*Kalpana Pov*
“What? But why?” I asked, staring at him with complete shock.
“It’s been too long since you returned to work.” He stated leaning back in his chair.
“I was on maternity leave, Sir.” I said, frowning at him and tried to control the panic settling inside.
“We can’t let you continue here.” He said shaking his head.
“I came to work even one week before my delivery. And I never took leave. I took this leave because I am sure no one can come under such conditions in the world.” I said standing up.
“You don’t have a choice in this, Ms.Kalpana. You worked here for less than a year. So, we can remove you if you want.” He said and pushed forward the letter.
“Please, Sir! I really need this job. I have a baby now to take care of too.” I pleaded him hating to do it for something which is my right.
He just stared at me with a frown and tapped on the table. Then he took out another envelope before moving it forward.
“I said you are just removed from here. However, this is something which you should look at. I hope you will make the right choice as it will be good for you.” He said, smirking and with a frown I slowly took the second envelope.
“Why are you back so soon?” she asked, opening the door to which I frowned and walked inside.
“Is he sleeping?” I asked, sitting on the small couch in the living room.
“Yes!” she replied and sat beside me.
“I got removed from the job for taking maternity leave.” I stated and she gasped.
“What? Every woman has a right to have that leave. How can he do that?” she asked with angry expression.
“That’s what I told him, Jaanvi.” I replied leaning back.
“What will you do now? Shall I ask for some job in the hospital?” she asked frowning.
“No! Actually, he gave another option.” I replied with irritation on my face.
“What? Did he offer something like offensive? I will kill him if he wished for some mistress thing or anything else.” She said standing up.
“Why did you come up with that?” I asked staring at her.
“Well, that’s what happens everywhere right? Bosses asking such thing from women all the time. And I have read such from some novels.” She replied shrugging.
“Ok!” I mumbled hiding my smile.
“And Bosses are always handsome when such things are done.” She added frowning.
“My boss is an old guy.” I said staring at her.
“What?” she asked and paced before me.
“Yes! Such things happen everywhere, not in the kind of mistress thing, but yeah such things are being shown to the women and also men. And it is not always from handsome men.” I replied, remembering my first job trail.
“Well, if both have wish then it is fine. But forcing is not at all fine.” She said and I nodded before patting on the couch.
“What my boss said was that I got a job offer from a company and the letter was sent to his company.” I explained.
“Really? Then why are you irritated?” she asked with confusion clear on her face.
“Because this company is huge like really huge. And until now I worked as a clerk in a two floor company. Why did I get the offer?” I asked and she slowly nodded before leaning back.
“Didn’t you tell me that you have put your CV in job portal?” she asked and I nodded.
“I too thought they must have given the job based on that. But still it seems to be more than unusual.” I replied and she sighed.
“When life is offering something, don’t think like that. This is something big and you should go for it.” She said smiling.
“But I may don’t have time for Sudhir and can’t look after him.” I mumbled and she laughed.
“What am I here for? I will take care of him.” She said smiling.
“I don’t want to trouble you.” I mumbled and she shook her head.
“Fine! When you go to the office, I will take care of your Sudhir. And when I go for my evening and night shift, you take care of my kid.” She offered.
“Your kid is nearly three years and will be sleeping the whole night. You will be exhausted with mine.” I said sighing.
“Now, don’t blame my kid for that.” She said laughing, making me laugh with her.
“Fine! Anyway, you are like a mother to him. If not for you, then I would have been completely alone while delivering.” I said smiling at her.
“I got a friend didn’t I? Everyone stayed away from me because I am here with a kid without any man, but you didn’t have any such problem.” She said with grateful look.
“But I too don’t have any man here and you are fine with it.” I pointed out.
“No one would have any problem as you are divorced but I…” she mumbled and looked away.
“It would be good if you try to move forward and not expect anything.” I mumbled but she shook her head.
“He will be here.” She said with so much surety like always that I had to nod.
