The Last Day of Work

December 30, 2011

It had been 15 days, and I was working mercilessly like an animal for getting some good sales. Pandey seemed to be a co-operative, but was pervert. We were half-way in our sales target, and rather than making things smooth for me, he was putting most of his effort in making things uglier.

It was almost 15 days since I had any conversation with Deswal. I was looking forward to talk to him and this time I was desperate to switch. There was no opportunity, since he was out on field for meetings, and busy with his team.

Everyone was happy on New Year's Eve, and I kept wondering, if I could get out of this hell. As soon as I left for my home, Pandey came from behind and asked if he could join me on my way back home.

I was a little shook from within, as it was dark and 8:00 p.m. in winter, and a man offering to accompany me, was not a good sign. Yet I said, "Of course."

We hired an auto to the bus-stop and Pandey started the conversation saying, "So what does your father do?"

I knew he'd start with this. All perverts do, said my inner -self.

I said, "Nothing just a Chartered Accountant in a company." He said, "Okay, and who else are there in your family."

I wanted to say, Perhaps I can give you my dad's number, why don't you ask him?

Yet I said, "It's me my mom and dad, and two siblings."

I know what you're up to pervert. Now go on with your next question.

He asked, "So how's work and life?"

I said, "Work wise, things are good, and life...is also great. I'm getting married next year. I have a boy friend."  

You never know how you can simply use false names, when in trouble.

He asked, "So what does he do, your fiancee?"

I said, "He works as Senior Sales Officer for a company."

It seems Pandey was upset with the fact that I was committed. Yet, slowly his hand was covering the upper edge of the seat, and he was about to put his arm against my shoulder. I was feeling uncomfortable, as my hand bag was on my lap, and both hands resting on it.

I carefully managed to take out a safety-pin, and half-pinned it at the corner of my coat's shoulder end. I pretended to scratch my head, and indeed the pointed end of the pin struck his skin twice.

He removed his arm saying, "Damn...bloody mosquitoes in winter."

We reached the bus-stop and boarded a bus, which was perhaps the last bus leaving the city. There was a complete ruck in it, yet we managed to get some space for ourselves. The journey back-to-home started, and Pandey's stop arrived in about 20 minutes. Once he got off, I was relieved.

My next challenge was dealing with Nick, who was supposed to pick me from the bus-stop. However, it was 10:30 p.m. when I reached. He stood there with his bike parked. I got down from the bus.

He said, "Why don't you leave your job? It's New Year's Eve, we had dinner plans and see it's too late. We won't get anything to eat."

I said, "Can you please shut-up and zip up your mouth for a minute?"

He felt insulted and said, "I can see that your attitude has changed, ever since you became the manager. I don't care whether you're a manager or a director, but first, you're my wife, and I'll treat you the way I should."

 After listening to all of his non-sense, I felt like slapping him, but I didn't have the gut. I was worried about my family's reputation, and other worse consequences, which could affect them.

I said, "Can we meet tonight at 12?"

Nick was amused, and his expressions were totally changed. From a blood-sucking husband, he pretended to be an extremely caring boy-friend.

He said," Sure darling, anything that I can get you?"

I said, "Two packs of Cigarettes and a half vodka with some fish crisps. That'll be enough."

He dropped me home, and I was relieved to finally get back to my room. My grumpy mother was sleeping, and my dad was yet to arrive. After 20 minutes of my arrival, my dad reached home. I prepared some pasta for him, along with some grilled sandwich.

He liked it. I gave him his medicines and he asked me to sit.

My dad said, "You look so tired, is your health okay?"

I said, "No dad...I'm fine. It's just work and stress."

He said, "How's the new job and everything there?"

I said, "Everything's fine, atleast better than the last job. They're growing and soon will occupy a good market share."

He said, "I trust you and your decisions. If there's anything you want to share...you know I'm always there. I want you to achieve massive success in whatever you do. Atleast, I'll be proud to say that I'm your father. I have no expectations from your mother though. She has been a very selfish and irresponsible woman. I don't want you to be like her. It was very brave of you to take up the responsibility of your family at such an early age, knowing my health. I'm proud of you.

The last thing that I want you to understand is that choose your life partner wisely. No one out there shall be responsible for your choice of life. "

My dad had this clever habit of hitting the pain-areas and he did it. I controlled tears in my eyes, yet it was difficult to do so. I took his leave and went to the bathroom. I held my mouth tightly and began to cry, as much as I could, so that no voice could go outside. After ten minutes, I came out and my brother was waiting outside.

