Chapter-3 Ahahr was waiting and restless for the past fifteen minutes. Frustration made him enter the conference room. But he was stopped by one of the staff and asked him to wait for another few minutes. Ahahr abused and pushed him. He fell on the floor, other staff noticed and argument started. Juar sent the file into the conference room and heard voices behind his cubicle. His colleagues were arguing with Ahahr. He recognised, rushed and took him to the visitors lounge. Juar requested him and he settled on a couch with a cigarette. After five minutes, Saan came out along with the other directors to the reception. She saw her husband and waived him to wait. Went to her cabin, took some money from her handbag and returned to the visitors lounge. “Juar, please get these, two copies each,” she said, he nodded and took the papers. As, he was leaving the lounge he heard Ahahr. “You bitch; you want me to beg you always? Did this wilfully, why didn’t you leave the money at home? I have been waiting here past half an hour, what were you doing, getting fucked?” “Ahr please stop . . . Ahahr listen to me.” Juar heard a splash like sound, turned around and saw Ahahr caught the braid and was trying to hit her. Juar immediately ran towards him and held his right hand “Sir, Sir, please Mr. Ahahr leave her, please leave her,” he said. A heavy blow landed on Juar’s jaw and “Mind your business,” said Ahahr. Juar could not bear it any longer, he threw the papers. Caught hold of Ahahr's throat with left hand, punched him once on the face and twice in the stomach. Ahahr left Saan and tried to defend himself. “No Juar, no,” Saan urged, but Juar was choking Ahahr and his right fist rose up in the air. Ahahr struggled for breath. Saan’s scared and asked him to leave her husband and she pulled Juar’s hand. But he was applying more strength of his left hand and his right fist still aimed and positioned at the face. “Juar leave him. He is my husband Juar . . . Juar,” she tried to loosen Juar’s grip. With the look on Ahahr’s face, she understood something’s going to happen. She slapped Juar on left cheek and yelled at him. Juar pushed Ahahr away and with the same left hand caught her by the throat and aimed his right fist on to her face. But at once, realised and released her. She was terrified at his look and his eyes were burning with the anger. “I am Sorry Saan.” Juar said and was leaving the lounge. Saan blocked his way and said “He hits me for the money and now you want to hit me. You’re no different and make me think that all men are alike in showing their power. Juar kill me and here ends everybody’s problem.” She took Juar both hands to her throat and said “Kill me man, come on kill me.” Started crying loud and sat on the chair taking the support of the wall. Her gold chain broke and dangling from her neck and her watch crushed into pieces on the floor. Then, a one of female staff approached her and was consoling her. Juar watched Ahahr getting up and wiping the blood off his mouth. Ahahr said with anger, “I’ll kill you bastard. You hit me in your office? Come out and you are dead, son of a bitch.” He took a deep breath and continued, “So you have been screwing her at the office and that’s the reason she’s against me and dares to challenge. Next time, if I see you both I’ll kill you, kill you both.” Juar turned back and was staring at him. Meanwhile, Mrs. Ann Fairen walked to him leaving Saan, held his shoulders with her hands and said “Juar have control on yourself son, don’t push this further, its their family matter understand, don’t mess up. Please leave and calm yourself.” Juar glanced at Ahahr and his wife, came out of the lounge and made his way through amid the staff. Went to his table, took the pack of cigarettes and returned to the lounge, but other staff stopped him. He said “Hey, it’s all right. I want to apologise, let me.” A female voice said, “Don’t fuel it up Juar. Let the matter cool.” Juar agreed and left the office, walked down to the cafeteria. Juar felt a mild pain and on his cheek. He placed the hot coffee mug to his cheek for relief; repeated the warming until the mug was half. Realised, he made a mistake interfering between their personal matters. But he could not tolerate Ahahr hitting her, though he did not care she slapping him. Some colleagues enjoyed the show. A few were happy as the incident took place before them, while the others enjoyed the most were who spoke trash always. Ahahr gave a clear picture of their family today. Saan’s miserable, desperate and pitiable life with an alcoholic husband was totally exposed today. Her husband was a good and a hardworking man, what made him turn his life to alcohol? Juar met him at the family day function a few years ago. By his talk, Juar calculated him to be a cool and sensible man. After his retirement he met him twice and found a change in his behaviour. His dependent nature was obvious now, and may be alcohol made him forget his life for a while. After all, ‘a man must respect his wife, understand and love,’ and it’s the only philosophy Juar learned and understood well. Saan nowadays looked more worried, particularly on the payday. He observed the moment the salary was credited at bank; she immediately transfers the money to other accounts. Her husband might have had her cards or cheque’s. If she delayed, she’ll be left with no money. Juar guessed it and his guess was the fact. She spent most of her time alone in her cabin. Earlier, after the lunch she talked about the fashion, jewellery and dresses with the other women and enjoyed the time spent. But for the past few months, her behaviour was adamant and sometimes was intolerant. She even, started mumbling at Juar often, but never said anything in particular. Work wise she is capable as an executive. With his help off course, with the analysis