One Indian Girl by Chetan Bhagat

‘I ordered Greek wine to celebrate my big bonus. A whole bottle!’ I signalled the waiter to
pour us two glasses.
‘Cool,’ he said. ‘Nice.’
Cool. Nice. Will this guy ever move on from these words to say something more substantial?
The food arrived. His face lit up.
‘This lamb smells so good. Baby, you pick the best places. Really, nobody picks restaurants in
New York like you do. This is so close to my office too. Will come here with my team.’
Mr Debashish Sen, I do other things besides pick restaurants. Like make a ton of money for
a girl my age. Heck, I make a lot of money for anyone any age. I also got a top rating in my
reviews. Can you at least praise me a little for it?
‘This is yum. Try the lamb. It’s so soft. Outstanding,’ Debu said, ten times more enthusiasm in
his voice than the ‘nice’ he’d uttered for my bonus.
I served myself. I wondered why I didn’t feel ecstatic about my bonus anymore.
Why am I so keen for his praise? I have earned that bonus. Jon, one of the most senior
partners at Goldman Sachs, has recognized my work. Still, I want Debu to also acknowledge it.
Why? Why do we girls have this defect? Why do we need our men to praise and validate us in
order for us to feel accomplished?
‘How is it? Lamb is so tender, no?’ he said.
‘It’s nice,’ I said. ‘Fuck you’ is what I wanted to say.
So even if it is a defect, even if I do need him to praise me, why can’t he? When he got a
promotion I’d jumped up and down and thrown a surprise party for him. He can’t get past the
tenderness of his lamb?
I kept silent and did not meet his eye. He had known me long enough—a year and a half, to be
precise—to figure out I was upset.
‘I am proud of you, baby. So proud of you. You worked hard for it. I know it,’ he said.
‘That does feel nice to hear. Thanks,’ I said and squeezed his hand on the table.
‘I am sorry. I still can’t get over the number. It’s insane. You have less than two years of work
experience.’
‘Distressed pays well. My deals made a lot of money. So a bit of luck too. But yeah, even I
was shocked when I heard it.’
‘You make, like, three times as much as me? Mindblowing.’
Why did he have to say it like that? Why compare? I wanted to tell him about my base
increment too. I don’t know why but I decided against it.
‘Well, between two people someone will end up earning more. Some industries pay more, as
simple as that,’ I said.
‘Hmmm.. .’ He stabbed a piece of lamb with his fork.
‘Let’s go on a nice vacation. Anywhere. Europe? Hawaii?’ I said.
He laughed. ‘Feeling rich?’
‘I am rich. We are rich. Let’s go shopping this weekend. You will come?’
‘Maybe. You told your parents?’
‘I will. I will call mom when she wakes up.’
‘They will be so happy.’
‘I hope so. I wanted them to buy a Honda City. I think I will ask them to get an even better car.’
‘You are a great daughter. They will be so proud of you.’
‘Thanks. Debu, I have one question.’