Connected! ....... Chapter #2

The security and immigration took about 45 minutes and Kshitij was now sitting at the lounge, waiting for the boarding call. His sense of humor was the best quality of his simple, hardworking persona, or so he was repeatedly told. He was the life of conversations, smiles were a given when Kshitij was in the room. Even the people he mocked didn't mind his mocking. He was the kind of person who was perceived as somebody who never had an off day. All was always well with Kshitij Mehra. Not today though. His brave front contracted the moment he had the time to reflect what was happening. He was sitting in the darker corner of the lounge. The cheerful conversations, the laughs eluded him. The ever so jolly Kshitij was in a trance which had a strangling hold over him. His mind was blank and he felt an urge to untie the knot in the throat that had kept him from talking properly or seeing eye-to-eye with anyone. Slowly the lips started to quiver and the knot gave way to a trickle that found its way from the eyes to his cheeks where he managed to wipe it off. It shouldn't be this big a deal, he tried to convince himself, but couldn't stop another trickle tracing the previous one. He took a deep breath and tried to not cry and in line with that attempt started to check out foreigners around him, but, not with the zeal he would've liked to.

Moments later and a dozen of deep breaths later, he started to breathe easier and relaxed his back and made himself comfortable on the couch. He couldn't help but let his mind wander to the time his manager initially broke the news to him.

He was working on designing a query. The update queries always gives you the jitters, no matter how many times you've done it before. Always! With his nose dug into the two monitors in front of him, he received an IM ping. He ignored, changed his online status to "busy" and after a momentary lapse in concentration, got back to staring the screens again. Eyes on the screen and hands on the laptop, he received a follow up message. Oh damn it! He thought. Opening the IM window, he found it was his manager. This better be good.

"Hi."

"Need to speak. Can you come in to my cabin?"

Were the two messages his manager left him. A very evident fact about Kshitij's inherent nature was the fact that he was aware. He had always been. He was aware of when he was being bullied in school, he was aware that his parents were making sacrifices for getting him through college. He made metal notes every time he noticed something. Not to payback or to avenge, but, just to be grateful. He didn't forget and after watching Game of Thrones, he figured he was a Lannister. He would always pay his debts. Professionally, he was well aware that he was exceptional at his work. He knew when he was being taken advantage of. Seven years in and he understood the price tag that he carried although was less, but, he didn't mind. He knew his manager valued him even if he didn't say that out loud. At times, he threw unreasonable tantrums and got his way. He was also aware of the line he mustn't cross with his whims.

Reaching the cabin, he knocked and opened the door. He was gestured to sit.

"Rohit, this better be good. I was in middle of something really important.", he said.

"You still realize I'm you manager, right?", Rohit said with a grin. "You're supposed to get on your toes when I ask you to", he continued trying to remind Kshitij of his authority.

"Yes I remember. I also know that if that query I was working on goes wrong, you'll be the first one to kick my ass and your own will be on fire. So while I try to save both our asses, do you care to tell me what's it about?"

Rohit leaned in, resting his hands on the table and said, "very well you smart ass. Getting straight to the point, I've got an approval to send you onsite initially for 2 years. The extension beyond that will be subject to approvals and requirements from the client. Start packing my boy." He leaned back in his chair and folded his legs for a dramatic effect as if he just announced a life changing decision.

Kshitij, with a smug grin on his face, almost imitated his manager. Leaned back in his own chair and folded his legs with his hands resting on the arm rest of the chair. That bossy look could intimidate anyone. Rohit for a brief moment too got caught up.

"What? You're still not happy? You know you're tougher to please than my wife and she is a fan of jewelry if you know what I mean.", Rohit said.

"Well, you're 2 years late in announcing the news, but, I'll take that", he finally managed a genuine hearty smile.

Rohit returned the smile, stood up and stretched his hand towards his smartest, most valuable team asset. Kshitij too stood up and shook his hand.

"Unlike most of the times I've said it before. You, my friend, have earned it. Keep it up."

"Thanks, Rohit. Appreciate it."

Rohit gave a proud nod and said, "I'll let you get back to saving our asses again."

"Yeah, right.", Kshitij said with a chuckle now. He was still smiling when he walked out of Rohit's cabin and stopped smiling only after he'd reached his cubicle and unlocked his computer. He'd need to break this news to his parents now. He decided he'd do it as soon as this damned update was complete.