Chapter 15

It had been two hours of peace for Aryan since work started. He could see Imlie from his office, and no one, especially not Aditya Kumar Tripathi seemed to be bothering her. He’d gotten an email from the entertainment editor that Imlie’s interviews and write ups had been processed, edited, and accepted for tomorrow’s print edition (not including Priya Agarwal’s). Aryan had shot a quick email to Surinder and Gaurav to get them to find new assignments for all the junior writers, especially Imlie. And now Aryan was peacefully looking through reports from the other businesses that fell under Rathore Enterprise’s umbrella. He had a board meeting coming up next week and because of all the insane drama in his life over the past couple weeks, he hadn’t been able to prepare properly. He looked up at Imlie’s desk through his office window again, well he hadn’t completely wasted his time. He looked at his watch, he had time for an hour to eat lunch, he’d go ask Imlie to eat with him.

Aryan got up and considered just texting Imlie to come in his office with her lunch, Maa always packed both of them overly hearty lunches. He picked up the lunch box and contemplated walking over to Imlie and asking her, then he put the lunch box down again.

No, a text is better, he told himself.

He picked up his phone and looked at Imlie, but she was already getting, her bag in hand and looking at her phone.

He swung open his office door and walked towards her, “Stop, Imlie.” He thanked a God he didn’t believe in that his words didn’t come out as a shout.

Imlei turned around and looked at Aryan, “Aryan Sir, I’m just going out for a bit, it’s my lunch hour.” She had set a time today to talk with Shiv about his work and she hoped this way she’d be able to bring a couple pitches to her editor. She quickly added, “But it’s a working lunch, I’m meeting with a possible source.”

Aryan looked confused and asked, “Which source? What story is this for? I didn’t hear from any editor that you have a new assignment? Where are you going? When are you coming back? Do you even know this source? How can you just go meet a stranger without any prior notice? Don’t you remember what happened the last time you went on an assignment and didn’t do your double checking on a simple address?”

Aryan had perhaps a hundred more questions for Imlie but she started laughing at that moment and feigned shock.

“Arre ABP, why are you getting your panties in a bunch? Also, do you want some water, I have never seen you have so many things to say in one breath. Relax, I was just about to tell you, because I don’t think it’s really a secret as I don’t have a story to pitch yet with him as the source. I’m meeting Shiv Agarwal, remember Priya Didi’s brother?”

Aryan’s heart dropped into his stomach, how had she already agreed to meet this guy?

“I don’t think—what I mean is why are you meeting him now, during work hours?” Aryan asked, already sensing his question wouldn’t succeed.

Imlie looked at him, now she was confused, “Do you have a short term memory loss problem? I just said it was a working lunch, and even if it wasn’t, I can go to lunch with whomever I want, tujse matlab?” (What business is it of yours?).

Aryan didn’t have a response, he could be irrational and tell her she had too much work to go out for lunch today, but that would only be more suspicious. If he suggested he tag along, that would only make it worse. At least a few seconds passed by with Imlie staring at Aryan, waiting for a response.

“Hey, ABP, tumhare muh mein dahi jam gaya hai kya?” Imlie asked. (Why are you so speechless//Is there dahi stuck in your mouth?).

Aryan shook his head and regained his composure, “Fine, go, but text me when you get there and where you’re going. You haven’t been in this city for long and—“

Imlie nodded and said, “Haan haan, I’ll message you the address right now, it’s just the cafe down the street from here, honestly, you need to stop worrying this much. You don’t care this much about where your other employees go.”

She waved and and left the office.

Aryan stared after her, he never felt helpless, and today seeing Imlie leave he realized he hated the feeling more than he hated anyone else in his life.

Half an hour later, Aryan couldn’t concentrate on work. He stared at his lunchbox, unopened on his desk. He picked up his wallet and phone and headed out to the café Imlie had mentioned.

I am not helpless, and I never will be. He told himself.

