Fatima's Cozy Corner - Page 52

Originally posted by: hangok

fatima my dear ,
this is amazing, i love it,
meher is just too much😊

cant wait to see preets entry, and how they will met

owww this is so excited ...
thanks for pm

Originally posted by: suan

Hi Fatima! 🤗

Loved this instalment! 😊

Meher is my type of girl. She sure knows how to deal with cocky guys!

I love the modern slant to the story so far, girls being independent re a profession, therefore able to take care of themselves.

Can't wait to see how Meher and Preet meet!

I hope you know this story can't end any time soon, Fatima.😉

great going..its an interesting story..n yea i sooo agree, our Meher is like not just any other girl...;)..waiting for preets entry and the meet track to begin...do continue asap...:)

Fatima 🤗

Hello hello hello Lovely update.. That manmeet was such a jerk.. Better meher threw him out. Gr8 convo between maya and meher.. M in love with meher's character.. Thank u so much.. For the update. And also for the pm !

Originally posted by: AASUS

It seemed like u wanna get rid of all the villains in one go.😆 Manmeet & Viren haha.

Originally posted by: vrushika

Hello hello hello Lovely update.. That manmeet was such a jerk.. Better meher threw him out. Gr8 convo between maya and meher.. M in love with meher's character.. Thank u so much.. For the update. And also for the pm !

hungry for more updates :P btw loved it all

Originally posted by: gina24

hungry for more updates :P btw loved it all

Chapter 3 - Not Just Any Other Guy

Link to: Table of Contents

Mumbai...

Preet shielded his eyes from the suns rays brightening up his bedroom. A glance at his alarm clock made him suddenly sit up with a jolt. "What the...?" he cried, shaking his clock in disbelief. Why hadn't his alarm gone off when he had set it for 7 AM? "That's because you set it for 7 PM by mistake", he scolded himself. No time to argue with himself today, he thought. He had an important meeting at the office and he could not afford to be late.

Preet quickly showered and changed, thanking God silently for letting him remember to pick up his shirts from the cleaners yesterday. There was no time for breakfast so he simply downed a glass of juice and raced out the door.

It had been 2 years since he had come to make a name for himself in Mumbai's business sector. His elder brother Prem, had been encouraging, but his mother had been dead set against the idea. What was the point she had asked? Why couldn't he just join the family hotel business? But Preet had something to prove. She wouldn't understand. No one would.

Preet impatiently pounded on the elevator's button. He was contemplating taking the stairs when Kuljeet Singh, his nosy neighbor from across the hall poked her head out her door.

"Take it easy with those buttons", she yelled. "You youngsters are always messing them up and then we have to use the stairs while the manager has the elevator repaired. Do you have any idea what carrying heavy bags of groceries up 4 flights of stairs is like? Of course you don't! You probably never had to cook a day in your life. Sure you young professional types probably can afford to eat out all the time! But what about me...I..."

Preet quickly slipped into the elevator, and exhaled out loud. The closing doors had drowned out Mrs. Singh's complaints, but she'd be ready with fresh ones tomorrow. Thank God she couldn't see the inside of his apartment, chuckled Preet, or else he'd never hear the end of it.

A shortwhile later...

Preet walked into the offices of McCann Ericson, one of the finest advertising firms in the country. His best friend and colleague Gaurav Sherma was waiting at his cubicle for him.

"Preet! Where have you been man? You know we have an important meeting in like 10 minutes!" Gaurav reminded him.

"Yeah Gaurav, I'm sorry, my alarm didn't go off", explained Preet. "But don't worry...I was up late last night working on our presentation, and we should be all set for our meeting".

"Man I'm so nervous, I'm literally shaking", said Gaurav, as he extended his hand out for Preet to see. "I mean, this is the first major contract with international clients we'll be vying for since we joined the company. You don't know how much that means to me".

"Sure I do", Preet chuckled. "It means a promotion for both of us. And it means me moving up from this cubicle to an actual office with a window".

"Not to mention an increase in pay", added Gaurav. "Today it's a cookie, but tomorrow we could be looking at Coke, Loreal, Nestle, you name it. And the extra pay will certainly make it easier for me to make payments on the new flat Sam and I just bought. Sam can finally take time off from work, and we can start our family..."

"Gaurav relax", said Preet. "We'll do fine. We've done all the research and we've put together a rock solid presentation. The account is in the bag. Trust me. Besides who are we up against anyways...Rishap Rampal? He always comes up with the most stupid ideas. Here", he said, handing Gaurav a file, "why don't you look these numbers over so we're in synch with each other at the meeting".

Just then someone cleared their throat. Preet and Gaurav both turned to see who it was. It was Ashlesha, or Ash as she preferred to be called. Preet had had his eye on her since he joined the company, even had tried to ask her out a couple times, but she had never given him the time of day. In fact, she hadn't spoken to him more than a couple of times since he joined the office, so he wondered what she wanted from him now.

"Hi Preet", said Ashlesha smiling slyly at him. "Got a minute?"

