Part 6

Father told the family that Mr. Tiwari’s son would be able to come only on the week end because he attends to some special work every evening after office.  He will WhatsApp his son’s picture in a day or so.

Nisha felt indifferent about this but made it a point to see Deven the next day. She realized that Deven probably was not in office today.

The morning was busy as usual and Nisha was eager to know what her team head thought about her work on the new project. There was a series of meetings with clients and other project heads which did not give her time to meet Neerja and Damini.  After lunch she took a sigh of relief when her Team Head told her that the whole team found her work excellent, of course there were suggestions for small improvements in the budget layout. Sulkshna asked her if she would join her for tea in Deven’s room.  She was actually looking forward to seeing Deven so, she readily agreed.

During the tea she was informed that she would be looking after another project which was only half completed. To her query she was informed that Meenakshi had resigned the day before so her work would be distributed among other teams till someone new joins in Meenakshi’s place. It dawned upon her that her workload would increase tremendously.  Her protests were drowned in the arguments put forth by Deven and Sulakshna.  Deven also hinted that she might be heading a new team very soon. 

After the meeting was over Nisha stayed back in Deven’s room.  After sharing a few views about the new project, she tried to converse with Deven on a personal level.  She felt that he was being evasive and was not interested in listening to what she wanted to tell him.  She wanted to tell him that her parents were thinking about her marriage but it seemed Deven was already preoccupied and wanted her to leave.  Confused and irritated she left his room and Suneel entered.  She ignored his greeting and rushed back to her desk.

As soon as she was out Neerja and Damini drew her towards the coffee plant.  “Do you know I have been loaded with more work?” Neerja exclaimed.

“Me too!” added Damini. “I wonder how I am going to handle it. It will be too much to cope with.”

“Even I have been given more work and I think it is because of Meenakshi’s resignation.” Nisha informed them.

 Damini exclaimed “Oh I know that but why would Meenakshi leave so suddenly? It must be something relating to that incident the day before.”

Nisha said, “Could it be that she got a better job than this and decided to leave here?”

“No chance. She was inducted here on Deven’s recommendation two years ago.” Damini informed in a low tone. She whispered “people used to tell that they were seeing each other even before coming here and were on the brink of an engagement.”

Neerja added “You know, Padmini, Deven’s PA told me that there were calls coming for Deven from his village in UP for the last six months. A week ago after such a call there was a big fight between Meenakshi and Deven.”

Nisha enquired “they did not seem to be seeing each other lately, was the affair still going on?”

Neerja said, “oh dear you are altogether a different species! You are so much engrossed in your work you rarely notice anything. Most of the office knows that there affair was running rigorously till six months ago.”

Damini pointed out “it’s true that it was not so obvious for the last six months but it does not seem that they ever had a break up.”

Nisha left their company with a heavy heart and fell in her seat.  She remembered when she had entered Deven’s room last week she had witnessed shouting and a tearful Meenakshi leaving his room.  Could the fight be because of her?  Was she responsible for a breakup? Was Deven’s interest in her led Meenakshi to attempt jumping down from the seventh floor?

She could no longer concentrate on her work. What that poor girl must be going through.  Unknowingly has she done something very wrong?  How could she be sure that Deven was dropping hints of his interest in her?  What a fool she had been to have agreed to go to see a movie with him. Could this be the trigger for Meenakshi’s emotional turmoil? How could she be so very stupid?

“Its already six, time to go home baby”, Neerja’s sharp comment pulled her out of her negative self talk.  “More work does not mean that we have to work late in the office.  We will do all the work during the office hours only” She added with a hint of resolve in her voice.

Damini joined her “Yes, just shut down your system and let’s leave together today.”

Nisha exited the office in their company but was alone in her thoughts.

Maa, Neeru and even Tinkoo kept inquiring about the reason for her sadness.  Nisha felt that she could not summon the courage to voice her fear and guilt.