After the Last Goodbye (7).

 

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Previous Part.

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Manasi crossed the road and entered the office building. She wondered what the little girl was doing in there. "Maybe her mother works here. Or maybe her father. Was it her mother accompanying her? Such a sweet girl she is....", she shook her head. "Snap out of it Manasi. We've to crack this vendor deal today. You can do it", Manasi's inner thoughts.

"Hello Ma'am! Sir is waiting for you in his cabin", the receptionist told Manasi and escorted her to the cabin.

'Managing Director' read the name plate on the door. The receptionist knocked, she let Manasi in and left.

As she entered, Manasi was staggered. She stood still, clutching the file tightly with one hand and raking her hair with other. "Vipul!", she blurted. A tall wheatish man, athletic build, well groomed hair, wearing a tailored suit was standing at the desk. "Please take a seat Miss.....Mrs. Manasi", his voice was crisp and authoritative. Manasi was still fidgeting with her file. She took small steps towards the chair, pulled it and stood by. The desk sign read 'Vipul Kapoor - M.D.'. She glanced at it and then at the man again.

Vipul gestured her to be seated. Manasi exhaled heavily and sat down.Vipul got seated on his chair and in a serious tone asked, "So what brings you here Ma'am?".

 She flipped through the file but couldn't recall any of her pitch. Utterly, at loss of words, she slid the brochure towards Vipul. Clearing her throat, she said, "I'm...I'm the Chief Product Developer from Canvas and Couture. We are a fashion...design com..company. Here....are the details of our Proto". Vipul moved the glass of water closer to her. Manasi continued, "We need to....procure bamboo fabric for this. We've researched about your company and we would like to discuss how your fabrics could work...effectively work...for our...designs". Manasi gulped down the entire glass of water.

Vipul was sitting with the palm under his chin, hearing her patiently. He then went through the brochure and looked at Manasi again. As their eyes locked, Manasi shifted her gaze. She noticed a sparkling four-leaf clover show-piece placed at the corner table and felt a tenderness within. Her gaze gradually became softer and automatically shifted to Vipul again. 

Vipul underlined some details on the brochure."I would like to know more about this", he said, but his eyes looked bland. So Manasi's gaze turned less affectionate in response. 

"I'm here for work. What else was I expecting? He is a business man, obviously he'll ask questions. He's talking business Manasi. You should act professional too", Manasi's mind was analysing the scene.

Manasi sat upright and explained him the details, efficiently. Vipul caught her changed tone and puckered his lips. "What do I expect? She is here for work. Of course, Manasi had already crossed the road, long ago", he thought.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is a fictional story. Resemblance of any sort in real life is purely coincidental. If you like the story, comment and share, keep following for more!