He still hadn't really noticed me standing there.
[ I'm quite unattractive, like that. You know.
So much so it's fairly easy to miss me even if I'm standing right in front of you. ]
And to my surprise, the man who sat right across him was the same guy I'd met in the lift!
The two were in the middle of a conversation.
Sometimes in English, in spurts in Bangla.
[ So the lift guy was Bengali after all! ]
Bodhi was telling him how much better and cheaper the schools were in Calcutta.
The level of education. The quality of grooming. And you know, so on and so forth.
[ Something about the content of the conversation made me guess, he must have just had a baby.
Or was perhaps, expecting to have one in the near future. ]
I didn't want to cut them off, as they were talking.
So as soon as I tried to look away, Bodhi called me.
He: "Sreshtha, right?
You've been standing here for so long.
Why would you not call me?
You thought I didn't notice you?"
You thought I didn't notice you?"
Me: "Ah, you guys were talking.. So.. Anyway, hi good morning.."
(I tried hard not to smile my usual 1000 watt smile, and not seem too obviously excited).
He: "Morning.. Come come.. Pull up a chair.. And sit..
I'm expecting another intern today.
Purnima Bali, her name is.
You settle down.
Just let her come in.
And I’ll give you guys something to get you started."
Almost the instant he finished speaking, another girl walked in and stretched her arm out at Bodhi.
"Hi Bodhi.. Purnima.. New intern from XIC.."
Bodhi greeted her just as warmly, and took us to one of the plush meeting rooms.
"Come.. Let's have a quick chat,” he said.
And led us in.
With a distinct swagger...
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