Shades of Life

Their Second Meet

“I’m so sorry sir” I exclaimed and winced at the sound of my voice. I sounded like Karen from Will & Grace.

God!

“Move” came his hard voice that’s when I looked up from his shirt which is wet along with his pants. He looks like he had peed his pants though. Hehe.

Clearing my throat, I moved aside giving him awkward smile. I didn’t do it on purpose okay. It was an accident. He walked back to his cabin but not before giving me his freeze-the-hell glare.

Shaking my head, I head back to gaming room to get water.

What? I need water.

I got inside the fancy conference room which had a long glass table with nearly 15 chairs. Two walls were filled with glass windows; we could see the whole city. I bet the view from here at sunset would be phenomenal.

I stood there looking at the city while others took their seat and were chatting among themselves. I heard someone clearing their throat making me turn my head.

“If everyone takes their seat, we can start” Varun sir said sarcastically looking at me as I was the only one not sitting. He did change his clothes though, now he is wearing a different suit, dark grey one.

Giving him an embarrassed smile, I took a seat beside Aarav.

“So, due to unwanted hindrances in the morning we couldn’t have this meeting but now let’s start” He stated as he took his seat at the end of the table, giving both Aarav and me a glare. Aarav returned it with a cheeky smile while I gave a constipated smile.

Rahul started talking and briefed about the work they did in the old project. He had prepared a presentation showing Varun sir how they have completed the old project and there was some basic work that other team would complete it in a month and the maintenance team would look after the project henceforth. It was very collected and precise but still Varun sir picked out so many error making me see whole different side of corporate world.

It has to be perfect as there are millions of amount involved if it was a high profile project. Clients wouldn’t go easy on you if there is any mistake. In my old company, we had Turkish client who went crazy when once our servers got off. It was actually one of my colleague’s fault. That i***t kept the server on but switched off his laptop, a true genius I tell you.

When sometimes server crashes then s**t hits the ceiling. We had to work day and night continuously. I’m sure in this company I would be working much more than I did in my old company. Just by looking at Rahul’s work I can tell they need perfection. With the look on Varun sir’s face, I know he would chew us and spit us out if we don’t do our work right.

“Fine, make necessary changes and be done with this project” Varun sir said nodding at Rahul.

“Yes Varun, it will be over by the end of this week” Rahul promised bravely.

“Good, I had a conference meeting with the client yesterday. We will start drawing the contract today. By the end of this week it would be done hopefully, make sure you, Aarav and Ashish are present when there is a call from them. I’ll inform Carla to let you guys know. Before the contract is drawn make sure all the functional and technical requirements are reachable and reasonable. Decide on the time period and make sure the requirements are met” Varun sir said in seriousness to which everyone nodded.

“Others brush up your skills, this project is very new idea and I’m sure the client would have new ideas which might require recent technologies. Brush up your skills and be ready. This project might have a time constraint, we need to be on our toes with this” He commanded looking at everyone in the room and finally his eyes stopped on me.

I gulped.

“You must be Akshara” He stated looking dead into my eyes.

Gosh, he is intimidating.

“Ye-yes sir” I said clearing my throat and nodded vigorously.

He looked at my reaction as if I’m from another planet.

“Start learning every work that is there to learn before the project work starts. Here in Mehta Industries, we hate slackers. Especially, in this team. I need everyone attentive towards the project and project alone. And make sure you look where you walk” He said as his commanding tone from the beginning turned to a boring tone at the end successfully embarrassing me in front of my new colleagues.

“Yes sir” I said embarrassed.

I mean if he was any other guy out there I would have showed him his place but he is the CEO of my dream job. There is nothing much I can do about it. He ruled this place with an iron fist. Why did Jon Snow on the iron throne came to my mind?

Gosh, I miss Game of Thrones. It was fun to see the people die a painful death.

Focus on the meeting Akshu.

“There won’t be any meeting this week until the project work starts. Rahul keep me and everyone updated about the project. All three of you meet me for the next conference meeting” Varun sir said nodding at them.

“Sure Varun” Rahul said nodded enthusiastically.

“See you all” He said with a nonchalant nod and walked out of the room. I sat there looking at him. He looks like a magazine model.

I’m sure he works out and he must have be having a six pack or an eight pa-

No Akshu, focus.

“Guys, go around doing your work for the rest of the day. Aarav and Ashish let’s have a stand-up meeting in the evening” Rahul said dismissing everyone.

Everyone stood up and started walking out making sure they are careful not to slip and fall at the place where I spilled the water. There was janitor waiting outside for us to come out to clean.

“Wow, you are just amazing. You managed to piss off the CEO on your first day itself. Good going” Richa said chuckling.

“It was your fault, you didn’t hold the door open for me” I said pouting.

“Sure princess, I’ll hold the door for your highness from next time” she said chuckling making me chuckle too. She was easy going and simple. No need to make extra effort to talk to her.

Mixed feelings of first day though.

Talks with colleagues - Good.

Meet with the CEO – Horrible.

Eh, what’s done is done.

Can’t change it.