"UNBELIEVABLE!!"

Nivedita yells vociferously at Khushboo, who is now sobbing, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"This is not what I wanted. Where is the budget and expense report of our department for the launch? Where is my presentation? Where is the guest list?" She flings papers at Khushboo, "this rubbish is not what I want."

"But...but.. you only asked me to give you the list of speakers and the program schedule," Khushboo replies between sobs.

"YOU are supposed to be my secretary. You should read between the lines!!! After so many years in this company, by now you should know what I expect. You have 2 days to get everything ready and give me. Get to it NOW!! I have a meeting to discuss the full program with the GM on Wednesday," Nivedita thunders before marching off to her room.

Khushboo, collapses into her chair in a fit of tears, burying her face in her hands. Rohit, Purvi and I rush up to her. Akshay beats a hasty retreat to his office.

"Hey, don't mind Nivedita yaar. We all know how she is. She always blames others for her goof ups. Don't take it personally," Purvi comforts, patting her back.

"Yeah Khush," Rohit addresses her by the office nickname, "everyone knows, it's not your fault."

"It's not that," Khushboo replies between sobs, "My mother-in-law has fractured her foot and is on bed rest. I need to go home early to take care of the housework. I am already overloaded with all the stuff Nivedita has piled up on me." She wipes her tears with the back of her hand before continuing. "Did you know she has ordered a designer gown from US for the launch, and it has not arrived yet. She is acting as if it is my fault that the gown is delayed. I am going crazy calling all agencies to figure out where that damn gown is. I just about finish all my tasks by six. Now with all this extra work, I will not be able to leave on time." Khushboo bursts into another round of sobs.

All of us collectively speak up. "Hey! It's OK....Don't worry.... We will come up with a solution."

"Look, we can take on some of your work, so you don't have to do it all by yourself," I suggest. The others nod in agreement.

"I can help you with Nivedita's presentation," Purvi offers.

"I'll handle the budget report," Rohit chimes in

"I can get the guest list," I add "So don't worry, you go home to your family. We will manage at the work front."

Khushboo wipes her tears and looks at us with hopeful eyes "really? you guys would do that? That would mean so much to me."

"Yeah of course, that's what friends are for," Purvi hugs her and Rohit and I join in for a collective group hug.

"You really are the best friends anyone could ask for," a sniffing Khushboo beams at us.

I head back to my desk, chewing my lower lip. Although we promised Khushboo we would help her out, it is easier said than done.

I am racing against time as it is, trying to get my work completed for the launch. I have all the newspapers to follow up, finish press release material, as well as coordinate the arrangements of the function with DeWorld Hotel banquet department. I also have to prepare Nivedita's entire speech and notes as she is the host for the occasion.

Now I have added an extra job to my already overflowing load. Seems like I will be spending the next few days almost entirely in office.

And boy was I right!! The hours just seemed to disappear as everyone worked furiously to get their jobs done in time. Almost everyone, with the exception of Khushboo and another girl from Purvi's team, would leave around midnight. Thankfully the company transport dropped us girls, home.

We all heaved a collective sigh of relief when we finally delivered Nivedita's materials to her by Wednesday morning and everyone briefed her so she could present it to Mr. Asif. Luckily, she did not need her speech from me then, which gave me a day more, which was great as I had not finished it as yet. She seemed satisfied with the presentation and after she left, we all gathered to congratulate each other on accomplishing the feat.

Khushboo, especially is so relieved, excessively thanking everyone for helping her out.

The grin I have plastered on my face disappears as I read the message from Rajiv. In these past few days, I had no time to think of anything else besides getting ready for the launch. At least once a day I would remind myself to call Rajiv, but invariably my attention was called to some urgent matter and in the process, I forgot to call.

'I have spoken to the registrar's office and as an exception for us, they will give the certificate on Friday evening. You can collect it between 3 and 4 p.m. on Friday,' reads Rajiv's message.

I have to go to DeWorld on Friday to check all the arrangements. Our whole department will be there for the final run-through. But this is important too. I can always take a short break to collect the certificate and be back, and no one would even notice.

I message Rajiv back confirming I will collect it.

Friday rolls in sooner than I liked. Our entire office was a frenzy of activity. Everyone is in a hurry to finish last minute details and get everything in order. Although I had to stay late in office the entire week, I managed to complete all follow ups, get all confirmations, finish writing the summary of the launch for the press and email it to newspapers and even complete Nivedita's speech.

By late afternoon we are taken to DeWorld to oversee the arrangements and ensure all details are in place.

The DeWorld Hotel which I had admired from afar.

Today I went inside for the first time and my jaw dropped.

Unbelievable!!!!!