A New Beginning
Elizabeth turned to Ravi smiling after listening to Rakesh's report.
"This is a huge surprise, Ravi. What career would you choose to follow and where would you be thinking of locating for this career? These are important things to consider."
"Elizabeth, I realize this is a big ask but my father encouraged me to see if something could be worked out. I'm an Indian citizen so it would be difficult for me to move to the UK to be with you and even though you are of Indian extraction you are not an Indian citizen, so it looks hopeless doesn't it."
Elizabeth paused to think this through.
'Nothing is impossible Ravi, but we need to be realistic so I'm not going to say yes or no until it's clarified how and where we could make a permanent home. If we were to get married and have children, then I'd have to give up my world travels with Deloitte and settle on a university job so I could be in one place to be a mother to my children just as my parents did with me. What kind of work would you enjoy doing?"
"I feel comfortable with corporate management but suppose I could consider teaching but realize I don't have a background in that, and it would be quite different to teaching in India if I were to locate abroad."
Elizabeth thought about this for some time then turned to Rakesh.
"Rakesh I'm very complimented you'd encouraged Ravi to ask me this question. I never expected you'd do that and if you need any help in disconnecting yourself from the family holdings, I'd be very happy to help you as I've had a lot of experience around the world. Of course, my help would be without charge I feel very close to you and Ravi now and look forward to meeting your wife."
Rakesh beamed with pleasure.
"Let me take you to see her now Elizabeth and I hope things can work out between you and my son. I've worked behind the scenes on the plan to sell shareholdings and have a tentative agreement with one from our community who has the backing of a billionaire family he's married into, and he has the capacity to buy us out in total. The rest of the family will be very unhappy about this and I've yet to call an extraordinary corporate meeting to inform them of my resignation and disposal of my shares in the conglomerate." This new majority shareholder will not put up with all the nonsense I have, and it will be good for the future of the holding company and all the companies under its overall control as he forces them into dealing with low performing companies and the needed move into new ventures for which he is eminently qualified to manage."
Elizabeth returned to London happy with her stopover with the Agarwal family. She wanted to say yes to Ravi but there were so many issues that had to be sorted out and it would take time to see if it was practical for her to say yes. She discussed the matter with her father and mother, and they were sympathetic and happy that finally Elizabeth had taken an interest in finding someone to share her life with, assuring her of their acceptance of Ravi if she chose to accept his proposal.
Abhishek accepted a university teaching job in Delhi on completion of his PhD in the US and his return to India so Rakesh now free from responsibilities with the Agarwal holding company and having divested of his investments there decided to sell the sprawling bungalow and attached buildings to get away from bad memories of the last year with the family business and be near his son attached to the university relocating to Delhi. They had more than enough to buy a sprawling estate on the fringes of Delhi with sufficient money invested to see them through their ageing years with ample servants in the home, most of whom relocated with them.
The extended family had exploded with anger when it was disclosed Rakesh was cashing in his investments and resigning from the leadership. He'd served with distinction and the rest of the extended family realized Rakesh must have taken this unparalleled action because of the sinister plotting of his brother so turned on the brothers in that final meeting. The senior company heads were also not happy with the new majority shareholder who they realized would rule the holding corporation with a rod of iron and the backing of his in-laws who'd bankrolled his investment. Changes were inevitable. The older generation lamented Rakesh's absence but the younger generation cheered the new order and hastily gravitated to the new majority owner with suggestions of their own which he listened to with respect and followed through when he could see the logic of their positions.
Ravi took a job with a major industrial group in Delhi while thinking through how he and Elizabeth could get together in a place of mutual consent. He kept applying for work in London and eventually found suitable administrative work with an industrial group. It was not at the level he'd previously been accustomed to working in, but he realized it was a place where he could demonstrate his worth and was determined to rise through the ranks and seek other opportunities at a higher level. His apartment was expensive and small but that was London and he had to be there for some time before fully accepted and able to afford something better. He did not want to touch the bulk of money his father had given him in the distribution of wealth between his sons now invested prudently. He continued to see Elizabeth whenever she was in London and their relationship grew.
Then one day during one of their dinner meetings Elizabeth made a startling announcement. She'd accepted a university appointment and was leaving Deloitte after years working with the firm. That meant she'd not be travelling much anymore. After making the announcement she turned to Ravi smiling.
"Ravi, I think this is the time for you to ask me the question you did at your father's home a few years back and I've been waiting for the right time to respond. So, if you are still of the same mind perhaps this is the time to repeat that proposal."
Ravi smiled happily. His dreams were now about to be fulfilled.
"Elizabeth Birla, will you marry me?"
"Of course, Ravi. I've longed for this day and don't want any further delay now we've sorted out shall we do it tomorrow?"
Ravi laughed and shook his head.
"I think your parents and mine would expect a big wedding celebration and I don't want to disappoint any of them. If you want a spectacular event that will live in everyone's memory forever, then can I suggest a wedding in Delhi with all the Bollywood trappings if your parents agree and that will take time to work out. Let's consult your parents and find out if they see that as a possibility."
Elizabeth nodded.
"I'll phone dad now and see what he suggests but think he'd like that idea. However, I insist on us getting a magistrate's wedding in the meantime so we can live together now. You need to move out of that poky old apartment you are using and move in with me as there is plenty of room in my apartment, but we need to buy a home of our own with sufficient rooms and a yard for children, which I hope you want too. You and I have quite a chunk of investments between us and can afford to move into some of the more upmarket parts of London."
That sounds perfect Elizabeth so phone your dad and then with his input I'll work with my parents and start the wheels in motion for a big wedding bash in Delhi.
And that was the way it worked out. The wedding celebration was a huge success lasting a week and attended not only by representatives of both families but many of the notables of Delhi who praised Ravi for his choice of such a brilliant woman to share his life with. Some tentative attempts were made to entice them to locate in India promising them top administrative jobs, but each vetoed that suggestion choosing to stay in London where their two careers could find an outlet.
After a honeymoon in Mussoorie which Elizabeth loved and a trip to Rajasthan to see the place of their common ancestors they returned to London being farewelled by family at the Delhi airport.
Elizabeth snuggled into her new husband on the plane home. She turned to him and smiled.
"Thank you for patiently waiting for me Ravi. I feel so complete with you by my side now."
He smiled proudly as he looked at his wife.
"Elizabeth no one could ever take your place and I'll make sure your life with me is a happy one."
Conclusion.
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