Krishan Srivastava’s faux pas

“I have heard you patiently but none of the reasons given by you can explain the steep fall in your regional sales. This is the last quarter and your sales hitherto is a measly 59% of the target. Our director made a caustic mention about this. Your team members are good. I suspect there is a failure of leadership. What do you plan to do? This may be the last chance,” said Krishan Srivastava, shortly addressed KS, General manager (Marketing) to the Northern regional manager Kuldeep Singh.

“I am sorry, Sir. The market is bad with supply more than demand. Our competitors are plying the customers with heavy discounts and long credit even when their prices are lower than ours. We are trying our best focusing on our quality and brand. I am sure things would improve this quarter, Sir,”

“Kuldeep, I do not agree as other regions are doing very well. The real reason is elsewhere. You have been working with me since your management trainee days. As a father figure I have been wanting to talk to you on some personal matter but was restraining myself. I have decided to speak out today in your interest. Can I proceed?” asked KS

Kuldeep kept quiet avoiding KS’s eyes.

“Your silence is understandable. I am getting to hear from several sources that you are having illegal relationship with a woman employee in your division and spend lot of time talking, messaging and going out with her. You have a wife and two children. We have not taken action as there is no complaint. Since this has affected your official work, I am compelled to advise you to discontinue this liaison to avoid an immediate transfer,” warned KS

Embarrassed by the revelation, overcome by fear that his family would come to know and shaken by imminent transfer, Kuldeep Singh short of falling at KS feet pleaded forgiveness with the promise that he will stop forthwith his association with Pinky.

“This won’t do. You cannot resist the temptation and will start meeting her outside office. But I am clear that a transfer to another region alone would bring sense to you and justice to your wife, I am anyway getting her transferred to another office in the same city” KS said in stern tone.

“I swear in the name of my wife and children that I would have nothing to do with her,” and as an earnest, he pulled out from his pocket and placed on the table a box containing bottle of perfume. ” I intended to present this gift for her birthday this evening at a restaurant and now I have no more need for it. Kindly excuse me and I am a reformed man,” he said and wiped the tears from his eyes.

“Okay., do not worry. Take this bottle away and give it to your wife,” said KS

He shuddered and said “This will only rise her suspicion for I have never given her perfume as she is allergic to pungent smell,” and left the office hurriedly.

It was already 5.45pm and KS remembered that his wife Lalitha and children would be waiting at a friend’s house for a birthday party. In a hurry he slipped in the perfume packet in the side pocket of his coat thinking of his wife.

There were a lot of guests, some common friends and some known faces with many children playing around in the large hall that was brightly lit. Lalitha’s friend and her husband welcomed him warmly. KS removed the coat and hung it in a coat stand and reclined comfortably in the sofa by Lalitha’s side. The party commenced with cake cutting and birthday songs. The hostess soon came around the guests with hors d’œuvres and drinks. There was gaiety and laughter all around.

Suddenly a shrill tone of a mobile was heard. Everybody stopped talking and looked at the direction of sound. KS knew it was from his instrument in his coat pocket. As he was trying to get up, KS’s young son rushed towards the stand. He put his hand in the coat pocket and took out the box containing the perfume and after reading the name of the perfume on the box said loudly “Mummy, Papa has bought a scent for you”.

When Lalitha asked “What are you blabbering?” the boy   read out loudly “With deepest love to my Pinky darling, ever yours, KS” that was written on the box. The mobile had stopped ringing meanwhile. Lalitha rushed to the boy and snatched the box that had the inscription Gucci Flora.

KS sat dazed and frozen on the sofa. One jolly friend let out a loud guffaw and exclaimed “What a gaffe? Behind the innocent facade, you seem to be enjoying life with sidekicks.”

“It is not mine and belonged to one Kuldeep Singh, a regional manager in my office,” KS was explaining even as his voice was drowned with peals of laughter from men and looks of derision from women.

KS with a bewildered face looked at Lalitha. He knew explaining there would only invite contempt. There was utter disbelief and deep hurt in her face. Covering it with her hands unable to bear the shame, she ran out of the hall. Silence fell in the hall. The hostess followed by KS ran behind her. She wrenched herself away from KS when he tried to put his arm around her. They left the party with Lalitha sobbing and the children confused.The party was a big flop by one indiscretion of KS putting someone else’s gift in his pocket without checking and that too of one with the same initials 

The moral is if you have to buy a gift for your wife, buy it yourself; never carry someone else’s gift.