Rahul Mankad worked at Dulcet Holdings, an investment bank. He had joined Dulcet almost 2 years ago and it’s a miracle that he survived so far considering how bumpy his initial ride had been. Passing out of IIM Calcutta in the year 2023, Rahul had looked forward to his new job at Dulcet. It did not turn out the way it was supposed to turn out. Working 18 hours a day, he was exhausted for most part of the week. And yet, he was always missing deadlines, under performing and was basically pissing off all his bosses.

Rahul was not the only one though and that was his lone source of consolation. Nearly everyone was going through the same. Investment banking was tough. But Rahul had never thought it would get this crazy. There were only 24 hours in a day and there a limit to how much one could do. But that didn’ t seem to be an option at the company. The deadlines were insane, the targets were impossible and although everyone was apparently earning a lot of money, no one was happy. The company masters were observing the trend. But what could they do? They had investors to keep happy.

……………………………………………………………………………………….

“Well done Rahul. Excellent job done.” said Rahul’s boss. This was the third time in the month that he was being praised by his boss. “Let’s go and have a cup of coffee, shall we Rahul?” Rahul was happy to oblige. Things were beginning to change. The company stock was going up and up. There was nothing speculative about it. No one had lost touch with reality. Be it Rahul or Viraag, everyone in the company was regular like clockwork and was being able to make great profits every day. No one knew what was the reason behind it. No one cared either. No one except the CBI.

“Gentlemen, this is a very peculiar case and I am pretty confident there is something fishy going on. One company cannot post so much profit unless it has ties with the underworld or something illegal is going on. We need to find out what the reason for this sudden prosperity is. The problem is, we cannot get a warrant against these guys since we do not have any information. ” said, the AC lighting up a cigarette. “Hence we need to have a snitch inside the organization.”

“But sir, that will be kind of difficult don’t you think?”

“Well we cannot send someone from the outside. We will need to persuade someone who is already working there and ask him to investigate.”

……………………………………………………………………………

Rahul could see the stars in his eyes as he was slapped by the big man who was following the orders of the small man. “Please for god’s sake, what do you want me to do.”

“Cooperate Mr Mankad. Cooperate with us and you shall be fine.” says the small guy as he lights up his cigarette.

“But exactly what do you wish for me to do?”

“Keep your eyes and ears open. We believe something fishy is going on in your organization.”

“I can assure you nothing of the sort is going on. We are all just working very very efficiently and hard. We all work 20 hours a day sir. When you work 20 hours a day, you will see profit for sure!”

“That might well be the case, but we still believe something is wrong. Just keep your eyes and ears open. We will keep an eye on you.”

And so both men left. Rahul was puzzled. It had definitely bothered him a little that the company was posting so much profit. But this was crazy.

………………………………………………………………………………………….

“You know the CBI guys beat me up yesterday.”

“Don’t tell me!”

“Yeah. Those bastards think there is something fishy going on in our organization.”

“Ha. Idiots. These guys simply cannot digest a growing company.”

“Maybe so. Anyway, I am going to have coffee. You wanna come along?”

“Sure.”

A typical day in office consisted of conversations such as these and not much fishy business was immediately visible. Then one day, Rahul saw a man with a big suitcase, getting out of Mr Rajpal’s office. He did not know who he was but his face looked familiar. He had seen him before in this office. He had come with…

“Is this the CBI?”

“Yes”

“May I please speak with AC Nishit Goyal.”

“One moment please.”

“Hello. This is Nishit Goyal this side.”

“Good afternoon sir. This is Rahul Mankad this side.”

“Yes Mr Mankad. Any news?”

“Nothing much sir. Just that today I saw a big man with a big suitcase leaving Mr Sinha’s office. Mr Sinha is our accountant.”

“And do you know who this big man is?”

“No sir. I have only seen him once in our office. He had come with Mr Arun Khurana.”

“You mean “The” Arun Khurana? That pharma mogul?”

