chapter 3 Part 1 Pg 8
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Chapter 3 Part 2
He walked across the little canteen with a majestic air, followed by his loyal group of minions, a couple of grey haired balding men with grim expressions. Almost everyone else scurried along making way for the CEO of Srivastava Enterprises. This probably was an unusual sight for the employees of this company, as they watched him with an expression of fear and regard at the same time. Mr. Srivastava sure had a style, unmatched by his contemporaries. How else would you find CEOs at his age, commanding over a hundred employees with this level of ease? A chair was immediately brought in for His Highness and a number of food items decorated on a platter by almost all the female employees. He rejected everything with a sway of his right hand and a neutral expression. Arrogance. It comes free with this entire royal treatment. And for someone like him, it was as easy as Jaya's continuous jabber.
I watched him closely now, noticing each and every detail. Apparently Mr. Kunal Srivastava was in his late twenties. He was wearing a black suit with a matching tie, a white shirt and an unreadable expression. His face had a certain hint of a long lost childishness, now replaced by an expression of maturing earlier than his age. During our first meeting, I didn't quite get a chance to notice any of these features, for I was consumed by my own embarrassment and nervousness followed by unexpected rage at his male chauvinistic attitude. But, today was different. Today I was one of his employees, a part of his team. I had the time as well as the opportunity to scrutinize his persona.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I request you all to have a seat. I am not here to snatch away your lunch break or anything. ", he spoke with a charming nonchalance.
Everyone got back to their seats immediately. Mr. Srivastava continued with his "Friends, Romans, Countrymen" speech as people listened to him with rapt attention.
"Guys, you'll be glad to know that our company has struck a deal with one of the top multinationals of the World, The Jewels n Co. Enterprises**. Its celebration time for all of us as well as the company."
A group of young men broke into Hip Hip Hurrays as everyone cheered on. His Highness gave them a polite smile and then lifted his hand as a gesture to stop. The cheering came to a halt and the attentive looks were back. His Highness continued with the same level of grandiose.
"I appreciate your enthusiasm guys but there are a lot of things that have to be done, agendas that have to be planned and meetings that have to be held to discuss the work that needs to be done. I hope I will have your complete cooperation during this time as we together make this project into a grand success. Are you all with me? "
There was a positive approval from the crowd as they nodded in agreement with their boss. As always, Mr. Kunal Srivastava had made an impact with his powerful words. Somehow he seemed to get his way with everyone, for he had a certain dignity about him that commanded respect. And he did get all the respect plus a lot of female attention with those good looks. Ok, he was handsome. A lot more handsome than CEOs generally are. His perfectly chiseled body was probably a result of all those long hours at the gym and his face with a milky white complexion could make any girl drool all over him like crazy.
"Shit...Holy shit!! What am I doing? What is wrong with me? Shraddha...stop staring at him like an idiot", I chided myself.
"For God's sake Shraddha, are you out of your mind? The last thing you would want to do is slaver on Kunal Srivastava. What happened to all those I-am-a-strong-independent-woman and I-don't-give-a-damn-about-men slogans?? "
Apparently he caught me staring at him and, without even a single warning, he winked in my direction. HE WINKED. Good Lord, did he actually wink at me'?
For a moment I couldn't register what he just did. I turned around to find Jaya's mouth gaped open in an O. She tried to say something but the only thing that came out was, if I am not wrong, HAWWW..
Ashish seemed equally confused and the rest, Oh God, the rest of the crowd was staring at me as if I didn't belong to this planet. I turned back to find Mr. Arrogance-Personified eyes fixated on me, a slow smirk forming on his lips. Oh hell, he was enjoying this. Stupid Megalomaniac. What does he think of himself!
I tried avoiding the innumerable eyes staring at me. Can this be more awkward! First day at the office and the whole world gapes at you because a certain megalomaniac CEO was convinced that you were the idle choice for being "Buffoon of the day". Sick.
And just when I planning to dart right out of the canteen, he spoke in his usual deep voice.
"Let me introduce to you guys, the latest member of our association, Ms. Shraddha Shergill. She is the new Assistant Creative Head of the Company. On behalf of Srivastava Enterprises, we all welcome you Ms. Shergill"
Okay this is too much. First make a fool of me in front of the entire staff and then make up for it by a formal introduction. Well played Mr.CEO.
The earlier astounded crowd now greeted me with a half-smile. After effects of sudden shock. They didn't even get time to recover, for it's not usual that your boss casually winks at some random employee and then goes all the way welcoming her. Do CEOs personally welcome new joiners?, I doubt this happens anywhere except...except where CEOs are male chauvinists with egos as high as the highest peaks of The Himalayas!
I forced a smile in an attempt to cover my earlier embarrassment. And as if making up their minds that I too shared the same planet, their smiled widened, becoming more welcoming now. Jaya too showed signs of recovery, slowly regaining her former chirpiness.
Kunal Srivastava now retreated from the canteen premises, followed by his loyal group and the free-spiritedness was back.
