Opposite Poles..Part 26

Part 26

Khushi called her babuji early morning at five thirty.

“Babuji, bless me! I am going to work in a new office!” she said avoiding the details.  She had put up a brave face in front of everyone.  She looked happy and excited about this new office. 

“Khushi… !” her babuji started off confused.  “You completed two months..!” he said.

“Yes babuji.  But the period is extended.  I will be able to earn more and then we will come back..!” she chocked. 

“Khushi…!” her babuji got emotional.  “Bless you! Devi Mayya is always there with you! Be strong! Work hard..!Aur Kuch Gadbad Mat Karana..!” he blessed her.  She nodded silently.

She put a small idol of Devi Mayya in the bag, hugged her jiji.  Buwaji  was not up yet.  Sham’s room door was closed.  She stepped out of the house at quarter to six. 

She reached the corner exactly at six thirty.  Mishra sir was waiting for her.  “You came in time!” he appreciated.  “He seems to be very punctual!” he said gravely.  

They reached the office of AR Group exactly at six fifty five.  There was no one.  Security guard interrogated. 

“She is supposed to report to duty at seven!” Mishra informed.  The guard looked into the book and said.

“Yes! She is asked to wait till ASR sir issues further orders!” he waved at a plastic chair outside the entrance of the office.  She peeped through the glass.  The office was deserted.  She looked at Mishra.  He too was confused.

“We will wait here!” he said moving towards the entrance.

“Sir..! I will wait here… you will be late for the office!” she whispered.

“No beti! I will introduce you to Mr. Raizada and then go!” he felt duty towards her.  She nodded gratefully. 

“Don’t worry!” he gave her false hope.  They sat there waiting for Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada. 

After sometime, Mishra got up from the chair and went to the security guard.

“When does the office open?” he asked.

“Nine!” came a curt answer.  “What? Then why did he call her at seven?” he was taken aback.  He shrugged and came back.

“We will go and have tea! The office starts at nine!” he said.  She shook her head.  “Sir, I will wait here.. You go and have tea!” she said resolutely.  He went away unable to wait there sitting idle.  Khushi had no one to talk to.  She looked around.  It was a huge, bright office with a tastefully designed façade.  She gaped at the grandeur.  The security guard was watching her.  She smiled at him faintly.  He was curious to know who she was but refrained from asking her.  Hours passed… people started filing in.  Everyone looked at her.  Some with curiosity, some ignored her, some paused at her a little bit, some wearing disgust look, most of the girls made faces looking at her attire. 

She was wearing her usual attire.  A green Kurta with yellow churidar and green yellow dupatta, was her favorite.  She had a glittering border for her dupatta and gotis on shoulders and at kurta side slits.  The younger boys lingered with curiosity, as if she was a sample piece for display.  She kept crushing her dupatta border nervously. 

Mishra looked nervous too.  He felt sorry for her. She was made to sit outside the office.  He could understand her feelings.  She was tolerating everybody’s gazes with a forced smile on her face.  He felt humiliated. 

“Beti!” he spoke.

“Its ok, Sir! I am fine!” she said with quivering lips.  Anytime she would break down.  He looked away.  People from inside the office were glancing at her frequently.

“I don’t know, why is he late today! He is never late!” said the security guard offering them tea.  She refused politely.

Exactly at Ten he walked in, without looking at her he went into the office.  Mishra stood up to go inside.  The security guard received a call.  He asked Mishra to get inside and said.  “Madam shall wait here!”  she nodded.  Mishra went inside and came out in fifteen minutes.  He escorted her inside.  ASR was waiting for them in the passageway.  Another girl with ultra modern attire was standing with him wrapping her arms around his.  Khushi glanced at him for a fraction of second to find no recognition.  

Everybody had stopped working. They were glancing at ASR. 

“Ms Khushi Kumari Gupta!” he said loudly.  Staff started inching closer.

She looked up.  “You have to sign on the papers.  You will work as an assistant to Ms Lavanya Kashyap!” He looked at the girl.  “Lavanya, this is Khushi Kumari Gupta! She is your new assistant from today..!” he said authoritatively.

“Who is she?” Lavanys wore disgust looking at this middle class girl.

“She is here pending inquiry…She will work here till the issues get resolved!” he said contemptuously.  Others exchanged looks.  Khushi’s  anguish went out of bounds.  She resolutely sent her tears back.  She understood, what was about to come her way.  She prayed her devi mayya for strength.

“What enquiry?” Lavanya asked loudly.  Khushi had it.  She looked up straight into his eyes.  His eyes flashed.  She took a deep breath and before he could speak anything she spoke trying to keep her voice steady.

