Shantanu Gujral!
Le Meridien Ahmedabad
May 29th 2011
7: 10 PM
The guys are sitting around on the top floor, all 6 suites are booked by family so the exclusive lounge area has been allotted to them Only Dadi and Madz seem to be in a panic. They call out Shaan's name every few minutes, he responds with a lazy "Ya Mom" "Jee Dadi" but does not move from his spot. Viren, Aman, Akhil, Akash, Pradyun, Akshay, couple of Akshay's contacts in Ahemdeabad, Shaan's acquaintances, two of his friends from grad school who going to go on a trek to the Himalayas, Arjun and Samar.
They are razzing Shaan, he is casually sitting around in jeans and a yellow Nautica tee.
Aman: Boss I am thinking of taking off to Jaipur from here, do you approve?
(whispers to Viren "The guys getting married today, hell prolly pass anything)
Shaan: Nice try! Get ur butt to work tomorrow, I signed you up for two core team meetings in my place. When we kick Lohia & Rana's butt (the architects that got the boot) I want you to record every word being said on Certosa.
Viren: Nivs said he gave her an extra week off (grins at Aman, who is irriated now)
Shaan: Yep, she got an extra week off to work on transitioning everything from Lohia to Dastur.
Shaan's ears are sharp and his eyes are always on the ball.
He is slouched on the couch, rotating his cell phone on his ankle, drinking from his beer mug from time to time, but his eyes and ears are everywhere.
Akshay: You are getting married, do you remember?
Shaan: Vaguely! (grins)
Madz: Akshay, did you make sure the car got decorated?
Akshay: Ya Mom!
Madz: Is Khushboo still at the parlor?
Akshay: I guess so!
Madz: How is she feeling?
Akshaya: Ahh-Umm' (does a so-so with his hands)
Madz: Did Ambika look at her?
Akshay: Have no idea
Madz: There are 10 men in the family and three women, not one is useful (fumes)
Shaan grins and nods as if agreeing.
Madz: Shaan, I want you off that couch into your clothes before 8, otherwise the baraat leaves without you.
Shaan: Can you bring her? I will get married in the lobby.
His cousins find that hilarious.
His Mom punches him hard on the shoulder.
It doesn't affect him at all, he shrugs it off and starts talking with Akhil
Akhil: Bhayya did you watch United vs. Blackpool
Shaan: Phenomenal, Michael Owen? SWEET! 4th goal (does a thing with his arm)
The guys are all happy, Akshay's phone rings
Shaan: bhayya did you download that app I sent you?
Akshay does a "hang on asec" and gets up
Madz: Nobody cares! Hmmppfh (turns and walks away as the guys scream when the ball gets dunked on TV)
DadI: What is going on Madhavi?
Madz: Ambika needs to wear her saree now,she is waiting for the hotel maid to bring her some pins.
Dadi: Why are you yelling at Akshay? (turns around) Shaan, why are you not getting ready?
Shaan: Dadi I need a shower.
Dadi: If you were 20 years younger, I would give you one! (stern)
Akhil: Yikes, that would be a sight!
Shaan: "20 years younger" get your ears checked man!
Akash: Did you watch the "big"game?
Shaan: Which one? France vs Greece? (Under 19 Euro League being held in Romania)
Akash: France got creamed! (smug)
Shaan: the last one I saw was the Czech win against Netherlands. Wow!
Akash's face falls, "I missed that one Bhayya"
Shaan: I never miss the good ones'''.. ever''.. (more smug)
Akash: lets go watch the finals!
Shaan: Sorry, honeymoon plans come in the way (mocks)
Akhil: Bring bhabhi with us.
Shaan: Are you kidding? I want to be married you guys! (laughs) She would leave me!(acting scared)
Akhil: Does she watch soccer?
Shaan: "Under 19 Euro League"? I-don't-think-so!
Akhil and Akash smile, when Shaan winks.
Anil: Akhil, Akash was saying something about that one missing bag, did Qantas deliver it yet?
Akash: No Dad, they don't have it, I just called Kingfisher, well get it tomm
Anil: Ask them not to bother, ask them to send it to Malabar Hill (disgusted)
Shaan: One of my coworkers brothers works for Qantas ground crew at Chattrapati, do you want me to call him?
Dadi: Shaan, its ONE missing bag, Chachu will get by, Anil, he has better things to do.
Anil (mock) Like what ma?
Dadi: Get married?
Shaan laughs out loud, slumps back further into his chair. The lounge is tastefully done in white polished wood, copper and green curtains and vases, adorn the sides. They have a dedicated Guest Relations Manager helping them. The room to any onlooker will seem like its filled with a bunch of really affluent men and women dressed in expensive clothes, readying for a big event.
Anil is walking out trying to find another scapegoat to locate his missing bag
Sunil is downstairs arranging two dozen cars, explaining the route, the GPS is a complete waste so draws and makes copies from the business center.
Shaan: I would go in jeans! (lazy)
Dadi: I will ask her not to marry you
Prad: Dadi, may I?😡
Akhil, Akash, Viren, Aman burst into laughter.
The other guys are too busy watching a basketball game on ESPN.
Shaan is not smiling!😡😡
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