Research

      

We enter the board room she clinging to me and Neel walking to my left. There are three people two men and a woman. I am worried that Miss Deshpande might fall, I tighten my grip and she does the same and I can’t resist a smile. We near the table. The first men approaches me and says “bonjour, I am Francois Bennoit” and extends his hand towards me. I let go of her and shake his hand firmly. He turns towards her and holds both her hands and blows kisses on both her cheeks and she flinches but smiles at him. I shrug.

He tells her “vous etes tres belle mademoiselle.” She smiles and thanks him for calling her beautiful, “meci beaucoup monsieur, vous etes gentil.”  She knows French? I look at her. We are interrupted by the woman, she says “hello everyone I am Elena and I think we should start on the purpose we are here for.” The man shrugs and laughs a bit and tells her “Elena tu n’es pas jamais tranquille.” And the woman just stares at him as we take our places. Elena was indeed rest less like Francois called her moments ago. The other man, David was quite. Elena seemed more business oriented than the other two and a bit shrewd. She starts talking again “I am indeed quite surprised to see three young and inexperienced people attend this meeting.”   

Amulya responds “inexperienced? Well ma’am can you please define your requirements for the project.”

Elena replies assertively “well, first the MD has no clue of administration, the CEO is new to the company and has no idea about our tie ups and the creative head is again new to the company and doesn’t know the working style we require.”

Before Amulya responds I chip in “well, looks like you have done your research Elena but you are not right about everything, even though all three of us are new to the company none of us are incapable to handle the project.”

She responds shrewdly “is that so Mr CEO? But if this is going to be one more of those useless we deserve a chance talks, I am not interested.”

I laugh and she cocks her head and Amulya and Neel glare at me. I ignore their glares and talk calmly “there you are again Elena, WRONG! There will be no talk about requesting for a chance. And about us three as a team, then let me enlighten the important points you have neglected in your research. Amulya may not know about administration but she is a Mass Com and a photography student and has experience. Neel has many published works to his credits which are quite good I am sure you might have found them, unless your research is not up to the mark and about me, I am here for the administration and I am not sure about how much you could find out about me but I don’t care.”

There is a knock on the door and Mr kukarni enters, Elena says sarcastically “well Mr Kulkarni you have chosen a boy for the company’s distraction huh? He has no manners of how to behave in a meeting.” And looks at me Mr Kulkarni’s eyes follow hers and rest on me.

I respond “well, Elena don’t you lack patience, do you always make deals hastily, is your talks with the Italian company one of the hasty decisions?” her face pales and she sips water. “Do you really think that deal will work out? Or are you really that foolish?” I add sarcastically.

Mr Kulkarni is quite surprised and asks “what are you talking about Raghav?”

“Sir, after Mrs Deshpande’s death, the beautiful and intelligent Elena here cracked a deal with the Italian Media house.”

Francois, David and Mr Kulkarni look at her and Amulya and Neel look at each other.

I continue, “So as I said Elena we are not talking about any chances for ourselves, and frankly you were the one who was going to waste our time. And now, that is how a research is done and so are we. Thank you every one I think our company will take your leave now.” And i signal Amulya and Neel to leave and they obey. As I am near the door I turn back and snap at her “well, Elena before you waste some more time let me tell you, your deal with the Italian company. Forget your 20 million as we have already made a deal with them for our next project. And as your company can’t bear the loss now they will be more than happy to mortgage it in pieces goodbye.” I smile and walk out.   

    

UNEXPECTED MISSION

 “Well, you clean up good Miss Kulkarni now you just have to finish your make up.” I say.

She looks at me in a quizzing manner and fidgets with her hands which rest on her skirt. And she replies “make up? I don’t want to I am ready to go.”

“No you are not and any way you just have to apply basic things I got you.” I reply calmly, maybe it’s the effect of those sparkling eyes.

“mmmn, about that I don’t know how to use them.” She replies hesitantly.

“What?? You are joking right? How can you not know to apply basic make up?” I ask shocked.

“I do know to apply Kajal and lip gloss, well that I apply most of the days but the rest nothing.”

“You freaking worked in a media house!” I say spitefully.

“When I went on air someone did the makeup, I am sure you would know that but other than that I do not use make up if you haven’t noticed.”

I simply gape at her and think of something to say but I can’t she has left me speech less. I just nod and leave the place. When I return I find Neel holding her hand and talking cheerfully. Oh! What am I going to do with these two? I barge towards them with the petite lady next to me and say “Amulya she is the superintendent of the guest affairs in this hotel, she will help you.”

She doesn’t say anything, just rises and smiles politely at the lady and walks into the room with her. I occupy her place next to Neel and think about the manner less girl’s polite smile. It makes me smile for some reason and relax thinking about her sparkling eyes and her in the formals. She doesn’t look that bad but she looks so different in formals. If I think about it she looks better in her hooligan attire and hair tied up in a bun. She looks good even when she is recklessly on a tree clicking pictures.

“Dude, are you listening?” Neel nudges me with his elbow.

“Oh! What? Can I have some peace?” I say disturbed as I am jostled out of my train of thoughts.

“Okay! I was just saying… isn’t she awesome?” he says animatedly.

I glare at him and he speaks again “do you think she would go out with me?”

I feel strange at his question, but why and without thinking I snap “I do not know and I do not care! Now, if you could just shut up it would be of a great help.”  And he shrugs and stays quite. After an agonizing period of 15 minutes and 32 seconds, I decide to talk to him, feeling a little guilty for my behavior. “Neel your bike is nice, I like it.”

He just smiles and nods muttering “thank you” at that precise moment the door opens and she comes out. Neel gets up and sprints to pull her into a hug. And I just stand there gaping at her like an absolute idiot. I try to look away but can’t. She looks beautiful; I measure her makeup which is just barely applied. I was right about her skin tone, the foundation merges well with her skin, I am sure that she hasn’t applied the Compact. She has applied Kajal, liner and some mascara and no eye shadow. Her lips shimmer with whatever amount of lip gloss she applied or not. She looks at me pulling out of Neel’s embrace and smiles her breath taking smile. I find myself breath less. I sigh and say “you look fine.”

Neel jumps in “FINE? Dude you must be crazy she looks anything but Just FINE!” Before I can respond she speaks “ Raghav, I can’t walk in heels.” And she fidgets again. I am surprised as I don’t get angry, well, what to expect from a girl who doesn’t know to apply eye liner. I reply calmly it is okay, I will escort you till your seat, and you can cling on to my arm. People will think I am just following high mannerisms and escorting a lady.”  And walk towards her and extend my arm towards her so she can slip her hand and we can be linked.