chapter 7

Chapter 7Seeing lightFinally, a concrete offer for another job. She wanted to flaunt the offer letter to Chintan, remembering her embarrassment at being caught on the wrong foot. And then that melancholic smile returned to haunt her and she wanted to postpone the moment.But when she walked in late that day with the offer in hand, she heard that Mr. Arya was back.How could she have forgotten that man in her infatuation for Chintan! It was like a cold shower on all her sunny dreams.Though she should have handed in her resignation right then, she waited, wanting to inform Chintan first. She waited to catch Chintan alone, and when she saw Arya leave, she rushed to his room. She couldn’t explain the shine in her eyes or the bounce in her step. “Just wanted to check when the ad is being released,” she asked with a twinkle in her eyes. “Or, shall I recommend someone from my team to handle editorial?” she teased. “You anyway don’t need senior people, do you?”He looked at her, and taking in her animation, said amused, “You are looking like a cat that got the cream.”She laughed happily. “Well, you can say that. Have to join my new job by the first of next month. That leaves us with barely 10 working days,” she said.“Congrats,” he said simply, his smile fading. “So you can be here the next 10 days, right?” he asked.She shook her head. “I haven’t taken a break in years and would like to be off for sometime… I can train anyone to use the content management system - CMS. Some people in my team know what needs to be done – there are gems in my team who will shape up,” she said, her eyes twinkling as she used Mr. Arya’s typical word ‘gems’. And then sobering, she added, “Frankly, the way things are going, you don’t need me.” She watched him intently and hoped he would avow he needed her desperately. She blushed at her fanciful thoughts.Chintan himself remained impassive. “I can’t hold you back for sure, if you are determined to leave. Thanks for obliging me by staying these extra few days.”“My pleasure,” she said casually.“I will discuss this with Mr. Arya and get back to you,” he said.She quelled the panic that rose up. She was not a bonded labourer, and yet, Mr. Arya made her feel that way. She got up and said firmly, “I have about a month’s leave left. And since I have to join the new place - I would like to be off in the next 10 days.”“You will train your person before that?”“She already knows what to do.  I will let her into the secret of being a manager,” she smiled as she opened the door. She paused at the door to look at him once, and turned away blushing at the wistful look on his face as he watched her leave.