“Ok! Why don’t we cook lunch at your house only? I will bring Harsha down and we will stay discussing about your new job.” She added getting up.
“Sure! You locked your door, right?” I asked, walking towards the door and looked outside at the house opposite but a few houses away from mine.
“Yeah! Now, come on and tell me what is this company and what position you have in that.” She said ushering me and I smiled nodding.
“Eat this, Harsh.” She said, frowning at him.
“No!” he mumbled, shaking his head.
“I will not talk to you.” She said, shaking her head imitating him.
“I am a pince. You need to tilk.” He said in his own words and I tried to understand him.
“Yes! You are a prince.” She said smiling and I shook my head.
I glanced down at Sudhir and smiled to which he twitched his lips clapping his hands. There was the feeling like always which began from the day I held him and never reduced. Life is good! I thought, glancing at him and at Jaanvi who is still trying to make him have his food.
*Kalpana Pov*“Are you Ms.Kalpana?” someone asked, startling me when I opened my mouth near the reception desk to introduce myself.“Yeah!” I replied, turning around to see an old man smiling at me.“Great! We were waiting for you.” He said turning around and gestured with his hand to follow him.“For me?” I asked, clutching the file to my chest.“Yeah!” he replied, turning around with a frown.“But I am just a normal clerk right?” I asked, not taking a step ahead and he just stared at me.“Our clerk left the company and made sure to leave lots of work. So, we are in dire need of a clerk. Any other questions?” he asked after a few minutes and I shook my head.“Good! Now, the timings will be from morning ten to evening five.” He added again walking.“That’s it?” I asked, remembering the timings of eight to six.“Yes! Will you continue to get shocked with everything?” he asked, turning back with a frown covering his face.“I am sorry, Sir! I am just little overwhelmed.” I replied, hopin
*Kalpana Pov*“Good morning!” I said, smiling at Pallavi, who is standing near the canteen.“Good morning! I will just get some coffee and come.” She said smiling.“Do you want?” she added.“No! I had just before coming to work.” I replied and walked over to my desk.I sat down and smiled, staring at Sudhir ‘s photo frame just like everyday for the past one month.It still amazes me how helpful this job became for each and everything. It cuts down some of the expenses I have to keep with the benefits it gives the employees.I glanced at the door through which we can reach the elevator. Pallavi said our boss goes to his floor from the basement itself and I need not use the lift for my work being on the ground floor.Shaking my head to come out of all these thoughts and started my work. I just wish my timings are not so different in the morning, but I can understand clerk’s can be fine with this time to finish the work.“So, how was your weekend?” Pallavi asked, walking near to my desk.
*Kalpana Pov*“What are you doing?” I let out a small scream before turning around to see Pallavi walking near to me.“Tell me you have a mother.” I ordered walking near to her.“What?” she asked, laughing.“Please tell me you have a mother.” I pleaded her this time.“Yes! I do have a mother.” She said nodding.“Ok! Now, your mother is not feeling well because of which you were late to come to the office.” I stated and turned around feeling relief.At least one lie will not be revealed as a lie before him! I thought walking near to my desk or which soon going to be my ex-desk.“What actually happened, Kalpaana?” She asked, reaching near to my desk when I sat down and sat opposite me.I took a deep breath and explained everything that happened each and everything not hiding my thoughts too.“So, you are going to accept that your Mom is not feeling well. I don’t want him to think me as an outright liar.” I added at the end.“You want me to tell him that my Mother is in the hospital?”
