She told us that from this point onwards LLTLF was pretty much our baby. We were to coordinate with Group A periodically and the first thing on the agenda was to draw up a calendar of events. She suggested that the leads convene a meeting soon to kick off activities.

Tom has scheduled a Corporate Social Responsibility subcommittee meeting for the 7th of April for which he expects the LLTLF leads to present an outline of our events for the year.

Immediately I proactively suggested that the Group B leads meet this week itself to chalk out a work plan. I volunteered to organize the meeting and I asked all the leads to mail me dates when they were free to meet after work any day this week.

When the meeting dispersed and we were leaving I tried to, nonchalantly, gravitate towards Jenny and make some small talk about event management or Hong Kong. She moved towards the lift lobby with some other intern volunteers and I had to run through the crowd just to squeeze into the same lift with her. Somewhere near the 4th floor the lift made a funny, long squeaking sound. Everyone giggled. I did so too, but with class.

And then one of the bastard interns asked me if I was having another food poisoning attack. Everyone laughed loudly and I played along with full sportsman spirit making a mental note of the fellow for revenge at a suitable future date. Jenny was also laughing. But how can I get angry with that angel from Chinese heaven?

Anyways, the leads have started emailing me their schedules. I need to plan a meeting soon.

Given the bad mood Sugandh has left me in, LLTLF has lifted my spirits somewhat.

Even when Jenny laughs at my temperamental digestive system, somehow a ray of sunshine beams upon me and into my heart. I know I should not be saying things like this when I am loving Gouri.

But I am a man. This is natural.

Besides if I don’t act on these feelings then what is the problem?

1 April 2007

5.30 p.m.

Reading Gouri’s email. Only halfway through. But I think she has some mental problem.

5.45 p.m.

Fuck. I don’t know what to do or think or …

So Gouri thinks that this long distance relationship is not working. I am not communicating enough it seems. (As if her father is the proprietor of British Telecom and he has given me lifetime free card!)

Even if I am too busy to call, she says, at least I can send her short emails or two lines expressing my love and telling her how much I miss her. (Yes of course madam. Because a management consultant has nothing to do all day besides writing romantic emails. What does she think I do for a living? HR?)