Page 154 of 12 Years
Payal sat at one of the corner tables in the outdoor patio. She was furiously typing on her phone, probably replying to a work email. As always, she was mouthing the words as she typed. Strange, how some things never change.
‘Hi Payal,’ I said, stepping in front of her.
‘Oh hi,’ Payal said as she looked up at me. She kept her phone aside and stood up.
Rule one: Keep it professional. No hugs, not even side ones.
We shook hands.
‘Please, sit,’ I said.
Both of us sat down, facing each other.
‘How are you doing?’ Payal said.
‘We’re doing great. Last quarter-on-quarter was eighteen per cent growth.’
‘Huh?’ Payal said, somewhat surprised.
‘SecurityNet, right? We’re doing great,’ I said.
‘Oh yes. That’s good to know,’ Payal said.
‘How about you? How’s the due diligence going?’
‘Early days still … but your team is quite competent. They understand our needs and are preparing the information for us.’
‘That’s good,’ I said. ‘I’m glad you’re getting what you need.’
Awkward silence. Twenty seconds, which felt like twenty minutes. She looked at me. I looked away, staring down at the menu to follow rule number three: Avoid eye contact.
‘Should we order?’ I said.
‘Sure,’ Payal said, picking up a menu.
‘Are you vegetarian?’ I said.
Payal looked at me with an amused expression.
‘What?’
‘You know that already,’ she said. ‘Don’t you?’
‘People change,’ I said.
She looked at me again. ‘Do they?’ she said.
I shrugged.
‘Well, I’m still vegetarian. I’m a Jain, after all,’ she said.
‘Okay. No onion and garlic too?’
‘No, that’s fine. I’m not so rigid now, especially when travelling abroad.’
‘I suggest we order the appetizer platter. It has all these mezze dips along with freshly baked Turkish bread. Everything is vegetarian.’
‘Perfect,’ Payal said.
