chosen Kodaikanal, a small pristine hill station in the hills south of Chennai, for their honeymoon. Swami couldn't afford anything more extravagant and Kalpana was quite happy to go to Kodai.

  But, on their second night together, Swami was being apologetic about being unable to take Kalpana to an exotic foreign locale. 'How does it matter? I would be disappointed if you had any sightseeing plans on our honeymoon?' Kalpana was trying to be at her seductive best and smiled at Swami as she switched off the lights.

  26

  Swami and Sundeep become hot commodities in the global community of NYB. Aditya had ensured that they get the required recognition and visibility internationally. They kept getting invites for various seminars and conferences across the globe. 'Retail Financing in Emerging Markets.' Swami could now deliver a lecture on this topic even in his sleep.

  At the Annual Retail Banking Conference, a conference for the Country CEOs, Swami and Sundeep were special invitees. The global chairman of NYB presented both of them with a Rising Star award. They had finally arrived.

  Barring the Sundeep-Kalpana hiccup, life had been very kind to all of them.

  Sundeep and Natasha got engaged and married after six months. Probably the guilt of getting caught in the loo pushed them into marriage so soon.

  The initial success in the automobile loans business gave NYB confidence in its ability to deliver in retail business. Credit cards was next in line. Aditya had set a precedent with the businesses that he had begun. The group started expecting such high results from India in almost all the businesses. Aditya had become a rock star head of business.

  One day, Sundeep got a call from Aditya. 'What are you doing, my friend?' Sundeep knew that Aditya spoke like this only if something was troubling him. 'Nothing, Aditya. Just closing things for the day. Lots of pending work.'

  'Why don't we go for a drink on the way out? Just you, me and Swami.'

  'Sure, Aditya. Anything you want us to come prepared with?' Sundeep wanted to be sure.

  'No, Sundeep. We haven't gone out in a while. That's all. Will you be able to make it?'

  'Sure, Aditya.'

  'Will you inform Swami? He is not at his desk right now.' Then he hung up.

  The three of them left office at 7.45 p.m. and headed to the Rain Tree bar at the Taj, next to their office building. They were the only ones in the bar. It was too early and a weekday too. Aditya ordered a screwdriver for himself, whisky with soda for Sundeep, and a Thumbs Up for Swami.

  'Why has he asked us out?' Both were wondering at the same time.

  'Guys, both of you have been very close to me. I look upon you not as employees of NYB, but as my own younger brothers. You have in a short while become a part of my world. I didn't want you to hear this from someone else. That's why I have called you here.'

  Both Swami and Sundeep were fearing the worst. Was Aditya being called back to New York?

  'I am quitting NYB,' Aditya dropped his bombshell.

  'What?' the two of them exclaimed in unison. 'You can't be serious,' Swami went on. 'Is something wrong, Aditya?'

  'No.'

  'Then why, Aditya? Where is the need? Everything is going on so well.'

  In private, Aditya had harnessed a dream for over a decade. A dream of running his own company and turning it into a successful venture. He didn't want to continue working for someone else for long. He had always wanted to be his own boss. Aditya took pains to explain to them his dream, his aspiration, and his desire to create something from a scratch. But the two of them were in no mood to relent. They would have nothing of it.

  Both Swami and Sundeep felt they would be orphaned by his exit. Aditya had protected them all along and they could focus on the task given to them. But now, with Aditya going, they were also wondering what would happen to them.

  By the time they left the bar, Aditya was literally in tears. He had no answers to Swami's and Sundeep's questions. The fact was that he wanted to quit and start a new business when his confidence and market reputation were on a high. And given his recent achievements at NYB, this was the best possible time for him to quit.

  Two weeks passed. No one spoke about the discussion at the Rain Tree. They were hoping that if they ignored it, it would go away. That was not to be. When two uneventful weeks went by, Swami was sure that Aditya had canned the idea of leaving them.

  On an afternoon like any other, Swami had come down to see Natasha after lunch, and they stepped out into the compound for a stroll. Suddenly they saw Aditya's Mercedes pull up into the driveway. Aditya got down from the left. Swami was surprised to see a tall gentleman step out from the right. He had never seen him earlier and was wondering who he was. Aditya and the new guy walked straight into the building and disappeared into the lift.

  'Swami, did you see the guy with Aditya? Do you know who he is?'

  'No. What about him?' Swami asked.

  'I saw him for the first time this morning when he walked into Aditya's office. They have been closeted since. They stepped out for lunch a while ago. They are probably returning from there now.'

  'Is there anything I must know?'

  'I don't know, but Aditya has been asking for all your files and is showing it to him.' Though it was not right on Natasha's part to discuss
this with Swami, but she felt obliged to do so. 'I thought you might know him. Don't know why, this time, Aditya didn't even introduce me to him.'

  'Come, let's go. Let's try to find out,' said Swami and started walking briskly towards Aditya's room.

  As he entered the floor, Aditya saw him and shouted, 'Hey, Swami! Come on in.' As Swami walked into his room, the other man there looked up and shook his hand.

  'Hello, Swami. Good to see you. Have heard a lot about you from Aditya.' Swami looked perplexed because he didn't know who that guy was.

  'Suneel, Swami will be one of your key guys going forward.' Swami frowned at Aditya's stress on 'your' and started wondering what was going on.

  'Swami,' continued Aditya, 'Suneel is our new Country Head for Retail Banking. He is going to take over from me.'

  'Oh! Good afternoon, sir. Glad to meet you. And now if you would excuse me, I gotta run.' Swami was curt and abrupt. It was clear that he didn't really like Suneel replacing Aditya.

  When Swami left in haste, Suneel was visibly pissed. 'This bloke didn't seem too thrilled to meet me. That's kinda strange. Does he have a history here?' He wanted to know if Swami was a problem creator. Even before it began, the relationship had strained.

  Aditya smiled and let it pass, because he understood Swami more than anyone else.

  Back home, late in the evening. Swami confided in Kalpana and told her about his first meeting with Suneel Dutt, his future boss. Kalpana knew that Swami's reaction was not because of his dislike for Suneel, but his extreme devotion towards Aditya. Aditya was the one who gave him his career. Aditya was the one who gave him his stock options worth millions. He owed a lot to Aditya.

  She tried to reason with him. 'Look, it's quite possible that Suneel is not such a bad guy. One does not choose one's boss.'

  This reasoning didn't impress Swami, but he said nothing.