The past two months had been a relentless for Naina. Rivaan's behavior demands kept her on her toes, with barely a moment to catch her breath. Each day seemed to stretch longer than the last, filled with tasks that left her exhausted and exasperated. It was far from the escape she had imagined when she first came to the U.S., seeking refuge from her overbearing parents and the life sheâd left behind.
One particular afternoon, Rivaan handed Naina a stack of papers and a new list of tasks. His tone was curt, as usual, and Nainaâs patience snapped. She felt a surge of frustration, not just at the work but at the entire situation. In her anger, she switched to Bhojpuri, her mother tongue, and let her feelings spill out.
"Kahe itna kaam de rahal hai? E sabh kaam humke naahi chahi, humke aram ke bhi zarurat hai! Kahan aayi hum, apna ghar se bhaag ke? E jagah humra khushi ke jagah naahi hai!"( "Why are you giving me so much work? I don't need all this work, I also need some rest! Where have I come, running away from my home? This place is not a happy place for me!") she muttered, her voice dripping with irritation.
Rivaan, who had been immersed in his own work, looked up in confusion. He didnât understand Bhojpuriâhis knowledge of Hindi was limited to what he had picked up from his father and grandmother. His mother, being American, had never spoken it at home.
Naina stormed out of his office, leaving the door swinging behind her. She went to her desk, feeling the sting of her own words and the weight of the frustration they represented. The work was overwhelming, and her current predicament felt like a cage she couldn't escape.
Later that day, Rivaan approached her with an unexpected announcement. âTomorrow evening, weâll be attending a business partnerâs party,â he said, his tone professional but unyielding. âBe ready by 7.â
Naina stared at him, her frustration momentarily forgotten in the face of this new demand. A party? After all the work and the stress she had been under, the idea of socializing with Rivaanâs business associates felt like another layer of torture.
âIâll be there,â she replied curtly, though she felt far from prepared for what lay ahead.
As Rivaan walked away, Naina took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions inside her. The party was the last thing she needed, but there was no escaping her obligations. She had to find a way to endure this and perhaps, find a sliver of solace or understanding in the midst of her turmoil.
But for now, she had to focus on her work, pushing aside her weariness and the growing sense of isolation. The next day would bring new challenges, and she had no choice but to face them head-on, with or without the relief she had been hoping for.