Page 39 of Made in Mumbai

“Meaning, she is coming to the office soon to oversee the collection and check out the samples you guys brought. Make her so happy that Gautam Sir has no option but to throw bonus money on us like you throw confetti.”

“Where is Aarya?”

“Think of the devil!” Came his smiley voice as he embraced her from behind. Why was everyone so bouncy on a Monday morning? Was she the only one who had discovered she was pregnant this weekend in front of her boss?

“Where did you go from Coorg…?” She began to turn in his embrace when her eyes found Gautam behind him. His face was pinched, a little more than usual. He did stare at her for a beat, then at Aarya’s arms on shoulders, and strode by their side. No hi, hello, how are you.

“My sister had a problem with our landlord. It’s a menace… single people renting in Mumbai is a bitch.”

“Don’t say such things around me,” she warded off his words with both hands, pushing out of his arms. “I live in a rented flat and the landlord doesn’t look all too inviting.” And now she was singlepluspregnant. If double-trouble was spelled in Mumbai rental lingo then this was it.

“Did you manage to collect the samples?”

“Gautam did, he has them.”

“Why not you? Were you dancing in the tea gardens?”

“No,” Leo interrupted. “She was locked up in the hotel room waiting for Mr. GK.”

Maya froze. A second too long ticked. She blinked.

“That was a joke.” Leo popped. She forced out a chuckle, looking everywhere but at the two men surrounding her. Her eyes fell on Riya, a despondent, borderline-crying Riya.

“What’s wrong with you?” Maya padded to her on their shared co-working table. “Nothing,” she sniffled, blowing into a crumpled tissue.

“Riya…” Maya sat down beside her, now worried. Riya was the practical of their lot, the no-nonsense, address-the-issue-as-is person. “Riya?”

“My boyfriend doesn’t want to get engaged this year,” she blurted and burst out into a sob. Maya pulled her into her neck, patting her head. “I know it’s not a real problem, because next year is just six months away. But I can’t help think what if he is just stringing me along and will break up just before the engagement…?”

Her rant went on, and Maya listened to her. “It’s alright, you are emotional right now. First stop crying.”

Riya sniffled. Maya pulled her back and gave her a stern look — “First, quiet. Quiet.”

She stopped, her nose swollen red. “I am sorry, I shouldn’t have done this here. We are working…”

“It’s ok. You needed to talk to somebody and you talked to me. Don’t worry, your boyfriend has a great catch. If he is even a little bit smart, which you say he is considering he is a doctor, then he won’t be going anywhere. And if he does, we will go and change his gynaecologist board to veterinarian board in the night.”

Riya giggled, rubbing her nose.

“Want a bite?” Aarya pushed a red, schezwany frankie into her face. Her stomach turned.

“No, thanks,” she muttered while holding her breath. “Excuse me…” she pushed to her feet and walked slowly towards the bathroom, turning the corner and coming face to face with Gautam. He maybe read her predicament and ordered loudly — “Come to my office first.”

Maya nodded gratefully, followed him with tiny baby steps, and the moment they were out of sight — she dashed towards the bathroom. She emptied nothing but bile in the toilet bowl, bawling her eyes out while doing so. There hadn’t been any dinner last night, and not even that precious coffee this morning.

Flushing her mid-morning sickness away (who the hell called it morning sickness?), Maya stepped out of the stall. Only to find Gautam standing there with an ORS packet and a bottle of water in his hand. She sniffled, her tears still flowing after the vomit session.Shit. Go away. Don’t see me like this.Those words didn’t come out of her mouth though, as she quietly veered towards the line of basins and gargled, then washed her face.

“Drink this.” He pushed the bottle of water into her hand. She accepted it gratefully and took a sip. It was already peppered with electrolyte powder, the flavour lemony, thank god. She pulled a longer drink, feeling her head and stomach stabilise.

“Thank you.”

“Did you tell your parents?”

She shook her head.

“The father?”

She shook her head. Maya glanced up at his reflection in the mirror, waiting for him to say more. He looked like he was about to, when her phone buzzed.

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