F For Frustration !!

"Lets go to our usual hangout and discuss", Karan urged Rajiv. 

"I don't think there is much to discuss." Rajiv replied bluntly. "Even if we have to, we don't have to go back to the place where we started it to end it, should we?"

"End it?" It was Karan's turn to raise the decibel level. 

"We are just about beginning it Rajiv. The phone call from the Mumbai team is a big step forward. Let us focus on getting the final pitch, rather than wasting our energies on such discussions."

"Focus on what Karan?, on getting you a chance to hog the limelight, yet again"

"I am least bothered about the limelight, Rajiv."

"But you never missed out on the chance to bask in it"

"What is this about Rajiv. Can we have a matured one to one discussion, rather than trade these unpleasant one liners."

"I am neither interested in the one liners nor the discussion, Karan."

"Then what is your interest?"

"As of now let's just say that my interests are different from your interests." Rajiv had no intention of backing off and Karan was beginning to realise it. 

"What changed in the last two days Rajiv. We were there on Saturday fine tuning the idea and here we are today, discussing interests or lack off ." Karan was almost pleading for answers. 

"Change is the only constant in life". "Remember this quote? Rajiv asked him sarcastically. 

"I loved the statement when you used it for the first time. I am sure you would remember it well Karan."

"Let us not fool ourselves anymore Karan. I am not interested to be a part of the team. I don't think I can contribute to the team."

"But what will happen to the project Rajiv? Can we set aside our personal differences, for the sake of the project. You know how much effort the team has put in so far. All the team believed in us, they believed in our idea to come along this far."

Rajiv let Karan continue. He was not really interested to respond. 

"Would you be okay if you become the point of contact. I will back off and let you take control. You can communicate with the Mumbai team, you can lead all the meetings. I will stay in the background, if that is what you want." Karan realised Rajiv was not even listening. 

"Please Rajiv. Let me know the reason. We will be getting the mail in the next few hours and we should get started with work."

"Respond to the mail Karan. Tell them you will prepare for the final presentation", Karan almost heaved a sigh of relief before Rajiv continued. "Also tell them about the changes in the team. They would not be happy if they realised later that the team changed. Tell them that I am no longer part of the team."

"Come on Rajiv, you know they will not accept it and you pretty well know the consequences of that statement." 

"Are we done Karan.", Rajiv stood up and stretched himself. "I need to go out and meet a family friend. Lets catch up some time later."

Rajiv left the room before Karan could respond. Karan looked helpless as he got up to leave. He made every effort to change Rajiv's mind but to no avail. That left him frustrated. 

Rajiv was the tech geek. His technical expertise along with Karan's ability to sell was the killer combination that got them a call from the Mumbai team. If Rajiv was not part of them team, Karan was sure the next discussion would hit a road block.

From sheer delight to being reduced to this state of frustration in two hours was too much to handle for Karan.

Karan knew being frustrated wouldn't help him in thinking objectively. A long drive was a good option to clear his frustration and he was on his way.

Linking the post to the  A to Z Challenge

Read the next part here G for Guilt