Date with Destiny
For the first anniversary of her D-Day that August, Roopa was dead set to be in Tirupati with her lovers. However, as she was clueless about keeping her man away from their love triangle, she got reconciled to Sathyam’s ironical presence at her thanksgiving.
That afternoon, as Sathyam was helping Roopa pack their luggage, Rami Reddy, his department head, sent for him.
‘Yes sir,’ said Sathyam to Rami Reddy, having cursed him all the way to the Secretariat.
‘I’m sorry Sathyam,’ Rami Reddy sounded apologetic. ‘I have to cancel your leave.’
‘Why sir!’ said Sathyam dumbfounded. ‘You know, I’m going to Tirupathi with my family and friends.’
‘Don’t I understand,’ said Rami Reddy sympathetically, ‘but then, Nagaraju wants to talk to us about those World Bank Tenders.’
‘But sir, they’re due for opening only the coming Friday,’ said Sathyam pleading. ‘And I’ll be back by Wednesday itself.’
‘You know Nagaraju speaks for the Finance Minister, and no less,’ said Rami Reddy. ‘There’s ‘no way I can let you go now.’
‘Yes, sir,’ said Sathyam helplessly.
‘Six sharp at 206, Royal Hotel,’ said Rami Reddy.
‘Oh, these are the inconveniences of life in the service,’ Sathyam thought, on his way back home. ‘Had I been into some business, wouldn’t I have been my own boss, as Raja Rao is? I should make a fast buck and start on my own soon. Obviously, Nagaraju would like the World Bank Works awarded to the Finance Minister’s benami firms. Oh, how could there be any hanky-panky in the open tenders? Well, the meeting won’t serve any purpose save for the record. And the boss knows that as well. All the same, Nagaraju would pressurize boss, and he wants to use me as a cushion, that’s all. Besides, won’t he want to be seen as trying his best, to be in the good books of the powers that be? And that’s why all this tamaasha. But surely Roopa won’t like it. Won’t she be dejected at yet another cancellation? Surely she would curse me, and drop out herself in frustration. What about Sandhya? Well, she was no less excited about the trip. Better that I let Roopa go along with them. At least, let them all have a good time.’
When at five in the evening, as the Sathyams and the Raja Raos reached Nampally Station, said Sathyam to Roopa, ‘Let me cancel my ticket.’
‘It’s with him,’ Roopa pointed to Raja Rao.
‘Give that to me,’ said Roopa to Sathyam as he took the ticket from Raja Rao. ‘It might take a long time for you in the gents’ queue.’