Vandana entered the cabin.
‘How is Mr Samant?’
‘The fever has subsided, but he’s still quite weak.’
‘Who else is there at home?’
‘Just the two of us.’
‘How do you manage the household work?’
‘I do it before leaving for office.’
‘Doesn’t that stress you out?’
‘I don’t have a choice when I have a job, do I?’
‘I don’t agree. After all, we do this for a living. Why didn’t you ask me?’
‘Ask you what, sir?’
‘You may come half an hour late until Mr Samant recovers fully.’
‘Thank you, sir.’
‘There’s no need to thank me. Isn’t this basic humanity? It all depends on whether one wants to use one’s authority or not. In fact, head clerk Savardekar should have given you permission. But I’m forced to look into such matters. Chalta hai! Please sit down. Have a cup of tea. And then send Savardekar here. I will pull him up.’
Vandana came out of the cabin feeling buoyed by the boss’s kind and encouraging words, only to find another note on the desk.
If only the world really was the way we perceive it!
Vandana was angry and called out for Shiva.
‘Did you see anyone near my desk?’
‘I was busy with the files. I didn’t see anyone, madam.’
Vandana could do nothing but put the note in her purse. She compared the handwriting and, as expected, it was from the same person.
Could it be Savardekar?
Having been permitted by the boss, Vandana began to come late every day. Three days later, she found a note on her desk when she came to office.
The road to returning a favour is far more treacherous than the favour itself.
The person writing the note had taken precautions.
This note was typewritten.
She assumed that people were jealous of Ghanekar sir. She folded the note into her purse.
Something happened the next day. It might have been a routine matter, but it was also a precursor to the things to come. Vandana was asked to stay back after office hours. Obviously, it was for office work.
The next moment, there was a note on her desk…
Don’t stay!
The message was crisp and to the point.
This was getting to be too much and Vandana, losing her cool, barged into Ghanekar sir’s office.
‘Sir…’
‘Yes?’
‘I need to speak to you in confidence.’
‘Please.’
She took the notes out and showed them to Ghanekar sir. He dismissed them, saying,
‘It seems you’re not yet aware that the world isn’t as nice as you think it is.’
‘But what I have done to deserve this?’
‘You don’t need to do anything to deserve this. I’m not surprised. It is new to you, but I have seen many such things. Anyhow, don’t worry. You need not stay back.’
‘Why?’
‘I don’t want to trouble you. I’ll get someone else to do the work.’
‘I don’t care about anyone as long as you are there to support me, sir. I will stay back.’
‘As you please!’
There was another note waiting for her when she returned to her desk.
You should trust your husband and not your boss. A husband is dearer than a boss.
‘Did you tell Mr Samant about these notes?’ Ghanekar sir asked Vandana that evening. There was no one else in the office, and they sat in his cabin. Shiva the peon dozed outside.
‘I’m going to tell him this evening. Why do you ask?’
‘Shall I give you my opinion?’
‘Sir, you don’t have to ask my permission!’
‘I would suggest that you wait a few days.’
‘Why?’
‘Mrs Samant, how long have you been married?’
‘Six months.’
‘And what is Mr Samant like?’
‘He’s really nice.’
‘If you’re confident, I don’t mind you showing him the notes. But what will you say if he asks who wrote them?’
‘I don’t have an answer.’
‘Mrs Samant, the question is not who wrote them. Shall I tell you what the real question is?’
‘Please, sir. I am totally confused.’
‘Imagine if Mr Samant were to casually ask why you are being targeted. What would you say?’
‘I wouldn’t know what to say.’
‘I know that. I have seen such things. But Mr Samant may not have experienced such situations. It’s possible he may be sent a note by the same person.’
‘Sir, I’m scared. What shall I do?’
‘What are you scared of? I’m there for you. You are a very sweet and innocent girl. Do one thing. Tell Mr Samant everything. He is, after all, dearer to you than anyone else. It is good to take him into confidence. What happened? Why do you smile?’
Vandana showed him the note she had received a little while ago.
He said,
‘This man is smart. He understands the human mind. He knows that people who love others dearly are also suspicious, and that one can’t afford to confess everything to a husband. A husband, capable of loving his wife with all his life, can also kill her if he suspects her. Vandana tai,* what do you think?’
Vandana was taken aback at being called ‘Vandana tai’. She was confused. This was her first job and her first marriage. The husband was new, so was the boss. Whom could she turn to for advice? Who would guide her? It was all confusing. It was heartening and disturbing at the same time.
Ghanekar sir was speaking freely. At her age, it was natural to feel closer to people who were easy to approach. She liked the fact that he inquired about her health and showed concern, that he was being protective.
‘You were to give me some office work, sir,’ she said.
‘This is what I’d wanted to tell you. I can’t speak to you when everyone is here. You need to know the people around you. I wanted to warn you not to go and confide in just anyone. Be careful.’
‘Thank you, sir.’
‘And don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything.’
‘Sure, sir.’
‘Wait. Where are you going? You’ve missed your regular train. Let me drop you in my car. It’s my responsibility.’
Vandana and Ghanekar sir got up to leave, only to find Shiva snoring away outside. Sir shook him and he woke up with a start.
‘Please come in for two minutes, sir. I want to introduce you to Mr Samant.’
‘Let it
