Chapter 3 - Blurred Lines

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A Month Later

Tuesday, May 5th 2015

Bandra Kurla Complex

Life was much easier and simpler as a young child, carefree with no added burden of responsibilities. A child can blindly rely on her parents to take care of her basic needs. For that young girl, her parents are infallible, to be worshipped and an ideal example of who she wants to become as an adult. But parents are far from infallible, they are human. And as humans, they make mistakes too. The child grows up into an adult and many times, roles reverse; the child becomes more responsible and takes care of her parents. Madhubala Malik knew her parents were getting older and that one day she will have to look after them and make sure their retirement nest egg was well protected to live out their golden years. She just didn't expect to take on the added responsibility much sooner than she had expected. No daughter should be expected to clean up her parents mess, yet that is exactly what she had to do; clean up the colossal mess her father had created.

She slumps down in her chair in her dark, dingy cubicle. Consigned to a windowless corner in the vast office floor, Madhu can only rely on the dim tube lights as poor substitution to natural light from the sun. It is only 11 am in the morning and she had just returned from chasing after a source that didn't pan out. Madhu likes to think of herself as a serious journalist but at times she questions her chosen profession. Especially when she is handed out assignments that falls more into the category of frivolity than newsworthy.

After she had evaluated all viable options and did a lot of soul searching, Madhu opted to follow her dream of one day becoming a reputable news anchor. She forgo a promising, lucrative career as an accountant and passed up an opportunity to work for Deutsche Bank. Instead she joined Dailystar News and for 2 and a half years, she became one of the most favored writer for the magazine. However, the magazine was more into following the lives of celebrities and publishing gossip and Madhu just finds it detestable.

Madhu joined Mumbai Gazette, almost 3 years ago, and now at the age of 27, she is still seeking an opportunity that will get her closer to her goal. She was naïve to think that it would be easy to cope and survive the news world and climb her way up the pyramid. She thought hard work and dedication along with her intelligence, would be more than ample to make her successful in the publication world to give her a leg up to become an anchor. It took months and a few momentous incidents to shed her idealistic notions.

Staring blankly at the computer screen, she is jolted out of her silent reverie at the sound of her phone. Madhu frantically scans her neat desk, looking for her phone, as she silently curses her sister for setting up the embarrassing, personalized ringtone without her knowledge. She cringes as the phone blasts with the voice of an Asian man, rasping "You're sister calling you. You talk to sister. So nice..." Madhu's cheeks tinge with color as she glances apologetically at a few of her co-workers, who walked by and gave veiled, disapproving looks. Her lips twists into a grimace as she kneels down and digs her hands into her gargantuan purse.

Finding her phone, Madhu triumphantly pulls it out of her purse and answers the phone in a low, angry growl, "Maleeha, you bloody brat! I swear I will kick your ass tonight for changing my ringtone."

Maleeha Malik, Madhu's younger sister, laughs vivaciously as she responds to Madhu, "Sister dearest. Don't be such a prig." She stops laughing and adds in a soft voice, "You need some laughter, joy in your life." Determined to keep her sorrow bottled in just like her elder sibling, she continues brightly, "And who better than your awesome, younger and might I add prettier sister to add some color in your dull life? As your self-appointed doctor, I am prescribing you a daily dose of laughter to cure you of your melancholia, in the hope that you will no longer be a boring wren."

Madhu sighs as she pulls herself up from the prostrate position, not wanting to address her sister at that very instance. Maleeha can be an annoying brat but she is sweet and on top of it, she is also very smart and perceptive. As the anchor of her family, she just can't afford to show her vulnerability. Only with strength and determination can they persevere and Madhu is not about to let down her family by being the weak link.

Buying herself some time, she stands up and brushes out the barely visible wrinkles from her grey tweed pencil skirt and silk, purple blouse. She flips back her high ponytail over her shoulder and pats down the stray curls that has escaped the tight hairdo. Feeling a bit more in control of the situation, Madhu responds back to her sister, who is waiting patiently on the other end, "Maleeha. Unlike you, I can't afford to goof around and waste time. I have a lot of work to do, so get straight to the point."

Maleeha swallows and speaks hesitantly, "Di...umm..." Madhu holds on to her patience and encourages, "Yes? Go on. I am listening." Maleeha mumbles hesitantly, "Di...I need...and I can't reach..." Madhu's clutches the phone tightly, a frown creasing her forehead. Her patience snaps and she grounds out, "Just spit it out!"

Feeling overwhelmed, Maleeha rushes out with what she has been trying to convey, "Di. Papa forgot to pay for current semester's tuition and the payment is due today. I can't afford to fall behind another semester. I called papa but you know how he is these days. He didn't answer my call. And let's be real, what can he do at this point? Papa is sweet but he is financially irresponsible." Her voice trembles slight, "But still...I thought...you know papa being a professor himself, he would have at least thought about the continuance of my education...that it would be topmost on the list of his priorities..."

Madhu rubs her forehead and sighs inwardly. She interrupts, "What's the balance due for this semester pooh bear?" Maleeha gasps in surprise and responds, "Di. The fee is exorbitant and you have been saving up every penny to buy a new car. I can't take your money Di. You've already taken on the added responsibility to take care of our family's financial needs. I can't add on to the burden. Don't worry. I will figure out a way out, I just needed to vent and get ideas from you on how I can quickly gather the funds and get the college to give me a grace period. She continues irately, "I am so pissed. For last semester, I worked enough hours at the lab and saved the money needed to pay the remaining portion of the balance my scholarship doesn't cover. Unfortunately, this time around I was only able to save enough to cover the cost of my books! Still...I'll figure something out..."

