What A Day! Or, What A Night!!

As a young executive out to win the world, I was on a business tour. Accompanying me was Alia look alike, Shiela. Shiela was brilliant scholar, had a dimple and ample, Oh My God! What a sample. I was mesmerized by her beauty. She had joined as a trainee in my office. She was sent with me for the experience and to learn the tricks of the trade. (If I could!) I was the blue-eyed boy of the company, creating new sales record everyday. Livewire.

We took the train from New Delhi on way to Chandigarh, a beautiful city of north India. It was bright sunny day of the month of December. Cold but sunny. I was on the tour to generate new leads and to follow the older ones. The train soon gathered speed. Buildings began to shrink, till they took the shape of trees. I was sitting relaxed in my seat. Shiela was sitting in front of me, facing me. Breakfast was being served.

"Are you veggie or non-veg, Shiela?" I asked.

"Veggie Sir. There is no dislike for non-veg, though", said she.

"Yeah, Yeah. Me too! Me too!", I leaned towards her as I lied.

I was out and out non-veggie. Two-legged, Four-legged all were welcome. I didn't want to contradict her. I was out to 'score' with her.

"Which college you studied from?" said I munching the toast.

"Miranda House, Sir. Shall I make tea for you", she said pointing to the tea pot.

"No, no Shiela. You have your fill. I prefer tea after I am through." I tried to put her at ease.

Train was moving past the countryside. I stretched out with the business newspaper in front of me. Reading, no. This way I could easily steal a glance at her, as Shiela dozed off. This on and off 'burglary', along with some serious work on the laptop occupied the journey.Chandigarh was now only half an hour away. Shiela had woken up. She had visited the wash room and was back. All decked up for the work. I moved out of my seat and by the time I was out of wash room, the train had entered the Chandigarh station.

"Follow me, we'll take a taxi. We have to go to Sector 21", said I as I chaperoned her out of the station.

"Sir, I've been to Chandigarh few times. City is familiar to me, I love it." She felt relaxed.

"Ok."

We took the taxi from Pre-Paid taxi booth. As I opened the door for her, she seemed to be hesitating.

"No, no Sir. I'll sit in front. How can I. You're are so senior."

"Shiela, I don't believe this senior-junior saga. Both of us are loyal soldiers of our company", I tried to put her at ease and impress her.

"Ok, Sir", she closed the door as she sat beside me in the back seat.

As the taxi moved, I closed my eyes as was habitual with me. I did it always before the business meetings. This way I recollected, rearranged and redesigned my thoughts. What to do. How to approach and so on. Only difference was this time was that, the perfume she was wearing was a big distraction.

"Come Shiela. We are at Lal and Sons", said I guiding the driver to the destination.

"After you Sir", she followed me.

The day went of well. From on business deal to another. From one meeting to another. From one client to another. From one prospect to another. Time flew fast. Shiela was doing well. She made notes. Intervened when she was asked to. I was quite impressed with her knowledge and ability. She knew her subject well. She was attentive and gave few suggestions. A bright girl with bright future. Stop! Stop! The way she looked at me at times I got an inkling that she was also impressed by me. Look, I was the deal maker. Salesman par excellence. She was awed. I could see it. I think a mutual admiration had developed between us. After the work was complete, we moved to an upmarket eatery. This was my favorite place. Good food, good ambiance. Night was in its infancy. Knocking feebly.

We had ordered Nan, hot curry and boiled rice. Preceded by hot and sour soup. Followed by good hot coffee.

"Sir, you are very good. The way you tackled Mr Singh", she looked impressed.

"Nothing Shiela. Everyone has an ego that needs to be serviced and a price to be quoted. You do that. He's yours." I said as I helped myself to butter Nan.

"Sir, I have learnt so much on this trip. In the office I've learnt that you are from I.I.M. Which batch are you Sir?" She spoke her eyes fixed on me.

[I.I.M., is a premier management institute of India.]

""2011 batch. I.I.M., Ahmadabad."

"Nice place Sir. How much sugar?"

Coffee at Spice India (the eatery we were dining) is quite good. Food was good as usual. We had to rush from there. The last luxury coach to New Delhi left by 8 in the night. It was nearly 7 PM. In another 45 minutes we were inside the coach. It was quite cold. December in North India is bitter.

"Shiela you can take the thermal blanket if you want. I always carry it on business tours." I tried to be informal.

"No, no Sir. This pullover is quite warm. I'm comfortable", said she shifting in her seat.

We were sitting next to each other. As the coach jolted. Our hands and bodies touched the other's. Sparks flew. At least I could feel. I always kept the thermal blanket with me, as I had told. It helps. I took it out and wrapped around me. Shiela watched me from the corner of her eyes. Coach was covering the distance fast. It was then that I heard.

"Sir." Shiela's voice felt strange.

A faint light filled up the coach. You could sense the forms but couldn't see them clearly.

"Shiela, yes." I was eager.

"Sir, I'm feeling cold." She had a strange look in her eyes.

"I have a spare jacket. I'll take it out", said I as I moved my hands towards my handbag. I always keep a spare.

"Sir. The blanket. Sir. Can I...?" She murmured as her voice faded. It seemed quite heavy as her breath also seemed labored.

Oh! The girl wants the blanket. I peeled off the blanket off me in no time. I could have created a world record had there been a contest.

"Take it Shiela."

As I turned towards her I was taken aback. Her face. That look. I can't forget it to this day. FROWN. ANGER. DISGUST. Every line of her face shrieked it. WHAT A FOOL YOU ARE. DUMB! DUD!

It was then that I realized what a fool I was. The girl wanted to come in the blanket with me. She wanted to share the night along with the blanket. She was on the verge of answering all my prayers. And, here I was! Giving her the blanket! FOOLISH. I couldn't stop cursing myself. What a blunder had I committed. By the time I steered my gaze towards her, she had dozed of. Or was she pretending. How could I have known. Or, did it matter. My thoughts drifted. Sleep was far from me, and my thoughts couldn't keep pace with the coach as it sped in the night.

What a Day! Or, What a night!!