chapter 12

Chapter 12The arrow finds its markShe walked around the streets of the colony their office was located in, unmindful of the sun. Could it be hotter than the hot pincers Mr. Arya had stabbed her with, or more hurtful than having Chintan stand by silently? As her body poured out toxins through her pores, she wished her mind would empty too.She saw some people from her office heading towards the dhaba across the road for lunch. Wanting to avoid them, she returned to the office, her mind made up. The receptionist, on seeing her, said, “Mr. Chintan has been looking for you.”She nodded but headed for her seat. Her mobile, which she had left behind, had a few missed calls from a new number. She put that into her bag without bothering to return the calls. She reprinted her resignation letter, put it in an envelope and headed for the exit. She left the envelope with the receptionist saying, “See that Mr. Arya gets this.”“He went out,” the girl said. Anu hesitated, tempted to meet Chintan once before she walked out of this place. But she suppressed the foolish, pointless urge. “Whenever he comes,” she started to say, but had to pause as the intercom buzzed and the receptionist picked up the call hastily.“Yes sir, she is here. Okay, I will send her up.”Understanding immediately that it was Chintan who had called, she picked up the bag she had placed on the table and said, “Tell him I left before you could tell me.”The girl looked petrified. “No, I told him you are here…please,” she begged.Anu hesitated, and her heart won this battle. Just one last time, it pleaded.She turned slowly and climbed the stairs to go to Mr. Arya’s room, where Chintan waited for her. To apologise once again, to offer her sympathy, to promise he would stand by her, watch her getting insulted and then pour balm over her wounds. Only, balm works if the wound has time to heal. With hot oil being poured over it every time, of what use was the balm?The secretary saw her and nodded her in, saying, “He is waiting for you.”She hesitated at the door, but feeling the girl’s eyes on her back, she opened it and stepped in. She found his eyes burning her skin. What propelled her forward, she didn’t know. But she wanted to reach him fast. As if sensing her need, he rushed around the table to her and put an arm around her wordlessly before her knees gave way. All her determination to remain stoic crumbled and she was sobbing on his chest, thankful of the strong arms that held her.He held her silently as she cried. And he held her even after her tears subsided. The moment stretched, neither aware that the need to hold and be held was over. Her head on his chest, his arms encircling her – it seemed most natural. And then, slowly she became aware, of his hard body against her soft curves, her head against his bearded chin. She looked up, startled, and he looked down, their eyes meeting, their breaths clashing, their lips close. Becoming aware suddenly of the inopportunity, she stepped back and he let her go gently. Anu turned away, embarrassed.But he still held her by her elbow, and gently turned her around. He made her sit on a chair and sat next to her, leaning forward, looking at her eagerly. Anu dried her eyes, unable to look at him, and mumbled an apology.“No, it is I who am sorry for what happened in the morning. I was looking for you and not able to find you, I started worrying… I tried calling you on your mobile. Your bag was here…but no one knew where you were.” His words came out in a rush - concern, anger, fear all struggling to be expressed at the same time.She remained silent, not trusting her voice, disappointed at his practical response.“You were suicidal this morning! What came over you? If you had just played along, things would have been fine. Why did you have to provoke him at this stage, when he is so insecure?” Chintan asked, indignation finally winning the moment.Disappointment turned to anger, and Anu’s eyes flashed at him. “Played along!” She got up, slinging her bag on her shoulder. “That’s what you would advise. But I am not going to play along! If he feels insecure, that’s his problem. And being his son, you can bide your time as much as you like. I don’t have to! I have left my resignation letter at the reception. He can sign it or tear it…that’s his problem. I am leaving! The way he insulted me, you think I’m going to stay on!”Chintan looked at her thoughtfully. “Especially because of the way he insulted you!”She stared back blankly. He didn’t explain, though. “Have you had lunch?” She shook her head. “Come with me,” he said, getting up.“What’s the point of it all!” she said, wanting to get away.“There is something I want to discuss.”She shook her head wearily. “There’s nothing to discuss, really. Why should you spend so much time and energy for your father, on me…? You can’t keep cleaning up after him.”He reached out and with a hand on the small of her back, gently nudged her towards the door. “I am used to it now.” He laughed, but it was tinged with sorrow. “Quite an expert, one can say.”Tired of arguing, she just followed him to the car.As they crossed the reception desk, the receptionist picked up the envelope and asked, “Do you want to give it to this Mr. Arya?”Anu gave her a warning look but Chintan extended his hand and opened the envelope. “I will keep this,” he said. “You may not want to give it in, by the end of lunch.”“I don’t think anything can change my mind,” she mumbled as she followed him out.