Adland's heart loses its beat

IN PIYUSH'S WORLD, Bobby Pawar did not exist. I was introduced to him by Sonal Dabral after he had hired me in 1995. Everyone remembers him by his trademark moustache. To me it has always been his eyes. Two brown orbs that peeped in yours, often from behind the ephemeral veil of cigarette smoke. They were quick to crinkle when he laughed. Quicker still to tear up when he heard your troubles. Or saw an emotional film. When I first met him though, they were grim. My ego dirtied its pants. He noticed my unease (nothing ever escaped him). He chuckled and said, "Robert, likhnaaatahai?

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After that he always called me Robert. Sometimes with affection. Other times in exasperation. A few times he wielded it as an expletive. That was usually after I missed a client meeting and servicing went running to him with a complaint.