Page 7 of 12 Years
‘You built and sold a company. I can see why Yellowstone took you in,’ Nimit said.
‘He’s a bright fucker,’ Mudit said. ‘We’re buddies from IIT Bombay. Roommates for four years.’
‘Oh, you mean you’re also—’ Nimit said, but Mudit interrupted him.
‘Yes, I’m also a wasted engineer. Like Saket. No wonder we’re best friends. Misfits in this world of corporates and big deals. Engineers wasting their degrees and doing comedy. That
itself is a comedy.’
Everyone laughed.
‘We better leave. Have work tomorrow,’ Nimit said.
‘But tomorrow is Sunday,’ Mudit said.
‘Doesn’t matter. We have a new IM due on Monday,’ Nimit said.
‘IM?’ Mudit said.
‘Investment memorandum,’ I said. ‘We make those to evaluate any new opportunity.’
‘You guys are too smart,’ Mudit said.
‘Not really,’ Nimit said. ‘Anyway, see you guys. Our driver is waiting. Come, Payal.’
‘See you guys,’ Payal said.
I realized then that I did not have her number, and that I had ten seconds to come up with something. Else, she would be history. And none of the craziness that transpired later would happen either. But, as luck would have it, destiny had other plans in store for us.
‘I don’t have your contact details, guys. I could add you both to our broadcast list,’ I said, ‘in case you want to attend any of my future shows. Bad comedy can be contagious.’
‘Sure,’ Payal said, laughing. She opened her black Tumi laptop bag, took out her business card and handed it to me. Nimit gave me his card as well.
‘We won’t get spammed, right?’ Payal said.
‘Never,’ I said.
Mudit and I stayed back at the bar after Payal and Nimit left. Mudit kept staring at me.
‘What?’ I said.
‘You like her,’ Mudit said.
‘Who?’
‘Stop the bullshit. You know who.’
‘It’s nothing like that, bro. She was just a guest at our show.’
‘She’s pretty. Round face, long hair, delicate-looking. Your type completely. And same industry too.’
‘She’s twenty-one, Mudit. Too young.’
‘That’s what’s stopping you? Really?’
‘Yes, really. Firstly, you know what happened with my marriage. I’m out of the relationship world. For the next five years at least. Or fifty. Secondly, I don’t know if she’s keen.’
‘She’s keen.’
