I shook him a little as he was zoned out after I said about the news. He looked at me in a daze and gave me a small smile.
“Chachu? Aap khush nahi hain kya iss baat se?” I asked him the only question that was on my mind. (Uncle? Are you not happy with the news?)
“Aisi baat nahi hain” he replied. (That is not the case)
“Then what is it, uncle?” I asked, feeling a little disappointed at the thought that my uncle is not happy that I got my internship in that company.
“Kiddo, why would I not be happy when my child gets an internship in one of the most famous company? Tell me?” he asked.
“I don’t know, you tell me because you were shocked hearing the news” I answered frowning.
He hugged me immediately and looked into my eyes before answering.
“I’m happy, my child. Believe me. I’m proud of you” he said smiling at me but it didn’t reach his eyes.
I just nodded at him giving a small smile. I’m not quite convinced with his answer. I know for a reason that he didn't like me working in that company. I shrugged and thought of letting this topic go.
“Come on, let’s have our late lunch” he said and led me to the dining area.
I was quiet all the time while having my lunch. Even my uncle didn’t start any conversation with me which is a rare case. We always make small conversations while eating.
After lunch, I volunteered to do the dishes as the lunch was prepared by him. We only hired maids to do the cleaning of the house. Chachu likes to cook and even I cook sometimes so we didn’t really find the need to hire a maid for cooking and cleaning the dishes.
My uncle immediately excused himself and went to his room. I don’t know what was going on in my uncle’s head as he is not himself from the moment I told him about the internship.
Maybe he is just worried I will be facing a new world, I thought. After cleaning all the dishes I went to my room to get a nap.
I woke up to the sound of someone shouting downstairs. I went to the bathroom to wash my face and wiped my face with a towel. I made my way downstairs to see what the commotion was about.
When I reached the living room, my uncle and Phani Wadhwa, my cousin were in a serious discussion. Phani was the first one to notice my presence and stopped talking to my uncle abruptly.
He gave me a smile and waved his hand to greet me. I just gave him a nod and gave a questioning look about what they were talking about, that they had to stop when I came.
My uncle followed his gaze and was stunned for a second to see me there. I went near them and looked at my uncle.
“Why did I hear you guys shouting? Is there any problem, Chachu?” I asked him.
He glanced at Phani in an accusing way, which didn’t go unnoticed by me and turned to me with a smile on his face.
“Ah! That was nothing kiddo. He was just facing a problem in the company and became frustrated with that. He started shouting when I gave him advice which he did not like. Isn’t it, Phani?” he eyed my cousin and asked. My cousin nodded his head.
I don’t know but I really don’t want to believe them with the excuse they gave me. Nonetheless, I didn’t pry on that topic because I know that when it comes to company problems my cousin loses his temper and starts shouting like a madman.
I excused myself from them and went to the kitchen to make coffee for them. I prepared a chocolate milkshake for myself and placed the two cups of coffee along with my chocolate milkshake in a tray.
I went to the living room with the tray in my hand and gave them their coffee. I took my cup and sat down with them.
“Sweetie, I heard that you got the internship in Merganser” he asked, rather it sounded like a statement to me. I nodded my head sipping my milkshake.
“Why don’t you join as an intern in our company instead?” he asked me. I know something is bugging him. He is very protective when it comes to my safety. He is like a brother to me.
“Why? Aren’t you the one who said that I should achieve something on my own without using your name or chachu’s?” I asked him instead of answering his question.
“Yeah! I was the one who told you that but now if I think of it, it would be better if you work under me so that I can assist you to grow in your career and one day you will be able to handle the company on your own. What do you say?” he asked me with hopeful eyes.
I sighed and looked him straight in the eyes. I know one day I need to handle the company which was owned by my uncle but atleast I should start learning on my own so that I can assess my abilities.
“I know you are worried about me but let me learn on my own. After the internship I will only work for a year and will join our company so that you can guide me, okay?” I asked him.
He nodded his head and didn’t say anything further as he knew that I won’t change my decision. My uncle just listened to our conversation and didn’t speak the whole while.
“Kiddo, did you have a good sleep?” He asked me to change the topic to ease the tension in the room.
“Yeah! Chachu, till this dumbo started shouting like a madman” I eyed my cousin in annoyance and answered my uncle.
Phani smiled at me with guilty eyes. I know he didn’t mean to wake me up because he hates disturbing me when I’m sleeping and knows how I throw my tantrums when I don’t get enough sleep.
Phani is chachu’s sister’s son who grew up with me as he lost his parents when he was three years old. He is just three years older than me and handles a company which he started after graduating three years ago. He also manages uncle’s company sometimes in his absence. He treats me like a sister and protects me from all the troubles.
He is the same as my uncle with a well-built body. His skin is tanned which gives a handsome look for his appearance and oozes a powerful aura around him. He is very good at martial arts just like my uncle.
My uncle asked Phani to join us for dinner and he gladly stayed back and left after having dinner with us. I hugged my Chachu wishing him a good night and he placed a kiss on my head hugging me returning my greetings.
I reached my room and fell on my bed and got excited that I should report to the office at nine o’clock in the morning. With that thought, I fell into a deep slumber.