Chapter 562: Aikyotsava Festival: End of Track and Field (END 2)
"As for any assistance, there is actually one thing. Representing Raftaar, I entered into a deal with Jayamma and her company. We’ve already negotiated the details, but now it’s time to formalize the cooperation by signing the contract. The issue is that, while I can read a bit of Bharati, I’m not yet fluent enough to fully understand the contract. Could the bank possibly arrange for someone to review it and ensure there are no problematic points from our perspective?"
Guru Raj nodded in understanding, glancing at Jayamma with admiration, impressed by her foresight.
"There’s no need for anyone else to inspect the contract, sir. Mr Raftaar is a high-potential client at our bank, so I will personally handle this matter."
Zafir was pleasantly surprised that the manager himself would take on the task, and he smiled, accepting the offer. The more qualified the person, the better it was for them, after all.
Guru Raj carefully took the contract from Jayamma and read it thoroughly, going over each point with Zafir, who was undoubtedly handling Raftaar’s legal matters.
Zafir nodded his head at each point read by Guru Raj. He was pleased to see that everything in the contract was exactly as discussed during the negotiation. However, there was one item in the contract that had not been previously discussed.
"Madam Jayamma, according to the contract, it says that Raftaar can no longer sign any advertisement deals with other pickle companies except yours. This point was never discussed, and it’s unacceptable for Raftaar, as we don’t want to tie ourselves exclusively to your company."
Jayamma had written the contract conscientiously, without adding any hidden clauses that would grant her a significant advantage. However, she did include this specific clause, hoping it might slip by unnoticed. Unfortunately, her wish remained unfulfilled.
"Sigh!"
"Well, Zafir, isn’t it natural that I don’t want you to cooperate with my competitors right after partnering with me? It’s reasonable for me to add such a condition, especially since I’m investing a significant amount in this sponsorship."
Zafir remained firm. "That may be, but we really cannot bind ourselves solely to your company."
Jayamma was visibly displeased, but Zafir continued. "However, it’s possible to sign a priority agreement with Jayamma Pickles and Co., stating that under equal conditions, Raftaar will cooperate with your company, provided you add 20% more to the current deal. How does that sound?"
If this had been suggested earlier, Jayamma might have hesitated, but after witnessing the reaction of the Raya Royal Bank’s regional manager, she quickly decided to formally tie down these Balochi boys to her company at any cost. "Alright, I can agree to this deal. But instead of 20% extra, I’ll offer 50% extra on the condition that our current cooperation will last for the next five years." Your next journey awaits at empire
Zafir was lost in thought, feeling that the price was still not high enough, especially considering the next five years. However, taking into account that everything depended on his brother’s athletic performance, he knew it was best to secure as many benefits as possible before his brother could no longer compete at the highest levels.
"It could be signed for five years, but 50% won’t do. I require 100% more."
Jayamma was immediately pleased that this matter could be discussed. Price did not matter since it could always be negotiated; however, it would have been more troublesome if Raftaar had been unwilling to sign a long-term deal with her. It would then be annoying to come up with countermeasures if her competitors poached Raftaar. Fortunately, things seemed to be going well for her. She outwardly put on a troubled expression. "That’s too much. 60% is the highest I can go."
Zafir shrugged. "Then there’s nothing we can do; 60% is just too little. If you can bring it up to 85%, then we can discuss."
Jayamma looked helpless. "Alright, alright, let’s do 80%. This is my final offer— i can’t raise it any more than that."
Zafir thought for a moment and nodded. "It can be done."
"Happy cooperation."
"Happy cooperation."
Raftaar stayed silent throughout the negotiations, knowing he wouldn’t be of any help and would likely be a hindrance with his limited knowledge. However, after hearing the details, he was thrilled. He’d be paid significantly more than before for the exact same amount of work, with the only condition being that he couldn’t work with any other pickle companies for the next five years. This wasn’t an issue for Raftaar; he was a straightforward and loyal person. Even without payment, he wouldn’t collaborate with Jayamma’s rivals, as he clearly knew that if it wasn’t for Jayamma approaching them, they wouldn’t be having this discussion today.
Throughout the time he spent in the booth, Guru Raj had not thought very highly of Zafir at first because, in his opinion, Raftaar was the actual talent. However, after witnessing the negotiation process, he had to admit that Zafir was a very smart and keen individual who knew how to maximize the benefits for himself.
So much so that Guru Raj even considered whether to recruit Mohammed Zafir to the bank. But unfortunately, after learning about the contract between Zafir and Raftaar, he quickly gave up on the idea.