“The very same sir.”

“Hmmm interesting. Thank you Mr Mankad. You have been most helpful. Have a nice day.”

“You’re welcome sir. Bye.”

The AC puts the receiver down. His mind was now racing. And then it struck him!

“Sharma. I think I have some news. This is not a case of speculative fraud at all.”

“Then sir?”

“I will tell you what it is shortly. I am gonna go to Dulcet Holdings. You wanna come along?”

“Sure sir.”

“I think paying a trip to that building once a day, will really speed up the investigation. It’s the environment. One should stay close to the point where one needs to investigate.”

“Totally agree sir.”

The AC and his deputy arrive at the Dulcet building. Immediately the news spreads in the office about the possible CBI raid.

“Relax gentlemen. This is just a routine visit. We are not going to do anything. Anyway, can someone please get me a cup of coffee?”

And so he gets his cup. When a few drops of coffee were still left in the cup, the AC stops drinking.

“I shall now be leaving gentlemen. Have a nice day.”

On the way back to the CBI building, he tells his deputy.

“Send this coffee for forensic investigation.”

—————————————————–

“Are the results out?”

“Yes sir. The coffee contains a compound similar to THC. The expert reckons that drinking 2 cups of this coffee will alter your perception of time significantly.So much so that you will be able to do things very fast and your focus will improve by 100%.”

“Any side effects?”

“Yes sir. In about a year, you will die of exhaustion. You do not feel tired but in reality, your body is extremely tired and you continue to overwork. The expert believes that in about a year, you will get a heart attack. ”

“But what if you stop taking coffee after, say, 6 months”

“Your lifespan will be shortened by 10 years nevertheless.”

“So in a way, will it be safe to say that company is actually slow poisoning its employees just for better profit?”

“Yes sir. One can definitely put it like that.”

“Alright Sharma. I think I now know what I need to do. You have been most helpful.”

——————————-

The next day, the AC, his deputy Sharma and the forensic expert pay a visit to Dulcet Holdings.

“We wish to meet the director.”

“This way gentlemen.”

“Thank you.”

As they enter the room, they’re immediately impressed with it.

“Hello Mr Rajpal. I am Nitish Goyal, Assistant Commissioner, CBI. This is my associate Sudhir Sharma and our forensic medical expert Dr Baweja.  I need to discuss something with you.”

“Sure Mr Goyal. Would you like to have a cup of coffee?”

“Thank you. I don’t like coffee. I would however, like to talk about your coffee.”

“Oh ok ok. How’s coke? Ramu get 4 glasses of Pepsi. So Mr Goyal. You were saying?”

“We know what you people are upto Mr Rajpal. I know the reality of the coffee. And the money you are paying to a certain pharma company.”

“Hmmm…How much do you gentlemen want Mr Goyal?”

“I want 10″

“Ok deal. You get 10% of all the money we pay to Mr Khurana.”

“You didn’t get me right. I meant I want 10 years for you. You belong to the prison.”

“Hmmm… Oh here’s you Pepsi gentlemen.”

“Yes. You have already taken 10 years off of every employee of yours. It is only fair you should spend 10 years at the very least in prison. Thank you for the pepsi.” the AC says, taking a sip.

“I guess you have busted me after all Mr Goyal.” Rajpal says, smiling as he takes a sip of his fizzy drink. “But you know something fellows, coffee aint the only adulterated drink in this office.”

The AC’s face now turns white. Sharma was equally puzzled. He stands up with a shudder and yells “Did you mix that thing in my drink?”

“Oh no gentlemen. What use would you be to us if  you would be able to work 20 hours a day? You will crack the case in even less time.”

The AC was now confused. He looks around and finally says, “Hello Mr Rajpal. I apologize but I really cannot remember why we had come to your office.”

“Oh that’s ok Mr Goyal. You gentlemen were just paying your complements sir.” says Rajpal, lighting up a cuban cigar. “Would you like some more Pepsi?”