Page 26 of No Boss
He reached for the landline near the window with his other hand, and dialled from memory.
“Boss,” Kishore answered at once.
“Send formal notice to Mr. Chauhan,” Abhinav instructed. “We arrive in one week. All estate records ready for review. Accommodation for three.”
“I’ll draft it now.”
“Read it back.”
A minute passed. Kishore read the draft.
“Add one line at the end… I will handle all further matters relating to the sale in person.”
“Done, Boss. Sending now.”
He set the receiver down.
Somewhere in Jaipur, the message would reach them. Not as information. As intent. A warning.
???
Four days before departure, Abhinav’s friend, Raghav Khanna, called.
The Khannas had reserved part of a hotel restaurant. Harshit and Kavita sat at the head when Abhinav entered. Raghav, Raghav’s wife Ishani, his brother Vikram, his wife Divya, all of them were there.
He paused at the doorway. He had not known how much he needed this until he saw them. “Uncle. Aunty.”
Harshit rose at once and drew him into an embrace. There was more in it than greeting. Abhinav felt it and returned it without naming it.
“Abhinav! It’s been too long.”
“It has,” he replied, turning to Kavita and greeting her with warmth.
Raghav stepped forward. This hug came from years that had refused distance, from missed weddings and calls that never covered enough. They stayed there a second longer than usual.
“And this one, still terrible at returning calls, I see.”
“I called you back,” Raghav protested.
“Three days later.”
“I was busy getting married.”
“Fair point.”
Abhinav turned to the two women he had not met before. Both watched him with open curiosity, measuring stories against the man.
“Which brings me to the introductions I’ve been waiting for. The famous sisters-in-law.”
“My wife, Ishani,” Raghav gestured between them. “And Vikram’s wife, Divya.”
Abhinav shook Ishani’s hand. “Raghav talks about you so much that I thought he had made you up.”
“All good things, I hope.”
“Too many good things. I began to wonder who could actually put up with this one.”
Raghav rolled his eyes.
