Comedy of Confusions

2. Krish- Quest for Glory

"I am pregnant." Nandini announced nonchalantly.

"Hmm... I think we should go with the second candidate, good fit, tier 1 B-school, solid business development experience...ummm. Did you say you like the first candidate? " Krish was clearly too focused on recruiting new people to his team that he missed something that would change his life forever..

"Krish." Nandini took a deep breath. She must have rolled her eyes too but Krish could not have noticed it. " I said I liked the first candidate but these are your people, therefore beyond my comfort zone. I trust your judgement." Nandini reiterated.

"I don't want to finalize without your buy-in. Let's schedule another round with the candidates and the both of us. You can have someone else from your team on the panel as well." Krish continued without much ado.

"Works for me. But you really don't have to do this. I cannot look beyond the technology aspect in any case. Never mind, I am OK if you want me to schedule time with those candidates" Nandini sounded slightly annoyed.

"Great then. I will send a note to Katy and she will work on the schedule" Krish started typing the note quickly, right away.

"and" Nandini repeated "I am pregnant."

"Hmmm.. I see" Krish continued to furiously type the note for Katy. It hit him like a truck only after he had hit the send button.. "WHAT?" He jumped up from his seat. A cold and murky fog like eerie calm descended around him.

"P.. p... as in... as in.." He mumbled haltingly "what kind?"

"What kind? How many kinds of pregnant do you know? " Nandini did not know if she should laugh or cry.

"Uh?" Krish found himself tongue tied.

"I know only one kind of pregnant. And you can say the word. It is not like you are in grade school trying to be the polite kid who does not do the f-word." Nandini was almost smiling at his plight now.

"umm.. " Krish struggled to find the right words. "I mean... umm....one kind." Krish pulled out a soft tissue from the box in the corner of his work desk and wiped off the beads of sweat on his forehead. Despite the eerie chill, he was sweating. Perhaps it is the potent July sun blazing behind him. He turned around to see the spectacular view of the Manhattan skyline from his top floor Jersey City office. He loved the view enough to pay premium rent. In his opinion, nothing said 'he made it' better than the view of the regal Empire State building, the picturesque Art Deco Chrysler building and the modern icon of human resilience - One, World Trade Center.

Nandini maintained a dignified silence, giving Krish the space and time to process the new information. Krish scratched his bearded chin mindlessly and stared blankly at the world in action outside his steel and glass office.. A spec like white cat resting on the terrace of a shorter building nearby, the ferry on Hudson carrying commuters to the City, never ceasing traffic on the freeway nearby, life was going on as usual. But something else had stopped. How could this happen? What do I do now? Was all he could think.

"Krish?" Nandini's voice disrupted the momentary calm.

"Uh. " Krish . Yeah.. yeah..." Krish got back to his seat.

"Normal people congratulate" Nandini spoke after clearing her throat. She knew it was not easy.

"Oh.. Sorry. I am really sorry. Nandini, Congratulations to you and Neil. You are going to be parents!" Krish finally focused on the happiness that the news brought to some people, even if it meant trouble for him.

Nandini's voice finally grew light, perhaps she was smiling too, but it was not really clear on the phone. "Thank you. I did expect this kind of reaction though. No surprises there." Nandini casually mentioned. "Before you think of impending deadlines, product launch etc, let me make it clear to you that I plan to work till the last day and I will hold the fort here as usual."