"Sorry Ash", said Preet, "I'm sort of running late for a meeting".

"Come on Preet", said Ashlesha, as she walked closer to him and played with his collar. "I'm not just anybody you know. Can't you even spare me a minute?"

Preet thought for a minute, "Gaurav, why don't you go set up in the conference room, and I'll be there shortly". Gaurav frowned at Ashlesha, before nodding and leaving. "Okay Ash", continued Preet, "you've got 5 minutes. What can I do for you?"

"I'm being audited Preet", explained Ashlesha. "Can you believe it?! Little old me. The accounting office actually wants me to explain all the expenditures I've billed to the company".

"So? Why don't you just explain them?" asked Preet.

"Oh come on Preet! Who keeps track of all of their receipts?" said Ashlesha. "Besides, I think Ruby, you know the chunky little head of sales, is having me targeted...jealousy, office politics, and what not. Anyways", continued Ashlesha, as she flipped open a diary. "There are four dates last month in particular that they're asking about...um...let's see...the 8^th, 9^th, 16^th, and 21^st. There's a shopping tab too. I told them it was for the office but they're not buying my story. But I guess you can't help me out there. Anyways, about those dates, just tell them we had lunch or dinner with some clients to discuss business. However you want to handle it is fine, as long as you can get the accounting people off my back".

"So you basically want me to lie to the company", said Preet.

"Oh Preet!" laughed Ashlesha. "Don't be so naive! We work in advertising. It's our job to lie. Besides, a little white lie here and there...sab chalta hai. (It's no big deal) And it's such a big company what's the price tag of a lunch to them? It's spare change".

"Well, I guess I could help you out, but...I was just thinking...wouldn't it have been nice if we had actually gone out all those times instead of lying about it?" asked Preet.

"Why Preet Juneja...are you asking me out?" smiled Ashlesha.

"I don't know...maybe", Preet smiled back.

"Aw that's so sweet", said Ashlesha. Preet gulped and quickly looked around, as she put her arms around his neck. "But I don't know Preet...I mean...you're such a good boy".

"I could be bad if you wanted me to", whispered Preet.

"Hmm...maybe...but not bad enough for me", winked Ashlesha. Preet watched her step back and scribble some numbers onto a small piece of paper, before handing it to him. "Those are the dates. Catch you later".

Preet shook his head and tossed the paper to one side of his desk, before picking up some files and heading to the conference room. He was surprised to see Gaurav waiting for him just a few cubicles away. "I thought I told you we'd meet in the conference room", said Preet. "What were you doing, eavesdropping?"

"No", said Gaurav, as he walked along with Preet. "But I'd like to know what she wanted just the same."

"She's being audited and wanted me to get her off the hook", replied Preet.

"You're not going to, are you?" Gaurav asked worriedly. "I mean what if you get caught lying. It will reflect badly on me too, considering I brought you into this firm".

"Well apparently we work in advertising and it's our business to lie", chuckled Preet.

"Sounds like something Ash would say", frowned Gaurav. "That girl is bad news. She uses people who are going places just so that she can tag along on their way up the ladder to success. I wonder if she even does any work around here".

"I suppose you're right", sighed Preet, "if only she didn't look like a magazine cover".

"Preet you don't want a magazine cover", said Gaurav.

"I don't?" said Preet.

"I mean, girls like that don't stick with you through thick and thin. Besides, what would your Bauji say if he saw you with someone like Ash?" asked Gaurav.

Preet flinched at the mention of his father.

"Preet...I'm so sorry", stuttered Gaurav. "I didn't mean...it just slipped out".

Preet's father had passed away 2 years ago. They had never been close. In fact, while growing up, Preet had often resented his father. Resented him for being too tied up with business to make it to any of the important events in his life. Resented him for always thinking that he wasn't as good or competent a son as his older brother. And now that he was gone...Preet resented him for not giving him the chance to prove him wrong.

"It's okay Gaurav", said Preet. "Just forget it".

"Right...uh...hey Preet, you didn't forget to tell the office manager about taking next week off did you?" asked Gaurav.

"My baby sister is getting married", replied Preet. "How could I possibly forget? And even if I did, Ma calls to remind me at least 3 times a day".

"Yeah well Sam's really upset about not being able to go. She had been shopping for the perfect wedding gift for weeks", said Gaurav. "I told her someone has to hold down the fort here, and that you'd make sure Veera gets her gift. Have you picked up your tickets yet?"

"No. I'll get them after work today", said Preet.

"Okay, just let me know your flight times, and I'll drop you off at the airport", said Gaurav. "I still can't believe little Veera is tying the knot".

"Hmm, I guess she's not so little after all", sighed Preet.

"You know Preet...", said Gaurav, "I'm sure there will be plenty of nice single girls at the wedding. Maybe Veera or your Bhabi can introduce you to someone and you can finally settle down".

"Aww geez Gaurav not again! I've told you before...I like being single. It makes me feel...uh...self-sufficient", said Preet. "You may not understand because you got married right out of college...but trust me...freedom is a great feeling".

