Day Five

 ‘I discovered that the engine driver has a name!’ Nancy said.

Bhaskaran Nair was not surprised. All engine drivers will have names, he said. He added that people without names will not be engine drivers. What Nancy says is no big deal.

 ‘I am going to write to your Papa,’ he said, I must ask him to fix you somewhere before your engine derails.’

‘I know that sir is capable of doing such things.’

‘There are two things: One is that you will learn to behave. The second one, and that is more important, is that you will be taken off my head.’

‘In that case, I will no longer be with you, sir.’

She was really angry. Of late she had been having this feeling that she is a burden on Bhasakran Nair. Why has this man appointed me on a salary? There is not much work in that shop. And I am not doing that much work also. It is for the singular consideration that she is the daughter of his friend. Malathy was there right from the beginning. In fact, the work available is just enough for Malathy. Any additional work could be handled by sir himself.  

     During the train journey, the girls used to talk about their offices also, apart from indulging in Anthakshari and ogling at men. That is how she came to know about the vacancy for a computer operator in Latha’s office. She had mentioned this a week back. Not sure whether that vacancy still existed. She thought of going and checking out during the lunch recess. Nancy kept it to herself.

     She finished her lunch quickly and got out of the office. Bus stop is nearby. As she sat in the bus going via Padma, her only prayer was that the vacancy should not be filled up by now. She melted in the afternoon heat. She was not feeling the summer heat inside the air-conditioned office. It would be just warm when she reaches the office in the morning and by the time she gets out in the evening, heat would have abated.

     Latha’s office was large. Nancy entering through the large glass door was fascinated by its expanse. In the soft sofa-sets arranged in the visiting room, twenty persons could easily sit. On one side was the reception counter. Behind the charming receptionist and across the glass partition, the large hall was full of young men. Handsome guys- how nice it would be to work with them, she was ready even to forgo her salary!

‘They are nothing.’ Latha said sitting near Nancy. ‘You must see in the evening. There are fifteen salesmen, all handsome guys. They move smartly in our office, wearing white shirts, ties and brown pants. Awesome! Now, all are outside on sales calls.’

Nancy had made up her mind.

The person who interviewed her was middle-aged. He was surprised, why this girl who works on CorelDraw and PageMaker is ready to take up this utterly boring job, and at a lower salary? The job was to prepare inventory on a database. A job which requires no intelligence, no imagination; in fact, a boring job. “Those with some imagination either escape or commit suicide within a year”, he said.

‘You said you can do graphics also, didn’t you?’

‘Yes.’

‘DTP is an art, especially if you do graphics. In my opinion, you should not join this office for doing this boring work sacrificing the infinite possibilities of graphics. Moreover, it will take two years in this company for you to receive the salary you are earning now. Think twice and inform Latha. Once you make up your mind, you can join on the first.’

Before leaving, Nancy thanked him for taking the interview, even postponing his lunch. As she walked towards the bus stop, she thought. I left my heart there. Let it be; doesn’t matter!

Sitting in an inclined position, Bhaskaran Nair is having a nap in his cabin. He has this habit of taking half an hour catnap every day after lunch. Malathy is playing ‘free cell’ on the computer. Nancy stood behind her. She was not concentrating on the card game. Her mind was blank. Malathy was also not saying anything. She gets into a tense mood once she starts the card game. She would not even reply to any questions posed at her. Nancy did not know how long she stood there like that. On hearing the voice of sir, she returned to reality. Bhaskaran Nair was standing near her watching Malathy playing the game.

‘Take diamond nine and place it below ten.’

He was suggesting to Malathy. Once the nine of diamond was taken out, all cards in that column could be put in positions. Bhaskaran Nair did not object to their playing when they had no work.

Cards flew to their respective positions. Malathy closed the game.

 Occupying her seat, Nancy said, ‘Sir, I got a new job.’

‘Very good! Congratulations.’

                  ‘Sir, you need not be so sarcastic.’

‘I didn’t mean to make fun of you. Okay, which is that company?’

‘Big company. Markwell Trading Corporation.’

‘Good.’

‘Yes.’ Nancy said, ‘They asked me to join on the first. I shall no longer be a burden to you.’

Suddenly he went gloomy. Malathy was asking, ‘Are you really leaving us for a new job?’

Without saying anything Bhaskaran Nair went to his chamber. He was wounded. Daughter, who taught you to use stinging words? To whom are you uttering them? He slipped into a trance. Memories flooded his mind. It was on the next day of his wife’s death anniversary, that Varghese brought his little daughter.  

‘I am entrusting her with you sir’. He said. ‘We are letting out our house. She will live with her elder sister. Her husband is in Dubai. Now on, you are her father.’

Gradually grief filled all corners of his heart. He experienced its heaviness.