Imlie saw Shiv as soon as she arrived at the café. She was happy she chose this spot, it was nice but not overly fancy, so she wouldn’t feel out of place even though she’d rather have her afternoon chai at a small dabaa or from a chai-waala on the street. She walked over to the table where Shiv was sitting and extended her hand.

“Thank you again for meeting with me.” Imlie said.

Shiv looked up from his book and smiled, he took her hand and shook it, “It’s a pleasure, Miss Imlie from Pagdandia.”

She laughed and sat down, “Have you ever been to Pagdandia? It’s a beautiful village. Obviously, I’m biased, but I think it’s the best place in the world.”

“I haven’t visited, no, but I’ll take your word for it and visit one of these days. My firm does a lot of pro-bono work with people who are starting small businesses and need property advice. I’m sure people in Pagdandia might need legal advice.”

Imlie smiled, “If you do visit, I would be careful, Pagdandia isn’t always the kindest towards its’ visitors. Especially if you’re suggesting you might know more than them. I don’t think there’s a big need for legal advice, but I do know that the school there always needs people to talk to the students. So many of them dream of better lives, of leaving and getting an education after their tenth standard exams, it would be so impactful for them to hear from a lawyer.”

Shiv nodded, “Oh of course, I have some experience with small towns, my grandmother, my mother’s mom, was from a small town. What villagers want more than anything is for people to treat them as the equals. If you look down on them, or assume you know more than them about their own lives and futures, that’s one of the biggest mistakes you can make. What right do I have, as someone who’s never struggled on a farm under the hot sun, to give advice to anyone about their work or their lives?”

Imlie smiled, “I have yet to meet someone who almost immediately understands that. Thank you.”

Shiv replied, “Of course. Ok, what are we ordering? Chai? I think they have samosas here. I haven’t had lunch, so I might order something heavy. You don’t mind right?”

Imlie picked up the menu as the waiter arrived upon Shiv’s signal, “I think we’ll have two chais to starts with, and an order of samosas.” He looked at Imlie, “Tujhe Kuch aur chahiye?” (Do you want something else?)

Imlie replied, “No, chai and samosas are enough. Kaki Maa packed lunch for me, so I’ll just eat that after going back to the office. Why waste good food, right?”

Shiv looked at the waiter, “Just chai and samosas, thank you.”

“Ji, let me just take these menus away.” The waiter left.

“Wait, you said you had to eat lunch, you should have ordered something else.” Imlie said.

Shiv smiled, “No problem, I’ll have something delivered to the office, I’ll eat when I get back like you. Teri Kaki Maa kaun hai? I thought all your family were in Pagdandia?”

Imlie smiled, “Right now I’m staying in ABP’s house, his mother, Narmada Rathore, woh hai meri Kaki Maa.”

“ABP? Ohhh, the rude driver? Aryan?” Shiv asked, “You live with him?”

Imlie’s face soured, “I don’t live with him, I rent a room in his house. In fact, I had to rent a room in his house. If I had another option, I would have left much earlier. But Kaki Maa aur Arpita Didi bahut acchhe hain. I like them a lot, so dealing with ABP isn’t that much of a hassle.” (Kaki Maa and Arpita Didi are very nice.)

Shiv asked, “Had to? Why?”

Imlie fell silent, she thought about the night Aryan brought her to his house. How he’d ignored the other guests at his party just to teach her to use chopsticks. Even when she knew she was taking a favor from him, he didn’t make it feel like a favor.

Shiv noticed Imlie’s face falling, “Lagata hai ki yah ek lambee kahaanee hai. Tell me some other time. Kaam ke baat karte hain, tell me about the kind of stories you’re interested in writing, and I’ll tell you about my work. Sound good?” (It seems like it’s a long story…Let’s talk about work.)

Imlie nodded and decided this wasn’t the time for moroseness or nostalgia.

“Well, I mainly write social interest pieces, and sometimes some articles for the entertainment section, but I want to move into writing about the criminal justice and legal system here in Delhi.” Imlie started, suddenly excited again about being able to change the kinds of stories she could write.

