The excerpts from Mohan Deep's- It's My Life, a novel about Mumbai's high society.

'Bhairavi...!' An angry stare from her stopped him. He realized he may have screwed her but he was not supposed to call her by name. It was as if she had screwed him. The well-decorated penthouse of a 23-storey 'Development House' at Versova was the nerve center of 'Dassani Developers Limited', one of the biggest names in construction industry. In the business for over 25 years, known for over 1200 projects of apartment houses, hotels, hospitals, shopping centers it was run by an aging patriarch in Nanoobhai Dassani and his daughter Bhairavi. At the moment, a tall, slim and sharp featured Vasant Kamble who looked in his mid-twenties stood before Bhairavi like a servile government servant with folded hands before a minister But not a Mantralaya babu, he was an architect who when he worked for 'Dassani Developers Limited' took up all the responsibilities which go with overseeing construction activities.

Bhairavi could be tough in business dealings. She was her builder father's daughter that way. -'Mr Kamble!....It is obvious that you have paid more for the interior of the hotel...More than even a wet behind the ear kid architect would give...'Bhairavi's voice was like a whiplash. Kamble tried placating her. -'Madam, this is a totally professional job.'he said respectfully. -'What professional job? This dumb architect of yours doesn't even know the standard heights of tables! Do you know that all the tables are higher by 3 inches?'. Bhairavi was fuming. And to think that he too was an architect! -'I will see that the heights of all tables are altered. All it needs is a week's work by the carpenters.' Kamble said smoothly, pushing the papers towards her. -'It is not that easy. Tables are a part of decor, screwed to the walls. Now when we reduce their height, the walls will have to be given another coat or two of paint! I am not going to pass any payment till then. Besides 43 lakhs is too much. Who told you to commit on your own?'. She said angrily. Kamble could only mumble apologies. Seeing that she was picking up another file, taking that as a brush off, like a tame dog with his tail firmly in his hind legs he stepped out of her chamber.

All rights reserved, Mohandeep, 2000