Love Me Like You Do

chapter 1

Preeti : Sumo, I'm sorry. It took me nine months to get this interview. It will take another six to reschedule, and we'll both graduated by then. As editor, I can't let this go.

Sumo : of course I'll go Preeti. You take rest okay.

Preeti : Here, take my car. I gave you the recorder right ?

Sumo : Uh, yes.

Preeti : And you have all the questions right?

Sumo : yes.

Preeti : Go. It's a long drive. I don't want you to be late.

Sumo : Okay, I'm going. You take rest. I made you some soup to heat up later.

Preeti : I will. Good luck. And thanks sumo as usual, you are my lifesaver.

Gathering my stuff, I moved out of the door to the car. Preeti is my roommate and she has chosen today of all the day to be sick. And that's why she cannot attend the interview she'd arrange to do, with some mega-industrialist I'he never heard of, for the student newspaper. So I have been volunteered. I should have been studying for my final exam, I have one essay to finish, and I am supposed to be working this afternoon, but no - today I am here in Seattle standing in front of huge twenty story building with Malhotra Enterprises written over glass front door.

(inside the office)

Receptionist 1: Miss Gill? May I take your coat ?

Suman : oh, yeah.

Receptionist 2: Mr. Malhotra will see you now.

Suman : Okay.

Andrea shravan's secreatry approaches me

Andrea : This way please.

Suman : okay

Andrea: Right this way. You don't need to knock - just go in.

I push open the door stumble and fall forward on my hand. OH SHIT ! I'm on my hands and knees in the doorway to Mr. Malhotra's office, and gentle hand around me helping me to stand.

Shravan : Miss Gill. Are you alright?

Shravan : shravan Malhotra.

Suman : I'm Suman Tiwari. Um, Miss Gill has the flu, so she asked me to fill in.

Shravan : I see. So you're studying journalism as well.

Suman : No English literature with Preeti, um..... Miss Gill at Washington State she's my roommate.

Shravan : As I said, I only have ten minutes. Please have a seat Miss tiwari.

I sat on a white leather buttoned L-shaped couch and take out Preeti's question from bag and next, I set up the mini-recorder and am all fingers and thumb, dropping it twice on the coffee table in front of me. Mr. Malhotra says nothing, waiting patiently. When I pluck up the courage to look at him, he's watching me, one hand relaxed in his lap and the other cupping his chin and trailing his long index finger across his lips. I think he's trying to suppress a smile.

Suman : sorry, I'm not used to this.

Shravan : Take all the time you need, Miss tiwari.

Suman: Do you mind if I record your answer ?

Shravan : After you have taken so much trouble to set up the recorder- you ask me now ?