One Indian Girl by Chetan Bhagat

American and Chinese accent.
‘We have two weeks. I can work weekends too,’ I said.
‘I could spare two days too,’ Peter said.
‘So can I,’ said Simon, another Taiwanese analyst in the group.
Neel tapped his fingers on the conference room table.
‘Let’s do it,’ he said finally, and stood up to signal the end of the meeting.
For the next two weeks, I camped in my cubicle. Boxes of documents to be reviewed for the
bid surrounded me. I only went back to the hotel to sleep, shower and change. One Friday night I
didn’t even do that. I worked straight through the night and watched the Saturday morning sunrise from
the office window.
‘Radhika, what are you doing here?’ Neel’s voice startled me.
I turned around. In workout clothes, he looked different from his usual formal self. He was
wearing a black Under Armor T-shirt, a brand that reminded me of Debu. The portfolio work had kept
him off my thoughts over the last few days. But now I felt pain flood my heart. When will I get over
that man? I wondered.
‘Good morning, Neel,’ I said. ‘Just wrapping up the bid. Will have it ready Monday morning.’
‘You have dark circles under your eyes. Did you even go back last night?’
I smiled and shook my head.
‘This is too much, Radhika. You have to maintain a balance.’
He placed his hand on the edge of my cubicle door. I could see his bicep flex through his
sleeve.
‘Going to the gym?’ I said.
‘I’m going on a mountain hike. I prefer working out outdoors.’
‘That sounds like fun.’
‘Yes. More than half of Hong Kong is country parks. Beautiful hikes.’
‘I have heard.’
‘Hope you see a bit of this city and not just this office.’
‘I will. Just want this portfolio out of the way,’ I said and then covered my mouth as I yawned.
‘Radhika, you need to go home.’
‘I will. Soon. What brings you to the office?’
‘Left my mobile phone behind yesterday. Just picking it up for the hike.’
He went into his office and came out after a few minutes. He saw me staring at my
spreadsheet.
‘Still here? Go rest.’
I smiled.
‘Twenty more minutes. Tops,’ I said.
‘I’m leaving. Good work, Radhika.’
‘Thanks. Bye, Neel, have a nice hike,’ I said, eyes on my monitor.
He walked away from me and paused. He turned around and came back.
‘Radhika, there’s something I want to tell you.’
‘Okay,’ I said and shifted my gaze to him.
‘There’s a confidential deal. Some distressed companies don’t like the world to know they are
in distress. It can affect their business.’
‘Sure, I understand,’ I said.
‘This one is in the Philippines. Only the Goldman Sachs Asia head and I know about it. I can’t