Page 45 of One Indian Girl
‘I want to be a senior creative director. Get a raise. A few more accounts. I want to be a little more solid at work before thinking about marriage. I want to focus on my career, not get distracted.’
‘I am not asking you to marry me next week.’
‘I just... Okay, fine, I want to get past this promotion. Win a couple more accounts. I will be ready to take the next step then.’
‘What do I tell mom?’
‘Tell her about me. Tell her you have a boyfriend.’
‘She’s not like that. She will flip out. I will tell her once, and at the right time. When it is time to take things ahead.’
‘Your wish,’ he said. ‘Come here.’
I didn’t move from my seat. He came to me and held me.
‘I love you,’ he said.
‘Me too. Sorry I snapped at you.’
We lay down in bed. He ran his fingers up and down my arm.
‘Not tonight, Debu,’ I said. ‘Just not in the mood.’
‘You will feel better.’
‘No,’ I said.
He placed a hand on my breast. I pushed it away.
‘Focus on your career, Debu, don’t get distracted. Goodnight.’
11
‘Foreclose on the company properties first. Scare him so he plays ball,’ I said to Jonathan. We stood by the coffee machine in the office pantry. We were talking about MedTron, a semiconductor company gone bust.
‘That’s true. Smart suggestion,’ Jonathan said.
I made two espressos and passed him a cup.
My phone rang. Debu. I looked at it and put it aside.
‘Go ahead, take it,’ Jonathan said.
‘It’s a personal call. I can call back,’ I said.
‘No, go ahead. I’ll see you back at your desk.’
Jonathan left the pantry. I picked up the phone.
‘Hi,’ I said. ‘A middle-of-the-day call. Nice!’
‘Well, you are speaking to a senior creative director of BBDO,’ he said.
‘Oh my God! It happened! Congrats, Debu. This is headline news.’
‘Thank you. You are the first person I called.’
‘Of course. We totally need to celebrate this.’
