‘W
15
hoa, big party night yesterday?’ Jonathan said. We sat in the meeting room waiting for others to
arrive.
‘No, I was at home. We had the China deal call, right?’ I said.
‘But your eyes. They are red.’
‘I didn’t sleep well, actually.’
‘Deal stress?’
‘Life stress.’
Jonathan smiled.
‘I know the feeling,’ he said.
Craig, Jon and a few other VPs and associates from the Distressed Debt Group arrived in the
next few minutes. I presented the Luxvision deal to get everyone’s views.
‘I would get a local Chinese property developer involved soon,’ Jon said.
He was right. China had too many regulations; you needed a strong local partner to navigate
the system.
‘Sure,’ I said. ‘Hong Kong office is visiting the factory. Will ask them to talk to a few
developers too.’
I finished my presentation and sat down. Another team presented their deal. My head hurt from
lack of sleep. I was trying my best to pay attention to the speaker when my phone buzzed in my trouser
pocket. I ignored it at first. It buzzed a few more times. The meeting room was dark as the speaker
made a slide presentation. I slid out my phone and held it in my hand beneath the table. I had several
messages, all from Debu.
‘Radhika, I can’t do this anymore.’
‘Think whatever of me but this is not what I want.’
‘Trust me. You are not an easy person to be with.’
‘I want a simple life. I just want a simple Indian girl.’
‘I want to break up. I will move out.’
‘Will leave the rent for this month on top of the fridge. Bye.’
My face froze as I stared at the screen. I couldn’t react in front of the team. I clenched my teeth
so my eyes wouldn’t stream.
‘Excuse me,’ I whispered to Jonathan next to me and stood up.
‘I need to step out,’ I whispered and tiptoed out of the meeting room to confront the darkness I
faced in my life.
I went to the ladies’ room and re-read the messages.