Page 130 of 12 Years

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I shook my head.

‘Oh, okay. And are you …’ She fell silent.

‘Am I what? Dating someone? No.’

‘Okay,’ she said.

‘It’s by choice,’ I said. ‘I like being single.’

‘Is it? Having fun in Dubai?’

‘Yeah,’ I said. ‘I am. We’re building a good company.’ I proceeded to tell her about SecurityNet and the company’s journey so far.

‘That’s incredible,’ she said after I finished. ‘Already going for a third round of funding. Saket, that’s truly amazing.’

‘Thank you.’

‘No wonder you don’t date. You’re married to your company.’

‘True,’ I said, even though that wasn’t the reason.

You, you are the reason.

‘Well, I’m glad you’re in a good place,’ she said.

‘How about you? How’s life? Work? Any kids?’

‘Kids? No, not yet,’ Payal said and laughed. ‘I’m only twenty-seven. I want to focus on my career.’

‘How’s that going?’

She opened her bag and gave me her business card.

Payal Jain

Vice President

Blackwater Capital

‘Now that’s impressive,’ I said. ‘VP at twenty-seven.’

‘Youngest vice president in the Mumbai office. It’s okay if I have kids a bit later, isn’t it?’

‘Of course. Congratulations on doing so well.’

‘Thank you.’

‘But things are good otherwise as well, right? You and Parimal?’ I said.

Please, please say things are not that good. I don’t know why, but I need to hear that.

‘Yeah, things are good,’ she said, and then, after a pause, added, ‘They are fine, yes.’

‘Okay, I’m happy to hear that,’ I said.

‘I’m happy to hear that you’re doing well too.’

‘Yeah, whatever happens, happens for the good,’ I said.

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