Right Fit Wrong Shoe

by Varsha Dixit

  ‘Aditya, that is already in works,’ Simone replied, making her exit.

  ‘Everything has gone as I planned,’ Aditya murmured. He and his PA, Simone D’Souza had arrived at the agency at 5 a.m., signed the final papers, making Ace Advertising Agency, a part of the Sarin Empire.

  As per his clear-cut orders, the entire take over had been extremely hush-hush. Paying Mrs Mina Shukla, twice of what she had demanded, had insured her more than ample cooperation. At ten today, the ex-owner would hold a company meeting to introduce the new top dog .

  Aditya punched the intercom on his phone. ‘Simone, have Nandini Sharma, the head of the design department, in my office, right away. Make sure she thinks it’s Mrs Shukla she is coming to meet.’

  The intercom on Nandini’s phone buzzed. Recognising the extension, 1212, Nandini put down her Kurkure ka packet and immediately answered the phone. ‘Good morning Mrs Shukla.’

  ‘This is Simone, could you please come up? Boss wants to meet you ASAP!’ The PA hung up, before the girl on the other end, could react.

  ‘Simone! Who the heck is Simone?’ Nandini called out loudly, but there was no answer. Only losers and carpool folks come to work at seven and, sadly, I am not carpooling, Nandini reflected. She quickly made her way up to the third floor,

  Mrs Shukla’s office.

  As she stepped out of the elevator, a waiting Simone won the bet with herself; the girl in the white salwaar kameez, after all.

  Nandini saw the elderly plump woman, dressed in an expensive powder blue business suit and sporting a trendy salt and pepper bob, come towards her. What is this chic-aunty doing here? Nandini wondered, feeling dowdy in her simple clothes.

  ‘Simone?’ she politely offered her hand.

  ‘Yes, and you must be Nandini.’ Simone shook the young girl’s hand, her expression bland.

  ‘Yup! Nandini Sharma. Is something the matter? Mrs Shukla never comes in before nine?’

  The older woman ushered Nandini towards the cabin. ‘The boss is expecting you, please go in,’ she urged.

  6

  Aamne Samne

  F eeling utterly hustled Nandini went inside. Simone immediately shut the door, closeting the two.

  ‘Weirdo!’ Nandini muttered, softly, keeping the expression pleasant as she glanced in Mrs Shukla’s—or so she thought—direction. ‘You!’ she whispered, rooted. Nandini’s eyes widened, the blood in her veins stopped for a nano second and then rushed to her face. Surprisingly, the earth did not heave.

  On seeing Aditya after so many years, an unbidden and intense wave of pleasure rose inside Nandini. However, on noticing the searing anger in the narrowed eyes, it hastily roller-coasted into unease.

  ‘Yes, ME! Your, worst nightmare come true!’ Aditya spritely got to his feet. His magnetic presence towered the room.

  ‘I have to get out.’ Nandini panicked, blindly pirouetting for the doorknob .

  Aditya pre-empted her. A strong hand forcefully twisted Nandini’s arm holding the knob. Pain shot though her hand and, reflexively, she let go. He swung Nandini around, pushing the hapless girl deeper into the room. Stumbling and off balance, she barely managed to stay at her feet. Stunned by the aggression, all Nandini could do was mutely gawk at him.

  ‘Not so fast. I am not done! Get used to this. Beginning this very second when I say jump you jump and sit when I say so!’ Aditya bit out, his lips and hips clenched.

  ‘And what if I don’t?’ Nandini huskily shot back, gingerly flexing her elbow. The words just slipping out, like a pair of startled feet on a banana peel.

  Breathing invisible fire, Aditya came at her. Nandini speedily retreated, till her legs collided with the desk.

  Aditya jerked to a halt mere inches away. Nandini, unsure, looked down as she contemplated her options and exit routes. Jumping off the window, behind the desk held the most appeal, currently.

  In a pinching grip, Aditya grasped her averted face. Wincing, Nandini had no choice but to look into the dark hostile eyes. ‘Because if you don’t... your brother and his family’s life, shall go down the gutter. I guarantee that !’ he hissed, cruelly. Abruptly releasing her, Aditya strode to the briefcase at his desk.

  ‘Leave my family out of this; they didn’t do anything to you,’ Nandini weakly asserted.

  ‘Who cares?’ Aditya retorted, his back to her. Damn, I thought the years would have dulled the hatred for the little cheat. This time she will pay her old debts, vouched Aditya. Grabbing a file, he turned around and threw it at the desk towards Nandini.

