Narayani was having a difficult time walking up those stairs. It was the 17th floor that she had to reach. Hated those days when the lift was "Out of order", which was quite often. She had reached the 15th floor and trying to motivate herself by saying, "Oh C'mon, just 32 more to go!"
She reached the flat and looked around to confirm no one was looking and keyed her way in. Manav sir would never like anyone knowing who frequents the place. He wouldn't want to keep a key either. Kanika ma'm notices everything, from what she had heard. Kanika ma'm would have seen the keys and would ask Manav sir of them. He wouldn't want that. Which is why, every Thursday, for the last 5 years, Narayani would come to the flat at 5:00 pm, after office that is, and Manav Sir come by at around 5:10. He wouldn't ring the bell, as he did not want to attract attention. Narayani had to listen to his footsteps and open the door, right in time. Earlier, she used to spray some room freshner, tidy up the room or something, but that meant he might have to wait outside and Manav Sir never liked it. So she would wait until he comes and then clean up the place a bit and then, errrrrmm, well.
Manav Sir had asked her to move in to the house a lot of times, earlier. She would have too, had it not been for her sister, Nirmayee, who lived with her.
The sisters were orphaned about 6 years ago. Narayani had just graduated and her little one was in the 9th standard. Narayani got a job at her uncle's office as an accounts assistant, but she was terrible at it. She had to cling on to the job anyway, as that was the only way to support their livelihood. There was this office across the road which once flashed an A4 size printout at the entrance saying, "Secretary required, female"
Narayani went in and was interviewed by the most impressive man she'd met, Manav Sir. At the interview, she was asked, "what all can you do?" and she thought he was asking about shorthand / typing and the likes. Narayani was selected anyway and she got a better salary to support her sister's college education. As times went by, Narayani felt that Manav Sir would make advances on her and she'd like it. Once, after an office dinner when Manav Sir was dropping her home, he confessed that he liked her a lot. She was ecstatic. She said that she liked him too. The next morning, Kanika ma'm came to office and Narayani understood that she was a little too snooty and dominating for Manav Sir, which is why their marriage can never bring bliss to him. One thing led to another, gradually time went by, and Manav Sir got a "guest-house" for the company's guests. Every Thursday since, Narayani would come to this house and they would have a pleasant time.
Earlier, it used to be highly physical. Sharma Aunty, the neighbor, once saw her come back from office late a thursday night and told her, "It is so much that you do for your sister. Your parents would have been proud of you." Narayani nodded with a tired smile. She was partially sorry about how her parents would have not been proud of her, but the "tiredness" of her smile stemmed from the throes of passion subjected towards her about half an hour ago. The passion reduced, gradually, she became more of his caretaker. She would come, massage his hair, make him tea with saccharin, sometimes, they would just wait by, listen to some of his favorite songs or watch a cricket match. She would see how Manav Sir's otherwise grim face would light up on these days. She loved to make him smile. There wasn't much pleasure to her other than that. Manav Sir, in return, would take care of her financial needs. As Nirmayee was progressing at her college, she'd need a lot more money that Narayani could budget or squeeze in for her from her monthly salary. All she needed to do was ask. Manav Sir never denied any favor.
Manav Sir was late today. Narayani sat on the couch waiting for him. She started thinking of him and the times they have faced. Manav Sir, earlier had this weird habit of hiding his shoes beneath the bed, as though someone would come and steal it while he's caressing her hair. She had to buy a small shoe cabinet for the living room just to do away with those shoes. And then there was this other time, when they'd gone to a coffee shop and his wife's cousin bumped into them. Manav Sir had to make up this story of how a colleague has quit his job and they were there to get him a surprise farewell present. There was once a wedding in his family. Manav Sir's cousin was getting married. He used to be extremely busy; did not meet Narayani for about 4 weeks. To compensate that, he got her a saaree. Narayani almost felt like his wife then. That day, by far, was the most important she had felt in a while. However, things hadn't been the same. Manav Sir had a lot of work these days and was also setting up a new branch in Delhi. He was getting annoyed way too easily of late and was spending lesser time with her. There had been a few weeks that Manav Sir would text her in the morning saying, "Cant make it tday, Sry". Narayani did not like it, but she would not want to be bothering him. She knew that absolutely nothing would change his feelings for her. She knew it was just the work. But, of late, a little fear had gripped her. Nirmayee needed to submit her project and the last date of fee submission was Monday next. She had to speak to Manav Sir. Hence, this Wednesday, she texted him saying, "Tomorrow, please, it's important." Manav Sir did not reply but she'd checked his appointment calendar. Green check at 5:00 on Thursday was a good sign.
