Page 115 of One Indian Girl
‘To El Casa, your first big deal in Asia,’ Neel said and raised his glass.
‘To Greenwood, their new buyer.’ I touched his glass with mine.
‘What a resort, isn’t it?’ Neel said. He pointed to the scenery ahead of us. Only half of the sun remained on the horizon. The deep orange-coloured sky had turned a silky texture.
‘The most beautiful place I have ever been to,’ I said.
‘Same for me. With one of the most beautiful minds I know,’ Neel said.
‘Yeah, sure. It’s only my mind that’s beautiful,’ I said.I am a fisherwoman. I fish, fish, fish.
‘Of course not. But it isn’t appropriate for me to comment on the rest of you. Protocol,’ he said.
‘We need to get something straight,’ I said and sat upright.
‘What?’ Neel said.
‘Are we friends or are we colleagues or are you my super-senior boss?’ I said.
‘That’s a tough one,’ Neel said.
‘Is it?’
‘Well, yes. Fact remains I am the head of the group. You are the VP. Cheers.’
We touched glasses again. I look a big gulp.
‘So that’s who we are. Colleagues?’ I said.
‘Well, no. I feel like after all those breakfast meetings I know you somewhat. You know me too. In fact...’ he said and paused.
‘In fact what?’
‘In fact, I am going to miss our breakfast chats the most after this deal,’ he said and stared into the horizon. ‘Our oatmeal and peanut-butter-toast conversations.’
‘Don’t forget the honey,’ I said.
He laughed.
‘I will miss our breakfasts too,’ I said.
‘Well, life goes on. Another day, another deal,’ Neel said.
‘Wait. So we are not friends?’
‘Can we be?’
‘Why not?’ I said.
‘Many reasons to not be. I am your senior. Twenty years older. Married. Two kids. You, on the other hand, young and single. Smart and attractive.’
‘Attractive?’ I said and smiled.
‘Yeah, of course. You are really attractive, Radhika. I am just being factual.’
Ah, the sweet, soothing feeling of receiving a compliment from a worthy man.
My life, at this moment, felt perfect.
