After some time, I woke up. Anjali was still lost to the world, with her face buried in my neck and an arm and a leg flung on me.
I carefully got up, lifting her arm and leg off me and covered her with a blanket. Then I got dressed, picked up my laptop and got to work. It was early morning by now. 5 am. The car would arrive at 10 am. I had 5 hours to finish everything and transfer everything to Anjali.
I started by making a detailed document that meticulously outlined the structure and logic of the data manipulation operation. I painstakingly mapped out every relevant file name, formula, code snippet, and database link that comprised the operation's DNA. With the paper trail established, I turned my focus to the virtual repositories where the actual artifacts resided. One by one, I uploaded the workbooks, scripts, and macro-enabled files to a secured cloud storage, granting Anjali full access. This was the crux, the condensed accumulation of months' worth of data manipulation artisanry - the physical evidence she needed to make her case.
But there remained one final thing to do, one last locked door through which to fully expose my transgressions. I knew Anjali would need direct access to the backend databases that had served as my operational staging grounds. Without those credentials, key pieces of the puzzle would remain locked away.
So, I spent the next couple of hours diligently mapping out each CRM instance, ERP feed, and ancillary data source from which I had siphoned raw material. One by one, I documented the server URLs, connection strings, SQL credentials - every digital key required to penetrate and navigate those data warehouses. I created a separate file containing all database access details, ensuring that Anjali had everything she needed to navigate the labyrinth of our digital infrastructure with ease.
With the last file transmitted and permissions granted, I leaned back in my chair, awash in a conflicting slurry of emotions. There was relief at having finally relinquished the burdens of secrecy and misdirection but seeded with dread - for I had just handed Anjali the unvarnished compass to my professional annihilation. With the evidence compiled, Anjali possessed everything requisite to not only eviscerate me, but utterly immolate any professional credibility I had cultivated.
One final imperative still gnawed at my conscience. I had to make things right - to restore what I had so meticulously scrambled.
I reactivated my scripts and macro routines, smoothly reversing the myriad contortions that had previously plagued the data. Ciphertext volumes decrypted and decompressed, sending their salted payloads back into their organic revenue streams. Database entries realigned, variables denormalized and reconstituted to their original fidelities. Now the data reflected the actual revenue figures for the quarter.
It also showed now that the impossible had been achieved. The team had hit the numbers and Anjali was out of the danger that I had put her in.
Next, I sent a message to the managers only group proposing that we act like true gentlemen and turn down Anjali's offer of the weekend. I was pretty sure that Anjali had no intention of going through with such a promise but I wanted to close any possible door to that from my side.
I also prepared a draft of my resignation and kept it ready.
By now it was almost 9 am and I stepped out, putting a Do not disturb sign on the door. Going to my room, I took a quick shower and got dressed for the ride back.
Then I packed and headed to Anjali's room and knocked on the door. She opened the door fully dressed and ready.
I wasn't sure how to behave now that we were back to reality and automatically switched to formal mode.
"Good morning, ma'am ", I said. "The car will be here soon. We should go down and check out".
Maybe I laid it on a bit thick as her eyebrows rose and she looked at me quizzically.
"Come in" she said. "Are you all right?"
"Yes. I am fine", I said. "I have shared everything with you. Now you have all the proof that you require."
Understanding dawned in her eyes. She said, "Whatever it is, I will do my best to ensure that your name remains out of any of this"
I nodded, not really believing her. I had been totally manipulated and now stood in a very precarious position. Anything could happen.
"Anyway," she continued, "I am not going back with you. I have been called for a meeting with my bosses. We are yet to meet the numbers with only three days to go, so obviously they believe that it's not going to happen. So, I am flying out from here in a couple of hours."
"Okay", I said. "But you should look at the numbers on your way"
"Sure, I will", she said, looking at me a bit puzzled. "And one more thing. Last night was not according to any plan and nor was it to manipulate you in any way. We will discuss it later but I trust you and would want you to keep it a secret"
"Of course," I said, nodding. "The car will be here soon. I should go"
She looked increasingly worried. "Listen, don't do anything crazy till I am back. I will be back tomorrow after I have managed everything "
"I know you will" I said
She suddenly moved forward quickly, put her arms around my neck and kissed me.
"This is not over, you understand?" she said, her tone tinged with a mixture of warning and apprehension.
I nodded and smiled at her. Anjali's concern was palpable, her fears of unforeseen consequences echoing in the space between us.
In spite of myself the kiss had caused warmth to flow into my body, momentarily clouding my thoughts in a haze of desire. I walked out before matters got further.
On the ride back I started working on my CV and updating the job sites. I had to land a job fast. Too many cocked guns were pointed at me. Even if Anjali kept her word and tried to shield me, my ex-bosses were not going to let me off. Once accused, they would definitely try to take me down with them.
Then there was the sneaking fear that I had not managed to convince the team. If they wanted to go ahead and Anjali decided to honour the agreement, I didn't know what I'd do. Just the thought caused me to shudder in disgust. Sometimes my own thought process baffled me.
There was one last thing to do. But I needed to wait for a couple of hours more to ensure that Anjali was on the flight before I hit send on my resignation. I leaned back and dozed off. I was woken up by the driver.
"Sir, we reached" he said.
I thanked him and walked up to my apartment and quickly changed before heading to office. Before leaving I sent off the resignation which I had forgotten to send from the car.