Chapter 39: chapter 39

Chapter Thirty Nine“No.” If Yash could have incinerated someone with his glare, he would have. The four of them were huddled around the same conference room in which they’d had the awkward meeting with Aakash. The employee who’d volunteered to be the lead in the campaign had chickened out after the previous day’s rehearsal. He’d not only called in sick but also threatened to quit the organisation if he was forced to play the part. Clearly, his panic had overwhelmed all semblance of common sense. And clearly that panic had spread like a plague to the rest of the group. Because this lot was now expecting him to step in. HIM! He was their Chief Marketing Officer and they wanted him doing the fucking salsa on camera to sell perfume.“Yash, if you could just see where I’m coming from,” Malvika began. “I can’t.” He pushed back from the table and stood. “This is ridiculous. Hire an actor. I’ll approve the budget.”“We don’t have the time for that,” Maya replied. “The shoot is scheduled for this afternoon.” “Not my problem,” he told her coldly. “You’re the consultant in charge of the project. Figure it out.”Maya flushed a bright red. She got to her feet, her blood red skirt fluttering around her ankles in the slight breeze from the bladeless fan in the corner. Her face and skirt were a perfect match in that moment.“I have worked my butt off for this campaign.” She faced him from across the breadth of the conference room table. “And you’re being paid very well for it. This is your problem. Fix it.” Kanak didn’t say a word. She just kept looking from one combatant to the other. “What’s the big deal? You already did a rehearsal with me yesterday and you did it better than Gel Hair.” “The big deal is that I don’t want to do it. Is that clear enough? Or should I repeat myself?” “What about Aakash?” Kanak’s question cut through the tense silence. “What about him?” Yash asked, distractedly. Maya’s ire had her bosom heaving in a very interesting manner. “Would he step in to do the role? He’s got the height and build for it.” Yash gaped at her. Even Maya’s heaving bosom couldn’t take away from the horror of Kanak’s suggestion. “Are you insane?” he asked her.“Kan, I have to agree with him.” Maya stepped closer to her. “This isn’t one of your better ideas. We don’t even know if he can dance.” “He can.” Maya and Yash stared at her. Kanak didn’t look away from Yash, her gaze direct and steely. It was unsettling to say the least. “Call him and put him on speaker phone. I’ll speak to him.” Yash slid his phone out of his pocket and dialled Aakash. He couldn’t wait to see this clusterfuck play out.“What’s up?” Aakash’s deep voice came through the phone. “Kanak would like to talk to you,” Yash said, carefully, sitting down next to Malvika. Maya went to stand behind Kanak who’d stayed seated through all the previous dramatics.“Not interested.” The brusque reply had everyone in the room stiffening. Yash closed his eyes in despair. “I should have mentioned to you that you’re on the speaker phone.” Static crackled on the line for several seconds before Aakash sighed. “I’m listening,” he said. “We have a problem,” Kanak began. “The campaign we’re scheduled to shoot today has hit a slight roadblock.” “Unless my pharmaceutical company is in any way related to this roadblock, I don’t see why you’re talking to me.” “We’d like you to help us solve the problem.” Kanak cleared her throat. “You seem to be under the impression I care about your problems,” Aakash snapped. “I don’t.” “Less than an hour ago, you came to us to ask a favour,” Kanak said, quietly. Maya’s swift intake of breath was the only sound in the room now. “Cheap shot, Kan,” she murmured. But Kanak only stiffened her shoulders. “Maybe this is an opportunity for us to help each other?” “You’re bartering my sister’s mental health and my brother’s memory for a work favour?” The disgust and loathing in Aakash’s voice had even Yash flinching. But Kanak only stared straight ahead and asked, “Do we have a deal or not?” “What exactly am I agreeing to?” The fact that Aakash hadn’t disconnected told Yash that his friend was considering it. Given how much Aakash loved his family, Yash really wasn’t surprised. “If you help us out with this campaign, I promise that all four of us will come to Il Cuore to spend time on a weekend of your choice. I’ll even convince Karam to come.”Silence filled the room again. Maya looked at Yash. Nothing could have made him look away in that moment. She looked as incredulous as he felt.  And then Aakash finally spoke, “What do I need to do?” Â