The Secrets of the Elements

Chapter 26: Tej's Dilemma

Advika could smell the metallic tang from stainless steel in the open air. Ray's gaze swivelled over the

waiting room, looking for a place for him and Tej to sit. The hospital rooms were noisy and distracting,

with doctors and nurses running errands.

The door of the operation theatre opened. Tej rushed towards the doctors stepping out of the room.

Ray followed.

"How's Uncle now?" asked Ray.

"I can say he is out of danger now," replied Dr Sheena Dixit, the senior surgeon of The PrimeLife

Hospital.

Tej let out a sigh.

"But, we have to keep him under observation for a few days," she added and kept her hand on Tej's

shoulder. "Your dad will be fine soon."

Tej nodded as the doctor left to visit the other patients.

"Tej," said Advka. "Uncle's phone."

"Hello," said Tej.

"Tej, how is Mr Patel doing?" said the person on the other end.

"He's out of danger," answered Tej.

"Swarna ma'am was not answering calls, so I had to call on Sir's number," said the person. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

"Is it something urgent, Mr Taneja?" asked Tej.

"You need to come to the office immediately," said Mr Taneja. "It's important, cannot be delayed."

"Is everything fine?" asked Tej.

"Please come to the office. I'll tell you everything," said Taneja.

"I'll be there," said Tej and cut the call.

"Zarna's dad is on his way to your office," said Ray. "There are some legalities that need attention. But

uncle Zavier is there with you he'll handle everything. We're here with Uncle, you visit the office and

come."

"Maya and Zarna are there with aunty," said Advika. "Doctor's have given her injection, she's sleeping,

but she'll be fine," said Advika.

Tej looked to the ground and nodded his head.

"I'll be right back," he said and slowly walked towards the exit.

~~~~

Daksh, Indra, and Rishi stood in front of a broken hut.

Daksh fought tears as Dai Ma pushed open the door covered with moss and spider webs.

Rutuja stepped inside with five backpacks. She snapped her fingers. One by one, the bags began to

move towards the wall of the room, arranging themselves in a straight line.

The living room decked up with old-fashioned wooden furniture. A large bookshelf placed opposite the

sofa set.

"Reminds me of the academy," said Rishi. "Looked small from the outside, but spacious inside."

"Rutuja," said Dai Ma as she helped Rishi sit on the comfortable leather sofa. "Check all the rooms.

Make sure they're tidy."

"Yes, Dai Ma," she said and went on to inspect all the six rooms of the house.

"I've destroyed all out traces, Indra," said Dai Ma and poured some water in a glass. "His men won't be

able to follow us."

"I'm worried about the temple," said Indra as he sunk in the armchair.

"Nobody knows about its secrets," said Dai Ma and gulped down the water.

Daksh and Rishi exchanged a glance.

"And if anyone tries to invade, we have the protector, and the King," assured Dai Ma.

"And boys," said Indra. "No sneaking out anywhere."

"Dai Ma," said Rutuja entering the living room. "All the rooms are ready," she said.

"You're the in charge, Rutuja," said Indra. "Do not let these boys step out of Indra Nagri."

Rutuja nodded her head and looked at the boys. I hope I can handle them, she thought.

~~~~~

"I don't know how this works," said Tej as he closed a file.

"Son, this is your dad's decision," said an elderly looking man wearing a white shirt and black trousers.

Taneja pulled a chair and sat beside Tej who sat on the centre chair in the huge meeting room. "We

know Tej," began Taneja. "We've been working with your dad for the past ten years now. We know you

never intended to join the family business, but, with both your parents injured, you need to take up this

responsibility."

The whiteboard fixated on the wall reflected Tej's state of mind. He was blank. A single incident had

changed everything.

"I don't want to hamper their reputation, Uncle,'" he said and looked at Zavier, Zarna's dad, who

happened to be the financial advisor and lawyer of the company.

"We are there with you," said Zavier.

"Tej, we will support you, but in the absence of your parents, you are supposed to take over," added

Taneja. "They haven't appointed anyone else."

Tej took a deep breath. "I can't make this decision on my own. I need to talk to mom," he said.

"Okay, you have until tomorrow," said Zavier. "The legalities need to be completed by then."

"Legalities?" asked Tej.

"Tej," began Taneja. "The company is going through a financial crisis as of now."

Tej sunk lower in his chair and ran his fingers through his messy hair.

"Arvind sir and Swarma ma'am had forbidden this news to go out of the senior management of the

company," said Taneja.

"Your father, Arvind, was handling everything well, but," said Zavier and removed his round spectacles.

"The Patni group, due to some personal reasons, snatched a million dollar deal from us."

"We had invested almost everything in that deal, Tej," said Taneja.

"So, what can I do?" asked Tej as a peon entered the meeting room with a cup of coffee in his hands.

Zavier offered the glass to Tej as the peon left.

Tej gulped down the coffee and shut his eyes.

"Tej, you might not be knowing anything about this business, but you can learn, you have the potential,"

said Taneja.

"I'm here to help you and the company with legal issues, but, you have to take over and handle this

situation," said Zavier and kept his hand on Tej's shoulder.

Tej let out a sigh and put his head back closing his eyes. He could feel the pain in his neck and his

muscles straining.

"Now that you know the situation," said Zavier. "Think about it. Talk to Swarna and tell us tomorrow."

~~~~~