Getting Acquainted

The servants’ quarters were located adjacent to the main building, and it was beautiful and prominent. They made sure their helps lived well, fed healthily, and were comfortable. Aarav spotted them hanging around in pairs as he approached them, and as soon as they sighted him, they hurried away, pretending to occupy themselves with chores, making him laugh.

He never had the time for all that. Ephany was the queen of that, always spying, always finding fault. To him, they did their very best and deserved some rest once in a while. His steps slowed as he arrived, nodding to the numerous greetings that met his ears.

“Where is Isha?” he asked, moving straight to the point.

“She’s inside. I’ll go get her,” Haidi replied with so much enthusiasm. He always thought they were funny, girls always trying to please, always trying to get noticed, and the fact that Isha wasn’t one of those girls endeared her to him. She just did her work. As a matter of fact, she avoided the boys like the plague. It had been a fight between him and his brothers, every one of them wanted her, and that was weird; she was just a commoner, getting involved with her would bring no form of glory to their family name, and their mum always emphasized on how their marriage should bring about solid ties and wealth and every other thing that comes along with it. He could never blame her; that was the ideology she had been brought up with, that was the foundation of her marriage; it wasn’t a wonder that it was rocky.

The front door creaked open, and Isha came out, her wild eyes showing amazement. Behind her, another girl followed with a chair for Aarav, but he waved her away. He felt a vast relief as soon as his eyes saw her, she was okay, and it gave him great joy.

“Namaste.” She greeted him and moved a little closer, and tried avoiding his eyes.

He responded to her greeting and moved straight to the point. “How are you feeling?” he asked.

“Very well, sir, thank you.” She said, clearly uncomfortable about this whole conversation.

He replied, “That’s good. Do you need to sit?”

Isha quickly discarded the suggestion. “I’m good. She has been on bed rest for three days. I’m tired of sitting and lying.” she was puzzled; she never thought anyone in that household cared enough to check up on her. Who bothered about the welfare of a servant?

He gave her a slight smile, but she could tell he was pleased to see her okay. “So, I don’t know if this is the right time. I want to have a little talk with you if that is okay with you.” Okay, now she knew this was strange, but she couldn’t say no. Any wise person knew every question asked by their boss was rhetorical. She watched him continue. “I want to know what is wrong with you, Isha.” She knew what he meant, but she gave him a blank stare and heard him let out an exasperated sigh. “You’re not fine, and you know it.” He pointed out. “I have noticed that you stepped foot into this house since the first day, but you keep denying it. Listen, I can’t help you if you are hiding anything. There is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. I don’t know how bad it is, but I do know a problem half shared is half solved. So please, if there is anything you think I should know of, please let me know.”

Isha pressed her lips together and tried not to give herself away. “There’s no problem with me, and I think I was just overwhelmed with the whole work. Even the doctor said...”

“Damn what the doctor said!” he said in a slightly louder tone than he had intended. “You can’t even look me in the eye and tell me that with confidence.” He struggled to maintain calm before adding. “Listen, you work here, which means we are responsible for you. If anything happens to you, we are the first persons who will be questioned, but you are making it difficult. You and I know how often I’ve seen you looking unstable, which is why I’m so concerned.”

She just stood there speechless and unsure of what to do while he looked at her with those piercing eyes. It had been long since someone showed the slightest care for her, asked how she was doing, or even made an effort to have a meaningful conversation with her. It was always talking about how beautiful she looked and questions about giving them a chance, and there had never been a true expression of concern. Still, she was without words.

“It is okay if you don’t want to talk. Just know all I need is to be fine; I wouldn’t want to see you in such a state again, and anytime you want to talk, I’m available.” He said and then added. “You take care of yourself, and if you are not strong enough to work, just say so.”

She smiled; this was beyond rare. “Thank you.” She managed to whisper.

He made his way out of her presence, his thick hair blowing with the afternoon wind. Isha felt a strange feeling while he went away, it seemed like something she had seen before, not in real life, in her vision maybe, but before she could adequately make sense of what her gifts were trying to show her, he turned back and added. “And yes, Zayn Vendant has been asking to see you. Meet Orji if you’re interested.