He said, "Nick has been calling me since 10 minutes, he's waiting at the terrace for you."

I said, "Okay."

Nick and I were neighbors and so our terraces were at same level. It used to be the most ideal place for us to meet. As soon as I reached the terrace, Nick was sitting on the surface having a smoke. It was dark and cold, though there was some moonlight which helped me to see his face.

I wore my tracksuit and jacket upon it. Nick had created a picnic set-up on the terrace, and things were already served. He asked me to sit and offered a drink. I took it and in two sips, it was in my belly. He made another and I borrowed his lighter to burn a cigarette.

I took deep puffs and still there was no effect. I wanted to get heavily drunk, yet after finishing almost a quarter neat, there wan't any effect. However, Nick had started to fall after three shots of neat vodka.

My inner goddess said, Now where's the Punjabi spirit, fat man? Is that only your tolerance of alcohol? 

I was completely normal, and before he started getting his hands on me, I said, "I think you should go now. You're going out of your senses. Good night and Happy New Year."

I ran away from the terrace leaving him alone. The next day was too rough to start. I woke up late and rushed for the office.

It was holiday everywhere, only I was supposed to go to work, since on festivals there was a better opportunity for client acquisition in real estate.

I reached office and it was 11:00 a.m. Pandey's face was red with anger, he said, "Where the hell have you been? Do you know that your team needed you today here? Now go and collect your stuff, you're going to sit on the site. I have made arrangements for you and take your team members along."

I had to absorb my anger. I took the two schmucks, along with me and we ended up at a residential site, which was in mid-way construction. We entered the office, and I was relieved to find Deswal sitting with a client.

Seeing him there was like finding water in the desert. I asked my team members to settle down and look for any clients enquiring about the project. I went to the manager, who knew me since my previous company. I exchanged greetings with him, and asked for any leads he might have come across.

He checked his file and gave me two contacts. I took his leave and went to Mr. Deswal's desk, who had just gotten free from his client.

I sat and said, "You were right. Perhaps, this isn't the right place for me. I want to seek your help. I'm interested to switch."

He said, "Okay give me a day, and let me check out if they have any vacancies. I'll let you know."

I said, "Sounds good to me. Thanks!" We shook hands.

Suddenly, one of my client who was a follow up called, and asked for a meeting in his office. I informed this to Pandey. He called me back to the head office.

After reaching the office, I explained Pandey about an old reference of mine, who gave me this client. He insisted on calling the client in our office, so that he could assure that I wan't cheating on the company.

He said, "Ask your client to meet us here. You won't go to meet at his office."

My temper had all heated up, and this was the limit that I could bear any crap from him.

I said, "No...I will go to meet my client, and let's see who can stop me."

He said, "It's better that you give your resignation, before leaving this office and surrender every property including the SIM card given by the company and client details. Then you're free to go."


I said, "Then so it be."

I surrendered every intellectual property of the company that I was carrying and left. While I left, Deswal had seen the complete incident happening, yet he didn't utter a word.

After I left, I was in immense anguish and didn't know what to do. I had my personal SIM card, which I kept for emergency. I used it into my cell-phone. I took out Deswal's visiting card, and thought whether I should call him or not.

I was in conflict, but my inner goddess permitted me to go for it. I called his number.

He picked, and said, "Please tell me this is you.!"

I fumbled and thought, how can he recognize my voice. I said, "Yes...it's me."

He said, "Thank god, I thought I'd lost you forever. I had faith that you would call."

I said,"I don't have words. I'm sure that by now, you must have heard all those gossips in the office."

He said, "I always knew that Pandey was a pervert. I'll explain that once we meet. He is so disgusting that he's calling all your clients and tarnishing your image, saying that you have been terminated."

I said, "I don't care. I knew he is an insecure, and obsessed guy. He's a loser."

Deswal laughed, and said,"Yes, he is. Anyway, tell me when can we meet? I want to sit and discuss with you.
  
I said, "I'll call you tomorrow, and perhaps we can fix a time."

He said,"Works well for me. So, take care and don't bother yourself. I'm there with you. Pandey is going to pay for his sins soon. Good bye."

He disconnected the call. For some reasons, when he said that he's there, it touched me deep within. I started developing trust in him, yet I didn't know him properly.

He was a stranger, but it felt, as if I know him since ages. He came like a healer for my wounds.

I was waiting to meet him.