Opposite Poles..Part 23

Part 23

Khushi entered the meeting room.  She felt like she was standing before the firing squad.   She was offered a chair and she sat on the edge.  The interrogation started.   She tried to keep her voice steady and started answering.

Mishra Sir was doing the talking most of the time.  A tall man with spectacles sitting in the middle had his gaze in the file and papers spread over the table.  Two persons in business attire were sitting either side of the tall man were firing the questions looking into the notes.  Another person looking young and energetic  was busy with his laptop. 

She told what she knew honestly and sat there waiting for the verdict.

The tall man was looking into the notes she had given to Mishra Sir about her findings.. He looked very serious.

“Sir, She had been telling about these things and also had given it on paper.. I had immediately reported it.  But before it could be resolved, the things took different shape.” Mishra defended.  The tall man looked at Khushi sympathetically.   He asked about what all she learnt in these two months.  She narrated taking out her notebook from her bag.  The tall man smiled and said… “Its ok!”  There was a long silence.  And the person with the laptop spoke

“This is strange… ! There is tampering with the database… she reported discrepancy.. and in next couple of days the entry was reversed… through her user account!”  Everyone looked shocked.  She did not understand anything.

“That means, she reported and meddled with the database…!” concluded the person with laptop.  Everyone looked at each other.  Mishra dropped his shoulder, defeated.

“See.. she reported her doubt on Friday and see on Sunday at 21:19 hours the database is changed…” he pointed out at the log reports.

“Ms Gupta, what were you doing on Sunday night in the office?” came a stern question.

“What? No ! I went back in the evening…!” she said trembling. 

“Check her attendance record!” said the tall man.  She looked at him and he smiled slightly. 

“There is no record since it was Sunday!” Mishra wiped off sweat.  The loopholes in the system were getting exposed.

“Who let her in then?” asked a person in suit-boot! 

“She had to catch up with her backlog!” came an answer.  She nodded in acceptance. 

“Why did you change the database?” the person with the laptop asked.

“Database?” she did not know. 

“Sir, she was taught only to fill up the forms of invoices and delivery notes and compare them with the stock report…!” Mishra answered.  “She does not know anything other than that! Right, Ms Gupta?” asked Mishra turning to her.  She nodded. 

“Ok! On Sunday, when you left, who else was there in the office?”  asked the tall man.  She tried to recollect.

There were two three people.  She gave a vague answer.  “Umm Amit sir, Prashant Sir and I think Prema Madam and ..!” she was not sure.

There was a deadlock.  Everyone looked at each other…

“When did you change your password?” asked laptop person.

“Changed my password? No! it’s the same “DEVIMAYYA!” through out!” she blurted innocently.  The laptop person banged his fist on his forehead.  Everyone looked at her hopelessly.

“Ms Gupta, do you know? You are not supposed to disclose your password?” asked the tall man. She looked at him sheepishly.

“Who else knows your password?” he continued.  She racked her brain to remember who all knew her password. 

“Several people!” she said feeling doomed.   The laptop person shrugged hopelessly.

“I think we should call the police ..! The material pertinent to discrepancy report she has given is missing..!” said a person in suit.

“But sir, she joined just two months back .. and the entries are from last Quarter!” said Mishra pointing out the difficulty.

The tall man sighed.  The other person concluded… “I think this is beyond our control now!”.  Khushi looked at them blankly.

“Wait! Lets not jump at it…! I will see what can be done!” said the tall man reasonably.

“You may go, Ms gupta!” he said kindly. She ran out of the room hiding her sob.

*****   *********    ********

“So this is the situation.  This girl, oblivious to all the complications, has created more..She doesn’t know the magnitude of the scam she has unearthed..!” said Aakash.  Arnav stared blankly at him.

“She doesn’t even know, that one should not disclose the login password to anyone else..!” Aakash pitied her. 

“Brainless git!” Blurted ASR in frustration.

“Bhai, do we have to call the police? The theft charges are yet to be cleared…!” Continued Aakash.  Smirk appeared on ASR’s face.  “No!” he said.

“Ummm… Bhat, I need to rush.  I have to collect the samples too!” he said getting up to go.  ASR nodded. 

*************    ***********

“Umm.. these are beautiful designs… very intricate!”   Aakash appreciated the skill and motif on the fabric.  

“Umm.. She is the one who does chikenkaari!” introduced the shop owner.  Payal smiled.

“Beautiful!” Aakash admired. 

“I would like to buy all of them!” offered Aakash.  Payal’s face glowed. 

“I am Aakash.  I look after our design house ‘AR Designs!’ we are into Garment designs among our other businesses..!” he introduced himself.

“Payal!” came a soft answer with a smile.  Aakash nodded. 

“These designs are very beautiful!” he said looking at her face.

“Thank you!” she said in a whisper. 

“Ok Shetji, I take your leave!” she collected money and turned to leave.  Aakash followed unknowingly. 

“umm.. Payal ji.  I would like to see the samples, if you have designs other than this..!”

“Ji.. yes, we have the designs but are not ready yet!” she said avoiding his gaze.

“Ok then, this is my card! Call me when they are ready!” he gave his card.  She went away leaving Aakash with dreamy eyes.

*********   *********   ******

“Khushi ji.. its all my fault.  I shouldn’t have recommended you for this job.  You landed in trouble!” Sham was blaming himself with his right hand in the sling.  She was sitting with a cup of tea sipping tastelessly.   He was looking at her intently. 

“NandKishore… this Sanaka Devi is a trouble making machine.  Wherever she goes, lands herself in trouble…! I don’t know, why on earth Shashi babua brought in this orphan girl…!” Buwaji was frustrated.

“Shh… Please, don’t say it, Buwaji… I am also an orphan.  My parents died when I was in school” said Sham sadly.  Buwaji suddenly fell silent.  “Oh! I didn’t know that!” she blurted feeling sorry for him.

“Yeah! I know what it feels like..!” he looked at Khushi’s lost face.

“This is it! I don’t want to continue… I want to go back to Amma Babuji! Hum Delhi Chod Kar Lucknow Wapas Jaa Rahe Hain!!” she declared getting up.  Buwaji and Sham gaped at her.

********    ********    *********

“Sir today is my last day..!” she said in a small voice.  Mishra looked at her.  Nothing had happened after the enquiry.  She was allowed to continue to work.  Everybody was puzzled.  The other employees in the office were gossiping about the enquiry.  Khushi was not told anything.  Mishra was in a soup now.  He had reported her tenure end but there was no communication from the employer.

“Sir, I don’t want to continue… I want to go back to Amma Babuji!” she chocked.  Mishra looked at her sympathetically.   He had no answer.  The phone on his desk rang.  “Yes sir.  I will!” he said listening for a while.

“Beti, it will be decided today…!” he said looking relieved.