She knew that she would never be given an opportunity to
evolve and shine as long as she worked under Shikha. She was too envious of
her! Her criticism was not aimed at improving her professional ability, but at
undermining her capability and confidence. She wondered about how people could
stoop to such low levels, just to boost their super egos.
She left
‘Shikha’s Creations’ much to the bewilderment of Shikha who had announced an
increment for her, and stepped out, after giving her a piece of her mind, without
a backward glance. All her colleagues looked on, with unabashed admiration. She
had belled the cat and how!
She roped in her
brother who was an MBA (Marketing) and started her own Ad Agency in partnership
with him, in a rented place. Her brother Sukumar had lots of contacts. He
procured prestigious assignments for her and she looked after the creative side
of the business. Her former colleagues from Shikha’s agency, slowly made a
beeline to work for the gentle and super-talented Supriya. It is rightly said
that employees don’t quit an organization, but they quit the Boss! Who wanted
to work for a control-freak, like slaves, when they could enjoy creative
freedom in Supriya’s Ad agency, ‘Super Success Communication’!
In a short span
of three years, Supriya was the darling Madam of her employees whom she
addressed as friends, and her agency, housed in spacious ownership premises,
was handling all the exclusive and profitable advertising and publicity work of
that town. Her agency was accredited as No.1 by the Advertising Council of
India and progressed to win several national awards for the Best Advertising
Agency, in terms of creative output and turnover; and international awards, including
the Cannes Award for the best copywriting and the best ad campaign.
All that Shikha
could do, was fret and fume at the impudence of that chit of a girl, who had
stolen the limelight from right under her nose. She had also ‘robbed’ her of
all her clients! Not to mention her peace of mind! There came a day, when
Shikha was delinquent and had to wind her business. She advertised in the newspapers
for sale of her agency. ‘Shikha’s Creations’ was bought by ‘Super Success
Communication’.
The merger saw the dissolution of what was once the pride of
that town, as also the pride of its former owner Shikha. Supriya felt sorry for
Shikha, who had lost all her bite and was reduced to a nervous wreck. Shikha
refused to accept a position of a copywriter that Supriya offered her on purely
compassionate grounds. Supriya realized the truth of the adage “Pride always
goes before a fall.”
*********************************************************************************
Unknown to Supriya, Shikha had already
plotted her next plan of action. She would now woo the handsome Sukumar, marry
him and regain control of the merged ad agency! Whether she would achieve her
goal, only time would tell!
THE END
This story written by me, was published in Alive magazine in January 2012.
This story written by me, was published in Alive magazine in January 2012.