of the market depths and with some fluke predictions she gained good profits in stocks. She trusted him more than any of her other staff. Sometimes Jaur felt proud, but today, he’s in the trash when it came to family matter. Even, he would have reacted the same way as she did, if it happened with him. He’s hurt and ashamed the moment he remembered the incident and his blood rushed twice the speed. He calmed himself thinking not push further. * * * After twenty minutes, Juar saw Ahahr and Saan walking towards the parking lot. She gave him something while he was talking. Later, her car’s rashly driven away. Juar’s anger made him feel weak and hungry. He ordered snacks and another coffee. Later, he returned to his seat, took the copies and buzzed for the boy. No one attended him; there’s no one to send them to his lady boss. All were at lunchroom except, Saan and himself. Saan was in her cabin with her head facing down and resting in her palms. He walked into her cabin, threw the papers before her and returned to his seat. She raised her head, wiped her tears with her hankie. She was looking him in regretting silence. His table was first in the row. He could see her through the glass door and she has a full view of the staff. Juar received a call and was speaking and revolved his chair around to avoid her sight. The staff had lunch with serious discussions and expressed their vague conclusions and thoughtless judgements and an echo filled the lunchroom. Some finished their lunch earlier to find out the status of post lunch of their boss and Juar. Mrs. Ann Fairen disliked the disgusting discussions, finished before others and came to Saan’s cabin. Saan was staring at something and the look made Mrs. Ann Fairen was sorry and sad. She approached, pulled a chair and occupied beside her and said, “Saan.” Saan revolved her chair. Mrs. Ann Fairen noticed her swelled cheek and said in cool and low voice “If you don’t mind, allow me to say.” “It’s alright, you can, Ann.” “Dear, I am sorry about the incident took place this morning. I request either mend yourself, or try to mend his behaviour and never let these issues pop up at office.” Ann placed her right hand on Saan’s shoulder and said, “I can understand and take liberty to speak. Don’t let him come to the office and in that state. And I knew well about these men when they get drunk.” Saan was listening quietly. “I think you understand what I am saying. Drunken mind utter all nonsense and trash, we know and everybody knew it. But everyone grabs a voice for a gossip, useless talk and that made me pity you. I know you for many years and can shut these stinking mouths, but for how long?” She took Saan’s hand into her hand. Saan’s eyes were filled with tears; she bent on Mrs. Ann Fairen’s shoulder and started weeping. She did not stop her, understood the plight of a woman at the moment. A few seconds passed with tears for both. “Dear you give him what he wants and leave him for himself, do not talk or argue for anything. It’s for him to decide, OK. Now, you have had enough heartbreak, leave him to his fate, we can’t change them or turn back the time. Do not feel bad for what I said. Even I experienced similar situations in my life and can understand it to its depth.” She said and saw the staff returning to their seats. “As you have a grown-up son, make yourself strong and don’t let these incidents shadow him anytime. You can rely on me for any kind of help. I’ll pray for you dear, God bless you, child.” Mrs. Ann Fairen wiped her tears and left the cabin. * * * Juar compiled the figures and sent it to Saan’s cabin. She was not there. And he was not comfortable staying in the office and walked out for coffee. Saan was stepping out of the elevator; he had a glimpse of her, his agony made him to avoid eye contact with her. Stepped aside and walked away and took the stairs. Saan was calling him, he heard her, but pretended as though he did not hear. Turned and took another flight of steps. She watched him and noticed the other staff coming towards the elevator. She walked to her cabin and was busy for the next hour. The time was forty minutes past six p.m. everyone left except, Saan and Juar. Saan thought of speaking to him and get excused, but did not dare to meet him. She was ashamed to face him for the words of her husband uttered. She cleared her desk, came out and walked towards Juar. Saan saw him busy talking over the phone and checking the papers. She did not dare to speak to him, came out of the office and went to the parking lot, checked for the car keys and remembered her husband took the car. Walked on the main road and decided to travel by the bus. She was not willing to go home early, and strolled to the bus stop. She stood there for twenty minutes and deliberately let a few buses. She’s afraid; not prepared to face her husband and was scared of the consequences she’s going to face at home. Now her life was getting squeezed hard day after day with one issue, or the other. Despite her happy corporate elite and financial position, she was tolerating the pain and grief in silence. Meanwhile, a group of four women attracted her attention. They were laughing over something they discussed. She saw them happy and pitied herself. Juar took his belongings and walked out to the bike. Lit a cigarette, morning incident rolled frame by frame, but he made up himself to remain cool. Started his bike and was waiting for the traffic to give way, as he has to take a turn. After a minute, he turned his head and saw Saan at the bus stop and she was watching him. He felt sorry for the poor woman. She was still staring at him. There was a gap in the flow of traffic. He ignored her, took a right turn and drove away. Get Your Copy
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AuthorPagadala Vijay Kumar ArchivesCategories |