A few handshakes and some casual waves is all it takes to start fresh conversations and soon I was surrounded by a whole set of people. A few introductions followed and then I was talking to Gaurav, Shirish, Chaaya, Chhavi, and of course jaya and Ashish.
If life gives you bosses like Kunal Srivastava, it also gives you lovely friends like the ones I made today. Fair enough.
******
I knocked on the door, double checking my appearance in the side window. Mascara hadn't smudged, dupatta was well in place and thankfully my hair looked okay, great in fact. So far, I looked alright.
"Come in...", a hoarse voice called out from inside, the same voice which,if laced with anger, could make other employees shudder.
Okay Kittu, be calm. Don't blush. He is your boss and employees don't blush in front of bosses. Be cool. You can do this.
"I said you may come in...", the voice sounded a bit annoyed at the sudden disruption of privacy.
I peeked inside to find Anand frantically typing on his computer. He seemed busy enough to be entertaining anyone at the moment and that anyone would mean anyone. I had a sudden urge to turn back and flee before he saw me...
"Kritika..."
It's too late. You have to face him. Don't blush. Don't blush. Don't stammer.
"Sorry if I disturbed you sir. I thought I'll bring you some coffee for you didn't even have your lunch. I'll get going now"
No no no Kittu...what have you done? Now he'll give you one of those disappointed looks again. Oh God!
I closed my eyes waiting for those words to come out... why can't you just mind your own business girl? Why do you have to come with these stupid ideas every now and then! Coffee..ehh! Now he'll completely bar you from even entering his cabin.
"Thanks Kritika...I desperately needed this. All this accounting work is so hectic. A hot cup of coffee is all I wanted."
My eyes flushed open as his words began to register. I looked up to check if they weren't said out of sarcasm and this sure couldn't be a joke either. Anand never jokes. Plus he had a straight face. Did he just say THANKS!!
"No problem Sir, anytime for you...", I bit my tongue at my own instinctive reaction.
Oops, you did it again. Why can't you keep your mouth shut, silly girl? What will he think of you now?
Anand arched an eyebrow looking amused and I didn't know if I was imagining this but I thought he smiled. I guess I am daydreaming too much nowadays.
"I mean..I mean your work is so hectic and there should be someone to see that you are not too stressed...No No...Someone to give you coffee...yes...yes...that's exactly what I mean. Coffee it is. "
What am I blabbering? Kittu, where's your brain? He is going to assume that you are total nutcase. Oh my, he is never going to allow me in his cabin. Go drown yourself NOW!! And for God's sake, please stop blushing!
"It's Okay Kritika, you don't have to panic while talking to me. And thanks for the coffee anyway."
I nodded smiling. Anand returned the smile and then got back to frantically typing again, sipping his coffee. I turned around to leave his cabin as urgently as possible without making a fool of myself in front of him anymore.
"Kritika, there's one more thing I wanted to say..."
I turned back, maintaining a straight face. All this blushing is driving me nuts now.
"Yes sir..."
"Thank you..."
"For what sir, you've said that for the coffee already."
"For everything...now go!"
He smiled again and returned to his usual silent mode leaving me dumbstruck. Lord he smiled twice today. I had a sudden urge to pinch myself to check if I wasn't dreaming. No this can't be a dream. This has to be real. This better be real!!
*****
PREVIEW FOR CHAPTER 4 When you talk about jewellery Design, the mention of CharismaFemale** magazine is inevitable. The fashion magazine was launched keeping in mind the tastes of the elite Indian class when it comes to intricate ornaments, with complete and sophisticated sections on tiaras, necklaces, brooches, bracelets and all accessories that appeals to a woman's heart. It is said that a diamond is a woman's best friend. And CharismaFemale leaves no stone unturned to lure the same women into lusting over those beautiful diamond neckpieces. No wonder it was the highest grossing magazine in the Indian Market, a venture started by none other than Srivastava Enterprises.
I paced all around the room trying to figure out the magazine's next issue. Apparently it is the responsibility of the Assistant Creative Head to look after the magazine's monthly issues. The report presented by the Assistant Creative Head is forwarded to the Supervising Creative Head and is ultimately sent to the CEO for his approval. This wasn't much of a problem. The real problem lied in the fact that I had to submit the full design in just three days. THREE DAYS! How is it bloody possible to complete the whole structure in just three days?
I flipped through all the older issues of the magazine that I had stashed all these years. It's not easy being a jewellery Designer. You've got to do a lot of beg, borrow, steal stuff; keep a record of all kinds of current consumer tastes and the do some odd designing. Pretty hectic. And Bhai says his work is stressful HUh!
I ran my fingers through a couple of catalogues for some inspiration. This isn't going to be so easy Shraddha. You've got to rack those brains for something more fascinating, just something...more alluring...more unsual...more...
And then as swift as a flash of lightning and totally out of the blue, an idea came to my mind. Eureka. Now wait and watch Mr.CEO.
I started typing quickly on my laptop. This has to work. It must work. Now all I needed was a quiet atmosphere and some brewing hot coffee.
**The names mentioned above are just a figment of my imagination and are not in semblance with any existing organization.
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Edited by niki_2293 - 11 years ago
Cricket
