Page 134 of One Indian Girl
‘Yeah. I just wanted to be sure of one thing,’ I said.
‘What?’
‘How much of this bonus is due to my work?’
‘What?’ Neel said, surprised.
‘How much is due to my work and how much is due to what we have?’
‘Are you kidding me, Radhika? This is all your good work. You know the profits on your deals.’
‘Yeah, you said I deserve it. I just want to be sure,’ I said.
He shook his head.
‘I don’t believe it,’ he said.
‘What?’
‘You are paid because you are good. Actually, you deserved more. However, there are limits to what first-year VPs can be paid. I could have asked New York to override the limit,’ he said as I interrupted him.
‘Please don’t do things like that.’
‘Well, I didn’t. And it’s hurtful you think I would. I don’t need to pay you more to get your love. Okay?’
‘Okay,’ I said. ‘Thanks then.’
‘Stop presuming things. I am trapped in a marriage. I don’t have answers. I wish things were different,’ he said, his voice agitated. He paused and continued in a calmer voice, ‘But I love you. That is why I am with you. I am proud of you. You deserve it. You deserve more.’
‘I am sorry,’ I said.
‘It’s fine,’ he said.
‘How was your bonus?’ I said.
‘I am not supposed to tell you that.’ He grinned.
‘You are also not supposed to do a lot of other things with me, mister,’ I said.
‘Three,’ he said.
‘Three what?’
‘Three bucks.’
‘Three million dollars?’ I said, my eyes round.
‘See, this is why I didn’t want to tell you. It sounds like a lot, I know.’
‘It is a lot. You made three fucking million dollars in bonus?’ I said.
Somehow, life has a way of making you feel inadequate about a 350,000-dollar bonus.
‘I told you. You deserve more. Dream bigger, girl.’ Neel winked at me.
‘You made so much money last year. You are a vice president. What else do you want career-wise?’
‘Mom, it’s not just career. I am not ready.’
