Nues Leben -18

Lavanya apartment looks like a withered garden without Devaki. Everyday she used to bring something for us to eat. Like a mother…said Mapuii. “No like a sister she is not much older than us.” Said May.  “It is true. She is not earning much and her son is also unemployed till recently. But she is a noble lady.  She hired a car to take Manu on a pilgrimage. That is the respect she has for the social worker.  

Don’t we have respect for social work? asked May. “We have respect. In fact m any people display respect but only a few can put it in action like Devaki.” Replied Mapuii.

No I don’t agree with you. We too will put it in action in a bigger way. Our love for Devaki and Manu is true. It is not a show biz. said May. Good it is getting late for office said Mapuii. "But you said you are on leave today! asked May.

"It is getting later for you . I am on leave for an important reason. But you have to go today. today  is Saturday not Sunday." said Mapuii

I don’t have to go to office again. Said May. Mapuii was surprised “What do you mean?” she said. “I have left the job.”said  May. Mapuii felt the bomb blast. She had no words. There was silence for a few minutes. 

Did they fire or you left? enquired Mapuii. “I left due to harassment.” Is Om the reason? May nodded her head. Mapuii was really angry.  I will kill that bastard!  What does he want? What is he up to? Demanded mapuii. Suddenly somebody was knocking at the door. Devaki came in and put a dish on the tea table “chana bhatura” tum dononkeliye. She smiled profusely. That was the purest smile of the most innocent lady. Her face looked like a full moon with a large round red mark on her forehead. She was going as immediately as she came. May and Mapuii hugged Devaki. “after ten days we see you today. We felt very lonely” said May and mapuii in a single uniform tone.” “I too felt the same. I just came back Meerut I have not taken a bath yet. I know you leave for office I I am late I will miss you. So I quickly prepared breakfast and brought it. I must go and bath. Tears rolled in the eyes of May and Ma. 

Mapuii is on leave today and I am on permanent leave. said May. “Tho aisa karo nasta karkey neeche aajavo. Lunch bhee pakaatee hum. Hum teenon saat me khayenge.”

But if we come and sit on you what about your stitching  job? Asked Mapuii. Mera Kanhaya ney mana kar diya. Abhi usko jab milgayeenaa! Devaki’s face is brightened up when she was talking about her son. When they began congratulating her son she went into the lift and the lift  moved down.  They kept looking at her. 

Meghana and Mapuii  looking at Devaki while the lift goes down

Chana batura – this is called poori koora in Andhra said May. They opened the dish and started eating. Two post card size photos are lying Just beside the dish. Mapuii picked them I must put them in my bag. Thank God Devaki has not seen them. She said. “Why what happens if she sees the photos?” asked May. Mapuii got irritated and said “She may ask us about the photos if you slip your tongue and tell her about Manu’s love she will be hurt. She hopes have Manu as daughter in law.” Said Mapuii  

You mean I have tongue slippery ! May’s face turned red. Mapuii acted like shocked for fun.  "Arey sorry yaar Suddenly the truth came out!"  Mapuii used inflammatory words to provoke May further.  Hardly had  they finished breakfast when somebody was knocking at the door. 

“Nawaz!” Exclaimed May. The man standing at the door smiled. He said “sorry Meghanaji I popped up without invitation.  I am an uninvited guest.” He said with a smile.  “Who is this uninvited guest?” Mapuii asked.   “Mapuii, he was my ex colleague Nawaz siddiqui who left fare portal call center.two months ago and joined somewhere in Gurugaon” 

“Come in and sit down. ”said Mapuii.  The man came in and sat on the sofa.  Actually I came here in your interest” he began immediately. I am working for Convergys Gurgaon.

There are vacancies in Convergys. Why don’t you join?  How do you know that I have left fare portal? Asked May.“Manish Arora told me. We are good friends” said siddiqui. May remembered Manish “He is the man who proposed several times” she said. Manish laughed. He is a married man with children. You have done a good job by quitting fare portal. Om is another pest in the company. I know he has been harassing you but he is quite an aged person. You come to Convergys it is a prestigious company which offers so many benefits to the employees. Your life will be settled. Siddiqui was speaking like a flow.

What is your interest in Meghana? Asked Mapuii. But he did not listen to her words nor he looked at her. He was looking into May’s eyes piercingly. "Meghanaji  aap decision leejeeye ....

401k employees, paid holidays, casual dress, decent atmosphere. Life Insurance facility, paid sick leave, education and training reimbursement." He was reeling off the list of benefits. 

A call center agent from the north-eastern state of Mizoram were raped in  Gurugoan and Delhi recently The case received a lot of publicity in India with students from north-eastern states participating in protest rallies in Delhi. I am no longer interested in BPO I want to stand on my feet thanks for the offer said May. Mapuii's eyes widened when she heard Mizoram girl was raped. 

“No.. no , don’t say that BPO Industry is a blessing in disguise for youth of India. It opened employment options for a huge population, above all it offers corporate culture. The culture only accessible to graduates from IIT and IIM was suddenly open to undergrads, ten plus two” said Siddiqui 

“Why don’t you try Meghana ? Don’t think of travel alone” said Mapuii. 

Yes acchee baat bola, Siddiqui appreciated Mapuii and said “Meghanaji you need not travel I will offer you a flat. We live together. Finally  his interest in  Meghana was revealed. 

Get out !!!!! Meghana thundered. The whole apartment echoed. 

Siddiqui looked appalled but did not budge. He rather looked at the pictures on the tea table and said. Arey Keyur kaa photos! why are they here?  Siddiqui’s eyes glowed like fireflies. May and Mapuii were cnfused. He observed their feelings and smirked showing all his teeth. It was like a bolt from the blue for them. “ Is he Keyur ? Are you sure? " asked  Meghana. " Kabhee kabee Mayur bhee hosaktahai.  Kabhee engineer kabhee doctor maa key liye hospital banataa hum bolkey paise mangthe" Siddiqui's voice had sadistic overtones.  Mapuii and May looked more nervous.

We are looking for him do you know his number? Please give us Mapuii begged him. He is from Gurugaon. Now a days he is not seen. If he has  a good supply of money he won’t show up. Paisa kharchaa honekey baad hee milata , mean time think of my proposal, he grinned at Meghana and left.

OMG he is such a crook of man.  We must complain to the police about him. Manu is a stupid to give him money. She should have told us what is going on between them" said Meghana.

Don;t talk like a stupid. Manu is not a stupid you are a stupid. No lover will ever tell you those things.  Did you ever tell me what is going on between Om and you?   Since long Om and you are meeting on Sundays.  When he is sexually harassing why do you go and meet him. shouted Mapuii. 

Yes he is harassing me but it is not sexual harassment. On his own he never does it.  Ramprasad is the reason behind it. said May. Who is Ramprasad? Mapuii looked more confused. when May replied that “He was was ex husband and Om’s friend.” Mapuii was more perplexed than shocked. Mapuii could not believe her ears until May confirmed that she heard rightly.  I will tell you the story of my ex husband. May and  started telling her story.