As my car stops in front of the office of ELYSIAN, the guard opens the car backside door. Though I never ride a chauffeur-driven car, mostly when I come to the office last night's crapulence didn't permit me to even grip the steering properly. I step out of the car and place my tottering feet on the ground. The guard immediately initiates to grab my biceps to steady my unstable body. However, I show my hand to refrain him. In the past 2 and a half years, everybody in this office has come to know that their boss is a sot. His days begin with alcohol and the nights end with those boozes too. I have become a shameless alcoholic and I don't want to hide it. The guard stops seeing my raised hand and steps back in an attentive posture. I turn at the chauffeur and order,

"Get my laptop bag inside and after that you can go. I will come by myself."

He nods and I approach the entrance. The main door guard, liftman and all the other staffs get alert as I step in. The reason is my changed rude and unpredictable behaviour. In these past years, I have not only become a drunkard but also a volatile and insolent person. People who were once got attracted to my charming and fun-loving personality, now avoid me. Even I want this too. The fewer people I have around, the less damage I will do to them. Before entering my cabin, I tell Aman to get the new project files. Nandini wanted me to take this company to the pinnacle of success and I have done exactly the same. After she left me and this company, I didn't look back and worked like a machine to reach that zenith of name, fame and success. Today ELYSIAN is one of the biggest, most reputed and richest companies in the architectural world. I broke many dreams of hers but I nourished this dream. The responsibility of fulfilling this dream is my ultimate goal and I will keep on chasing this till my last breath. I don't know where is she but I am sure she will be happy to see her dream is safe and successful in my hand. Aman knocks and enters with a bunch of files. I open my laptop and gesture him to sit.

"Sir, these project works are almost complete. We can inform our clients for a final visit and after that, if they won't have any request for changes, we can hand over the final charge, bills and other things."

Aman states, showing me some details. I take a quick glance and reply in a confident tone,

"They won't go for any changes. When ELYSIAN takes any work in its hand then it delivers the best result. Our clients are lucky enough to work with us. Finalise the bills and other procedure."

Aman tilts his head in positive and further gives some details about other works and upcoming contracts. I sign some of them and reject some. ELYSIAN only works with the best projects. There is no place for mediocracy in this company. This is my rule and principle. After all the works are done, Aman mouths with excitement,

"Sir, a foreign architectural company wants to work with us. Actually, they want our help to restore a heritage of their country."

My forehead crunches to hear his words. With perplexity, I ask,

"Foreign company? What's the name and why don't they take help from any other company that belongs to their country? Why are they interested in an Indian company?"

Aman rests his hands on the table and prepares himself to convince me.

"Because Sir, this heritage has a unison of Portuguese and Indian colonial architecture. They have seen and heard about the work which we did in that Goanese church. They need exactly the same work and for that reason, they thought to approach us. By the way, this is a Brazilian company. Its name is Decoración. Its head office is in Salvador."

Aman pauses for a while and adds,

"Sir, they want to talk to you and if you agree then they want you to visit Salvador with your team to survey the castle that they are going to restore. Sir, it's a government project so, I think we have a great opportunity. We should agree, Sir."

His voice has clear desperation. But I don't like it. I don't like to rush with ELYSIAN's reputation. And being an old employee, Aman should know this.

"What we should do and what not, let that matter leave on me. First, we should survey and search about this company whether they are good enough to collaborate with or not. Only then I will talk to them."

The coldness of my voice makes Aman's eyes alert. He bobs his head in approval. I continue,

"Get me the details of this company and after that, fix a call with the CEO of the company. By evening we can make a decision. Now, go and arrange the brief of my meetings for today. Meanwhile, I have to finish this design."

I concentrate on the laptop screen and Aman gets up to leave. Another day of my jampacked schedule begins.

............................................

