I
finished my work. From the glass window of the office, I could see the rain.
The water drops collided with the window glass and spread to wet the glass. Just
like that, I was struck with the painful loss of time and dispersed myself into
a greedy boring man.
I
stopped my thoughts and put my feet into a pair of casual, brown ‘Red Chief’
leather shoes. I wrapped the platinum coloured Rolex watch around my wrist. I
did not carry any work or stress from office to home, so I always kept my hands
empty while coming outside of the office. I changed myself from businessmen to
young, dashing person when I left the office but never could have time to spend
with friends. Neither did I have close relatives to spend time with.
I locked
the door of my office after coming out of the door and was surprised to see
Miss Tapasya still working. I went to her but my movements did not distract
her. I was really impressed by her concentration and dedication. But I did not
like that she had not followed my instruction.
“Miss
Tapasya, this is not the best place for night stay. I think your home will be
better.” I tried to play with words in which I was not an expert.
“Sir, I
am really sorry. But the work you wanted me to complete tomorrow is...” she
staggered.
I
trusted her. Something must be out of her control, so she would not be able to
leave just yet, and I wanted to know the results, so waited for her to complete
her sentence.
“But…?”
I deduced her incomplete sentence.
“But I
have lost the file and my full seven-day's work. I could not find the file when
I came this morning into my office. Something went wrong with the computer and
I was not able to search the work. So, I was doing the whole work again and
will submit it to you before tomorrow evening.” She was so terrified that she
gave reason three to four times and was unable to express herself properly.
That
file was quite important and very confidential for me. The file held future plans for my company,
including plans for IPO. I had given that file to Miss Tapasya to analyse,
estimate, and prepare a marketing strategy for my new brand – a launch of
female garments. She recognized the importance of the confidential file.
Only at
the time I gave priority to quiet down and relax Miss Tapasya.
“It’s
all right! Relax, and don’t worry about the deadline. You can take a few days
more to complete the work and it must never have gone anywhere. We deliver a
fair level of security and I don’t imagine anyone else in the cosmos may bear a
pastime in my company’s future plans.”
“I am
grateful to you, sir.”
“Now
close your work. I am waiting for you to leave the office, and my stomach is
crawling.”
She gave
me a smile, thanked again, and shut down the system. We left the office,
switched off the lights, and locked the door. I procured the key in my pockets
by the time she had shouted out at the elevator. My office was on the fifth
floor in a commercial area of Ahmedabad. Lift downed us to the ground parking
lot. I unlocked my brand new black coloured Renault duster with key remote.
“See you
tomorrow, Miss Tapasya. Good night.”
“Good
night, sir.”
Rain was
at a slow but continuous pace. I opened the door of my car and ignited the
engine. It roared and smoothened. I wiped the dust from the front glass, opened
the window glasses, and started the AC of the car at mid-speed. I turned the
car to get out of the parking lot. ***
To me
surprise, Tapasya was fumbling around and was standing, stunned. I noticed that
in the whole parking lot, not a single vehicle was there, except for my car. It
was my daily routine to work till late and to be the only car left in the
parking lot. There must be some vehicle
of Tapasya, also, I thought. I was paying her enough to afford a car and she
surely must possess one.
I drove
my car near her and asked, “Tapasya, what happened? Where is your car?”
“Sir, I
just educed that I had given it for service at a service station. [It’s in the
shop.] It will be returned back to me by tomorrow morning.”
I
continued to observe this shivering girl, who must be wishing in her mind that
I should offer her a lift that time. I also thought I should offer her a lift,
but then she might take it another way also, so I waited.
“I had
planned to go home on public transport. And I am already too late for that. But
I will go home in an auto rickshaw.” She continued to describe her problem, but
did not dare to ask for help.
Whenever
girls are in need, they want men to offer the help. I never understand, why
they don’t ask for help?
“And
where do you reside?” I asked her.
“Satadhar
near Ghatlodia” it was almost 45 minutes from the area where my office was.
“I don’t
think any auto rickshaw will take you there. Although my home is in Satellite,
not so near as yours, but I can drop you off to your home, if you don’t mind.”
She was happy inside but did not show the cheered up smile, just flowed a
thankful smile to me. I swear, if she had shown more curtsy or drama, I was
definitely not going to give her a lift.
“Thank
you again, sir.” She took her seat.
I geared
up, closed the window glasses and accelerated the car.
“I think
because of the rain, it will take more time than usual. I don’t have much
things to talk so if you wish, you can hear the songs from the music system.”
I
started the music system and a melodious song lighted the environment. Very few
vehicles were on broad, black, swimming-with-rain-water roads. But street
lights were flashing because of the water. I had to drive car slowly and carefully.
“Sir, if
you don’t mind, may I tell you something?” She could not bear my silence after
ten minutes.
“Sure,
go on. I never mind if someone tells me the truth honestly.”
“You are
entirely different than I anticipated for you”
“You
must have pretend me Queer fish”
“No
sir.”
“So you
found me strange, now?”
“No sir
means yes sir. It was very strange that you speak very less especially with
girls. But today I feel you are very caring and have more respect for you.”
“If I
had not offered you the lift you might have thinking I am a bad man, right?”
“Perhaps,
yes. I really wanted you to offer me the seat.” I smiled lightly. And was
surprised also, how innocent and honest she was; she had tried to show an
arrogant and professional look in the office, but how easily she confessed.
“Anyway,
thanks for the appreciation.” I show curtsy.
She
relaxed her body and removed the ponytail rubber band allow her hair to flow
freely, and sipped water from her bottle. She was closing the cap of the
bottle, but then, she asked me whether I wanted to drink.
My
throat was dry of thirst so I took a sip from her bottle.
“It is
not water; what is this?”
“Lemon
drink. It gives me energy for work.”
I took
one more mouthful. I liked that, so asked, “Really nice, does your mother
prepare it for you everyday?”
“No, I prepare it myself. My mother and father had divorced a year back.
Both rich persons have married other rich people. And gave me a small home to
live on for my completion of graduation. I have fortune to meet them
occasionally. A maid does all housework, but I like to eat dishes prepared by
myself. I love cooking.” She continued her nonstop tongue but consciousness of
my presence stopped her suddenly.
“Sorry sir, I just went on speaking.”
“I also cook my food myself; I love cooking, although I can afford a
special cook.” I show no objection to her nonstop babbling.
“One more thing I want to tell you, sir.” I smiled and gave her silent
consent.
“Sir, you
have very beautiful hair. I have longer hair then yours but yours is very silky
and lovely. I dream to have such hair.” I did not believe her words. I was with a beautiful
girl with a perfect figure and cute smile. And she was continuously praising
me!
