Edited on August 18th, 2020

| . . . C H A P T E R . . . 3.18 - T H R E E - T H I N G S . . . |

Just as I adjusted a thick scarf to cover my neck, Anjali stopped by my room on her way down the stairs, "Are you ready, Khushi? Arnav was saying he'll drop you to work on the way."

"Yes, I'll be right down," I said and she rushed away, yelling to Aarav that he better had finished his glass of milk instead of dallying.

Now that everyone was under one roof, the mornings were rushed more so than before. All four adults had to get ready for work and then one of us had to get Aarav ready as well. We decided to take turns getting him ready for school. It gave us an equal share and today was Anjali's turn.

Lavanya narrowed her eyes at my scarf, "Catch a cold?"

"It's cold out," I muttered, knowing I was going to be asked this question many times today. It might be cold out, but I didn't have a reason planned out yet for wearing it indoors as well. "You should think about covering up too if you don't want to be sick," I added for good measure to throw off suspicion.

Her expression was that of concern. "Sweetie, we will barely be out for two seconds till we get into the car. Then we are indoors all day, not taking a stroll in the park."

"You can never be too careful."

She walked towards the dining table from the living area. "ASR, your girl has gone mental today. You shouldn't have accepted her resignation. Look, not even one day away and this is the end result."

He laughed at her sass, "Why, what happened?" It was after that he turned to look at me.

I glared at the two best friends making a mockery out of me when the fault was one of theirs. His eyes stilled at my scarf a second longer and then my glare answered it for him. even from the distance between the two rooms, I could note the realization dawn and his expression sobered.

He didn't say anything since the family was around, but once Aarav, Lavanya and Anjali left in the second car to drop Aarav to school before getting to work and we were in Arnav's car, locked up in seat belt and on the way, he asked. "That bad?"

It was as if he hadn't realized last night would've left a mark that couldn't be covered by make-up. Or, it probably could but I was no make-up expert and I wasn't about to ask Lavanya or Anjali di for help.

"You underestimate yourself."

"Sorry, I didn't realize," I looked at him at the beginning of an apology I hadn't thought would come, "when I lost control."

We weren't hormonal teenagers, but it was a first for me and a long time since for him. it must be two years - that I know of - since he must have last had any sort of sexual intimacy.

"Not your fault." I rested my head against the seat and pulled at the knot on the scarf to loosen it a bit while we were in the car and the heat was blasting. This scarf felt no less than a noose around my neck, ready to strangle me any second.

He changed the topic after a pause giving me a chance to say anything else to indicate I was mad about it, "So, um, nervous?"

"A little." I expressed openly, "I mean I don't know anyone there. I didn't know anyone at AR either on my first day, but still, this feels more than that, you know? Back then, I didn't care about making impressions and I had ran into you the first day. My focus was on being irritated with you that I forgot to worry about my impressions. Still, now that I have worked in the industry even if for short few months, I feel the pressure to make a good impression."

"If you ask me, you still don't care about impression. Not really. It isn't a life or death situation for you. If someone doesn't like you for your honesty, then move on. Just remember that Irani saw the same thing in you that di did for him to hire you on the first interview."

I couldn't deny that. "You're right. So, I guess I am more excited about starting something new than nervous."

"Exactly." He said in further encouragement, "As you told me, he didn't even read your resume or look at your portfolio. He saw the launch and that was enough for him. I'll say your interview was more to learn who you were and if your personality would fit with his staff."

That was one way to look at this. Sam hadn't asked me any questions pertaining to designing or the industry. He didn't ask me what attracted me to the stream, what inspires me to sketch an idea, or asking for a test run. He had only tried to find out my intentions of leaving one job that I had joined short months ago and finding a new one.

"And hey, if he gives you too much trouble, just remember I am your number one speed dial. I'll take care of him." He suggested with a wink.

I laughed, "Actually, you are number 5."

"Five?!"

I gave him the run down, "Well, 1 is voicemail, I have no control over that. 2 is Armaan, 3 is Riddhima, 4 is Mom. Naturally, puts you at 5." Armaan, Riddhima, and Mom had been in that order for me since the time I first got a phone and that hadn't changed. Since he started becoming an important part of my life, I had added him to the list but hadn't changed the order.

