Arjun too wanted to extend the time but wondered whether if it was really possible to do so. Vladimir had already told him to move fast, now asking for more time would be a slap to his face in front of the seller. He was relieved at least they hadn't done the negotiations yet and had a way out. But he decided to take a chance and call Vladimir to see whether the deal could be delayed for a couple of weeks.
"Hello"
"Hi Arjun, have you come to a decision?"
"Ummm... Vladimir are you sure we cannot delay this?"
"I don't think so kiddo, what's wrong are you short of some cash?"
"Yes brother"
"How much are you short by?"
"I have two lakh seventy thousand rubles right now still short of two hundred thirty thousand rubles brother."
"That's still a lot Arjun"
"Yes brother let's skip this deal, hopefully we can get another one soon. I will probably have five hundred thousand ruble within next two to three weeks."
"Wait how much are you going to invest in this?"
"something around seven to eight hundred thousand ruble for the start"
"And your product is proprietary?"
"The technology is not but the product has never been in market before."
"How much shares will you offer me if i cover two hundred fifty thousand rubles for this transaction?"
"But brother you don't even know the product!!"
"If you're the one selling i am confident it will sell Arjun."
"Are you sure?" Arjun was confused, he did not understand how a Russian would be so confident in his selling skills, especially after meeting only once.
What he did not know was Vladimir had already investigated him finding that this kid made over ten lakhs from eighty thousand rupees within two months was a huge shock to him.
He wanted to gamble on this kid this time. Even if he got one tenth the returns the printing press did it would be still be seven times his investment in the first year. Anyway his dad's company made much more than this amount in a single day. Doing this not only would he be able to first hand experience Arjun's methods, he would also make Arjun owe a favor to him.
"Yes Arjun"
"I can give you twenty five percent share brother"
"Why do i sense there's a but coming?"
"But... foreign investing in India is a bit tough right now"
"Aha... you can leave that to me, investment will be made in name of a company under Russian government and i can just buy it from them."
"Wow you have such high connections?"
"Hehehe just so so"
"Okay brother you finalize the deal and let me know,
oh yes yes! please negotiate for a couple technicians from there to come over and teach the operation to local workers for the first few months."
Alright, Vladimir cut the call.
Arjun was still contemplating whether he could completely trust this guy but right now he was left with no other choice. Arjun tried sleeping that night but couldn't. Every time he tried to sleep his mind led back to the same conversation. If he bet wrong then eight lakhs and their two months of hard work would just vanish, but if didn't then they would miss out on the huge discount delaying the dairy beverage factory by at least a couple of months.
Arjun woke up the next day with groggy eyes, even though he finally caught some sleep late in the night it was not a pleasant one. He left to school and slept until the afternoon which helped him recover his energy a lot. Madan's friend would arrive today and Arjun was excited to look at the results, He had already informed Shiva Ram earlier and asked him to wait for him at the school entrance.
Arjun, Shiva Ram along with Karan went to village head's home once the school was over. Noticing Arjun come along with some one new Madan questioned with his eyes while introducing his good friend Pramod Narayan to the kids.
Arjun then went on to introduce shiva ram to everyone and took his seat. Meanwhile Pramod stared at arjun for a while and said you know arjun your uncle Madan over here did not miss a single chance to praise you in the past couple of hours. but you seem like every other kid out there trying to induce him.
I will take that as a compliment Pramod garu, after all not every kid gets the recognition of their village head and his friend. as for me being different does it matter? arjun replied trying to answer his question while not saying it out loud.
Good, good kiddo you've got quite the wits huh, did you know though the samples you sent were not really up to par.
What do you mean uncle? did they get spoilt while delivery?
No the packaging was not at all done properly, It was a miracle they did not get spoilt during the delivery. also your quoted timing of the beverage expiry was off too.
It was out first time doing this uncle please don't mind it. we will do it more seriously from the next time Arjun said noticing shiva's downtrodden head. how much were we off by uncle? Arjun questioned about the expiry of beverages.
they only had shelf life of two months kiddo. this might be because of packaging or some other reason, we're not quite sure.
Arjun went on to explain their process of pre-UHT method to Pramod. Pramod was impressed by these kid's innovation, even though they did not have the right equipment for the packaging they solved it using their own methods. Although it reduced the shelf life, just getting the packaging done properly and achieving a two month expiry period was no small feat.
He put his hands on shiva ram's hair and shuffled it slowly, were you the one who did this kiddo? i am impressed. Get a degree in chemistry and come to me, i will have a job waiting for you.
Arjun got a smile on his face as soon as Pramod mentioned this. Madan noticing his smile asked him what's making you so happy Arjun it's not you who was offered the job.
Arjun stiffened his face and mentioned he probably wouldn't need the job if our new factory is founded uncle.
What do you mean?
i am going to offer five percent of shares to Shiva after our company gets started and recruit him for our own firm uncle.
This came as a surprise to everyone present. Especially to Shiva, who till now had no idea about this and did not understand much about this either but noticing the shocked expressions on the adult faces he understood it was something crazy good for him.
Noticing Shiva ram's confused face Madan explained to him. How much do you think arjun's investment into the new firm is Shiva?
i am not sure uncle maybe around 8 lakhs would be enough to start a small factory no? for shiva ram this was already too much money, his share of forty thousand rupees felt it would last his family five to six years of daily expenses if he decides to sell it.
Hahaha, 10 lakhs no no. This kid is thinking of putting in 25 to 30 lakhs all together. this makes your share come to one lakh fifty thousand rupees shiva ram, still think it's insignificant?
In 1989 India when most people in India were not familiar with start ups and their distribution of shares to the founding employees or partners this amount of money being given away for free was not really digestible to the two adults.
Shiva ram was just as stunned, this was too much. He wanted arjun to reconsider it but this was not the right place to speak out so he held back.
wow kid it seems you're generous Pramod commended Arjun
Madan invited the kids to sit and have some tea but Arjun refused and left alongside Shiva.
As they were walking back shiva ram started talking
Arjun this is too much five percent it's too much money.
Anna you're going to important part of the R&D wing, and you can keep on researching for better methods even when you go to college in the future. Of course our company will hire other researchers and staff and you'll need proper degree if you want to come over in the future. the most i can do is sponsor your future studies and fund your experiments for the next two years.
If you can successfully produce some thing better than our current methods or drinks i will hire you and hand you the five percent shares. if not i will pay whatever that five percent will cost at the time and will not be handing out any shares.
This way we could both benefit. Don't refuse this anna the reason i am able to start a factory is because of you. If i don't share the results it would be insult to all the hard work you put in.