Not Likely

She Said Yes!

One month later:

"D, what do you think of doing an event in Germany on Feb?" Jai asked conversationally as he took his seat next to Prashant and I in the grand arena.

"Why? What's in Germany?"

"Nothing I just always wanted to go. Also our competitors are throwing a fit there in the local language and I just found vendors who can kick their asses."

"Always fun to know the company can sponsor your bucket list", I said dryly, grinning nevertheless. "Send me the proposal."

"Cool. Also, when the hell is Coldplay going to come out? I am tired of all this talking!"

Let me set the scene, my dear folks. Today was the day Dhruv Razdan- the talented, kind of funny, but incredibly warm and kind megalomaniac that he was- was joining the illuminati.

That layered joke slapped with my team but the rest of the folks just looked like I spoke french.

Dhruv was becoming the CEO of Kleitos group officially from today, and we were gathered at this private arena where a bunch of executives talked about the 'Vision for Kleitos' and what the future would hold for us all.

But younger people with bad attention spans such as yours truly was waiting with bated breaths for Coldplay to come out and perform after the solemn session. In fact, the arena was packed with all the executives primarily for this.

Not to brag, but I suggested this to Dhruv. I told him that the best way to start his reign over us was to show us a good time, and then tell us to get to work.

Currently a board member was talking about innovation and the dawn of new leadership as the other panel members nodded along solemnly. Dhruv and his Dad were seated in the centre, both looking dignified and pleasant as they listened attentively.

Meanwhile I had overslept in the morning, gotten late for a morning meeting, had to meet vendors after that and had rushed to the arena to 'seamlessly' join the others ten minutes into the scheduled event. The five of us were whispering amongst each other, while Farida and Jai kept Harsh virtual company by looping him on all the hot goss in the office chat.

The kid...is recuperating. I shouted down his objections to let me help him and made him move into a good apartment near office. I booked him a maid and a cook so that he wouldn't have to fend for that right now, and the others made it a point to visit him as much as they can. Dhruv went a little beyond by giving him a paid sabbatical and then went to his place to discuss how he wanted to deal with his uncle. When Harsh wanted to do nothing against him, Dhruv had just nodded in apparent understanding, but back home, he grimly informed me that he had security keeping tabs on his uncle.

So that boy was safe. I just need to make sure he continues being so.

Now, back to the arena.

"They're scheduled to start the concert at 6pm." I said, impatiently checking my phone for the time. "Why can't they hurry up?! It's bad enough that I can only stay for one song!"

"Bro it is straight up insane that you are not staying- what if they sing Viva La vida and you're not there? That's criminal, D", Prashant said in a mock serious tone, grinning as he spotted the utter devastation on my face. "What will Chris say?"

"Shut your damn mouth, I am already in mourning" I grumbled. "It's all due to this stupid scheduling insanity that Dhruv has done."

"You mean, head to the US to solve a pivotal problem with FMCG team there?"

"Yeah, but like the problem won't go away tomorrow! Why am I the one missing Coldplay?" I asked petulantly as I sank into my seat in dismay. Dhruv, with the air of someone who had been privately serenaded to one too many times, had casually remarked during dinner two days ago that we'd be skipping the concert to head to straight to the airport to catch our flight to New York.