Madhu smiles gently, appreciating her sister's concern and understanding regarding her financial strain. But as her elder sister, she cannot allow Maleeha to compromise with her education. Her mother used to take pride that one day her youngest daughter will become a doctor. And now it is her mission to ensure that both her mother's and sister's dream is fulfilled.

Madhu interrupts Maleeha, "When did my baby sister grow up that she refuses help from her Di? Now you listen to me missy and hear me well because I will be pissed if I have to repeat myself. Nothing and I mean NOTHING is more important to me than your education. So just forget about all the shit and just focus on getting your medical degree, because I am expecting free treatments from the future Dr. Malik. Hell. The minute you become a successful doctor, I am retiring and living off your largesse. So consider this as a contribution to my retirement. Got it? Now tell me the amount and if Seth GS Medical College will accept a wire transfer in lieu of cash?"

Madhu ends her call with Maleeha and with shaking hands, she remits the wire transfer from her account online. She cringes, watching her savings account almost depleted of funds within minutes. Leaning back into her chair, she mentally reviews her strict budget, searching for more ways to save more money each month. It's tough with all the bills that she has to pay but the ability to revise and stick to a budget is the only way she can get her family out of the financial predicament that began 2 years ago.

Her stomach grumbles with hunger as the clock strikes noon. Refusing to spend money by going out to eat, Madhu grabs a protein bar from the stash she keep stored away in her desk drawer. Closing her eyes in bliss, she munches on the bar, pretending that she is partaking of a scrumptious meal. Pretending to enjoy the bar, she nearly jumps out of the chair when she feels a hand tap her on the shoulder.

Madhu stops chewing like a cow savors hay and swallows whole the content in her mouth. She opens her lids and stares wide eyed at her boss, "Mukherjee?"

Madhu's boss, Sanjeeb Mukherjee, a tall, lanky man in his 50s, towers over her as he barks, "Malik! Today's your lucky day that I am going to ignore that you were chewing like a cow and daydreaming during office hours." Madhu responds sarcastically, "Sir. I appreciate you're magnanimity..." Mukherjee waves his hands in dismissal and interrupts, Yes...yes... I know. I am far too generous." Madhu bites her lips to keep from disagreeing with his self-assessment and meekly nods her head. Satisfied with her agreement, he continues, "Thanks to me Malik, you are about to get the biggest break of your career."

Madhu murmurs curiously, "Really?" Mukherjee nods his head and barks, "The misfortune that befell our Elite team of reporters just became your fortune. The fools were out partying late last night and they were all deep in their cups too. They are so damn hungover, not a single one made it in today. Pathetic. Bloody fools couldn't even hold their liquor.

Madhu smiles slightly and quietly agrees, "Fools they are indeed sir." Mukherjee's bushy brows furrow in a frown as he barks, "You don't seem surprised?" Madhu shrugs her shoulders and responds carefully, "I went out with that crew last night. Thought they were drinking far too much but hey that was none of my concern. They are adults and they didn't need me to scold and fuss at them like a mother goose." Mukherjee's eyes gleam with sharp intelligence as he inquires, "And you didn't drink Malik?" Madhu shrugs her shoulders again and smiles, "I am no fool sir. And I also know that if I had called out, you would barge into my house and drag me to office all the while kicking my butt."

Mukherjee chuckles and pats Madhu's shoulders in paternal affection, "Damn straight I would! You are indeed no fool Malik. You've got balls. Hell! You're one of the ballsiest reporter in my team, if not in our whole damned newspaper and newsroom, combined." He glares ferociously and warns, "But don't let that shit get in your head, you hear? Anyway, I digress. Their interviews scheduled today have been reassigned. And you, Malik, thanks to me, got Shalini Kapoor's assignment."

Madhu smiles graciously and responds, "Ahh...yes. She was supposed to interview today the new Board of Directors of Kundra Industries, Rishabh Kundra, I believe for a front page editorial?" Mukherjee smiles ironically and cocks a brow at Madhu as he responds drily, "Of course you would know. If I didn't know you better, I would have thought you engineered it all cleverly so you get the assignment." Madhu murmurs, "Good thing then that you do know me well sir."

Mukherjee gives Madhu an assessing look then shrugs his shoulders, "Anyway, we already got clearance with the security team at the Kundra Industries, so all you have to do is arrive at premise and show your badge. You're interview is scheduled for 3 P.M. So you better prepare well Malik and not fuck up this opportunity that I have handed to you in a silver platter." Madhu nods her head affirmatively and vows quietly, "Don't worry sir. I promise to do my best and take full advantage of the interview."

Mukherjee gives Madhu one last assessing glance before he walks away. She turns around and leans back against the chair, a smile gracing her lips. The golden flecks in her eyes gleam gold as she relishes the opportunity to get one step closer to her goal. She closes her eyes as memories of the previous night drift through her mind. It was a far-fetched plan and she certainly didn't expect it to work, though glad it did.

Madhu has learned that to be successful in the disreputable world of news, especially in a country such as India, one has to be cutthroat and MAKE opportunity for advancement. For people like her who do not have the financial means to line pockets and buy people's cooperation, she must rely on cunning and intelligence. Though she still has her own strict moral code of conduct, she WILL cross the invisible line into the darkness, if the end justifies the means. She has gained access to Rishabh Kundra and nothing else matters, not even her pesky, nagging conscience.

P.S. - Ringtone for Madhu's Phone: http://m.zedge.net/d2m.php?ctype=4&item_id=1491331&check=789979837

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