*Kalpana Pov*“Sir! Can you please repeat it?” I asked, glancing up when I realized I missed a line.“Sure! But this can be done only once.” He replied, not even glancing up from his notes.“Sure, Sir!” I mumbled and tried to put some imaginary jet on my hand to write fast.Is this job so hard? I thought groaning inside, but concentrated on his words, not wishing to ask him again to repeat the words.“That’s all for today and do type it fast before bringing it near me. I have a meeting within half an hour.” He ordered and I nodded before scrambling out to have some fresh air.I started typing and glanced at the clock groaning realizing I have still half more to type but the time is nearly over.I never thought my loyalty would be a rope to my neck itself. Can’t this boss be some normal person who actually takes some person into job based on an interview based on their credibility?I was never used to this fast typing and not the fast writing for sure. How can I do everything perfect o
*Kalpana Pov*“Done?” I glanced up from the system only to see him standing near my table.“Yes, Sir! I was about to bring it.” I mumbled finally taking out the papers and adjusted them before giving him.“I just got an important call. So, I have to leave early.” He said shrugging along with checking the papers.“You are improving well.” He added turning around not even looking at me.I shook my head and sat down. He talks like no one is around him and gives compliments like giving them to the air surrounding him.Why am I even surprised by this when I am seeing the same for the past few months? At least he is saying good things! I thought reminding myself and pushed away remaining thoughts.“Did you send notification to everyone regarding the salary being released today?” Mr.Girish asked walking near to me.“Yes, Sir! Everyone is excited too.” I replied, smiling and stood up realizing it is lunch break.“You also seem to be excited.” He said smiling.“Yes! I thought of a gift for Sud
*Kalpana Pov*“Bye, Ma!” he mumbled, looking down and walked inside the school.“Hey! Don’t stress yourself about it, Kalpana. He will come around for sure.” Jhanvi said, placing her hand on my shoulder.“I will be on my way to work.” I mumbled, not wishing to point out my exact thoughts and fears which she understood giving me a small nod.“Thank to god we are here together. You know I am really mad at you.” Pallavi said the moment I walked passing the gate.I gave her a little glance and continued to walk with her following me. I sighed, wishing she just leave me for today when I don’t know what would I say or do or maybe I will just cry again.“You said you will call me giving me a brief about his reaction, but you didn’t.” she continued when we walked inside the elevator and I closed my eyes.“Kalpana! What happened?” she asked in a gentle tone.“I will talk to you later.” I finally replied, forcing out the words feeling relief when we reached her floor.“Okay! Just… I… I hope eve
*Kalpana Pov*“What are you going to wear tonight?” Pallavi asked when I reached the canteen for lunch.“Normal dress.” I replied shrugging.“Wear something nice nah.” She mumbled frowning.“Don’t I wear nicely everyday?” I asked, raising my eyebrow.“I mean… other than these, why don’t you try some sarees? I never saw you in one.” She replied shrugging.“I used to wear them a lot, but it’s been too many years since I bought one.” I mumbled concentrating on the food not wishing to go into the memories were I wore them when I was married.“Maybe you can buy one now.” She suggested to which I shook my head.“Come on! We never got invited to such parties before from the company and this is time for a change.” We suddenly heard Kiran’s voice and turned to see him standing behind us.“What are you doing standing behind us?” I asked him frowning.“I am trying to know all your secrets.” He replied, winking and sat beside me.“You are too noisy.” Pallavi mumbled and finished her lunch.“So, a
*Kalpana Pov*“So, what did Sudhir said?” the moment I reached the elevator I heard the question.I turned around to see Pallavi walking towards me with a smile and my smile slipped away remembering main thing which I didn’t give much thought to.“Can we talk?” I asked her gesturing the canteen to which she nodded with a frown.“Why did you shared about my issue to Mr.Girish and our boss?” I asked the moment we sat down.“Leave all of it now, Kalpana. You tell me did any change came due to yesterday’s events?” she asked smiling eagerly.“You are my friend, Pallavi. That is the only reason I shared everything with you. I never thought you would go and display it like that.” I replied leaning back.“But… but I thought it will help you.” She mumbled fidgeting with her hands.“And Mr.Girish was concerned, so I told him. I don’t know how our boss got to know.” She added to which I frowned.“Just… just don’t do this again. All these years I am trying to keep to myself and now some people ar