Everything For Him - Part 17

Two days passed in a jiffy. On Saturday evening my old car got its new owner and as expected I had sold it for two lakh rupees. I spent ninety thousand to clear my credit card debt and yesterday, I went out along with Sandhya and purchased a yellow Vespa scooty along with a matching yellow-colored helmet. Today is my first ride to the office on my new scooty and I am super excited about it. 

The morning routine went on without any hurdles. After taking my shower I walked to my closet. Naturally, my hand reached out to the row where I had put all of my Punjabi dresses which I regularly wear to the office. I thought of wearing a saree with a sleeveless blouse but later I dropped it from my mind and picked up the green-colored Punjabi dress. While I was taking out the chunni I glanced at the saffron thread on my left hand. I remembered the words that Anjani's uncle told me. He purposefully tied it on my left hand to help me keep remembering that I should follow my heart. 

I placed my hand on my left breast and closed my eyes. I could listen clearly to the sound of my heartbeat and asked myself out loud, 'Should I wear the dress I love?' and my inner voice echoed 'Yes'. In an instant, I took out the black silk saree along with a sleeveless black blouse and a black bra. I dressed up in a matter of ten minutes. 

To my wonderment, I am not facing any mood swings today which I regularly face every Monday as a consequence of Monday blues. Is it because of going to the office on new scooty or the enthusiasm about meeting Jayanth or about my decision to wear my favorite clothing? Whatever the reason may be, I am full of the joys of spring.

I reached office fifteen minutes early. The decoration was still lingering at my desk. Once again my mind pondered about the question of who might have done this? Later on, as time passed my other team members arrived. They were flabbergasted looking at me dressed in a Sari that too with a sleeveless blouse and to my surprise Sheela for the first time appreciated me by saying like 'Ananya you look gorgeous in the sari'. Her compliment transported me to delight. 

For the past ten years, I wore full hand Punjabi dresses to the office except on a few occasions like new year celebrations and others. Today I didn't care about what others would think of me. I just listened to my heart.

There was an alert on my mobile. Sandhya has sent me a text message saying that she is not coming to the office today as she is not feeling well. I replied 'take care' and kept myself busy with the work. An hour later Jayanth has walked into the office and straight away headed into his cabin without looking around. He is dressed in a steel-blue suit today. 

'The Perfect Gentleman!' I whispered to myself as soon as my eyes intercepted him. His walking style was aristocratic and his movements suave.

My phone started to ring, pulling me out of the trance. It was a call from an unknown number. I tapped on the answer icon and said 'Hello'.

'Hello Madam, this is me Tulasi.'

'Hi, Tulasi where are you?'

'I am here exactly outside of your office?'

'Wait there I am coming.'

I walked out of the office and escorted Tulasi into the waiting room lobby. I collected the resume from her and walked into the Human Resources cabin. But our HR Divya hasn't come yet. I didn't understand what to do. I want to go into Jayanth's cabin at the same time I am feeling a bit jittery to meet him. But I can't make Tulasi wait for a long time, it won't be good. I decided to talk to Jayanth about her job. 

Without further ado, I straight away started walking towards Jayanth cabin, opened the door, and asked - 'Sir, can I come in?'

'No!' Jayanth glanced up at me. 'You cannot!'

'I am sorry!' I felt embarrassed and was about to turn back. 

'Ananya! You cannot come in if you call me sir. Call me Jayanth, and also there is no need to ask for permission. Anyone is free to step into my cabin,' he said with a gentle affable smile on his face.

'Ok Jayanth!' I smiled and stepped into his cabin.

'So Ananya, is everything fine at your end?' Jayanth asked, placing both his elbows on the desk.

'Yes Jayanth, everything is good. I actually have a small request for you.'

'Please tell me.'

'On Saturday I went to a temple near my home. I met a priest and his granddaughter has been searching for a job for one year. I said to her that our company is planning to hire a few employees and she has got an exceptional talent for sketching and designing. I believe she perfectly fits into our designing team. Please consider this as a request from my side. Can you give her the job?'

'No problem at all!' he asserted. 'Since you have already talked to her there is no need for an interview. I will ask HR Divya to get the appointment letter ready by today. Meanwhile, you can just acquaint her with the role and responsibilities.'

'Thank you so much Jayanth! I feel privileged for your kind gesture,' I stood up and smiled. 'I will explain Tulasi about her role and responsibilities as suggested.'

'Good luck!' Jayanth said, raising his thumb and turning his attention back towards the laptop. 

It was a polite gesture indirectly hinting to me that he is busy. Slowly, I turned around and made my way to the waiting room where Tulasi was seated and informed about her selection. She felt very happy about recruitment. 

I took her along and I explained the roles and responsibilities. Anyway, her job isn't that difficult. She just needs to design the storyboards based on the idea given by the creative team. For one year I have been the only solo designer in the pool of one hundred and ten people. 

After having my lunch, I continued with the knowledge transfer sessions and suddenly I got a notification on my skype messenger. I felt a pang in my heart as soon as I saw the message. It was from Vishal asking me to come to his cabin. I wore a sleeveless jacket today and I am sure Vishal will definitely make an attempt to get closer to me. My heart started racing fast. I then looked at Tulasi. Then her grandfather Anjani Kumar flashed into my mind. 

I should listen to my heart. I reminded myself as I took in a deep breath. I vowed to teach him a lesson today which he shall never forget in his lifetime. I untied my hair and walked into his cabin.

'Vishal!' this time I sat straight in front of him.

'Ananya!' He glanced at my face, then at my shoulders, down to my chest and back again looking straight into my eyes. I could see he was salivating inside. 

'You look so beautiful today!' he continued, 'Today you look even more gorgeous with your hair untied. I remember you seeing me in sari only once but you look more wonderful today than you were before. Why don't you sit on the sofa?'