"You're wrong Preet", said Gaurav shaking his head. "I've been there and done that, but there's nothing like the feeling of coming home after a hard day's work knowing that someone was waiting for you. You'll understand what I'm talking about once you fall in love".

"Ha! Now you're beginning to sound like my mother", complained Preet.

"But Preet..." began Gaurav.

"Look whose forgetting about our meeting now", interrupted Preet, as he walked on ahead of his friend into the conference room.

Later at the meeting...

"Okay everyone, let's settle down", ordered Mr. Bakshi, head of McCann Ericson's Mumbai branch. "As you know, our firm has been offered a chance to handle the marketing and advertising campaign for Mondelez - Cadbury's line of the Oreo Cookie product. The bad news is...so have 3 other agencies in addition to ours. Our final pitch is 1 week from Friday. So come on people...let's see what you've come up with".

One by one, 3 teams made their presentations before Mr. Bakshi and other administrative staff. As senior member and team leader, Gaurav presented his team's idea to market Oreo with a feel good' family oriented theme.

"We all know that the majority of these cookies are going to be eaten by children", said Gaurav. "But it's the mothers and fathers that are going to actually make the decision to purchase them from the supermarket shelf. We also know that everyone is working harder than ever to provide their families with a better standard of living. As a result, quality time spent with the family holds much more value, especially to those living in the big cities. So...we thought of capitalizing on that family time feel, by capturing them in a series of commercials depicting those special moments. Now that could be between mother and daughter, father and son, brother and sister, you name it. People will feel that they can bond with their family members over this cookie. Oreo will be the family cookie".

"Hmm...The family cookie", said Mr. Bakshi.

"All commercials would of course, end with the classic twist-lick-dunk Oreo is famous for", added Gaurav.

Preet smiled. The family theme had been his idea. He looked at his boss and tried to read his face for his impression. Mr. Bakshi seemed to be contemplating the proposal he had just seen. Just then Gaurav nodded at Preet and asked him to take over the presentation.

"Ahem...Now as for expanding product advertising into the Chinese market", said Preet. "The R&D figures we got from Mondelez - Cadbury International's initial test markets show that the Oreo is just not working there. It's too sweet, too big, and costs too much. They have had better success with regional concepts like a wafer format with more subtle flavors like green tea ice cream. I suggest they continue to lean on their company's local Chinese leaders to work further on this. With the correct product and correct advertising campaign in place, I estimate this client could see a growth of 30% in sales in the first year alone".

"Hmm...interesting", said Mr. Bakshi. "You seem to have done your research well".

"Thank you sir", said Preet, as he smiled towards Gaurav.

"Okay guys, let's wrap up this meeting", said Mr. Bakshi. "I've seen everyone's proposal. I must say you've all outdone yourselves. The difficulty now will be in choosing the right campaign. In any case, I feel really confident about going into my meeting with Cadbury now. But for the next 1 week, let's keep our fingers crossed".

As the meeting adjourned, Mr. Bakshi stopped by Preet and Gaurav and commended them on their pitch.

"That was an excellent presentation Gaurav", said Mr. Bakshi.

"Thank you sir", Gaurav beamed with pride. "But truth be told, the real credit for our campaign goes to Preet. He's been working day and night on it. The family theme was his idea".

"Really?" said Mr. Bakshi. "That's quite impressive. Good job Preet".

"Thank you sir", said Preet. "So does that mean you're going to select our campaign?"

"Woah...let's not get ahead of ourselves son", laughed Mr. Bakshi. "My senior staff and I will have to consider a lot of things before we finalize a campaign. But I'll tell you this much...you're definitely at the very top of my list. The office manager tells me you're taking some time off this week".

"Yes sir", said Preet. "My younger sister is getting married".

"Younger sister?" remarked Mr. Bakshi. "You mean you should have been next in line".

"Uh...well...you know how it is sir...", said Preet. "Um...about the campaign..."

"Don't feel bad son", said Mr. Bakshi. "You never know, the right girl may just be waiting for you around the corner. In fact Mrs. Bakshi and I met at a friend's wedding".

Preet tugged nervously at his collar, which suddenly seemed unusually tight. Why was everyone after him today? "Sir...about the campaign...", he tried again.

"No no...no more campaign talk. Go and enjoy the wedding. I should have my decision ready when you get back", said Mr. Bakshi.

"Yes sir", sighed Preet.

Gaurav watched Mr. Bakshi walk out of the conference room before joining Preet. "What do you think that meant?" he asked nervously.

"I'm not sure", said Preet. "He seemed to like the presentation we put together...and our research about the test markets and expansion was rock solid...but..."

"But what?" asked Gaurav.

"I don't know", sighed Preet. "I guess we'll just have to wait until next week to find out".

Hope you all liked it. 😛

Please do leave your feedback and or at least hit the like button. 🤗

Credit: Preet & Ash conversation adapted from Picture Perfect.R&D info about Oreo adapted from Forbes magazine 😆

Chapter 4 Preview: Preet and Meher's first meeting

Link to Chapter 4: Jab They Met