By the time they returned to Vijayawada it was already way past one in the noon making them stop at the newly upcoming Madina Hotel which was recently getting popular for offering Hyderabadi biryani which was Arjun's favorite dish from his past life but till now he could not get the same spicy feel from any of the local hotels he had eaten from yet.
Even though it was spicy it still was not up to Arjun's standards prompting him to enquire the owner about the difference in taste who explained that some of the ingredients were locally sourced which made the taste feel entirely different. Well at least Arjun was happy they did not add Tomato to the biryani like the people in down south which felt to him like a sacrilege of the holy food offered by gods.
Once they were done with the lunch they headed to the union office but learning that Tharun had just gone out for his lunch Arjun instead wanted to visit Vikram but got to know that he had not arrived today either. Arjun wanted to return back to the hotel for some sleep but remembering the urgency in Tharun's voice when he had contacted them earlier at the village he decided to stick around and instead went to have some tea at the nearby tea shop.
When they visited after another twenty minutes Tharun was back in his office and invited both of them inside and explained his troubles.
Apparently union were having troubles selling out their drawing books while the distributors had no such issues and both Tharan and Vikram were having considerable pressure from the other union members in the board.
Okay, so how are you trying to sell them Anna? Arjun enquired.
Well just like how we sold All in Ones, we are approaching the school principals and showing them around in the class rooms. Some have even placed a counter inside the school to sell these stuff like we did with the All in Ones.
Arjun could only face palm himself after he heard how they were trying to sell them, he felt he had overestimated these two way more than they deserved but may be they could not innovate due to their political background or something and began thinking for a solution while Tharun called his assistant to bring some colas for the three of them.
After sipping on the cola for a while and cooling his brain Arjun understood why the books were no being sold at all.
Anna, have you even heard of a kid below fifth class carrying twenty five rupees or more to the school? Even if some do, would they be willing to spend their saved money on some books or candies? Arjun questioned Tharun.
No Arjun i feel that is quite ridiculous, what would they even do with such amounts Tharun responded and understood the issue midway through the sentence.
Yes, that's the reason they are not being sold.
What do you suggest for us to do instead Arjun?
Since you already have principals in bag instead of the counter inside the school place it at the gate entrance and advertise them to the parents of these kids instead saying these would improve their learning ability and cognitive abilities too.
Okay, that sounds good Tharun responded excited and was about to get up but Arjun asked him to sit back and went on.
Also if we could somehow get their teachers onboard with this propaganda i think the sales would be even more high Anna but you might have to let go of some share of profit.
Yes yes, why did i not think of this! if the teachers suggest the parents these books i am sure lot more will buy them. Especially since this is the exam week and last parent teacher meet will be soon, if could capitalize on it i am sure our stocks will be gone Tharun went on and thanked Arjun repeatedly for the enlightenment.
Arjun then enquired about Vikram as he wanted to speak with him but Tharun gave him a strange glare and responded that he was not here today and he could make him call back if it was some important matter or perhaps he could relay the news to him.
No Anna, it's alright. I will talk to him some other day Arjun replied and went back with Balram.
They went back to the hotel to sleep for a while and started their return journey by four in the evening.
By the time they reached the village it was already around seven thirty in the evening thanks to Balram's slow driving, Arjun wanted to lie down on the bed immediately but when his mom mentioned Bhargav wanting to meet him he had to get up and walk to his home to meet up with the guy.
Anna, mom mentioned you wanted to see me about something?
Yes Arjun, all the employees have already arrived and wanted to meet you, Lalitha had already taken care of their housing so you don't need to worry about it.
Can we do it tomorrow morning Anna? I am already tired from the journey back.
Was his driving so horrible?
Well horrible would be an understatement but at least he drives safe Arjun replied which made Bhargav blush.
So what happened to the supply deals you went for? Bhargav asked trying to divert the topic.
They went well Anna, Arjun replied and recited his interactions with the suppliers and Tharun.
I cannot imagine how they tried to sell these books using the same methods, did that idiot brother of mine think making money was so easy? I think it's time he gets some hearing from me.
Hehehe go easy on him Anna, after all his ambitions lie elsewhere.
Still every field needs innovation Arjun.
Not for his field Anna, i think they would prefer if things stayed the same always.
Well i can't fault you on that statement of yours Tharun replied.
Okay Anna how did the worker hiring go?
It went well Arjun, we've got some people who were even experienced in working in other local factories but most of them are fishermen who are looking for a stable income.
It's alright Anna, we did not expect much anyway Arjun replied and asked the experienced once to be stationed in important stations if possible which would need to be further discussed with the Russian workers.
After some more banter Arjun returned to his home and had a wonderful sleep thanks to Balram's awesome driving after having his dinner. Thankfully Sari was mindful enough in not to annoy him after seeing his tired expression.
Arjun went to meet up with his managerial hires the next day with Shiva Ram alongside him who too was free as his exams had already finished and it seemed he was confident in his performance which was evident in his jovial mood which was quite a rare thing for this science guy.
Arjun first met with Srikanth who was here with his entire family who were surprised their dad's new boss was a ten year kid but showed enough respect as they already knew how much Arjun was paying Srikanth for his services.
So Arjun, Bhargav told me you went to get the supply deals? Hope everything went well without any hicups? Srikanth questioned with a poker face after all he did not want to lose his job without it even getting started.
Yes Anna, everything went very well and we even signed contracts for a couple years to come.
That's good Arjun but hope you did not get ripped of as it could prove a costly mistake.
Arjun handed him the contracts as he was already expecting these questions from the experienced operational manager.
Srikanth went through them and gave a surprised glance at Arjun as he felt perhaps even he could not have gotten the deals at such prices.
Arjun rubbed the back of his head and gave a sly smile to the guy in reply after which they went ahead to meet with Lakshmi Priya as Arjun wanted Shiva Ram to get acquainted with the only woman who was from the chemistry background which was Shiva Ram's major interest.
Lakshmi was cleaning her surroundings as these four people approached her house which made her run back to her house and get herself a quick ready check after which she came out.
Arjun then introduced Srikanth and others to Lakshmi as they were going to be working alongside for a long time to come if things worked out well.
Lakshmi greeted everyone but when she saw Shiva Ram who had excited expression on his face gave a questioning glance to Arjun who explained why this kid was accompanying them.
When she learned that their products had become reality thanks to Shiva's experiments she was instantly stunned and looked at this kid in a new light. Even though Arjun was a very key component to the factory, it was fair to say that without Shiva none of this would be possible at all.