Chapter 3

Clutching the envelope in my hand, I made my way out of the coffee shop in no time and headed back home. But, unfortunately, the meeting panned out just like I had imagined it to be a useless effort to explain anything about my ambition to Jigar. He had reacted precisely how he had been since I had revealed my intention to travel to Mumbai. I could not understand his wariness, and I did not even put much effort into investigating the matter.

I walked past my favourite restaurants and boutiques on Park Street, longing to go inside and do what I loved the most: eat and shop. But, I confined my urges with the promise to splurge on myself when I started earning my heart's desire.

I opened the envelope and found two neatly folded letters sitting inside. I was about to begin reading when the blaring horn from the Audi driver made me realize I was risking my life in the middle of the road. And they say my generation is hooked to the cellphone.

"Abhilasha, Abhilasha," I could distinctly hear someone calling my name. I looked in all directions but found no hand waving at me. My ears must have been ringing, but they weren't. Instead, I felt a hand tapping me on my shoulder.

"Hi," Kiara cheerfully said.

"Helllloooo," the words sprang out of my mouth as a cautionary measure than anything else.

Kiara, 23, medium height, long hair, dark-skinned, was a quintessential Bengali beauty. She was a beauty with or without brains; I was no one to judge. She was Mr. Sahani's newly appointed, Executive Assistant, who tailed him everywhere he went. Finally, it was a meeting with the man himself.

"Come, we'll drop you." I just groaned inwardly. Of all the days to kill my mood, everyone was hell-bent on choosing this one. I could not refuse and offend him. I accepted the offer politely.

"Thank you. After you." I was happy Kiara made no attempts to engage me in a tete-a-tete with her. She was too busy with her phone. I was hoping this wasn't about Jigar and me dating. Of course, we weren't, but we always gave the wrong indication with our words and actions. And here I was, explaining myself and defending him again. My heart pounded while I thought of what Jigar and I had been up to lately. And I couldn't place my hand on anything until Mr. Sahani cared to enlighten me.

Kiara opened the car door, and I slipped in, murmuring a gracious thank you. Sitting before me was the man himself, Jaideep Sahani. He looked formidable in a crisp linen suit, Cartier watch, and Louis Vuitton shoes. I could not look beyond that to concentrate on how he appeared today. Well, he had shaved and looked perfect. Why wasn't Jigar like him? I never drooled over him. I brought myself to Earth in a snap and greeted him pleasantly.

"Good morning, Jaideep Uncle."

Mr. Sahani looked at his watch and greeted me with a demure, "Good afternoon."I was put in my place with his very first words. How was I supposed to last the entire conversation?

"How are you?" He enquired rather amusingly.

"I am good, Uncle," I added meekly.

"Just good! I thought you would be ecstatic and on cloud nine."

Was this sarcasm mingled with anger? I could not put my finger on it. I had no answer to his repartee. Mr. Sahani raised his eyebrows at me questioningly. I didn't want to look like a fool, and I decided to play along rather than question him.

"Yes, yes, I very much am."Did I utter those words? What is wrong with me?"

Good, I am sure you would do well. I hope you have a nice time in Mumbai."

A small "oh" escaped my mouth in terms of understanding the entire conversation. Thankfully my "oh" got lost in his enthusiasm.

"Yes, Uncle, I definitely will and will work to the best of my ability." This was enough to dissuade him from further pursuing this conversation.

"Abhilasha, I am sure you would. I expect you to uphold my words by proving yourself and showing your worth to the world. I generally don't do this, and I hope you wouldn't disappoint me."

Where was this conversation going? How would I disappoint him? But, unfortunately, this was way too cryptic, and I had no galls to ask him the true meaning. I smiled ruefully in acceptance and hope of not making a fool of myself. When in doubt, don't speak. Just suggest. Gratefully, the next time I opened my mouth was to thank him for the ride and not apologize for my demeanour. I was out in no time, waving back at him and murmuring thank you, which meant nothing to him. I heaved a sigh of relief when his car was out of sight. He dropped me outside my house with no chance to run away anywhere else, even if I wanted to. I took the stairs to gather my senses and read the letter's contents. I took the envelope out and in no time was screaming in joy. Jaideep Sahani got me an internship at the FMN News and gave me a recommendation letter that was as befitting as my degree attained with distinction. I was overjoyed and did not know what to do.