I kept quiet.
‘The country manager is coming. They will ask how the Internet stocks sales to
housewives came about. I have to take the heat anyway. But if you could ...’
‘Could what?’ I prompted, just to make the scumbag say it. He didn’t.
‘You want me to take the blame?’ I hazarded a guess.
He gave a brief nod.
‘Wow. That’s unbelievable, Bala. I’m a trainee. Why will they believe me
anyway?’
‘You are from IIMA. It is conceivable you had a big say from early on.’
‘And if I say it, my career is fucked.’
‘No, you are a trainee. I have to recommend your promotion. Consider that
done anyway. But if I am held responsible, I don’t get a promotion, ever.’
‘You are responsible,’ I stared into his eyes.
‘Please Krish,’ Bala said.
The boss-subordinate relationship had changed. Bala begged me for help. I
realised the power I could hold over him if I gave in. I could come to office like
sane people. I could leave early. I could snooze at my desk. OK, so maybe my
career at the Citi overpaid clerks’ club would get affected. So what?
I could have said yes then, but I wanted him to grovel some more. I kept quiet.
‘The country manager as it is doesn’t like me. He is North Indian. He will
forgive you but not me,’ Bala said. I wondered if he would cry. I could have
enjoyed the show longer but I also wanted to go home and rest.
‘I’ll see what I can do,’ I stood up.
‘Is that a yes?’ Bala said, his eyes expectant.
‘Good night, sir,’ I said, emphasizing the last word.
nora
(Nora)
#1