The two of them had been talking for nearly half an hour. Their chai had long been finished, and the samosas long gone. Imlie was taking furious notes. She’d learnt all about the types of cases Shiv usually took, the kind of work his firm did, as well as names of various government prosecutors and law enforcement officials Shiv thought might be willing to talk to her. She noted down the steps in a usual criminal investigation as well as in most civil lawsuits.

Shiv signaled the waiter over, “Can we get two more chais?”

Imlie looked at her watch, “I only have twenty or so more minutes, I don’t think I have time for another chai.”

Shiv nodded to the waiter and signaled to him to keep the order and he looked at Imlie, “Twenty minutes is plenty of time for another chai. Also I don’t envision your questions stopping before twenty minutes either.”

Imlie gave a shy smile, “Sorry, once I get started, I usually can’t stop. Your job is fascinating.”

Shiv smiled and chuckled, “Thank you, most people usually don’t think so. Also to be fair, a lot of my job is paperwork. Law isn’t like it’s shown on TV you know, much of the work happens outside of a courtroom usually. Now your job, that’s what’s interesting. Have you ever read about famous journalists in the United States?”

Imlie shook her head, “I have so much to do just learning about stories and the work journalists do in India, but I am taking an International history class this semester, so I’m getting the hang of understanding a little bit about the world outside India.”

Shiv nodded, “That’s great. I think the most important thing you can do now as a journalist is to better understand not just the history of this country, but the history of the world outside India too. Every story journalists write about, be it a new piece of legislation a government is trying to pass, a conflict between two countries, or even a new movie that’s coming out — everything has a history, and understanding that history is definitely going to make your job easier.”

“I don’t think I’ve heard a more impassioned speech about the importance of history from anyone, not even my history professor.” Imlie said, smiling.

Shiv laughed, “In college, before law school, I was a history student. And one of my professors used to say, ‘jo log itihaas jaanate hain, vahee itihaas rach sakate hain,’ I agree with him completely, never forget that everything has a history.” (Those who know history, they're the ones who can make history.)

“Wah, tera professor toh kavi jaisa baat kar diya, ek itihaasakaar nahin.” (Wow, your professor talked like a poet, not a historian.) Imlie said, laughing.

“He was always very dramatic, that’s definitely true. He might still be teaching there, do you know Dr. Sharma?” Shiv asked.

Imlie thought and then recognized the name, “Oh yes! The counselor suggested I take his class on Indian history next semester! Do you recommend it?”

Shiv almost jumped out of his seat in excitement, “I do! I took that class when I was there as well, Sharma is an amazing lecturer, you definitely need to take it. Also he sometimes offers a legal history of South Asia from the Mughal Era to the present, that’s a must too.”

Imlie smiled wide, “It’s always nice to see what gets people excited. Also, seeing you this excited, I am shocked that you don’t have more friends.” She was teasing him, and Shiv definitely noticed.

Shiv shook his head and put on a sad face, “What to do, not everyone appreciates my sparkling personality.” He said the last two words with a flourish of his hand as if he were a dancer.

Imlie laughed, “Sach mein, tumhare behen ko chinta karne ke koi zaroorat nahin hai. Tum toh paka hua aam se zyaada meeti ho.” (Honestly, your sister has no reason to worry. You’re sweeter than a ripe mango.)

Shiv laughed, “I’m honored to give that impression to you, usually I come off as pretty boring, but you’re easy to talk to.”

“That’s fair, par har koi har kisi se aasaani se baat nahin kar sakata,” Imlie said, “You just have to make friends who you can talk to easily, that’s how you know they’ll never judge you for your little eccentricities.” (But, not everyone can talk to everyone easily).

Shiv smiled, “And I think I’ve met someone I can talk easily to.”

Imlie looked around pretending to look for someone and then she leaned close to Shiv over the table and asked, “Kaun?” (Who?) And then she smiled wide, threw her head back and laughed.

