The loser who won

1992, Barcelona summer Olympics:

Derek Redmond the favorite to win 400 meters race stopped after about 150 meters as his hamstring tore and fell to the ground in pain. He stood up and began to hobble along the track. His father joined him and helped him complete the race and the crowd of 65000 gave a standing ovation.

November 2015:

Daniel walked into the coffee shop and looked around. He saw Allice sitting on a chair in the corner. He wished her and took his seat. She ordered for coffee and soon the coffee was served.

He started “So Allice how are you? How come you remembered me after so many years”?

She replied “All these days it was not necessary to talk to you though we used to cross one another in business matters. Right now the situation calls for it”

Daniel with his trademark crooked smile said “I never expected that this day would  come. Allice the second topper in the engineering course and wife of Nitin Dixit the topper of the class wanting to talk to Daniel who took a year extra to complete the course”

Allice smiled and said “Nitin was the topper then and even now a topper in business and family matters.

You have been very successful in your business ventures and have diversified flourishing business units. We have only the effluent treatment plants supply business. I do not know why you are still upset with both of us. You are deliberately ensuring that we do not get orders at many places”

He interrupted “I am getting orders because I am able to control the input costs, design effective plants, supply the same to the customers at lesser prices and able to service them better after selling. I am not bothered about your company or the business you and your Nitin Dixit do”

She smiled “I know you very well. You are not undercutting in your other businesses and are doing so only in this line since we are there as competitors”

He looked at her and said “What did you find in him that was not there in me? Your father Mr. DSouza had met my father and discussed about our marriage. I was very thrilled at that time. You decided to get married to him. Today you are reaping the fruits of your decision”

She responded “I was in love with Nitin and am still in love with him. I am happy about my decision to marry him as he is gem of a person. He has a big heart and knows what keeps a woman happy”

Daniel said “OK if you are happy then there are no issues. Tell me why you wanted to meet me?”

Allice started “We have run out of orders and running the company in good shape is becoming difficult. The upcoming steel plant tender is the only one we are hoping to compete and we want to get the order badly. If we do not get it we will be in dire straits. You are the only person who can spoil our chances” saying so she started sobbing.

He looked at her and said “Do not cry. It is not fair on your part to ask me not to participate in the tender. We are in business and we should run our business with our acumen and not by telling others to step aside. Let me see how I can be of help to you” saying so he walked away.   

January 2016:

Daniel looked serious and grim as usual. It was the tender opening time at the public sector steel plant and comprehensive effluent treatment plant tender was being opened. It was a battle between Daniel’s company and Nitin Dixit’s company. It was a high stake game for Nitin and Allice and they knew that the result would either make or break them.

The official opened the price bids and to the surprise of everyone Nitin Dixit’s company bid was the least and they were awarded the contract. Nitin was ecstatic and he got up and hugged his wife. He looked at Daniel and with pride gestured that he had won.

Daniel smiled at Allice and walked out of the room. He went to the wash room and started walking towards the entrance. The long corridor was empty and he saw Allice standing in a corner.

He looked at her. She had tears in her eyes and with folded hands said “Thank you Daniel. You have helped us”

He replied “The moment I saw tears in your eyes in the coffee shop I felt I should withdraw from the race. I realized how important this order was for you and Dixit. I have many lines of businesses and one order lost will not matter much to me.

I did not withdraw. It was like a runner being hurt in the middle of the race. He will not with draw. Instead he will limp and complete the race. I also competed and completed the race but ensured that your company got the order. “

 She replied “I am sorry I was always rude to you during college days and during the past many years”

“It is OK for me. I meet many people who are rude to me. You have married a person who is very good at heart. He is intelligent, handsome and a good human. Be good to him”

She replied “Nitin is very good at heart but you are having a very good and kind mind”

Daniel replied “I knew your price and so quoted more than it. I have informers in your company. Please take care of your system. If they are able to tell me your prices, they will as well tell others too” saying so he told the name of the person who was leaking the information.

Allice nodded and said “We will plug the holes and I will tell Nitin that you helped us”

 “Do not tell him. Let him have the feeling that he could beat me.”

He took out his sun glasses and wearing them said “Allice this is the only order I lost to you because I wanted you to win. We shall keep meeting in customer’s places and fight it out. Daniel and Nitin are not friends”

Allice smiled and her heart was filled with respect for him.