With both sides agreeing and the Raya Royal Bank standing as a witness, Raftaar formally signed the contract with Jayamma and became the first endorsed athlete in the empire.
"So, Madam Jayamma, you’ll be transferring the money to Raftaar’s account, I presume?" Zafir asked, his face barely containing his excitement.
Jayamma, looking at the boy’s face, which had been stern and serious just a moment ago, couldn’t help but shake her head in both amusement and admiration.
Jayamma looked toward Guru Raj. "Manager, if it isn’t too much trouble, is it possible for Mr Raftaar to open a bank account right away?"
Guru Raj agreed immediately and looked thankfully toward Jayamma, as he understood that she was the one who brought this high-quality customer. "No problem. I will get it done within a few minutes."
"Mr. Raftaar and Mr. Zafir, please come with me. I will guide you through the formalities."
Zafir and Raftaar immediately agreed and followed the manager. They were led through various departments in the bank, and within an hour, two accounts had been created—one for Raftaar and another for Zafir, as per his own request.
Consecutively, Jayamma also deposited the money into Raftaar’s account, as agreed upon. The first thing Raftaar did after getting the money was withdraw 1,000 Varaha and hand over 650 Varaha to Zafir, as agreed, keeping the remaining 350 for his daily needs.
Jayamma left the bank as she had to deal with the increased demand for the pickles. Zafir was about to leave too but suddenly asked a question he was curious about.
"Manager Guru Raj, I heard Miss Jayamma say that a branch of the Raya Royal Bank will be opened in the major ports of Baluchistan. Is it true? And if it is convenient, do you know when it will be opening?"
Guru Raj looked surprised. But, Instead of directly answering the question, he asked, "If it is not too presumptuous, may I know whether both of you will be going back to Baluchistan or staying in the capital?"
Raftaar didn’t even have to speak as Zafir confirmed with a determined expression, "We will be going back in a month or so. Although everything in the capital is amazing, it is still not our home after all. We are unlikely to stay here. Maybe we will come back for next year’s Aikyotsava festival."
Guru Raj felt regretful. "Well, it’s a pity, but I can say that there is still a year before the branch of the Raya Royal Bank will be opened in Baluchistan. But this is under normal circumstances. Now that you have shown your determination to go back, I can put in an inquiry to the head office, asking whether the opening of a branch in Baluchistan could be expedited for your sake."
"With the importance the empire attaches to its athletes, I am sure you will get good news before both of you leave."
Zafir and Raftaar looked at each other, surprised by the unexpected news. They hadn’t anticipated having such a large influence on the bank. Zafir quickly thanked him, "We are very grateful, Manager Guru Raj. Whether the reply we get is positive or negative, both of us owe you a great favour."
Guru Raj let out a huge smile, as this was one of the reasons he was willing to help so much. A favour from the top-ranked athlete of the empire was a very valuable thing, one that could not be measured in money—especially for someone like him, who was always looking to increase his standing among his competition.
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Parliament ground
The last event of the day ended with a flurry of fireworks blasting into the air.
Vijay personally handed over the medals to all the winners of the day.
"Shot put winner: Hardeep Siddhu."
"Long jump winner: Balraj Singh Chahal."
"Bharat Mase Throw winner: Amrit Paul Singh Dhillon."
"Strongman winner: Jaspal Singh Brar."
"Archery winner: Ramesh Chandradas."
"Shooting winner: Major Kesha Rao Naidu."
"Horse racing winner: Ryder Param Bhatt and Mount Jadeja."
"Mallacambam winner: Bajirao Shinde."
As Vijay had expected, when it came to pure athletic events that tested a person’s strength, speed, or endurance, the people of Punjab and Haryana held an overwhelming advantage. On average, a Punjabi or a Haryanvi man is much stronger than a typical Bharatiya from anywhere else. This was due to the nutrition, climate, and conditions the Punjabis and Haryanvis grew up in.
Although the difference was not as large as it was in the 21st century, it was still very noticeable. And, as he expected, events that concerned accuracy and flexibility were unilaterally dominated by the southern states. Vijay did not want to introduce nonsensical ideas like equitable representation of all ethnicities, as seen in the Americas, which had introduced all these Bullshit "woke" far-left policies.
Vijay did not feel anything was wrong with a certain ethnicity gaining an overwhelming majority in certain events because that was how nature worked. He wouldn’t try to magically make everyone seem equal when they were not.
The events of the day were once again published throughout the empire the next day, and the Aikyotsava event turned out to be a huge boon to the newspaper industry, especially for the monopoly company Bharatham Daily, which grew at a staggering 15% sales increase every day.
P.S. Ill end it with the team events tomorrow, if I can