Shiv stared at her laughing, the smile on his face seemed permanently stuck on, no matter what this girl had said over the past half hour, he found a reason to smile at her words. She was bright, passionate, and above all very funny. Initially, he’d been worried that Didi was pushing him towards making friends with someone who he’d find more of a distraction than a help in his life. But after just half an hour chatting with her, it seemed that all his stress had disappeared. It was clear though, that she’d been through a lot. Just learning about where she lived and the way she initially talked about it, from that Shiv could tell that her journey from Pagdandia to Delhi hadn’t been easy. He was curious but not so curious that he’d ask her for her story before she was ready to tell it.

Imlie’s laugh died down, “Sorry, sorry, sometimes I can’t resist making a joke. Even if it’s a bad one.”

Shiv chuckled, “Koi baat nahin, everyone needs a bad joke now and then. But before our lunch hours are up, did you have any more questions?” (It’s no problem).

Imlie nodded, “I do, you mentioned a lawsuit your firm is bringing against a pharmaceutical company in Delhi. Do you think your boss would let me interview the plaintiffs and write up a story on the suit? I think I can convince my editor that it’s an important story to cover, especially the way you described the case, it seems like this company made some big mistakes in their production.”

Shiv nodded, “Yes definitely, my boss is the one heading up the case, I will definitely ask him how he wants to handle the press on this case. Of course if you conducted an interview of the plaintiffs or wrote about the case, you’d be allowed to have your own perspective, our firm doesn’t ask journalists to risk their objectivity or credibility for our cases. Remember, be wary of firms, in any industry, that pitch you stories about their companies, they’re usually looking for good press and they’ll expect only positive stories.”

“That makes a lot of sense,” Imlie replied, “also I think I’ll just have to down this chai quickly and head back to the office. Not for lunch, but I think I want to get this pitch in front of my editor as soon as possible. Sorry to cut our meeting short—“

Shiv shook his head, “Not a problem, I too would love to sit here all day talking, but we all have to work sometime.”

Imlie smiled and looked around for the waiter, hopefully he’d bring their second chais soon. She spotted him making his way over to their table, but then she spotted someone else too, Aryan.

Aryan clearly was taken aback upon seeing that Imlie had spotted him, he stumbled a little and fumbled with his sunglasses. There was no way to to avoid her now. He walked to Shiv and Imlie’s table, “Hi, I just came—“ Aryan stopped talking as the waiter came over and put down two cups of chai, “to drink chai!”

Imlie looked at him confused, “You don’t drink chai? You only drink that gross black coffee, without sugar or even a little milk.”

Shiv picked up his cup of chai and hid his smile behind it, this girl doesn’t miss a beat, even with her own boss, he thought.

Aryan shot back, “I am starting today, tumhe koi problem?” He glared at her.

Imlie smiled slyly, “No, why should I have a problem, I’ve been trying to add milk and sugar to your coffee for a couple weeks. Kahe na, agar tum har din kadvi cheezein se shuru karoge, toh tumhara har pal kadvi hi hogi.” (If you start every day with bitter things, then every moment of yours is going to be bitter.)

Aryan didn’t have anything smart to respond to this, and he could see Shiv Agarwal’s smile getting wider from his peripheral vision.

Imlie looked at the second cup of chai on the table and picked it up, “Acchha, ab tum yeh chai le lo, and drink it in front of me.” (Okay, now you take this chai)

Aryan took the chai and hesitated, he hated tea, he hated milk, he hated sugar in his drink most of all.

Imlie looked at him expectantly, “ABP, I have to go back to the office, but I won’t do one minute of work unless you drink this chai in front of me.” Imlie grinned, she knew very well Aryan had no intention of drinking chai here. She didn’t know why he’d shown up, but it wouldn’t be fun if she didn’t take advantage of this opportunity. She loved to see him squirm.

Aryan put the cup to his lips and took a sip, the sickly sweet concoction moving down his throat, “Delicious,” he lied.

