Page 24 of 12 Years
I decided to call Payal.
‘Free to talk?’ I asked when she picked up on the first ring.
‘Hi. Yes. I’m heading home from work. I was going to call you today as well.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes. Two things. First, I wanted to check how your corporate audition went.’
‘You remembered? I’m just on my way back from Reliable Polymers actually.’
‘And?’
‘So, the thing is … I’m not doing the one event.’
‘Oh,’ she said in a disappointed voice.
‘Because I’m doing four,’ I said. ‘All in different cities. And they’re paying me a lot more than I expected. Turns out, HR people do laugh at dentist jokes.’
‘Oh. Congrats, Saket. I want to hear the dentist jokes right now,’ she said.
‘Sure, sure,’ I said. ‘But wait, if I may ask, how did your IM presentation go?’
‘That was the second thing I wanted to talk to you about.’
‘Okay. And?’
‘Smashed it,’ she said in a soft voice.
‘Really?’
‘Wait. Let me read out the message that Jagdish sent me. He said, “You did an incredible job with the IM, Payal. Considering the ESOPs and valuing them properly was a great insight. Well done.”’
‘That’s insane. Well done, you,’ I said, emphasizing each word.
‘Jagdish never praises anyone. And he sent this message on the office chat group.’
‘You’re a star, Payal.’
‘All because you helped me.’
‘No, no. It was all you,’ I said.
‘Thank you,’ Payal said.
Saket Khurana, you can do it, I told myself and asked the question: ‘Payal, what are you doing this weekend?’
‘Nothing. I’m free only.’
‘Okay, I was wondering if I could take you out for dinner?’
‘Dinner?’
‘Yeah … We said we’ll celebrate this, remember?’
‘True. But I should be givingyoua treat. For helping me.’
‘No, I want to take you out,’ I said. ‘I cracked the corporate deal. And I’m older than you anyway.’
