Chapter 41

I let out a long sigh.

The ringing of the phone won't stop, pulling me out of my deep sleep.

"Hello?"

I rub my eyes trying to focus on the number calling me. The time on my phone says it is 6:05 on Monday morning. Who would be calling me at this time?

The weather outside is not looking too good. Thunder booms ominously overhead, while the rain beats a constant rhythm of pitter patter on different surfaces.

"Tarana? hi, it's me!"

Friggin hotdogs!!!

Hearing Jeet's voice this early when I least expected, stopped my heartbeat for a second.

Wait a minute is this real or am I dreaming?

I dig my nails into my skin.

Oh okay, its real!!

But why is he calling me this early morning? Is something wrong? Did I forget something? Did I mess up his speech? Am I in trouble?

"Hi!" I reply nervously.

"Sorry to call you this early, but I need you to come to the seminar today."

"Is everything alright?"

"Yes! But I need some assistance during the seminar. I need you and Purvi for some time, to help me out."

"Sure. No problem."

"Be there by ten. I shall send you the location."

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The seminar is being held in a hotel in Andheri near the airport. I take a taxi to the convention centre.

The downpour is steadily increasing, the sky gets darker, signalling the arrival of even heavier rainfall. I have heard so many stories of Mumbai's rainfall bringing the city to a standstill. I hope the rains today hold off till I reach home.

"Hey there," Purvi calls out from behind me, arriving at the same time. We both enter the conference hall together. A few groups of people are scattered around the room, while others are seated. By the look of it, the rest of the crowd is yet to arrive, which should be soon, as the event will begin in one hour.

"Where is Vicky? Do you know why he called us?" Purvi whispers.

"No idea to both your questions. He only said he needed our help here," I reply shrugging.

A smiling man in a business suit approaches us, "Hello ladies, welcome to our seminar. I am Rishabh, the organizer of this seminar. And you are...?"

"We are from DeGlobal Corp, here to assist Mr. Vicky Grewal," Purvi replies.

"Oh right, please come this way, he's in the next room with the other speakers." Rishabh escorts us out of the hall to the adjoining restaurant where Vicky is in deep discussion with two men and a lady.

Seeing us walk in, Vicky excuses himself from the group joins Purvi and me.

"Ah, you are here!!" He motions for us to follow him.

We cross the restaurant to a table where he has set up his laptop and notes.

"Purvi, the presentation needs some change. I have added additional details in my talk, so I want you to insert some pictures, news clippings and change some graphics. Can you do that in the next hour?" He hands over the laptop and a bunch of papers to her. "Here are my notes."

"Sure! I can do that," Purvi nods as she settles in a chair, ready in work mode.

He turns to me, "Tarana, I have adjusted the speech. Just go over it and see if I have included all the points we had discussed earlier. He hands another bunch of papers to me. I also want to go over my speech with you, but after I finish my chat with them."

Jeet goes back to join the group, immersing himself in animated discussion. I take the chair next to Purvi.

Rishabh comes over to us. "Hi! Beverages and snacks are over there," he points to a table at one end of the restaurant. "Please help yourselves. And if you need anything, you can ask me."

"Thank you," I acknowledge with a smile.

"Are you both assistants of Mr. Grewal?"

"We are from the PR department," Purvi replies, sounding miffed.

"Ah, that's great! having one's own PR department to do all the press and media work."

"What do you mean?" I ask.

Rishabh looks at me. "Not all companies have their own PR departments. Most companies have to hire event management or advertising agencies. Take my company for example." He fishes in his inner coat pocket and hands a business card to each of us.

"I own a small manufacturing company. This seminar is for our staff, business partners and clients. It would be great to have this event publicised on social media platforms or have a news article written about it, but hiring full time staff just to promote the firm on social media is not economical for a company like us and advertising agencies are very expensive."

"If you ladies, know of any good firm that do digital marketing for a reasonable cost, please let me know. I am thinking of publicising our company through social media and I know so many companies like mine that could also use a marketing company."

It's like a light suddenly switched on in a dark room, throwing light on an idea that was hidden in the dark recesses of my mind. "Mr. Peshwal," I said looking at his last name on the card.

"Please call me Rishabh."

"Rishabh, how many companies would be interested in hiring a digital marketing agency?"

"Most of the companies I know actually. Why? Do you have any agency in mind?"

"Well I might. How about I call you in a couple of weeks?"

"Sounds great! You have my card. Call me anytime." He glances over to the conference hall. "Please excuse me, I have to attend to the other guests."

When Rishabh left, I turn excitedly to Purvi, tightly squeezing her arm.

"Ouch! Whats up? Why do you have ants in your pants all of a sudden?" she makes a face, rubbing her arm.

"Bro!! that guy gave me an idea. They are looking for a company for digital publicity. Wouldn't it be exciting to do our own digital media work?"

"You mean free lancing?"

"NO! I mean start our own digital media company. Rishabh is right. There are thousands of companies still running their business, old school, using advertising agencies for publicity instead of using public relations or digital media. I mean this is still a niche market. Many would be willing to hire a company to provide publicity for their firms through social media, influencers and press, if costs are reasonable. They won't need to hire full time employees. It's a win-win for all." I explain in one swift breath.

Purvi's eyes slowly widen as she realizes the possibility. From everyone I know, Purvi was always the one who loves working on new ideas and willing to take risks.

"You know what? I think it's a super plan. You think we should partner up and start our own company?" she replies with rising excitement in her voice.

"I don't think so, I am sure we should be partners. See, you are the best in graphics and content creation, and I can handle the media and business part."

"Of course! You have an MBA." I can almost see the wheels in her brains whirring fast.

"So Purvi," I turn to face her with a wide grin, holding her hands in mine, looking into her eyes, "Would you be my partner in starting our own digital media agency?"

"Oh my goat!!! A proposal? I cannot believe it! Of course, it's a yes!" Purvi replies dramatically.

We both burst out in a fit of excited giggles, making everyone in the room turn to look at us, including Vicky. That sobered us pretty quickly.

"Let's discuss this tomorrow," Purvi says, as we both turn our attention to our work.

I return to reading Vicky's notes, with a smile on my face and a sense of purpose in my heart.

I let out a long sigh.