The little RIA

The library’s AC hit Radha’s skin and she finally exhaled. Ria was already cross legged in their spot behind Algebraic Geometry. It was the quietest corner on the second floor, where no one looked for a CEO and her six year old.

“Report,” Radha whispered.

Ria held up the glittery notebook. “I only used level 2 truth. Didn’t mention Vera.”

Level 2. Safe for civilians. Level 1 was _I like ice cream_. Level 3 was _Mama is Vera_. They’d made the scale after Ria told the Uber driver that Mama cries during sad songs.

Radha checked her watch. 3:42. Her board had been on hold 25 minutes. Let them hit 30.

“New mission,” she said. “You’re with me.”

Ria didn’t ask where. She just shoved the notebook in her backpack and grabbed Radha’s hand. She’d been to K-Tech Tower eight times. She knew the rules.

4:10 PM. The lobby of K-Tech smelled like money and cold brew. Security nodded. The receptionist smiled. No one asked why the CEO’s daughter had a badge. _Ria Kapoor – Consultant, Chief Chaos Division_. Ria made it herself with Arjun’s label maker.

In the elevator, Ria pressed 43 without looking.

“Someone’s been here before,” Radha said.

“Only like, eight times,” Ria shrugged. Then she whispered, “Do I still get the big chair if Tokyo is mad?”

Radha hit the button for 43. “Only if you glare at them for me.”

The doors opened on chaos. Twelve VPs. Three screens with Tokyo, Berlin, Delhi still waiting. Arjun looked like he hadn’t blinked since Radha left.

Then they saw Ria.

She walked in, tiny sneakers on marble, and climbed into Radha’s chair like she owned the company. Maybe she did. She crossed her arms and gave Tokyo her best six year old glare.

The screen went quiet.

They started meeting

Bla Bla Bla Bla Bla Bla

Then

Ria's stomach says to Ria and Ria to her mama

Mama I want to eat something, she whispered to Radha

what do you want,bug

Ice cream, Ria said and her face was so bright

Good, Radha said like she expected

then she again wears CEO's mask and says

“Meeting adjourned,” Radha said. “The Consultant needs ice cream.”

They were hiding a laugh because cute and little Ria wants to eat a ice cream