One Indian Girl(14)

‘I graduated three years ago,’ he said.

‘What? You are one batch senior to me.’

We realized that despite attending the same college we had never seen or met each other.

‘Sorry, I can’t recall seeing you,’ I said.

‘I was under the influence. Justifying the use of grass to stimulate my creativity. So I don’t blame you.’

‘I studied most of the time. I don’t blame you,’ I said. Both of us laughed. A little bit of wine from my glass spilt on my leg. He offered me a tissue. Even in the darkness, I noticed him look at my legs.

Oh, so this is how guys check out girls? Thank God it is dark. I need to book a waxing appointment soon.

‘Where are you staying?’ Debu said.

‘Right across, at the Benjamin Hotel. Only for training, though. Will look for an apartment soon.’

He lit up a cigarette. He offered me one. I declined.

‘Can I say something?’ he said.

‘Sure,’ I said.

‘That is a nice dress you are wearing,’ he said.

‘Oh, thanks,’ I said. The mix of compliments and wine made me giddy.

‘But if you want me to cut the price tag, I can. Sixty-nine ninety-five. Good buy,’ he said. He pointed to the tag, still attached to the back of my dress.

My face colour changed to match that of the red wine. I had never been so embarrassed in my life.

‘Or I can let it be if you want to return the dress. The return policy is great in the USA,’ Debu said.

I fumbled to find the price label on my back. He laughed, picked up a cutlery knife from the table and cut the tag.

‘What’s up, guys?’ Avinash asked as he noticed Debu bent over my back.

‘Nothing. I liked the dress. Just wanted to check the brand,’ Debu said.

‘You advertising types, always curious,’ Avinash said.

Post-drinks the group decided to go to Ray’s, a famous place for pizzas.

‘What’s your favourite cuisine?’ Debu asked me as he ate his pizza slice.

I had no favourite cuisine. I couldn’t say Indian. It sounded too unfashionable.

‘Chinese,’ I blurted out.

‘I know a great Chinese place. Would you like to go sometime?’

Did he just ask me out? Nobody has ever asked me out. Thank you, Banana Republic. Oh, maybe he is just being helpful. He is saying he will tell me of a Chinese place I can go to sometime, alone. Is that what he means?

He looked at me, waiting for an answer. Say something, Radhika.

‘Huh? Yeah, why not? You can tell me the address, or if they deliver. . .’

‘I meant with me.’

‘Oh,’ I said and became quiet. Say something else, you stupid girl.

‘Yeah. Just you and me,’ Debu said.

My heart began to beat fast. Is this what people call a date? Can I ask him to clarify?

‘Okay,’ I said, letting out a huge breath, ‘we can.’

‘Next Friday?’ he said. Thoughts darted across my head. Isn’t he too forward? Wait, he is just fixing a time. Else how will it ever happen? Will it look too cheap and desperate if I say yes? Will he think I am a slut? Why is there no user manual for how girls should live on this planet?

‘Friday?’ I said and shut up, like a bimbette. He must be wondering how Goldman ever hired me.

‘Yeah. Weekend. No office next day,’ he said, his voice uncomfortable. He didn’t know if I was trying to blow him off or just being the usual idiot that I am.

‘Okay,’ I said. The effort it took me to say that okay felt like lifting seven heavy suitcases.

‘Cool. I will message you the time and address.’

‘Sure,’ I said.

‘Only if I have your number,’ he said.

‘Oh, of course. I’ll give it to you,’ I said.





6


‘Distressed Debt: Special Situations Group,’ the slide on the projection system read. The associate training class became radio silent. Distressed Debt was the hardest group to crack and join in Goldman Sachs. In any year only one or two associates were offered a role in the group. Those who made it earned the fastest promotions and the best bonuses.

Everyone had waited for this presentation.

‘Good morning, everyone,’ said the speaker on stage in a British accent. ‘I am Neel Gupta, partner at the Special Situations Group in the Hong Kong office.’

I looked up from my desk. He was six feet tall, lean and had a muscular frame. He had high cheekbones and a light brown complexion. He had salt-and-pepper hair, more pepper than salt, actually. He wore a crisp white shirt, a pinstriped navy-blue suit and a matching tie.

‘I will be giving you an overview of the Distressed Debt Group, in my view the most exciting place to be in Goldman Sachs.’

I sat next to four American girls: Maggie, Angela, Jessica and Carolyn. They looked at each other and made he-is-so-hot gestures.

If he wasn’t a partner he could be a model in one of those ads that show distinguished men buying expensive watches.

‘He is gorgeous,’ a girl behind me whispered.

Focus, Radhika, I told myself as he switched to the next slide.

The slide showed various stages in the life of a business. It started with the inception and start-up stage. It went on to growth, maturity, decline and demise.