22 Charting out plans
Akira was all groggy with a splitting headache when she woke up. Then she saw Advil tablet and a bottle of water next to her on the side table. She thanked her stars and immediately swallowed the medicine. Then she picked up her phone from her handbag and saw multiple missed calls and messages from an unknown number from Singapore. She immediately understood that it was Anthony as she had blocked his original number so she went ahead and blocked his number again.
Just then her screen flashed-
"Are you up?". It was a message from Vikram.
"Yeah, how was I yesterday? I troubled you all again yesterday, didn't I?," replied Akira.
"A bit, but I don't mind as long as you treat me with ice cream," said Vikram. He didn't want her to be upset thinking about what happened yesterday. So he immediately switched the topic.
Akira sent him a couple of ice cream GIFs and then went to Mike's room.
Both Mike and Teddy were still perching on the bed like grizzly bears. Akira gently laughed and clicked a picture of both. Teddy's leg was nearly on top of Mike's face and his hand was all contorted. She immediately whatsapped the image to Vikram.
Vikram grinned when he saw the image. They both looked like zombies with contorted limbs. "Good God, what can two glass of beer do?", he thought and shook his head. Everyone in the meeting room was surprised and they looked at him. They had never seen their boss smile this gently. What could make this sheet of ice smile like this? When Vikram got aware of the curious glances, coming from people in the meeting room, he immediately channeled his composed face and continued with the meeting.
After finishing texting, Akira went to her room and took a warm bath. Then she went into the kitchen and started making scrambled eggs and toast for all. Mike and Teddy also got up after sometime and they all had a hearty breakfast together.
"So, what are you going to do about your internship?", asked Mike.
"I am not sure," Akira said.
"Most of the companies would have already frozen the slots. Aren't you pushing your luck? Just because of that moron you are going to ruin your career," said Mike.
"I will try my best to scout for opportunities, Mike. Worse case, I will take-up freelancing. But no way in hell I am going to Singapore to work in the same company as him. That's not happening," she said.
"Mike didn't say anything further. He knew that her sister was already aware of the gravity of the situation but he really wanted her to consider all her options. She was an amazing graphic designer and he didn't want her talent to go all wasted because of Anthony.
He got up and collected the plates and started doing the dishes. Teddy started cleaning up the table. Akira got up and left for her room. Suddenly the whole house turned silent.
Inside the kitchen, while placing the ketchup back, Teddy said -"Why don't you ask Vikram? He might be able to help Akira you know? " Mike sighed and said, "You think I didn't give it a thought? My sister is too proud of a person Teddy. She will never take his help or any other backdoor entry."
They silently continued to clean up the kitchen.
After coming back to her room Akira started searching online about all the companies which were still open for an internship. She sighed as most of the good companies were not in the scene. She slumped and then suddenly saw the screen of her phone flashing with a new message.
"Did you eat? Don't starve, else you headache will worsen" - Vikram
"I did. I cooked too. You missed it." - Akira
"I guess my stars aren't happy with me (smiley face). What are you doing?" - Vikram
"Hunting for an internship. (sad face)" - Akira
"Oh my lady has kicked the plate which was supposed to feed her (teasing smiley)" - Vikram
"Ouch. Wait till I get my new offer. I will treat everyone except you (teasing smiley)" - Akira
"Will see how that goes. Focus now. Bye" - Vikram
Akira kept her phone down and continued with her hunt. She started exploring start-up companies now.
---
Meanwhile at Abacus Inc.
"Get me the details of the new Gaming company which had approached us last week for funding ASAP."
"And when is the founder of the company coming to meet us?"
"Next week sir", replied the Personal Assistant.
"Pre-pone it to this week."
"Anything else sir?" the PA asked.
"That would be all," said Vikram.
After all, he had to do something to get her an internship. He couldn't bear to see her facing all these troubles alone. He didn't care if it was a backdoor.