'I feel much comfortable in this chair. Can you let me know why you asked me to come here?' I asked him in a polite but stern tone.

'Belated Happy Birthday Ananya!' He walked around his desk and stood straight beside me. 'Did you like my surprise? It took me two hours to decorate my desk. But unfortunately, I had to leave due to some personal problems.'

'What! Is it you who decorated my desk?' I am utterly shocked.

'Yes! I missed your birthday celebration and I truly missed it,' he paused and gazed at my sleeveless shoulders. 'Why don't you marry again?'

'Did we get any matrimonial clients? 'Why don't you marry again?' Is it the slogan of the matrimonial site?' My tongue was burning with sarcasm.

'Don't be silly! You can go now!' he walked towards the doorway and stood midway as usual.

Teach this bastard a lesson today. My inner voice said. 

I stood up, walked towards the doorway, and almost neared him. Looking straight into his eyes, I lifted my left leg and kicked him straight at his testicles with my knee. He immediately placed his hands at the center and began moaning in pain pacing along the three feet narrow pathway between the couch and his desk. He then slept on the couch and his eyes became red. 

'Mr. Vishal I hope you have gone through the email. I am the SPOC for any grievances against sexual harassment. I can complain to Jayanth about your behavior. The reason I am forgiving you is that you have a wife and kids. If I see you misbehaving with any of the women, I will kick you out of the office. Mind it!' I warned him and stormed out of the room.

As I walked out I felt as if I have accomplished something great today. My fear has completely vanished today. This time not a single drop of tear came out of my eyes. I couldn't stop my laughter after looking at the way in which he was moaning with pain. He is lucky that he has already made a family, else, with the intensity in which I kicked, he cannot plan for another child. 

I walked back to my desk and I removed all the decorations and threw them into the dustbin. I resumed the knowledge transfer sessions to Tulasi. It went on uninterrupted for two hours and at around four the HR called Tulasi inside her cabin. She came back to me holding an appointment letter in her hand. The cheeriness on her face was overflowing with joy. 

'Ananya madam thank you so much! It is only because of you I got this job,' Tulasi said.

'Tulasi please don't call me madam. Call me Ananya.'

'Ok, Ananya! Once again thank you so much.'

'Tulasi, I should say thanks to you.'

'Why? What did I do?'

'It's only because of you, I began listening to my heart.'

'Actually, to me, it's my grandfather who told me to listen to my heart. I think you need to give those credits to him.'

'Then I will convey him personally one day. And by the way, how will you come to the office daily?'

'By bus.'

'You can come along with me daily. My house is just a five minutes walk from the temple.'

'Once again thank you so much Ananya. You really turned my life.'

'Wrong! It is not I who turned your life. It is your grandfather. Be grateful to him. And today evening I will be coming to the temple to perform my vehicle pooja.'

Tulasi nodded her head and we continued with our work. I didn't see Vishal coming out of his cabin afterward. I am not sure which secret power came to my rescue? Sandhya always used to say 'why do you keep quiet? And why do you get so afraid of him?' And finally today I did it. If I want I can complain about him to Jayanth but I cannot throw his wife into trouble.

I didn't get to see Jayanth again and today I didn't pay much attention to him as I was busy with Tulasi. The day went on peacefully and I left the office by seven along with Tulasi. I dropped her on the way and I reached my flat. After taking my shower I put on the Punjabi dress and I reached the temple on scooty.

It was 08:30 and there were no devotees in the temple. I walked into the sanctum and I requested Anjani uncle to perform pooja on my scooty. He bought along with him the sacred water, two lemons, and a tray consisting of turmeric, vermilion, and sandalwood paste. He drew a swastika on my scooty's dome and gave some rice grains into my hand. He told me to sprinkle the grains on the scooty while chanting the mantras of Lord Ganesh and Lord Hanuman.

I broke the coconut close to the front tire and spread coconut water around the tire. Anjani uncle placed two lemons one under each tire, and informed me to squeeze them with the tires. I did as he said.

'The Pooja is done. But don't forget to put on the helmet always. Just because you performed the pooja it doesn't mean there is no need to wear a helmet. Many people don't wear helmets, they say it is spoiling their hair. But our head is more precious than hair.'

'I will always put on the helmet uncle. Don't worry.'

'I didn't see you in a helmet.'

'Uncle, my house is just nearby.'

'Be it far or near. Always wear a helmet.'

'Ok uncle! I will wear a helmet without fail and also thank you, uncle.'

'Why thanks?'

'It is only because of your blessings I got rid of one of the major problems that I have been going through for many years.'

'Then it means you started listening to your heart. My blessings have nothing to do with it. Keep listening to your heart and I am sure one day you will reach your destiny. My Lord Hanuman will always be with you. And also Ananya, start reading Hanuman Chalisa tomorrow. Discovering your destiny is nothing lesser than an adventure. You have to be very careful.'

'Ok uncle, I will start reading it from tomorrow,' I bent down and kneeled to touch his legs and he blessed me with the same kind of blessings like May you get married soon. I laughed once again at his blessing.

'Why are you laughing, Ananya?' he asked with a smile.

'Uncle, I am already forty. Who will marry me?'

'Ananya, it is my lord Hanuman who made me say that. It came out of my mouth without any conscious thought. My lord has planned something for you, and I am faithful in his actions. All you have to do is just keep listening to your heart and you will soon discover your destiny. Pay attention to the things that you are naturally drawn to. They are often connected to your path, passion, and destiny. Have the courage to follow them with your heart.'

I simply nodded my head as I didn't understand what to tell him. I just smiled and returned to my home. Overall I really enjoyed the day. 

To be continued...