56. Reasons

"Well then, let me list it for you. Number one – I'm on vacation, so I won't accept any work during this time. Number two – I prefer to work independently. Number three – I'm reckless and I have no concern over my reputation. I don't care who my client or counsel is. If I find my client is in the wrong then I'll drop the case even if I have to lose credit for that. Number four – forcing, threating or bribing me to pick a case is useless." Tanmoy explained his several reasons while counting on his fingers.

"And suppose I accept your offer, then Jet asks me to win a case unethically for profit, which is fairly common in the business world. What shall I do then? I wouldn't be able to refuse because I would be bound by a contract but if I accept I would have to work against my principles. And I don't want that to happen."

Mr Chauhan's eyes twinkled watching Tamnoy make such serious hypothesis about his workplace right before him with hesitation. What he said might be the general negative side of the business world but openly talking about such specifics needed guts.

"Are you doubting my work ethics Mr Chakraborty?" he said in a seemingly displeased tone.

"I dare not Mr Chauhan," Tanmoy shook his head with a slight smile.

"You're a reputed person. I don't think you're stupid enough to do unethical things openly for people to tarnish the reputation that you built for so many years." He said calmly.

Mr Chauhan narrowed his eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean nothing, Sir. I was just stating facts. We're not close enough to know each other's true character. We just see as much the other allows us to. The rest can only be deduced from our observation and based on that I'm entitled to think good or bad of you. You have your work ethics and benefits in mind. Now what you wish to prioritise is your choice. Making benefits your priority does not necessarily mean you're a bad person, you're just looking out for yourself. But it can be a problem if you're doing it at the expense of others."

Mr Chauhan stared at Tanmoy with a piercing look as the latter went on explaining solemnly.

"You have your reasons for being loyal to Jet but I don't want to choose between my goal and responsibility. In my volunteer work, I often go against influential people. Such things can backfire one day and affect me and my surroundings which includes my workplace. Also, what if someday my volunteer case aligns with that of Jet's. Then it would definitely create an inner conflict about which one should be my priority, right? I can't be present for both. So I have to compromise one for the other. Thus, I'll be in constant dilemma if I take this job and it'll disrupt my mental peace. And as lawyers, you know we need to keep our minds clear all the time."

Mr Chauhan nodded with a sigh as Tanmoy finished his speech. Then his pursed lips slowly curled up as he rose from his seat.

"It was a pleasure to know you, Mr Chakraborty. And I am certain you'll make an excellent leader for our company's legal department. Go there, once — that is my suggestion, as an elder or senior, whatever you think of me as. I promise you won't regret it. And there's a one-month trial period. You can decide after that. I've omitted many terms and conditions, I want you to see it for yourself." He said.

Tanmoy got up too.

"Your reputation of being stubborn is true Sir. You ultimately managed to convince me. Okay. I'll go. But know that it will just be out of respect for you." He said with a sigh.

"Didn't you just doubt my morality? How come you're going out of respect for me now?" Mr Chauhan said sarcastically.

Tanmay chuckled, "That is why I said suppose at the beginning Sir. Do you think I would have listened to you at all if I didn't have any respect for you?"

He threw a question.

Mr Chauhan laughed. "Now I know why Brinda took you in as her student. Let's meet at Jet then. Goodbye." He said smiling mysteriously.

Tanmoy and Mr Bakshi bade him farewell. Then, he and Anulekha came outside.

"You were so brave Sir." She said.

"Why?" Tanmoy asked.

"You spoke so fearlessly in front of Mr Chauhan. The Mr Chauhan." She said with her voice full of admiration.

"Why should I be afraid? Did I commit a crime? And are you forgetting that I'm also The Tanmoy Chakraborty?" he chuckled.

Anulekha looked at his face and whispered with a smile, "Right."

He was Tanmoy Chakraborty. The Tanmoy Chakraborty.

Ankita was about to get inside the house when she heard a melodious voice. She looked up in surprise because the sound was very familiar. A beautiful boy was humming a tune while watering the flowers in the garden. The sun was glaring down so Ankita shielded her eyes with her palm and looked closely. He was wearing a sea green-shirt with brown cargo pants. His messy curly hair covered his forehead and sometimes prickled his eyes for which he shook his head to shake them away. His fair slender fingers tapped on the watering can rhythmically.

"Hi, what brought you hear?" Ankita called out.