"Quiero cortinas de color rojo y dorado. (I want red and golden colour curtains) Creo que irán perfectos con la arquitectura de esta mansión. (I think they will go perfect with the architecture of this mansion)"

Mr Carlos Sánchez opines. Since my childhood, I have a knack to learn new languages. I learnt Spanish for 6 months and became quite good at it. When I came to Brazil, this learning helped me a lot and in these past years, I have become almost perfect in spoken Español. I nod at him and say,

"Está bien, Sr. Sánchez. Como desées. (Okay, Mr Sánchez. As you wish.) Tengo que despedirme ahora. (I have to take your leave now) Te veo en la noche. (See you at night)"

"Gracias. Adiós. (Thank you. Bye)"

Carlos bids adieu and leaves. I also get up. Today I have to visit my office. There is a meeting and our CEO wants every architect to attend it. Usually, I drop Maan in a creche during my office time. But today I have some other plan. I will drop him at Soha's house. She was complaining that she is missing Maan and me. It will be a good opportunity to meet her. Soha Khurana is my friend. She is a gynaecologist. In fact, she is the one under whom I was during my pregnancy period. My delivery was also done by her. I met her in Salvador only. She and her brother Aryamaan live here for quite a long. Their mother was Spanish and their father was of Indian origin. After their parents' divorce, both the sister and brother remained with their mother. Last year she expired and Aryamaan and Soha decided to live here only. They don't know anyone in India where their father lives. Neither they feel any connection to him. Sometimes we find peace and comfort among unknowns and try to avoid our so-called blood relations. I pick Maan up in my lap and head to my car. As usual, he asks,

"Mummum...whel aal we going? (Where are we going?)

I make him sit on the passenger seat and fasten the belt though I know his tiny frame can easily come out from this barrier. I close my seatbelt too and twist the car key.

"Any guess?"

I try to become mysterious. He pouts and replies,

"Baby's houz..(Baby's house)"

Maan calls the creche as baby's house as he sees so many kids there. I smile at him and ask,

"You don't like baby's house? Why? There are so many babies. You can play with them."

He wobbles in denial and answers with a frown,

"No..they aal naughty..Lob bith me on my theeks."

I guess he wants to say, they are naughty and some boy called Rob even bit his cheeks. I control my laughter and innocently question,

"Then what you did?"

I know my son very well. He never let anyone go without any punishment who once messes with him. He keeps quiet for a second and meeks out,

"I pokedh hiz noz. He waz clying..(I poked his nose. He was crying)"

God...what monster I have created. I roll my eyes at him.

"Manu...I told you..right! If anyone trouble you then you should tell the attendant or me. Why did you do this to him?"

I scold him lightly. I have to control his hot temper. He bends his little head for a while and rigidly replies,

"He iz naughty. I will beath him again. (He is naughty. I will beat him again)"

"Aiyappa...what can I do with this boy?"

I frustratedly vent out and he giggles and repeats in his babyish accent,

"Ailappa..."

Unwillingly I end up with a smile and he claps with joy. He knows his interrogation is over and he is safe for now. My car stops in front of Soha and Aryamaan house. I get down and make Maan get out too. I informed Soha about our arrival and hearing the car engine sound she comes out, buzzing.

"Hey, Nanz (She finds this shortcut of my name is cool) where is my lil champ?"

Soha nears us with excitement and Maan comes out from my behind. He is smiling as he likes both Soha and Aryamaan a lot. Soha bends down and takes him in her lap.

"Here is my Champion. Did you miss me, my boyfriend?"

She fakes her disappointment. Maan bobs in agreement and shackles Soha's neck lovingly. I smile at their cute antics and say,

"You both continue with your PDA. I have to go to the office. Will pick him up in the evening."

Saying this I was about to sit in my car when an excited voice halts me,

"You can't go like this without meeting me. First, you have to promise us to join the dinner tonight, Ms always busy Murthy."

I turn and meet a smiling face. Aryamaan Khurana. My friend and one of the biggest supports in this unknown country.

Author's note: Two new characters have been introduced. More about them will reveal in the next chapter. Will Manik come to Brazil? In what circumstances Manan will meet? To know all these, stay tuned.🙏🙏❤❤