The clock struck 5:30 and she heard footsteps. She peeped out the door-lens only to find out it was the neighboring flat. She was getting worried. Nirmayee was an outstanding student at her college. She was also a part of the College's Drama Society. She'd gotten a job in a reputed MNC through the placement cell and was sure of getting good grades at graduation. However, non-submission of the project would mean that her results would be withheld and she'd not be able to join the office on the given reporting date. Narayani was getting nervous by the passage of every minute. At 5:45, though, her fear was put to rest. She heard familiar footsteps and it was him this time.
She opened the door, let him in and shut it really quick, lest anyone see them. She then hugged him really tight and was about to cry. He saw it, he held her close and tapped her back. In his usual caring voice, he comforted her and sat her down. She really felt he understood her. He'd gotten some chocolates and cold coffee. Before she could even ask, Manav Sir apologized for not giving her enough time these days. He also told her that he'd transferred some money to her this morning. Narayani tried to hide her relief at hearing those words, but was pretty sure that Manav Sir would have noticed.
They sat and small-talked about things, weather; indulged in a bit of office gossip. A pretty good time, one would say. Just as they rose to leave, Manav Sir remembered something. He said, "I almost forgot, we've hired a new architect. She's from another city, so I offered her to stay in this house for a while, I hope you don't mind. You'll meet her in office next week. She's a a very nice person. I really like her sense of humor and dressing. She reminds me of you, though. I mean, what you were a few years ago. I think you'll like her. She's a lot like you. You know, you could be sisters."
And he left. For good, one would guess.
She reached the flat and looked around to confirm no one was looking and keyed her way in. Manav sir would never like anyone knowing who frequents the place. He wouldn't want to keep a key either. Kanika ma'm notices everything, from what she had heard. Kanika ma'm would have seen the keys and would ask Manav sir of them. He wouldn't want that. Which is why, every Thursday, for the last 5 years, Narayani would come to the flat at 5:00 pm, after office that is, and Manav Sir come by at around 5:10. He wouldn't ring the bell, as he did not want to attract attention. Narayani had to listen to his footsteps and open the door, right in time. Earlier, she used to spray some room freshner, tidy up the room or something, but that meant he might have to wait outside and Manav Sir never liked it. So she would wait until he comes and then clean up the place a bit and then, errrrrmm, well.
Manav Sir had asked her to move in to the house a lot of times, earlier. She would have too, had it not been for her sister, Nirmayee, who lived with her.
The sisters were orphaned about 6 years ago. Narayani had just graduated and her little one was in the 9th standard. Narayani got a job at her uncle's office as an accounts assistant, but she was terrible at it. She had to cling on to the job anyway, as that was the only way to support their livelihood. There was this office across the road which once flashed an A4 size printout at the entrance saying, "Secretary required, female"
Narayani went in and was interviewed by the most impressive man she'd met, Manav Sir. At the interview, she was asked, "what all can you do?" and she thought he was asking about shorthand / typing and the likes. Narayani was selected anyway and she got a better salary to support her sister's college education. As times went by, Narayani felt that Manav Sir would make advances on her and she'd like it. Once, after an office dinner when Manav Sir was dropping her home, he confessed that he liked her a lot. She was ecstatic. She said that she liked him too. The next morning, Kanika ma'm came to office and Narayani understood that she was a little too snooty and dominating for Manav Sir, which is why their marriage can never bring bliss to him. One thing led to another, gradually time went by, and Manav Sir got a "guest-house" for the company's guests. Every Thursday since, Narayani would come to this house and they would have a pleasant time.
