PART 11
BOL RADHA BOL
Then Raman went on to speak about his plans for the company which were all good. He then invited Mrs Shukla to say a few words, which she did. That was an emotional moment; giving twenty-five years of her life, she had an single-handedly grown, Ace Advertising Agency from her living room into an organisation, of over two hundred employees. At the end, she received a prolonged thunderous applause.
Raman again took over. I would request the department head to stay back. Everyone else can kindly resume his or her work. One more thing - next week, we will start a cafeteria for the employees. Food and beverages will be provided to the employees at no cost to them.' That announcement got loud hoots. Free food is the best.
Within minutes, the numbers dwindled to a handful. Listen Shags, I am leaving. Just fill me in later about whatever is discussed here.' Ishita tripped over some chairs while making a hasty beeline for the door.
Her movements were noticed. Raman glanced sharply at Simone; she got off the dias hurrying after the younger girl. Ms Iyer! Ms Iyer! Ishita, please stop!'
Already outside the hall, Ishita reluctantly paused. Still not turning around, she inquired of the PA, What's up?'
All department heads have to be there.'
Ishita turned to face the older women. Hustling her most imperious tone, she said, My counterpart, Ms Shagun Khanna is in there, so I thought...'
Simone cut her off, All department heads have to be there. Please follow me.'
Bandit queen, where's your gun, Ishita stewed. She headed for the conference room, muttering a churlish, Fine!'
The assembled, including Raman and his group, along with the department heads, sat in a circle.
Headed bowed, Ishita stiffly slid in the empty chair next to Shagun. She peeked up to flash a strained smile at her colleagues. Super canary shit! Opposite her, barely a couple of feet away, sat Raman. His eyes veiled eyes fixed on her. Within seconds, a familiar colour hovered on Ishita's cheeks.
Raman looked away. Please introduce yourselves, your department, and the number of open projects, giving a very brief status update,' he requested.
Ishita, promptly, opening her notebook scribbled, U do it ... plsss.' Shagun imperceptibly nodded.
Raman directed, We'll start from my right.'
Crap you'll have to do it now!' Shagun scribbled right back. Ishita literally trembled! Her hands went cold, and sweat listened on her forehead. She felt dizzy and nauseous; the panic came on full swing.
Raman spotted the tell-tale signs. So that has not changed, she is still petrified of it, he thought appeased. Feeling some heat on him, Raman glanced around. Shagun glared at him.
Coolly, Raman shifted to listen to the head of account management, Ms Preeti Kaushik - an attractive young women saying her piece.
Preeti spoke, gazing only at Raman. One would think she was having an intimate conversation with him, her tone low, a bright smile drawing attention to her colour stained lips, gesturing hands showing the curve of her arms and torso. Ishita glanced once towards her and shifted her gaze immediately to notice his expression. He was gazing listening to her though was cornering his eyes at her. This disturbed Ishita a lot seeing Preeti's gaze on him.
Having worked for big companies in the metro cities for the past several years, Preeti had recently joined the AAA. Her aged father's ailing health had forced her to come to this small town, which openly and vocally disliked.
Thank you Ms Kaushik. You speak very concisely, giving the big picture in a nutshell,' raman complimented the girl, aware of the flirtatious attempts.
Please call me Preeti!' the other girl blubbered.
Gadheri!' Shagun muttered under her breath.
Soon it will be my turn; ill be the agency's laughing stock, Ishita worried. Her head felt like it was about to explode.
Net to speak was, Mr Vishal Tiwari, the head of the graphic and media department. A pass out of a renowned college from Delhi, his tenure was a stopgap arrangement, until his paperwork in American University came through. Vishal, a born rebel of the society and its norm, while talking to Raman purposely tapped his kohlapuri clad foot (wearing slippers at work was against company policy) and rubbed his pierced eyebrow. There was no rule on pierced eyebrows yet, but vishal was damn sure he was flouting some rule somewhere!
Thank you Mr Tiwari and nice sandals,' Raman commented with a straight face. Vishal reminded him of so many of the youngsters one who came across nowadays - either orgasmic about brands or arch enemies of materialism.
Ishita was up next. This should be fun... the silly girl has forgotten all that I taught her and has already worked up to quite a state, Raman deliberated.
Ishita, ferociously, clamped her parched lips; blood sang chama chama in her ears. She could almost taste the bile in her mouth. Miserably she glanced up, blanching even further as all and sundry fixed impatient eyes on her. Preeti sighed irritated; Vishal increased the tapping of his ethnic footwear.
Ishita, Ms Iyer cant speak today, her tonsil are hurting. But as the peer manager of the design department, I can give you all and Mr Bhalla the latest status update,' asserted Shagun, loudly.
The only way you can refute me, is by disclosing to everyone here that you met Ishita earlier today! Shagun's eyes challenged Raman, who gave her a dark look.
Ishita crazily relieved, mumbles a limp sorry and sat back.
She does seem kind of sick,' agreed Mr Telang. Do you need some water, some cola, something?'
The plan thwarted, Raman backed off, curtly. Fine, Ms Khanna continues. Ms Iyer, go get yourself a drink or whatever it is that you need!'
Ishita shot out of her chair, exiting the conference room in less than ten seconds. Raman's eyes trailed her.
**********
Precap - Raman please! Don't make fun of her. Madhvi called me earlier today. Because of this fear, Ishu is refusing to go for the presentation which is part of her final exams,' toshi confided.
Raising an eyebrow, Raman mouthed, Really?'
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Okay guys here is the update.. hope you all like it.. I know you all are waiting to see them together.. I am trying but hope you like the part...
Please feel free to point out my mistakes or any suggestions are welcomed...
Cricket
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