"Okay, your mom I understand. Can't argue there, but I am jealous of having to compete with those two childhood sweethearts."

"You love them."

He rolled his eyes hinting at disapproval though we both knew it was true. They were equally friends for him. He would never be jealous of the position they had in my life.

As he pulled into the parking lot of Irani House, I leaned in to kiss his cheek. "I love you."

I shifted back to reach for the door handle when his fingers wrapped around my wrist. He leaned in to properly kiss me on the lips. "One, I love you too." His thumb caressed the inside of my wrist. "Two, good luck on your second-first day of work. I know you'll be amazing." I smile at his words of confidence, for it were these little things that doubled our growing love. "And three," He fixed the scarf that I had forgotten about.

In a silent thank you, I smiled back at him before walking around the back of the car and coming to his side. I tapped on the window and he rolled it down pressing on a button. "You know, I own the copyright over always saying 'three things'."

Cheekily, he reminded, "And that ring on your finger says I own the copyright over you."

That small percentage of feminist inside of me didn't argue over his statement that subtly hinted as if I was something that could be owned. Because, after all, I was his as much as he was mine.

I stepped back from the car, "Don't ever forget that."

He promised in an unblinking gaze, "Never."

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .

Neeta D'Souza, my supervisor and leader of the team, clapped her hands and the rest of the team huddled in front of us. A glance at her desk and it was clear how much she valued organization and precision. It was also hinted in her appearance: not one wrinkle in her clothes or a strand of hair out of place in the high bun she carried off elegantly. Her voice demanded attention. "Everyone, meet Khushi. She will be taking over Malvika's position as she was promoted to another branch."

There were no welcoming smiles on their faces and I didn't know if it was because they were afraid to in front of Neeta, or because I was replacing someone who was probably a good friend of theirs. I understood though. It was never easy taking over someone else's role.

Neeta turned to me, "Khushi, these are the only people you really need to bother knowing other than Junior for the obvious reason that he signs your check."

"Junior?"

"Irani Junior," She clarified.

"Oh, you mean Sam."

The only guy on the team snapped at me, fiddling with the measurement tap hanging off his neck. "He's the boss. You can't go around calling him by his name."

One of the female dressed in all pink widened her eyes demanding an answer, "He asked you to call him Sam?" The color was tempting me to cringe. She looked the poster child for Barbie.

Another added, "He didn't let anyone but Malvika call him by his name." She was dressed in red stilettos with a matching color fitted dress. Her nails were trimmed and perfectly shaped. Again, a matching color: bright red nail polish. Same with her lipstick. It not for her black earrings, I would have had to question if everyone had a color allotted to them whereby they couldn't wear anything except for that color.

Neeta get them back on track, "Let's move on from gossip, people."

While the whispers faded, there was a shift in expressions. Their eyes were was cold and impassive. There were almost filled with interest now.

Yup, I should have kept my mouth shut and not called him Sam - even if he had insisted when we met that I should call him that.

The fourth member of the team who had been silent till now stepped forward with her hand stretched out, "Hey, you designed the AR calendar for the coming year, didn't you?" When I nodded, she smiled, "Pleasure meeting you. I'm Avani."

"That's her?" The red colored one said as if she couldn't believe it.

Avani snapped at her, "Avanti, be nice," before continuing her conversation with me, "Ignore my twin. She has a tendency of voicing out all her thoughts, no filter. Anyway, loved your work. For a beginner, it was impressive. Welcome to the team."

"Thank you," I was glad at least one person made the move from this team of four - now five with my addition - "I'm glad you thought so."

Neeta said knowing Avani well, "Av, you can pick her brain later. For now, let's get on with today's business. Tarun?"

He nodded, walked to the second desk that I assumed was his workspace, and came back with a sheet of paper. "Everything that needs to be started on for next week. Things in red are the most important tasks, followed my blue. Green are things completed as of yesterday and black are prospective ideas we could brainstorm on further to suggest for the spring contracts."

"Spring? As in for next year?" I blurt out the surprise on how far in the next year they were already starting to plan for.