  ‘Read it!’ he insolently ordered, taking a seat .

  Nandini stared at him for a few seconds and he glared right back. Finally, with shaking hands, she grasped the file turning one page after another.

  Nandini’s trembling hands gave Aditya some degree of satisfaction. Like a tiger studying its prey, or Batman watching Robin (oops! wrong emotion), like Batman watching the Joker, Aditya’s eyes remained glued to her bent head.

  Having read enough, Nandini felt outraged, and accused, ‘This is BS big-time! You’ve cooked it all up!’

  ‘I didn’t have to. This was executed entirely by your brother, with no coercion on anyone’s part. Maybe treachery runs in the family.’

  The harsh word against her family stung. Indians like Italians are very gung ho about their families. The latter extended their families into mobs and us into politics − same game, different names. Blinking rapidly, Nandini looked away.

  Aditya conceded. ‘Unlike you, your brother has scruples. He did not sign the docs knowingly. The person, who master- minded the fraud, framed him. However, I am the only one who has the proof that could exonerate Namit. Eventually a deal of this size will garner all kinds of attention, media, political and public.’

  Nothing I say or do will change his mind; I have been tried and sentenced, Nandini concluded. ‘What do you want?’ She gave in.

  Aditya looked away. That was easy! In the past, she would have squabbled, argued and persisted until at least one of us had been driven to the ground, he recalled.

  Bringing his eyes back to Nandini, Aditya said, ‘I’m glad you realise that there is no point in fighting me. What? Are you ready to give up? ’

  Nandini kept her eyes downcast; she was at a loss of words. The hatred in his eyes pained her. These very eyes had once burned for her in a different way.

  ‘Answer me dammit!’ Aditya thundered. Nandini jerked. ‘What are you willing to do? What are you ready to give up?’ he repeated.

  ‘Anything!’

  Aditya continued to watch her, coldly.

  Nandini in a voice free of any drama, said, ‘I’ll type my resignation right away.’

  ‘I don’t want your friggin resignation. I could have had you fired any day, believe me.’ A vicious smile hovered around Aditya’s lips.

  Nandini’s legs were literally knocking against each other; brain had taken the easy way out... coma. Thankfully the mouth was still working, only enough to squeak out idiotic responses. ‘What did you have in mind then?’ she asked.

  ‘That is for me to know and you to keep dreading.’

  Bada bhagwan, chota super shaitan! Nandini’s mind was waking up.

  ‘SIT. Let’s start with this!’ Aditya shot, pressing the intercom button. ‘Simone, please get the memo I asked you to prepare.’

  Nandini was tempted to make the cross sign... prayers for peaceful passing of one’s soul.

  A few muted sounds later, Simone entered the room. In her hand fluttered a single sheet of type-written paper. Wordlessly, she placed it in front of Aditya. Nandini glared at her, but the other woman avoided her eyes. Kamini budhiya or paapi paet ka sawal hain? Nandini mulled.

  After quickly scanning, Aditya signed the document with a flourish. ‘Perfect!’ smiling, he praised his secretary. ‘After the ten o’ clock meeting, please make sure all the execs and above get a copy. And before you leave, let Ms Sharma read it.’

  Nandini grasped the offered page and listlessly read th
e memo, ‘Effective from Monday, Mr Rochak Chowdhury, apart from his current designation, will consolidate the design department of Ace Advertising Agency, under his experienced leadership.’

  ‘Are you insane? Adi, you can’t do this!’ Nandini shrieked. Simone’s eyes widened and Aditya’s narrowed.

  ‘Thank you Simone, you may leave,’ Aditya ordered. Once alone, he shot to his feet, striding over to her side. Yanking a startled Nandini out of her chair, he threatened. ‘Don’t ever dare to act familiar with me. I will dish and you will take, get it!’ he barked pulling her even closer.

  Nandini could not help but stare at him. Aditya was so close; she could even see the flecks in his eyes. His spicy scent swarmed her senses. The past remembered and lived as dearly as the present, slam-dunked Nandini. Her heart ached in sheer pain, and au contraire so did her fists glued to the sides. Fearful she might make a complete ass of herself, Nandini attempted to disentangle.

  The strong hands continued to grip her. Nandini tipped her head to peek in Aditya’s veiled eyes. Few strands of her hair brushed his face. ‘Fine, you dish, I’ll take... quietly .’

  ‘Good! Now get out and do something useful,’ Aditya offensively ordered, virtually, pushing Nandini away. He walked back to his side of the desk.

  Forcing her paralysed limbs into action, Nandini opened the door to exit, but then she stopped. Aditya watched her, his expression annoyed .

  With the door open, and one foot out, Nandini said, ‘I thought you would have been over me by now.’

  Fiercely Aditya moved towards her, but Nandini had fled. Startled, Simone remained at her desk, glancing intermittently at the fleeing girl and then Aditya. The latter stood there, gnashing his teeth.

  ‘Can I get you some coffee?’

  ‘Yes please. Make it strong and bitter!’ Aditya closed the door, somehow controlling the urge to slam it.

  ‘What the F*#% happened to the plan of being cold and in control. Few minutes with that wretched girl and everything goes sailing out of the window,’ Aditya cursed.

  When were you ever in control around her? However, this physical aggression with a woman is a new low for you, his brain lobbed back at him.

  ‘Why the hell does she still wear that darn perfume?’ Aditya vented to his laptop. That is when he realised that he was still thinking of Nandini. Aditya gulped his coffee, welcoming the scorching liquid’s heat.

  7

  Raaz

  D odging the usual morning meet and greet, as the rest of the staff came in, Nandini fled to the sanctuary of her room. Shaking, she collapsed in the chair. ‘No big D!’ she chanted feverishly, pressing the cold steel of the stapler to her burning cheeks.

  ‘Didn’t know you had a thing for staplers!’ teased Sneha, sitting her oversized bag on the floor. Nandini continued squashing steel props against her face, eyes frantic but mouth silent.

  Concerned, Sneha came over, ‘Nandi, are you alright?’

  ‘He’s back Sneh! He’s back and he wants to kill me !’ Nandini blurted out. Who knows, if everything else failed, Aditya might resort to the unthinkable.

  Sneha instantly caught on. ‘Adi’s back! You met him?’

  Nandini forcefully bobbed her head.

  ‘Where did you meet him? ’

  ‘Just now! I met him in Mrs Shukla’s office. It was actually more of an ambush. He’s not working alone.’ Nandini’s fingers now strangled a miniature acupuncture ball.

  ‘What was he doing in Mrs Shukla’s office at this hour? Isn’t she a little too old for him.’

  ‘You’re not helping! Do you want to hear the rest or not?’ Nandini sailed a nasty glare in her friend’s direction.

  ‘Sorry, go on; tell me everything from the start! I am all ears.’

  ‘Adi!’ Nandi corrected herself, ‘Aditya Sarin has just bought AAA, as in us. He is our new president, CEO and god. His first kaali kurthuth of the day was to demote our friggin department and make Roach our boss!’

  ‘No kidding!’ Sneha breathed.

  Nandini went on to regale the other girl with all that had occurred between Aditya and herself, sans the physical altercations. The memory of it still caused her heart to slam ferociously against the ribcage.

  ‘He can’t do that... no way missy, he can’t!’ Sneha was boiling. ‘Where does he get off being so mean? I’ll bloody set him right. Aditya should get his facts straight.’ She headed for the cabin door.

  ‘Sneha!’ Nandini trotted, forcing herself between the door and her mulish friend. ‘You will do no such thing! You sit down right now! I MEAN IT!’

  ‘Are you going to be the martyr again? For these uncaring folks? Again, Nandi?’ Sneha’s expression and voice, gave a new meaning to the word ‘displeased’.

  ‘I gave my word!’ Nandini beseeched.

  ‘So now, even your family will take the brickbats; suffer consequences of a mistake you didn’t commit. What is wrong with you? At least think of poor Namit! ’

  ‘Aditya will never harm Namit Dada. I am sure of that. He’s just baiting me,’ Nandini voiced, softly. She silently prayed; Bhagwanji, please do not let me be wrong about this.

  ‘Why won’t you tell him the truth? It’s time to come clean,’ Sneha said.

  ‘I disagree! No one needs to know anything.’ Nandini grabbed Sneha and propelled her away from the door. Sneha reluctantly let her.

  ‘I’m sure, in real life even Meena Kumari and Greta Grabo weren’t half as bad as you. Life has become a series of listless days, unlike the chain of one moment leading to another. Once upon a time, isn’t that what you considered it to be?’ Sneha rambled, even though she let Nandini sit her down.

