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"The videos are yet to be compiled, the decorations are halfway done, Malti said he loves butterscotch, so Anna's on it, yes Sara! I have to check how she's doing."
I read my to-do list aloud. Tomorrow is Deepak Chahar's birthday and to say that we're overloaded with work, won't be an understatement at all.
The boys had some really good surprises planned, but wanted some help with video editing, decorating the team room and most importantly distracting the birthday boy, which is proving to be difficult.
Now, the deal is that - one, they want to throw a pool party for him, two, they want to make a memory album for him and compile all the videos and three, have the final video screened in the team room.
And the best part is that they've decided this one day prior to his birthday.
I shake my head, not out of annoyance but out of a strange fondness. The reason why I am walking near the poolside, listing their favourite foods down and observing the small stage being built for their Karaoke night is that I am moved by their efforts to make Chahar's day.
I make a quick call.
"Hi Sara!"
"Hello, Ma'am!" Comes her cheerful voice.
I note how muffled it sounds. She's trying too hard to control her excitement.
"Sara, how're the boys doing?"
Her hearty chuckles are overpowered by Jaddu, oops, Jadeja's booming laughter.
"It's so hilarious Ma'am, I can't explain. Everyone wants the video to be perfect but all they're doing is making each other laugh the whole time. Your idea was much sensible, Ma'am."
Yes, sensible perhaps, but less thoughtful. I had suggested that they could shoot the videos in their own rooms but they had their own ideas. They had divided themselves into clusters of four and were shooting their videos at different places.
Each cluster had different memories, some were countless and some were handful and different things to say to Chahar. Some had advice, some had inside jokes.
Hence every member from my team was monitoring a cluster right now.
And fun fact, every group was actually recording the video except Jaddu's.
Jadeja's.
No, Jaddu's.
Fine Jaddu's.
I can't help but say, "Let them laugh for a while, but please make sure that they don't delay it too much. We're yet to compile the whole video..."
"... And then transfer it in a pendrive. Yes Ma'am. Don't worry. I'll make sure there's no delay. It's for Cherry." She adds softly.
Sara has been the most enthusiastic and helpful member in executing this plan. Even though I appreciate her work, deep down both of us know that it's more than 'work' to her.
As I end ther call, I look at the afternoon sky and send a quick prayer for her.
Please let Sara find whatever she's seeking. And please let her heart be safe in the process.
I rub my eyes and get ready to strike every item off the list.
Energised by the refractions in the pool, I start making the rest of the calls.
I am talking to Jeevan who's setting the Karaoke system up when I see a waiter approaching us.
"Ma'am, Sir asked me to give this to you."
He says, pointing upwards
My gaze travels up to find Ruturaj waving at me. I wave back as I take... what looks like a box wrapped in a handkerchief.
It feels inappropriate to open it in front of Jeevan and crew but not opening it would raise suspicions and feed the curiousity about it's content.
From whatever little I know about Ruturaj, I'm assured that it's going to be something simple and would not give them an opportunity to talk.
I unwrap the handkerchief to find a KitKat with a note in his neat handwriting,
"Kritika, have a break, have a KitKat." ~ Ruturaj.
I resist all temptations to smile, well aware that even if I succeed, the warmth creeping in my cheeks will surely betray me.
Grateful for the shadow of the stage falling on me, I pretend to be unaffected by his kind gesture while munching on a KitKat.
You're going to pay a sweet price for this Ruturaj. Just wait and watch.
