Chapter 8

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It can't be!!!

It's an email from the Chairman himself, Mr. Dev Grewal to all employees notifying that the launch, which was planned to be held in September is now moved forward and will be held on June 1st. That's just two months away!!

The email goes on to say how it is the most appropriate time, and he's aware of the inconvenience but it best for the firm etc. etc.

But I cannot focus on the jargon in front of me anymore. I stand up, pushing my chair away hoping perhaps, that by doing so, what I am reading will go away.

My head is spinning.

I haven't even started on the basic preparations. There was so much to do - people to be invited, oh, but before that I need to get the invitations printed, but before that, I have to inform the press. What about the graphic designers? They need to have the new corporate logos ready and, and..

I can't breathe, everything around me is spinning, I think I am about to faint. I need to sit. I can't feel my chair behind me. I am swaying precariously. I am going to fall and I can't stop myself....

Strong hands seem to emerge from thin air grabbing my arms, steadying me.

"Tarana! are you alright?" Jeet's deep voice cuts through the fog in my brain. "Here, sit!" he commands as he pulls my chair toward me with one hand while guiding me to sit with the other.

Jeet hands me the glass of water from my desk. "What happened? Are you sick? Do you need to go home?" His voice is full of concern. He pulls an empty chair and sits next to me.

The sound of his smooth voice and the water has helped calm my nerves. I shake my head, "I am not sick, I am fine."

"You looked like you were about to faint right now."

"No, really I am fine. I just got flustered reading that our Company's launch which was six months away has been moved forward."

"Oh! I see, don't panic, everything will be fine. The event is still two months away and you have plenty of time to organize everything." Jeet is trying to reassure me, but I have a hundred jumbled thoughts swirling in my head. The press release, the guest invites, the special issue, the.. A thought pops up, bringing everything else running through my mind to a screeching halt.

"Wait a minute," I turn to Jeet, my eyes narrowed suspiciously. "How did you know when the launch is? You don't have a company email as yet, and I did not mention anything about it being two months away."

Jeet hangs his head before looking up at me guiltily, "I read the email on your screen," he said nodding towards my computer screen. I turn to see the email on my screen again.

"I don't know how will I arrange so much in such a short time. Nivedita is also not here this whole week." I feel panic rising up again.

"Tarana, relax! It will be fine. I am here to help you and whatever needs to be done, we will do it together. Do all the things you can do on your own this week, get the groundwork done. Any job that needs Nivedita's approval or intervention, can be kept for next week. First and foremost, get a task plan ready and list what are the jobs, who should do it and in what time."

Wow! He made it sound so simple. I look in awe at Jeet. He is so good at problem solving, like he's been doing this for a long time.

I can't believe it's only his first day of work, but he seems quite at home in this office.

I nod my head, "You're right. I was panicking unnecessarily. I will start making the list as you said. Thank you." I smile at him gratefully.

Jeet opened his mouth to say something, but just then his phone rang. He fishes out what seemed to be the latest iPhone model from his pocket.

Was that a gift? I heard these things cost an arm and a leg. Surely, he could not have that much money to splurge on the latest gadgets when his clothes look like they have been bought off the streets. Jeet is as confusing as a jumbled jigsaw puzzle which has no picture for reference.

"Excuse me, I need to take this call," he says, his lips spread in a grin, his eyes sparkling with happiness.

When he accepted the call, I can hear an excited female voice on the other end. Jeet speaks urgently into the phone "Hey! Hang on for a minute. Let me go outside, then we can talk. OK?"

Another piece of puzzle for the mysterious Mr. Jeet. He does not want to take his personal calls in front of others. 'Maybe it's his girlfriend and he does not want to have his romantic talk in front of you,' inner voice reasons.

Maybe! good for him, I don't care. Then why do I feel disappointed?

Jeet comes back after a few minutes. "Sorry, but something urgent has come up and I have to go." It was not a request for leave, more like a statement. Nivedita was not around and since I did not have anything in particular for him, I nodded my acquiescence. He leaves quickly.

I go back to making my list for the launch and write down everything I could think of. The rest of the day passed pretty quickly and before I knew it, it was time to go home.

"Hey Taru," Purvi calls out to me by the pet name she kept for me. 'Tarana' was too long for her to pronounce.

She has a big smile plastered on her face, "Whachya doin' tamorrow?" she mimics Nivedita's fake American accent in an exaggerated way. I roll my eyes at her.

"Nothing much. Just gonna relax and chill at home. Have some quality me time."

"Can you take a rain check on your 'me' time," Purvi air quotes me.

"Why?" I raise one eyebrow questioningly.

"I have heard about this amazing shop in Bandra where they sell all sorts of articles - clothes, shoes, household stuff and everything in between for dirt cheap," Purvi's eyes twinkle in excitement.

"So Khushboo, Kavita and I have already decided to make it a girls' day out. You know lunch, movie, shopping. We want you to come along."

Wow! that sounds exciting. Going with the girls would be a good break. But then, I usually don't go out. A trip to the market outside my building, is my idea of an outing and if I am feeling particularly adventurous, I go all the way to the supermarket in the nearby mall.

"C'mon, it'll be fun," Purvi coaxes, "it's just us girls, and it is pretty close to your house, so you won't be venturing too far from home."

Inner voice was furiously nodding its head eagerly. It'll be fun, it's been so long that I have not let my hair down and just enjoyed myself. Plus, I am sure I need some stuff for the house. If what Purvi says is true, I could probably get some home decor items. Inner voice was pleading with a pout.

I sigh, giving in to inner voice and Purvi's coaxing. "OK. Count me in."

Purvi gives me a quick bear hug, smiling from ear to ear. "Super!! I'll inform the other girls. I will message the meeting point details at night. We are gonna have a blast, you'll see." She waves as she makes her way to the exit.

**********************************************

Purvi was right. We did have a blast. The four of us met up at around 11 a.m. on sunny Saturday morning. The weather was not hot or humid, just perfect for a day out. We first headed to the mall to watch Alia Bhatt's latest romantic comedy.

We then went to this cozy little cafe that served the most delicious food that I have ever tasted. The sesame honey glazed chicken wings were to die for, as also their kebabs and warm chocolate brownies with icecream.

After stuffing ourselves silly with food, we then headed off to the shopper's street to burn all the calories that we had devoured.

We visited the shop that Purvi recommended and it was like we were in shopper's paradise. The shop stocked high end, branded items that was old stock, factory rejects or slightly damaged pieces. The most expensive item in the shop was Rs. 500.

We went berserk shopping for stuff. I picked up a set of gorgeous brightly coloured raw silk throw pillows for my bed. I also bought some wall hangings, paintings and beautiful mirrors set in ornately decorated metal frames.

I know I may not have a home soon, but I am a woman after all. I am helpless when it comes to shopping and bargains.

We also bought clothes, shoes, accessories and had a great time trying out the stuff and posing with weird accessories and clothes, passing funny comments on each other and taking a lot of selfies. By late evening, all four of us had our hands overflowing with shopping bags. It was the most fun I have ever had since I came to Mumbai.

Purvi volunteered to drop me home in her car, but I declined since she lived in the direction opposite to my house and with the terrible traffic, she would get really late reaching home.

I walked up to the main highway, waiting to hail a cab. Across the street was the grand DeWorld hotel, in all its marble, sandstone and glass glory, looking majestic against a violet and orange sky coloured by the setting sun.

"If it's so grand outside, I can only imagine how beautiful it must be inside," I thought to myself.

I turned to the road once again, to see if I could spot an empty cab, when I registered something from the corner of my eye, and my head snapped back to the hotel entrance.

It can't be!!!

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