Imlie narrowed her eyes, “Tum apni jaan bachaane ke liye bhi jhoot nahin bol sakte ho. I don’t know why you’re lying, but I don’t have time now. Shiv here gave me a great idea for a story, I’m going to go write the pitch now.” Imlie gestured to Shiv, “ABP you finish your chai with Shiv here, Shiv you remember ABP and his rude driving, I will leave my boss in your care. And wait for my message, I’ll let you know what my editor says! ABP, don’t be mean to my new friend, he’s been very helpful.”

With that Imllie waved a goodbye to Shiv and Aryan and headed out the door, leaving enough cash on the table for two of the chais, even though Shiv had tried to stop her from doing so. Aryan and Shiv both looked dumbstruck, for their own reasons, as they saw Imlie leave the café.

After she had left, Shiv was the one to break the awkward silence, “Imlie’s a bright girl, it’s refreshing to know that there are newspapers here in Delhi that know how to keep such talent working for them.”

Aryan sat down and looked at Shiv straight on, “Yes, I know exactly what Imlie is capable of. I hope in her eagerness she didn’t make any mistakes. If she did and your firm is looking to pitch a story, I can give you the numbers of the Delhi and national editors at Bhaskar Times, and they’ll be more than happy to speak with you.”

Shiv chuckled, “Not to worry, she didn’t make any mistakes. She’s a very curious and hardworking person, I’m happy Didi introduced me to her. We mostly talked about my work and the other contacts she should be making if she wants to work on the criminal justice and legal beat at her paper. I think the piece she’s thinking about pitching to her editor is a good start for her, there shouldn’t be any issues with her writing it at my firm.”

Aryan didn’t say anything, he was looking intently at Shiv, trying to figure him out. He had seen both him and Imlie laughing from outside the café, and he’d had to steady himself because the sight made him see red quicker than he had when he’d read Imlie’s messages.

Shiv looked at his watch and decided it was time to break the awkward silence and get back to work. This man clearly had something against him and he clearly was protective over Imlie for some reason, Shiv didn’t need any drama from this guy today.

“I think I will head back to work, Aryan, it was nice to see you again. You should have dinner with Priya and I sometime, bring Imlie and the rest of your family of course.” Shiv smiled, “Imlie mentioned she rents a room in your house and that she was pretty close with your mother and sister.” He stood up and started to grab his bag and wallet.

“What exactly is your interest in Imlie?” Aryan finally asked the question.

Shiv looked at him curiously, “I’m not exactly sure why I have to give you an answer to that question, but I will.” Shiv stood up and straightened his jacket’s collar, “I have nothing but a professional and friendly interest in your employee. You may not know me, but I think you know Imlie well enough to know that even if she does trust easily, she doesn’t seem like the kind of person who needs someone else’s help in dealing with a problem. And one more thing, I’ve only had a half-hour conversation with Imlie, but I seriously doubt she, or any employee of yours, would appreciate their boss interfering in their life this way. If you really have an issue with me, as a mentor or a source, for your reporters, I suggest talking to them about it. Have a great day, and I hope you enjoy the chai.”

Shiv added Imlie’s money to his to pay the bill, and he left.

Aryan sat at the table, steaming but slightly reassured. Though this Shiv Agarwal clearly had a mouth on him, he couldn’t find a problem with what he’d said about Imlie. She was hardworking, she was self-sufficient, and she could handle her problems herself. He didn’t fully believe that this lawyer was only interested in being Imlie’s friend, or even just a mentor or a source, but trying to figure it out now would only frustrate Imlie, and it wasn’t like he knew Shiv well enough to ask him again.

Aryan looked at the chai on the table and smiled to himself.

Imlie knows perfectly well that I hate chai, he thought, Shit. What if she asks me the real reason why I came to the café? I don’t even know why I came, how am I going to explain it to her?

Aryan headed back to the office, afraid, for the first time, of a woman that wasn’t his mother or his sister.