Page 22 of 12 Years
‘Free?’
The one-word message from Payal popped up as a notification on my phone. I stopped writing and pushed my laptop aside.
‘Yes, wasup?’ I replied.
‘Finishing up the investment memo. How are you?’
‘Good. Preparing for a corporate-show audition.’
‘Oh, that’s great.’
‘Yeah, let’s see how it actually goes. How is the IM looking?’
‘Good. I need your help. Again.’
‘Sure.’
‘I’ve finished the section on the ESOPs, with explanations. Can you take a quick look and see if it all makes sense?’
‘Yes, sure. Email it to me.’ I shared my email address with her.
In a few seconds, her email arrived in my inbox. I opened the attached file and spent fifteen minutes going through it before giving her a call.
‘Hey,’ she said, picking up. ‘Is it terrible?’
‘No. It’s absolutely fine. Why were you even doubtful?’
‘Sorry, I’m just nervous.’
‘Good nervous, though, right?’
She laughed. ‘Hopefully. You have that corporate audition soon, yes?’
‘This Friday. For a company called Reliable Polymers. They have an annual conference coming up and need an entertainer.’
‘Sounds exciting.’
‘Hardly. Corporates pay well, though, that’s it. Crayon Club, on the other hand, hardly pays.’
‘But you’re building your name at the club. Which allows you to make money through private functions like these corporate offsites.’
‘That’s true. I’m nervous though. I have to make a room full of HR people laugh. Does anyone ever associate HR with laughter?’
Payal laughed. ‘See, now that’s funny. You can use that,’ she said.
‘Can’t use HR jokes on HR people.’
‘Relax, you’re naturally funny.’
‘You think so?’
‘I know so. Don’t worry, you’ll ace it.’
‘Thank you, Miss Motivation.’
‘You’re welcome, Mister ESOP.’
Were we flirting? Did this, in some part of the universe, count as flirting? Should I take the next step and ask her to meet up again?