“Enquiry of theft and fraud … Against me!” she said and he froze.  Mishra understood the magnitude of her humiliation.  Khushi still was looking at ASR.  He couldn’t bear her glare and looked away.  Everyone seemed to be taken aback in shock.  She took a step forward.

“Where do I have to sign?” she asked him looking at the papers in his hands.  Lavanya took the papers from his hands and gave them to her.  She glanced at the papers and looked around.  Mishra rummaged in his pocket for the pen.  She saw him standing like a statue with his pen on his heart pocket.

She went ahead and took out the pen from his pocket and signed on every paper.  Everyone’s jaw fell open! Thrusting the papers back in his hand, she cliped the pen back to his pocket and took a step back staring straight at him.

“How dare you!” yelled Lavanya.  “ASR! She took your signature pen!” Lavanya was shocked and furious.  ASR had not said anything.  He turned his back and started climbing the flight of stairs.  Khushi looked around to find the ladies rest room.  She dashed inside and closed the door behind her.

“She was panting, breathing heavily.  Her face reddened with the insult and humiliation, she broke down.  Her mask of bravery washed away with her tears.  She hid her face in her hands sliding down on the floor.  She clutched her bag.

“Devi Mayya, .. I know, this is not the place to pray… but… but this seems to be the only  place in this office where that monster has not put his foot…! “ she sobbed between her prayers.  “Shakti Dena…!” she said and got up with the help of the wall.  She looked into the mirror splashing water on her face. 

“No Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada! I may not be educated enough.. I may be poor.. I may not have a family background … but I cannot lose my self-respect! I am strong enough to face you, Mr. Raizada… I am my Babuji’s daughter… strong and brave!” She was talking to herself looking into the mirror trying to steady her breath.  “No more humiliation Mr Raizada! You won’t get that pleasure!” she wiped off her face and came out.  Everyone gazed at her.

********  

ASR climbed back to his cabin, Lavanya followed.

“ASR, why do you want her to work here, when you know she is a fraud…!” she was cut off abruptly.

“Shut up, Lavanya! Do as I say!” he snapped.  Lavanya gaped at him.  His eyes were searching someone.  The ladies restroom door was still closed.  He clenched his fists desperately. 

“ASR! Don’t get upset!” Lavanya smiled sweetly.  “She didn’t know, it was your signature pen and you don’t let anyone touch it! “ He ignored her.  “Lavanya, ask someone to get me a cup of black coffee! And go back to your work!” he ordered her and sat on his chair.

“Theft and fraud… against me!” someone slapped him on the face.  He winced.  He realized what damage he had done.  “She deserved it!” he tried to convince himself, his eyes still waiting for her desperately.

“Khushi!” the restroom door had opened and her figure appeared.  Everyone gazed at her.  Mishra had already left.  He sighed relieved.  She asked someone at the front desk and went to Lavanya’s cabin.  He closed his eyes.  

“Ok.  Look, you… whatever is your name! I am giving you this chance, only because its ASR’s orders…! You will have to do anything I tell you to!” Lavanya snapped at Khushi.  Khushi nodded.  “Your cubical is outside.  Go sit there! I will send the work and don’t disturb me!” said Lavanya curtly.  Khushi went out.  She saw her cubical.  She took out her devi mayya and placed next to her computer screen praying her to give strength.

“Hey, You! La has given you this and asked you to type and take the printouts before lunch!” came a girl near her and threw a bunch of papers on her table.  Khushi picked it up.  She booted her computer and focused on the screen.  She glanced up after a while only to see two brown eyes gazing at her unblinkingly.  She turned to her screen hastily, suddenly becoming conscious.  

“Bhai, we have a meeting post lunch!” Aakash came in.  Arnav looked at him blankly.  He had forgotten that he had a meeting in the afternoon.

“Haan?.. yes! I will meet you in the conference room!” he said.

“Bhai.. I am going home for lunch.  What about you?” asked Aakash.

“No! I will order something here!” he unknowingly gazed down at the cubical. 

“Bhai, I heard, she has joined…!” Aakash said mildly.  Arnav nodded. 

“Bhai.. I mean… of course  you know better… but I don’t think she has done anything..she is inn…!”

“Enough, Aakash! Let me handle it!” Aakash was cut off by his bhai.  He shrugged and went away. 

He looked down at the cubicle.  She glanced up and realizing that he was gazing at her turned her back on him.

“How dare she turn her back on me!” he clenched his fists furiously.