Chapter-2 (The Changing World)

Eric Winslet

"Time changes everything” that's what everyone says.  But still, it seems like yesterday when our breakfast was meant to be in a college canteen.

Weekends? How did I forget about them? Discussing those party places and then the mess those complimentary drinks used to create within us.

Three years such a long period, MBA wasn't easy but it never felt difficult with them.

Everything, every moment I remember like yesterday.

No matter how much time passes, no matter where we are today?

There are always some things we never assign to oblivion. They keep coming back to us, no matter what.

Everything has changed since then, from friends to rivals. The journey is absolutely incredible and somewhat disheartening.

It was fate and we accepted. But our inner feelings kept dominating our lives.

Many things have changed but the only that remained intact is only our bond right from our childhood to this very moment.

Then again, where are they both? I started feeling hungry. Never a fan of punctuality. Sigh.

"Are you cursing me, your Noah?" a sound came just to break my series of thoughts.

“Breakfast, that's what I thought before coming here. Don't you think we are little late for that?” I smiled sarcastically.

“Ah!!” He started rubbing the corner of his neck and started seeing everywhere but me.

“Are you going to learn to be on time?” I asked while moving towards our favorite table.

"Not anytime soon,” Ashley said while taking both of us in her famous breathtaking hug.

I was about to say something but she dragged us towards the chairs.

“ Eric, not now. I’m hungry, I will faint if I won't feed myself now,” she said in the most dramatic tone.

We laughed at her antics. “ What do you want to eat?” I asked while inspecting the menu again.

“ Anything.“ they both spoke in unison.

"When everyone is busy planning their weekends, we are still confused in between what to have for our special Friday breakfast."  Noah laughed.

"It's okay, we'll do it together like every Friday." three of us said together.

Before we proceed ahead and have made some decisions regarding our morning meal.

There comes Mr. Anderson, a big name in the Lodging accommodation Industry, not to forget the owner of this very favorite place of mine.

There's always something about this place. Maybe three of us had spent most of our adulthood time here, it became special.

Every corner has taken a different meaning in my mind.

We never realized when it became more than a place. Plus it's like a distillation for us. It's not wrong if I say, this becomes a part of our soul.

“ Eric….ERIC” Ashley almost yelled.

“Yeah! What happened?” I asked.

“Are you gonna order something?” She childishly spoke.

Then again, I saw the man & our would-be partner leaving that place.

I stood up and greeted him not because he was a very good friend of my dad but also because of the Winslet Industry that is soon going to collaborate with Anderson's hotel; the known kings of nightlife.

After a few discussions, we left things to be discussed later in a very professional manner.

"Mr. Eric James Winslet spotted having breakfast with two of his rivals, a very beautiful Ashley Smith and the most handsome and charming Noah Wright.

Not to forget he found discussing his business secrets with the king of the hotel industry; Mr. William Anderson, that too in front of them." Noah acted as reading a tabloid.

Ashley made a big laugh only to face my fake wrath.

I took my place just to end up ordering our favorite college time breakfast; grill sandwiches with extra cheese and cold coffee for both of them and one French toast and black coffee for me.

"Eric James Winslet will never change." They both laughed just to crack me up with their never-ending rants.

"Any weekend plans?" Noah asked, surprising me and Ashley at the same time.

"Noah and the weekend plans never come in the same sentence.” We yelled together.

"No, not now. But yes, Winslet Industry is stepping into the business of nightlife so we are throwing a party to announce our collaboration with Andersons. Why don't you two join just like our old times; weekends with the complimentary drinks?" I asked while reminiscing everything.

I miss that time. Now three of us are so caught up in our everyday lives that events of the past, like satellites that no longer in orbit around our minds.

There are just too many things we have to think about every day, more to learn. New people, new places, but still how much time passes we can't replace those memories and people.   

Within a second Ashley chirped with happiness" We are in." that was the best thing that happened today.

“Are you excited?” She asked while taking another bite from her sandwich.

“About what?” I asked nonchalantly.

“The collaboration, stupid,” Noah spoke.

“Oh!” I exclaimed.

With that I started eating again, ignoring both of them.

Within the next second, she stomped at my feet.

“Jeez, are you mad?” I winced.

“Smile please.” Noah tried to take a picture.

After 10 minutes

“Excited! Yes, it's a good opportunity for our companies to grow together. I’m looking forward to it. “ I completed.

“Are you happy?” Noah asked.

“Who are you two? Lawyers? Or customer care asking for feedback.” I shrugged.

“Your best friends. We care for you & that's why you make fun of us.” I knew that was coming.

“Fine! My bad. I am happy. Now tell me about yourselves.” I frowned.

Nobody spoke. So, they are in their ignorant mode.

“About Ashley, I still understand. But what happened to you Noah? I used to think so highly of you.” I tried to break the silence again.

“What do you mean?” Ashley reacted.

Perfect! I knew she would.

I shrugged and took my sight towards Noah.

“Man! She is affecting my mind and soul. Save me.” He tried to control his laughter.

“You both again ganged up against me.” She faked crying.

“We are Team Ash. Remember?” I laughed.

“Do you remember how you used to side me against Noah?” She asked.

“He was always partial.” Noah threw daggers on me.

That was the time, my mind got back to the old days.

“Zone out again?” Noah asked.

“No. Sometimes," I sighed, "I think the things I remember are more real than the things I see.” I completed it.

“ Three years! It's a long time. I don't want to continue this facade, Eric. Why don't we get back to how we were? Why do we have to hide it?” Ashley said in a slow tone.

“ I don't know till when. However, if we disclose our friendships our companies will have to suffer the consequences.” I replied.

“We had never followed rules but made them. We aren't bound to it, but it's another way around. “ Noah took another sip from his coffee.

“What do you mean?” I asked while frowning.

“ We were never enemies but our parent companies. Why ride over the past, if we can write our future?” He completed.

“ Enmity will take us nowhere, maybe our old friendships. Business changes over time so rivalry too.” Ashley added.

“Daniel Carter deserves our enmity personally and professionally. You are right, we aren't obliged to anyone. “ I blurted out.

We promised to turn into the same old gang that meant to rule just to rule.

“ That's how it should be.” I smiled inwardly.

After that, we proceed to our respective workplaces.

I was informed by our Companies HR department, about college placement of students studying MBA are assigned with practical business projects to work under us.

The placement cells included Anderson's Lodging Accommodation, Wright Industries,  and not to forget Carter Industries.

Students will be allotted according to the criteria decided by the college administration department itself.  

The college has signed an internship treaty with the above industries so we can't even deny it.

Whatever I just need to focus on this weekend's collaboration announcement. Hope things go according to me.

Scarlett Miller

After seeing him there, I rushed back to my class.

At the time we reached there, we were already allotted our projects with industries. We have to work with.

“ I’m going to collect my details,” Carlos spoke.

I nodded.

After a few minutes

“ Scarlett Miller.” Mrs. Newal took my name.

“ I’m here.” I immediately replied.

“ Here.” She handed me over some documents and maybe an offer letter.

I instantly opened it. The time I read my project details, and the time I read the industry name it took the ground away from my feet.

This is not possible......

To be continued.

So here's the second chapter and we get to meet Eric Winslet

What do you think about him?

Noah and Ashley, your take on them?

Which industry Scarlett is assigned to? Any guesses?

With love

Purva Narang

(Your Writer)

                 

  Till the next time