710. What Selvamani 'Saw'

A team consisting of four senior executives of Kaurna Enterprises, led by Manager Velu, came to the office of Sakthi Enterprises, to discuss a business proposal to be presented by the latter. 

Nirmal Kumar, the Senior Partner and three senior executives were present from the side of Sakthi Enterprises.

When the meeting was about to be called to an end, Nirmalkumar told Velu in a lighter vein, "Four of you have come for the meeting. But one person never opened his mouth!" 

"By nature, he is reserved" said Velu.

'Why did you bring him to the meeting, then?' Nirmalkumar wanted to ask but didn't.

"We will convey the details of your proposal to our Proprietor. He will then contact you and convey our response to you" said Velu and took leave of Nirmalkumar.

After the team from Karuna Enterprises had left, Nirmalkumar asked the executives who were present during the meeting, "What is your impression? Will they accept our proposal?"

"Definitely, sir. I noticed that they were highly impressed by your presentation" said one of the executives.

"How were the discussions? How do you find Nirmalkumar's offer?" asked Karunanadam, the Proprietor of Karuna Enterprises

"We three feel that his proposal is attractive. But, Mr. Selvamani seems to have a different perspective" said Velu.

Karunanandam looked a Selvamani.

"Nirmalkumar is not being honest. He intends to take us for a ride" said Selvamani. 

"What is the basis for your assessment?" asked Karunandam.

"I suppose Mr. Selvamani read Nirmalkumar's mind, just by looking at his eyes" quipped Gunasekar, one of the executives who participated in the discussion.

"Gunasekar! Don't try to mock at Mr. Selvamani. You have joined this firm only recently. Mr. Selvamani has been with this firm, from the time my father had started this firm. While handing over the reins of this firm to me, my father told me, 'Make whatever change you want, but keep Selvamani with you always.' You can hear from senior people like Mr. Velu, stories about how Mr. Selvamani's judgement about people has helped us and how his assessment of people has saved us from taking wrong decisions, on several occasions in the past" Karunandam told Gunasekar, in a tone of reprimand.

"I am sorry, sir!" said Gunasekaran, feeling embarrassed.

"Gunasekaran is right. I learnt what was in Nirmalkumar's mind, only by looking at his eyes. Whenever Nirmalkumar gave false or misleading information during his presentation, I was able to sense the guile in his eyes. When I looked at the eyes of his executives during those times, I could sense them feeling 'how our boss is lying!' in their eyes" said Selvamani, removing his spectacles and wiping them with a soft cloth. 

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 71
Divining the Mind

Verse 710 (in Tamil):
nuNNiyam enbAr aLakkum kOl kANungAl
kaN alladhu illai piRa.

Meaning:

The scale used by the astute to gauge the emotions is nothing but their eyes.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'appA kAlaththil irndhE iruppavar' by the same author.) 

Verse 711 (Soon)
Verse 709