I was sitting in this empty conference room in the SM building waiting for JinKi to return. A hundred thoughts were swirling like a tempest in my mind but the only thing that I could sense was fear and anxiety. Anxiety as to what and how am I gonna be a manager, I mean teaching and managing students is totally different from managing celebrities and God knows what I did right during the Musical that I was even considered eligible for the job! “It doesn’t make any sense…Wow now I’m even talking to myself!” Just as I blurted out the comment on myself; JinKi entered the room “There is no problem in talking to yourself, everyone who is great, obviously including me, talk to themselves…And ya I want you to meet your co-workers, this is Jack and William. Well these are their Christian names, Jack’s Korean name is Park SeJun and William’s is Kim TaeWon. Say hello guys.” The two guys that entered after JinKi were like in their early twenties, fresh out of college and were medium built, not skinny like SHINee but also not on the heavy side. Just like me they had an expression of bewilderment for they too must be thinking that what bizarre situation is this where their boss is inexperienced. But nothing could be done now, if I violate the contract I’ll have to pay a year’s worth of my salary…

Wishing that GOD’s grace shines upon me and after taking a deep breath, I greeted Jack and William. “I’m really sorry but the situation has made me your boss so lets just work together with the goal of making SHINee a world renowned band, respected for its music. It is my first time handling such a job but as an organizer I am no joke. So you help me and I’ll help you…but wait…you two are fluent in English right?” “Oh yes, that is why we were selected. And Ma’am don’t worry we take our work real seriously.”

Seeing Jack and William’s attitude I was sure that they too were workaholics like me. “Okay, Jack and Will please do brief me on what has to be done and how. And, yes don’t call me Ma’am or Manager, just Aansha will do.”

So we got down to business. I read SM Enterprise’s literature and also all the documents related to SHINee, their history; achievements; criticisms and everything that there was to know about them as a group and as each individual member. It took 5 long hours and boy what a serious headache I had after all that information was crammed in my head! Then I met the other staff members- stylists, Hong, caretaker etc. The stylists were looking at me in a weird way; I guess it was my Indian outfit that made them see me as a strange personality but most of them remembered me from the other day I helped SHINee at their recording.

I had been in the SM building for about 7 hours now and I was so very exhausted. Just when I thought that the meetings for the day were over, Jack entered the room and told me that Mr Lee SoMan wants to meet me.

As I entered the grand office, I saw that there were about 8 people already in the office. I greeted Mr Lee in the Indian way “Namaste” and he greeted back,” Aansha you are indeed fast. I heard that you read out enterprise’s literature and have also gone through every piece of paper related to SHINee. Now I am sure that my decision of hiring you will be an investment. So, the reason I called you again is that I want you to meet the other CEO’s and directors of SM.” One by one I was introduced to the various position holders of SM.  This meeting made me realise that SM was a giant in the entertainment business. After the nerve racking meeting with so many seniors making it clear that they have expectations, I returned to the conference room only to find that the five SHINee boys were waiting for me.

As I opened the door, their bright smiles gave me energy and hope to go on inspite of the fact that I was dead tired…

“So guys tell me how it is done. Here is the schedule for tomorrow, I know that the totally busy promotion time is over but you still have a lot of radio shows and variety shows to do…Don’t look surprised key, I spent 7 hours of full concentration to understand KPOP, SM and SHINee…So, yes. Just give me an idea as to how Mr Choi Jin went about things, oh, and I’ll call Jack and Will also here so that there is no need to repeat things and waste time.”

The next hour I learnt how SHINee operates from SHINee itself so that I could understand what they would expect from me and I gave out instructions to J and W about their work tomorrow as my assistants, then I called over the stylists, checked the inventory of clothes and the things that were left to do tomorrow. When everyone’s part was clear suddenly everyone began clapping. Unable to comprehend the reason for the applause I joined in too. Only when MinHo noticed that I was clapping too, that he shouted “Aansha we are clapping for you as it is the first time you gave instructions as our Manager.”

I should admit that I blushed, but controlling my feelings I replied “Then I should clap too for you guys also showed great patience and cooperation on my first time. Thank you so much.” Everyone left and it was just us 8, me; SHINee, J and W. We were about to leave when TaeMin asked “So will Aansha live with us, for Manager Hyung lived with us.” The question startled all. I said “No, I won’t be living with you guys, but if you want maybe any one of Jack and William can… I mean if it is an absolute rule and necessity.” On my suggestion J and W backed out and said that this clause was not in their contract and moreover they had family issues. So the bomb was dropped into my court again.

Though it was an outrageous rule that the manager should live with the group, deep down inside I wasn’t completely against it. I mean who wouldn’t want to be surrounded by handsome men, only a dumb girl would give up the chance. Just as my thoughts were wavering, JinKi intervened. “I’ll take responsibility if anyone points out that the manager isn’t living in our dorm. And Aansha lives real close by so even it gets late at night it won’t be a problem. Right…so it’s sorted, lets go home now.”

We were in the van when Jjong said,”Aansha let’s go to your place first; we forgot our stuff at your place. Okay?”

Now once again there were 5 guys in my house but this time the situation was totally different. I need not be nervous or afraid of anyone knowing this fact for now I was their manager. Now I had an official reason to see them whenever I wanted. But what was the relation between us? Was I still a friend or would they now see me as a manager only, as someone who works for them. I was having a tough time contemplating the situation when the door bell rang. I opened the door and there was Sarah! (Raechel’s sister who was a fashion and makeup artist)

“Hey Sarah! What are you doing at this late hour? Is everything okay? Is Raechel okay?”

“oh everyone is fine…Raechel got a call stating that you became SHINee’s manager and there was a party so we both were invited. Since Raechel is not here and I am a Shawol so I came alone”. “Wait, there is no party and who called you…” I turned back to look at the guys and there they were holding a small cute cake with a label on it ‘Our Manager’ and gift boxes in their hand.

“Oh my God! Guys thank you so much !!!”

I was so overwhelmed…

We cut the cake and I got 3 presents-

A SHAEFFER Pen to sign with, a mini tablet to manage the schedule better and the last gift was the best. MinHo handed me the last gift. It was a rectangular sleek case silver in color. I opened it and I saw business cards. On the front was written my name and my phone number along with my post- SHINee Manager and on the back were my details of being a professor. This gift touched my heart!

I think I cried. Seeing me cry Key said, “Don’t be sad, we didn’t buy the tablet from our money, we used the company credit card… don’t cry…” I choked a bit for Key made me laugh as I was trying to hold back my tears.

It was a difficult day today and with such a beautiful ending, my emotions got the better of me.

The little celebration at the end of such a happening day assured my doubts, I am their friend first and then their manager. I was now working for the Sparkling boys with the Biggest heart…

What comes next, I think I can handle for I will not be alone…