The Delhi Chapter : Page 32

I actually had to crane my neck up from behind my soft-board to observe the pool of people floating about on that floor.

****

A second later, Purnima pranced back to the seat next to me with her laptop, saying, "Heyi, Bodhi's calling you to his desk.. You're done with your story, right?"

Me: "Oh..

Yup, I'm finished..

How did yours go?

Did he like it?"

She: "Ah good only man..

Yes he liked it..

Pretty much..

Has asked me to think up TVC's on Iodex now!

Cool no?"

Me: "Ya, very cool..

I'd love to read your story, by the way.."

She: "Hey, and I'd love to read yours!
You look like one of those typical Journos you know..
Kurta, jhola and all that..

Like them arty, creative writer types!
So I bet your piece will be todu!"

[ ‘Todu’', ‘Faadu', 'Dhaansu' and such like, are adjectives to describe something of the highest superlative in Delhi, which I discovered much later as I went along living in this place.]

Me: "Haha (still insecure about what that really meant)..  

Well if that was meant to be a compliment, I'm flattered.

Thanks very much!

Tell you what..

I'll just quickly run and show Bodhi this hodge podge of a story..

And come back and aramse chat up with you over lunch..

Yes?"

I said that in my typical sing-song voice.
And rather annoying Colgate smile (like well-trained cabin crew).

[ And just before I was going to get up from my desk and sprint with my laptop to Bodhi's, she stopped me manically like she had something awfully urgent to say right then. ]

"Hey by the way! I must tell you before I forget again!
I wanted to tell you inside in the meeting room itself..

You have beautiful eyes..
And the most perfect smile I've seen dude! 

Your face has this typical Bong loveliness about it..
Pretty thing you are you know!" she snickered.

[ I can't exactly say I wasn't glad at the way she thought.
Even tending to think that she was ridiculously benevolent with her compliments.

But the timing of her remark was just the most unfit.
Because I was just about as spaced out then as any soul could be. ]

Had it been any other moment, I'd certainly have said more than just a polite 'thanks'.
And even return-gifted her with a nice word or two.

But given the situation, and that famine inside my stomach; all I knew then is just that I had to run to Bodhi.
And bravely find out what was to become of my piece. ]

Would he be happy and pat me on my back?

Or would he judge me for being average?

Would he be cross and shred my piece to pieces?

Or would he just say, "Don't come back again"? 

I had no idea what the 'standards' were. 

The stock I was competing against..