Barbie doll chuckled, "This is Irani House, girlie. An international brand. All our projects work atleast that far in advance."

Neeta offered in an encourage smile, "Our collections are parts of larger contracts for distribution worldwide and for that, it is a basic requirement for us to start planning now. You'll learn to get used to how we do things here, don't worry."

I nodded in response and overwhelmingly watched as instructions were given. A meeting that could easily have been an hour long was wrapped up within fifteen minutes. Each member of the team had a pen and notepad out, constantly jotting down notes and it seemed as if they were in sync. If one was writing down one line of instruction, the other was writing down the next so that nothing was missed. I was most definitely going to have to get used to this new pace if I wanted to be successful here and keep up.

After the meeting, Avani started to pick my brains for all sorts of things as she showed me my workspace, explained the things mentioned during the meeting in detail so I wasn't feeling lost, and threw in comments about the team as well and everyone's style or working. As she showed me where the important things were and what I should familiarize myself with, I started to piece together how the team functioned. Each played a role in the bigger picture.

Tarun kept track of the more technical things such as measurements for each piece, number of pieces to be created for each design, inventory stock, number of active projects, and such. He also handled the online placement of orders that were sent directly to the textile department to create replicas of the design that would be distributed on a larger scale.

Barbie, whose name I learned was Karissa, was the go-between this team and other teams. She made sure we were up to date on projects other teams handled so there weren't overlaps and confusions outside of things that could be collaborated upon. She relayed that information to Tarun who, at the end of each week, drafted an overview to be discussed for Monday check-ins. She was also in charge of coordinating with Fabrics.

Avani's job was to guide the team towards the goal, problem-solve, decide on color pallets. She claimed to have the best knowledge of working shades into desings. Given her soft-spoken nature, hardly anyone wanted to argue with her. That also worked with disagreements - if there were any between other team members, they'd take it to her. Her decision would be it at the end. No one would have the heart to yell at her and it worked for everyone in coming to a compromise. Avanti worked on accessories embedded in the designs: prints, studs, florals, etc. In all, once the basics of the design was sketched, she'd touch up the designs.

Then, Avani explained my job role that was previously taken up by Malvika: coming up with initial sketches before passing it over to Neeta for approval who would then send it to Karissa. She would come to a decision on which type of fabric would be best for the piece and then send it off to the twins to add the nuances where Avani would select a color scheme and Avanti would 'dazzle it up', in her words. At the end, Tarun would send it off to Textile so the sketch can be brought to life.

It meant I'd be doing the research on each project, learning target audiences, marketing goal, history of the designs from previous years by the House and also by other designers so that my sketches could be unique. I realized if I didn't do my job, orders couldn't follow through on their individual responsibilities.

At AR, each designer had full creative reign over color schemes, fabrics, designs. Here, I could understand that dividing the job meant the burden wasn't in one person and each one had a specialty, but I was also worried it would severely restrict creativity. I could have imagined the design a particular way when sketching it, but along the way as it was passed from one person to next, that vision could drastically change.

How comfortable was I with that?

I guess it'll be a learning experience.

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .

By lunch time, everyone was talking to me - really talking and making me feel welcomed. It was genuine and not a compulsion that they had to be nice because whether they liked it or not, I was part of the team. I suppose it's true what they say: intimidation makes people assume the worst about everyone, and so does false appearances.

Karissa informed after checking the notification on her cell, "K, Junior wants to see you in his office."

"Me?" I'd learned they had started to call me K. Karissa was Iz, Tarun was T, Avani was Av and Avanti was T, and Neeta was NT - but if we were to call her in front of any other employees not a part of our team, we were to call her 'ma'am.'. Though, I don't understand why names needed to be shortened, when our names were already simple syllables.

Avanti said noticing the surprise in my tone, "He probably just wants to see how your first day is going."

Tarun comments, "Hurry back. We spent the morning catching you up. We have a lot to complete by end of day."

"Yes, Cap'n." I joked at how seriously he took his task of keeping the team on track. He squinted playfully while Avanti laughed at his attempt. As I left, I faintly heard her tell him never to squint again for he couldn't even scare a baby ant away.

Well. she should meet Arnav if she wants to know the true definition of scary glares.

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .