25. Aarti #2
“I’ve never talked about this openly, but when I began working on the first idea, it was with a goal to make some money.
It is the ultimate 21 st -century dream, after all.
All new millionaires were tech nerds. It was a great idea at the time, streamlining healthcare records and accounting systems, demystifying insurance claims and adjustments for doctors’ offices, and online payments of balance.
All these were needs of the hour. I just hit the right note at the right time.
That’s what brought in the wealth. I had never imagined it getting this big.
I had hoped to help smaller clinics and private practices which already grapple with low-staffing.
But everyone from state hospitals to private healthcare giants came knocking, and it turned into a beast I couldn’t control alone.
That’s when I had to bring in bigger teams and imposing C-suite guys.
In all honesty, I had hoped for that kind of success, as every startup does, but I had never imagined it would become a reality. ”
“You still haven’t answered my question,” I reminded softly when his pause turned into silence.
He turned his body to face me. “All right, sweet girl. Here is the answer to your question. Like I said, most startups identify a problem or a lack they perceive in our system and try to find a solution to it. However, because of the long years and labor involved, the expectation is to make money, a lot of money.”
“And that’s wrong?”
“Absolutely not. That’s what I did too. But once I quote-unquote made it, I asked myself what I wanted.
And I wanted to work more. I have enough juice in me to keep going another three decades, but this time, the end game is not money.
It is to provide accessible education to kids, especially those who need it.
Kids with special requirements, kids who struggle to fit into the regimented schedule of our schooling systems. Kids who have all the potential but not enough money or opportunity.
What I am trying right now might or might not bring me money, and it’s definitely not going to change the world overnight, but I hope it will offer tangible options for some real structural changes in education for everyone. ”
“And you’ve put your own money toward it?”
“For now, although I’ve had investors wanting in on it. Most people see the way I’ve been working on this venture and assume I’m ambitious and doing it for more money and more glory. But not this particular project. This, I’m doing for myself. Exclusively for myself.”
I sighed. “Since I first met you, I’ve been wondering what makes you different from the other rich guys I know. I think I just found my answer. You care.”
He gave me a nervous laugh. “Well, as I see it, there are only three ways to go when one acquires that kind of wealth. The first route is the safe path. You keep amassing more, increasing your power and influence that benefits you and your descendants. This comes from a place of insecurity, but also greed, I suspect. It wasn’t something I’m interested in. ”
“So you choose to spend your wealth creating opportunities?”
“That’s the second option. I’m not keen on amassing wealth, but I realized that being thrust into the billionaire’s club gave me access to unprecedented power and influence.
The kind of influence that can bring about real change and opportunities for happiness in society.
Creating something good involves listening to the communities that you are a part of, heeding to the voice of the most disadvantaged.
It involves understanding your responsibilities that your status accords you.
Given who my parents are, the way my father has raised us, there was no other way for me to be.
Of what use are my billions if my neighbor goes hungry? ”
My heart warmed at his genuine words, and a proud smile appeared on my lips. But I was curious. “You said there are three ways. What’s the third route?”
“The third route is to use your power and influence to actively undermine our shared communities. It is the incarnation of evil on earth. Imagine having the money to single-handedly solve world hunger, but instead of doing good, you choose to spend it on creating fractures in our society. You thump your chest with joy when the rights and privileges of the most disadvantaged are stripped, all in the service of getting you more money and power. That is pure evil.”
I paused for thought.
“What about the other project? The one with the creators’ studios?”
“Aarti!” he cried.
There was a long pause before he sat up, the duvet pooling around his hips, his thin T-shirt clinging to his toned torso against a determined breeze.
“I know it’s a secret, but there’s no one else here except us!”
“Not that, sweet girl! I have been looking for a good name for the project, and you just gave me one!”
“Creators’ Studios?” Now I sat upright, and the spaghetti strap of my silk cami slipped right off my smooth shoulder, baring my skin all the way to the swell of my breast. But he didn’t notice.
“Creators’ Studio,” he said. “How do you like it?”
“I love it. Congratulations,” I complimented.
“Well, it was all you. You can officially claim a share of the profits if this makes big.”
“Consider it a gift, sweet man.”
“That’s a copyrighted term, sweet girl.”
“Is it now? I didn’t see any copyright notice anywhere.”
He shook his head and fell back onto the pillowy mattress.
“Thank you for this weekend, Aarti,” he said. “And I know I need to thank you for one other thing.”
I threw him an inquiring look. Like me, his eyes had accustomed to the darkness enveloping us.
“Walt told me about Ms. Dina’s diner,” he said.
I pulled in a silent breath. “I asked him not to.”
“He didn’t break your trust. I contacted him with an offer to buy out the place in her name. He had no choice but to confess the truth. The shop was hers now for all intents and purposes, he said, and no one could drive her out again.”
When I didn’t say anything, he prodded, “Aarti?”
“I’m listening,” I said softly. I shifted to my back again and returned my gaze to the skies.
“I don’t know how to thank you for this.
The diner has helped her survive, emotionally and financially.
She has been training two women from her country to take over when she’s ready to retire, which I hope isn’t too soon.
You have no idea what you’ve done for her.
You talked about selfless love after the first time we ate at her diner. This is it. This is selfless love.”
I couldn’t hold the lie any longer. “It wasn’t selfless, Sujit. Far from it.”
“You helped a woman secure the place that has become integral to her identity. It is her entire life. How can it not be selfless?”
“Because I didn’t do it for her alone,” I confessed. “I did it for you.”
The sea turned unexpectedly calm, the thrashing waves barely whispering their presence on the sand as an uncomfortable silence filled the space between us.
“I did it so you didn’t lose the space you value so much,” I explained.
“I don’t know what to say,” his gentle voice finally drifted over to me.
“You don’t have to say anything,” I cried with exasperation. “That was the whole point in keeping it a secret.”
I turned to my side to face him and pushed an arm under my head.
“You have no idea what you’ve done for me, Sujit.
You brought me out of the despair I had buried myself in and with such effortless ease.
You lent me your ear and your shoulder when I was feeling lonely and wretched.
You allowed me your company, your unconditional friendship, your unassuming care.
This is the least I could do to thank you for it. ”
“You gave me a new lease on life, too, Aarti. Our friendship was never one-sided. You helped me regain a fresh perspective and a new vision of what happiness entails. Being with you makes me happy.”
Oh, thank you, indigo! My heart bubbled with joy at his words. Was this the clarity I was looking for?
“And I am sure we both will carry this happiness with us as we find love again.”
All right, WTF, indigo? What are you doing?
“On that note, I also wanted to talk to you about something else,” he said when I was nearly done fuming at the universe.
“What’s that?” I responded with some annoyance.
“Remember I said we should do something to celebrate on the day of the wedding?”
“Yes, I also remember saying that I wouldn’t use the word celebrate,” I cried with impatience.
“May I take the liberty of pointing something out?”
“I may regret it, but yes.”
“The only way to get from under the shadow of their happiness is to find ours.”
Their happiness no longer cast a shadow on mine, but I didn’t tell him that. My happiness was overshadowed by a completely different monster cast in the mold of the twisted sense of humor that the universe had unfurled.
“Aarti?” he nudged. “Are you still up?”
“No, I’m in deep sleep right now,” I responded, and he laughed.
I breathed in the salty air. “I think it’d be best if I was alone that night.”
“Are you still hurting?” he asked.
“Are you?” I countered with some anger.
“No. Are you?”
The honest answer was I was hurting but not from Sameer. I was hurting because I couldn’t tell Sujit that I was in love with him.