Page 102 of One Indian Girl

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‘What do you mean?’

‘Nothing. Thank you, I meant. Would you like me to show you the financial model?’

‘Sure,’ he said.

Over the next hour I went over the numbers. The company had fifty million dollars worth of loans. It could probably repay only half. Neel listened with full attention, cross-questioning me several times.

‘That’s good. I think we have a sense of what is going on here,’ he said when I finished.

The flight attendant served us breakfast: fruit, cereal, milk and omelettes.

‘I could also build another scenario...’ I said as Neel interrupted me.

‘Enough. Do you only think about work?’

‘No, I just...’

‘Let us enjoy our meal. No more talking shop.’

‘Sure.’ I ate a strawberry with my fork.

‘How do you find Hong Kong?’ Neel said.

‘Efficient. Everything is close by.’

‘You found an apartment?’

‘Yes. On Old Peak Road. I am moving in next week.’

‘It is a good area,’ Neel said.

Old Peak Road passed through the Midlevels, an area midway to the Peak. A one-and-a-half bedroom apartment in this expat area cost me 6,000 US dollars a month in rent.

‘Where do you stay?’ I said.

‘Repulse Bay. On the South side. You should visit. I do team dinners at my place sometimes.’

‘Sure,’ I said.

He applied jam on his toast. I noticed his slender fingers. I continued to gaze at them until he spoke again, startling me.

‘Kusum would love to meet you,’ he said.

‘Kusum?’ I said.

‘My wife. We have two kids. Siya and Aryan. Seven and three.’

Of course, a man so amazing had to be married.

‘Oh, how nice,’ I said.

‘Yeah. How about you?’

‘Well, I am not married,’ I said and smiled.

‘Of course. But where’s your family?’

‘Delhi. Mom and dad. I have an elder sister.’

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