Chapter 37

"There is something I have to tell you!!"

Rohit stands facing me, resting his butt against my table.

I look up from the computer, "What is it?"

Rohit purses his lips, looking ahead at nothing, deep in thought.

It has been almost a week since the relaunch. Just as expected, there was a huge splash in the media, not so much of the re-branding of our company as much as it was about Vicky Grewal.

The young, handsome CEO of DeGlobal Corporation was taking the media by storm. Even a week later there were articles written about him. Grapevine heard from Purvi was that since the beginning of this week, his office has been constantly inundated with calls from every type of media for interviews.

He, has been his usual aloof self, refusing to give any interviews. Even our department received emails from international business media houses requesting us to arrange interviews with Vicky. Nivedita, Rohit and I received an email from the CEO's office instructing us to inform everyone that 'Vicky is still learning the ropes at his new job and therefore has nothing to comment upon. Once he has acquainted himself, he will be in a better position to answer questions.'

"Rohit?" I call, "What happened? Is everything alright?"

He looks at me, but it's clear his mind is elsewhere.

"Rohit!"

Suddenly he breaks into a wide grin confounding me further.

"I proposed to Shivani on Sunday and she said YES!!"

I literally leap out of my chair to give him a hug. "What? Congratulations!! That's such fantastic news. Why didn't you say something earlier?"

"We told our parents and they immediately started planning. I just got off the phone with them. We are having a Roka ceremony on Sunday and our wedding date is set for third of September."

"That's just three months away!" I exclaim in surprise.

Purvi, Junaid and Khushboo join us on hearing my delighted cry. After the round of back slapping and congratulations, Rohit lets out a long sigh.

"Yes! I am too stunned to process all this. I cannot believe I am getting married."

"Bro, you have known Shivani practically all your life. This won't change things much, you know." Junaid laughs.

"But it's different once you are married. I mean right now we are just lovers, it's all great. But after marriage, I will be a husband! I will be responsible for my wife, you know.. for better or worse. That's so deep, man!" Rohit whispers in awe.

"Are you saying you don't want to get married?" Purvi asks in a worried voice.

"Heck no!! I've wanted to marry Shivani forever. I know she was THE ONE for me from the first day I laid my eyes on her. It's just that I still have to let the news sink in, that we will finally be married. She will officially be mine. I am the world's luckiest guy, that she said yes to me."

Watching Rohit all starry eyed and so much in love, made me want to cry, mostly because I am so happy for him. I have seen him and Shivani together and there could not be a cuter couple than them or more in love. He truly deserves this happiness.

But a tiny, very tiny part of me was sad, because I too, almost had a love like that. At least, I thought I did with Jeet.

But I don't. Because he's not Jeet.

He's Vicky Grewal, scion of Grewal family, hotshot CEO of DeGlobal Corporation. The one who is seen in the company of gorgeous and glamorous girls. Someone like his ex-girlfriend, the American actress, or Nivedita. A small town, simple girl like me, can't hold a candle up to them.

When Rohit and the rest leave, I open my desk drawer and pull out a diary tucked way back. Slowly, I open the diary to the middle, where the red ribbon has marked the page. Gingerly I slide my finger across the photo that had I cut out from a newspaper.

Jeet holding the flowers (my hands actually), smiling at the camera and I next to him, looking surprisingly pleased, not confused like I was in reality.

This would probably have been the last time I would be that close to Jeet, and I needed to keep this memory of us.

I put the diary at the back of the drawer and close it. I plan on not looking at it again anytime soon. At least till I get Jeet out of my system and it won't hurt as much, every time I have look at his face.

The incoming email icon brings my attention back to work. There is an email from HR.

Staff Notice

As part of the re-branding strategy and in line with our focus on new markets, the Management of DeGlobal Corporation has decided to reassign certain staff to other positions within the firm, that will serve in the best interest of the company and the individuals. All transitions will be effective from first of July.

Junior staff will be notified of their promotions or reassignments through their department heads. However, we would like to announce the promotions of some of our senior personnel below.

On behalf of the entire staff and management our heartiest congratulations to all.

The email lists around a dozen names but some of them catch my attention. The first one:

Nivedita Shoora - Head of PR Department, Mumbai Head Office, promoted to Department Head - Public Relations, DeGlobal Retail - London, UK.

And the other one which I read with great relief and glee.

Deepak Ashay - Marketing Manager, Mumbai Head Office transferred to Marketing Department - DeWorld Group Hotels, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia.

Karan Palit - Senior PR officer, Noida Branch Office promoted to Head of PR Department, Mumbai Head Office.

"What?"

"Did you see this?"

"Are you serious?"

"OMG. This was unexpected."

"Yipee!!"

Everyone in the department express their shock and surprise as we finished reading the email. "Khushboo did you know about this?" Purvi queries.

"I had no idea. When I was in her cabin on Monday, I overheard Vicky's assistant call her for a meeting on Tuesday morning. She never came back to office since then, I assumed she is taking her usual breaks," Khushboo replies in bewilderment.

"Do you think she left the country already, seeing how she was always trying to act like a foreigner?"

"I doubt it," Kavita chimes in. "Maybe she is busy shopping for a latest wardrobe for her new stint."

"I wonder how our new boss will be. Hopefully not overbearing like Nivedita." Khushboo adds.

"What if he's worse?" Rohit teases. All of us groan in protest.

"Wasn't Nivedita interested in Vicky? What happened with that? I wonder how madam is taking to all this," Purvi ponders.

The ringing of my phone interrupts our discussion.

Chavan's name flashing on the screen, gets me nervous. Is there a problem with the certificate? Did they find out that my marriage is fake?

I answer the phone with great trepidation.

"Hello Mr. Chavan."

"Hello, Tarana. Hope I did not disturb you."

"No. Its fine," I reply hesitatingly, afraid to ask if there is a problem.

"Whenever you are free, could you pass by the office? There is something I have to tell you."