Chapter 2:
It was Thursday evening.
Rishab packed up to leave for this dull awards function. Mehra insisted that it was important for him to show up and be seen. Besides, apparently they were giving him an award tonight so skipping could be seen as very rude. Rishab hated these faux gatherings of self-congratulating, rich, spawns of nepotism. And he had to be pleasant to them! As if he didn't have enough to deal with...
This Prerna woman was wrecking havoc in his office. In the span of a few days she had insisted on office space for her and her editorial department even though they had their own office. She said if Rishab wanted to own 65% of her company, he could give her 1% space to do his bidding of restructuring Sharma Publications. Now these nerds were working out of this office at all hours to get their special plans ready for the princess. He knew the real reason was for her to irritate him as much as possible and to be a general nuisance, but he kept his cool.
He honestly did not care to have her here all the time. It made him nervous and he couldn't concentrate on work.
Mehra knocked and came in: Sir, this is the itinerary for the evening. I will be going then sir, enjoy yourself.
Rishab: Thanks, Mehra.
He looked to see where in the routine would be his chance to leave...
Opening remarks: Jai Bhattacharjee, Chairmain of blah blah blah.
Entrepreneur of the Year: Rishab Bajaj. Ok, good.
Digital Media Today - a Chat with Ms. Prerna Sharma, MBA, Sharma Publications.
Perfect. That's when he would leave.
Rishab smiled at the thought of prominently walking out during Prerna's chat. It added a little spring to his step as he left his office for the elevator.
As he waited for the elevator, he looked around, bored, and saw the very woman across the glass wall, crouching over papers on his conference table! She was literally ON his conference table, looking a fright with her hair cascading down around her face like a ghost. She was concentrating very hard and had not seen him. What the hell...
He barged into the conference room.
Rishab, angrily: What the hell is going on!? Why are you on the conference table?
Prerna looked up: Shhhhh, I am drawing a chart.
He looked down and saw she had indeed laid out paper from end to end and was now going down it with a marker.
Rishab: Why can't you draw it on a computer like a normal person!?
Prerna was still scratching away: I concentrate better with a paper and pen. Now go, this plan is not ready to be shared.
Rishab: And they chose you of all people to speak about digital media, hah! That's funny. I should take a picture of this and send it to them tonight before you speak.
Prerna shrieked and jumped down, nearly giving Rishab a heart attack: Oh my God, I completely forgot that was today. QUICK! Help me wrap this up and take me to the award show.
Rishab: Me!? Why should I take you? Driver samajh rakha hein mujhe?
Prerna: Offo, Mummy had to go shopping and I lent her the car for the evening, I don't have a ride now. Mujhe toreh hi yaad tha, award show wale panel ke bare mein. And I am late! You are going there anyway, what's the problem!? Scared to share a small space with me?
Rishab made a face: Oh, please!
Prerna was folding these large pieces of paper: Well, come, help me! Or you will be late too.
Rishab begrudgingly started folding the papers.
Prerna: I have to go touch up. Finish up here, I will be right back. And don't look at the plans!
Rishab: I am not here to do your bidding!
But she wasn't listening, she had already left the room. Rishab sighed and packed up her precious plans.
Prerna ran over in high heels at the elevator bank.
Prerna: Ha! Made it.
Rishab rolled his eyes: I should have just let you miss this event. Now I will be late and I am supposed to be awarded today.
Prerna: I was barely 5 minutes!
Rishab: And what about traffic, princess? It's not like everyone's going to open the streets for you now, is it? I was already rushing and now I am ten minutes behind.
Prerna: Oh hush, it will be fine.
In the car...
Rishab: Remind me why I am doing this favor for you again?
Prerna, evenly: Because my Mummy is out with the car, she had to go to Khan Bazaar.
Rishab muttered: Pura family hi entitled hai.
Prerna: What did you say?
Rishab: Nothing, now please, let's just get there on time and get this over with.
Prerna: Oh please, I am not thrilled to be on this trip with you either. You were my only option in a crunch, otherwise, car trip toh kya, I wouldn't lend my foot to trip you even.
Damn, she was good. He looked up and down, seething. Brains, wit, and beauty. And she had to be born privileged. The princess literally had everything. Look at her sitting there in her sharp leather midi and killer heels, she really wanted to give the impression that she could kill a man.
Prera: What?
Rishab: Nothing, did I say anything? Why do you have to keep picking a fight?
Prerna: Stop staring at me then!
Rishab: Don't flatter yourself, princess. I was only thinking what a privileged brat you are...I was staring at space.
Prerna: There is space on the other side, look that way and hate on me.
Rishab rolled his eyes and looked left and worked hard not to turn again. He got a neck sprain by the end of their trip.
Prerna got out before he could and whispered to him as he followed: I present the plan tomorrow, wait and watch.
The cameras were clicking ferociously. It blinded him.
They walked toward the photo op.
Rishab, gritted out through his teeth: Damn it, why is there so much media here today? What a mess.
Prerna: They are not here for you. Shahrukh Khan is doing the final remarks. Now smile.
"Is that your boyfriend, Ms. Sharma?"
Prerna laughed like that was the funniest thing she ever heard, Rishab glared at her.
Prerna smiled sweetly: No no no, Mr. Bajaj is just our new business partner at Sharma Publications.
Rishab countered: Yes, I have bought a majority holding of Ms. Sharma's publication.
She glared at him.
She cornered him as they moved out of the limelight and slapped his lapel: What was that? Why did you have to go and word it that way?
Rishab: Now now, Ms. Sharma. That was just the truthful way of putting it.
Prerna: It is not final yet.
Rishab: I already signed the deal.
Prerna: What was so wrong with my wording?
Rishab stepped closer: I am not your business partner Ms. Sharma, I am your employer. Entitled as you are, you do not seem to see that. Once you have had your way and presented your case tomorrow, that will be the end of this charade. Then, you and your Papa will do exactly what I tell you or I will shut down Sharma Publications and walk away with the sales. Are we clear?
Prerna's eyes filled before his eyes, sinking his temporary feelings of triumph. She turned abruptly and walked into the event before he could say another word. Not that he had anything to say...
Next part soon. What did you think of this part?
Cricket
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