  ‘Sneh!’ Nandini cooed, her tough as nails friend’s concern shining through.

  ‘You behave like a zombie! It hurts me to see you like this! Do you have any idea how many times your mom has called me, to find out why you behave the way you do. At one point, she even feared you were suicidal.’

  ‘Wow! And you still think I’m the Meena Kumari of the family?’ Nandini grinned.

  ‘Please Nandi! For the last time, get rid of this blasted guilt . Sort out this tangled, and idiotically complicated, mess of your own making.’

  ‘I know you mean well Sneh, but please give me some time. I promise if things get out of hand I, myself, shall puke the truth on the man.’

  ‘Pakka, swear on your dead cat?’ Sneha scorned, well aware that Nandini steered cleared of cats, dead or alive.

  Nandini simply nodded. For a few seconds, the two friends stared at each other. Sneha capitulated. ‘Fine! Have it your way. But for once, put yourself above the other mortals, you fool!’

  ‘I hope that includes you also,’ relaxing, Nandini teased. Sneha flipped her ‘the bird’.

  ‘Oh! So much drama in the morning, I need to calm myself,’ Sneha said, groping inside her bag.

  ‘Oh, please don’t use this as an excuse to light up another cancer stick,’ Nandini protested.

  ‘Got it! One won’t do any harm,’ Sneha drawled on her way out.

  ‘Try four... you crazy cow,’ Nandini retorted, opening a Parle G packet as she slipped back in her chair.

  ‘Don’t exaggerate... old maid!’ Sneha was a year older than Nandini.

  Pronto, Sneha’s head popped back in the room. Nandini glanced up, questioningly. ‘Is he still that hunk-a-licious?’

  Rolling tongue in her cheek, Nandini growled, ‘Even better!’

  ‘Ha!’ Sneha exclaimed heading out. ‘Maybe all is not lost with Aditya’s coming back. ‘After a long time, Nandi actually has some colour in her cheeks,’ she voiced to her zippo.

  8

  Guru

  S ometime later, an inert Nandini, suddenly, smacked her forehead, ‘I am so pathetic! Adi’s gunning for my neck and yet here I’m...’

  Just then, there was a knock on the door. ‘Come in!’ She sat a little straighter.

  ‘Hey did you see the email about the company meeting at ten? There are all kind of talks going on
outside. Do you know what it’s for?’ asked Riya, holding the door open.

  ‘Nope, not a clue!’ Nandini evaded, no point handing out half-baked information.

  ‘Wow it’s almost that time, we should get going.’ Nandini grabbed her notebook (the computer kind).

  ‘It’s in the hall upstairs,’ said Tina, joining them.

  Nandini changed her mind. The times were such that they called for security detail. ‘Actually why don’t you all go ahead, I’ll come with Sneha. ’

  A few minutes later, Nandini and Sneha trotted up the stairs, amidst a cacophony of sneezes. Nandini fiercely whispered, ‘Can you, please not douse so much perfume. You just caused an allergy endemic here!’

  ‘I’m just trying to smell nice and not subject them to second hand smoke,’ Sneha quipped, not a bit apologetic.

  Abruptly Nandini stopped. ‘What now?’ Sneha asked.

  ‘Maybe I should stay here! I know everything that I need to know.’ Remembering Aditya’s eyes, Nandini’s feet weighed like cement blocks. The mental visual of Aditya pointing an accusing finger at her in front of everyone, and proclaiming in a loud booming voice, ‘Nandini Sharma is the reason for all your suffering! Lynch her!’ could possibly come true.

  Sneha understood. ‘Don’t be silly, he won’t say a thing to you. There are so many of us there. The man has never had a public meltdown.’

  ‘What if, he makes an exception today Sneh?’ Nandini worried, stepping out of the way of oncoming human traffic.

  ‘He won’t! If it makes you feel better, you can hide behind me.’

  ‘I’m taller than you!’

  ‘Then just slouch or something Khali! C’mon, hurry! I do not want to miss a bit! We hardly ever get any excitement like this, around here.’ Grabbing Nandini’s elbow, Sneha tugged her inside the third floor. Their timing could not have been better or worse. The two women stepped smack in the path of Aditya and his entourage. Everyone halted.

  ‘Hello!’ Aditya sailed a terse greeting in Sneha’s direction. A knows B, B knows C, therefore A knows C, kind of funda. (A-Aditya, B-Nandini, C-Sneha )