Earlier, it used to be highly physical. Sharma Aunty, the neighbor, once saw her come back from office late a thursday night and told her, "It is so much that you do for your sister. Your parents would have been proud of you." Narayani nodded with a tired smile. She was partially sorry about how her parents would have not been proud of her, but the "tiredness" of her smile stemmed from the throes of passion subjected towards her about half an hour ago. The passion reduced, gradually, she became more of his caretaker. She would come, massage his hair, make him tea with saccharin, sometimes, they would just wait by, listen to some of his favorite songs or watch a cricket match. She would see how Manav Sir's otherwise grim face would light up on these days. She loved to make him smile. There wasn't much pleasure to her other than that. Manav Sir, in return, would take care of her financial needs. As Nirmayee was progressing at her college, she'd need a lot more money that Narayani could budget or squeeze in for her from her monthly salary. All she needed to do was ask. Manav Sir never denied any favor.
Manav Sir was late today. Narayani sat on the couch waiting for him. She started thinking of him and the times they have faced. Manav Sir, earlier had this weird habit of hiding his shoes beneath the bed, as though someone would come and steal it while he's caressing her hair. She had to buy a small shoe cabinet for the living room just to do away with those shoes. And then there was this other time, when they'd gone to a coffee shop and his wife's cousin bumped into them. Manav Sir had to make up this story of how a colleague has quit his job and they were there to get him a surprise farewell present. There was once a wedding in his family. Manav Sir's cousin was getting married. He used to be extremely busy; did not meet Narayani for about 4 weeks. To compensate that, he got her a saaree. Narayani almost felt like his wife then. That day, by far, was the most important she had felt in a while. However, things hadn't been the same. Manav Sir had a lot of work these days and was also setting up a new branch in Delhi. He was getting annoyed way too easily of late and was spending lesser time with her. There had been a few weeks that Manav Sir would text her in the morning saying, "Cant make it tday, Sry". Narayani did not like it, but she would not want to be bothering him. She knew that absolutely nothing would change his feelings for her. She knew it was just the work. But, of late, a little fear had gripped her. Nirmayee needed to submit her project and the last date of fee submission was Monday next. She had to speak to Manav Sir. Hence, this Wednesday, she texted him saying, "Tomorrow, please, it's important." Manav Sir did not reply but she'd checked his appointment calendar. Green check at 5:00 on Thursday was a good sign.
The clock struck 5:30 and she heard footsteps. She peeped out the door-lens only to find out it was the neighboring flat. She was getting worried. Nirmayee was an outstanding student at her college. She was also a part of the College's Drama Society. She'd gotten a job in a reputed MNC through the placement cell and was sure of getting good grades at graduation. However, non-submission of the project would mean that her results would be withheld and she'd not be able to join the office on the given reporting date. Narayani was getting nervous by the passage of every minute. At 5:45, though, her fear was put to rest. She heard familiar footsteps and it was him this time.
She opened the door, let him in and shut it really quick, lest anyone see them. She then hugged him really tight and was about to cry. He saw it, he held her close and tapped her back. In his usual caring voice, he comforted her and sat her down. She really felt he understood her. He'd gotten some chocolates and cold coffee. Before she could even ask, Manav Sir apologized for not giving her enough time these days. He also told her that he'd transferred some money to her this morning. Narayani tried to hide her relief at hearing those words, but was pretty sure that Manav Sir would have noticed.
They sat and small-talked about things, weather; indulged in a bit of office gossip. A pretty good time, one would say. Just as they rose to leave, Manav Sir remembered something. He said, "I almost forgot, we've hired a new architect. She's from another city, so I offered her to stay in this house for a while, I hope you don't mind. You'll meet her in office next week. She's a a very nice person. I really like her sense of humor and dressing. She reminds me of you, though. I mean, what you were a few years ago. I think you'll like her. She's a lot like you. You know, you could be sisters."
And he left. For good, one would guess.
