Posted:
Chapter 6
Bani smiled, is it so obvious, thought Bani but Saloni words made her feel much better…
+++
Bani was getting ready for office, feeling a little shy, a little apprehensive, what will happen today, how will I face him, if he asks me a question will I be able to answer….Bani was dressing mechanically, then a question crossed her find is he thinking that I made a pass at him….he doesn't know that once I got caught in the storm on the 1st year of my orphanage at the fruit orchard, came out barely alive and after that any type of storm scares me off….
Bani got out of the flat to the bus stop, opposite to it was a billboard with a condom ad., well I am no more a virgin…..so Rakhi, there you go, well Mr Walia was prepared but then a person like him is always prepared isn't it…the very thought made Bani feel sad, she did not know why...
+++
Jai walked into his office at his usual confident self but as he approached Bani's cubicle he slowed down, with the corner of his eyes he saw her sitting with her head down almost touching the keyboard…
+++
Bani saw her watch discreetly, if he is in town then its time he will be walking in, just then she heard clicking of the heals, without lifting her head much she looked literally hiding from behind the monitor, she caught Jai looking at her through the corner of his eyes before entering his office…
Rakhi frowned
+++
During the lunch break, Saloni came to thank her for the bracelet, she was wearing it, as they were eating, Rakhi joined them, Saloni said Bani was a hit with her male friends, they want her number, so Bani is interested…
Bani went red, eer Saloni not now please, you see at the moment I would like to concentrate on my career…
Career, Bani, what this has got to do with your career, after office its your personal time yaar, mauj karo, masti karo, maybe one of them might turn out to be your man of dreams…infact remember Rajeev, the tall guy…a sort of reserve guy, you & he will match well…
Bani did not know what to reply, then said, you see …I plan to work for a year then take up a Management course, you see I don't have a family to fall back upon if something goes wrong…
But you have Jai Walia, Rakhi butted in….
Bani went red, matlab…
She smiled sarcastically, I am working here for 8 years, last 5 without any promotion, team leader toh dur ki baath, ek bhi independent project bhi nehi di gayi mujhe, wohi routine job aur tum, you mis-calculated and got away by making our job difficult abhi 12% savings karna hai humme
Bani thanked her orphanage upbringing, there it was the survival of the fittest….she might look soft….her voice turned hard…dekho Rakhi, no doubt, I am obligated to Mr Walia for giving me this job, lekin he did not give me because I am Bani Dixit but because Rose Grandma asked him to, now I have to prove myself so that grandma's soul can rest in peace….and Rakhi, cribbing takes you nowhere, you have to show your eagerness to take up new responsibilities…
Don't you dare lecture me Bani Dixit, I am senior to you in experience & age….kaal ki chhokri bari ayi lecture dene…..you know what, I am not the one who will screw my way up….
That was very mean you know said Saloni, I think you better apologize to Bani, and Rakhi, Bani is right, no boss likes cribbing subordinates and moreover I have been working three years and yet to see anyone promoted because of that reason, barring a few cases but that happens in all offices all over the world and Mr Walia is not known to promote people in return of sexual favours…
Bani's face was burning, tears clouding her eyes, she picked her plate up, dropped it in the bin and walked out of the cafeteria.
+++
Bani's feeling of wellness over the last three days vanished, she washed her face over and over again…..as she was wiping it dry, Saloni entered…
Bani don't get upset, she is a bitch, you know that nah, she is simply jealous…
Bani threw the tissue away, yes Saloni you are right but it hurts nevertheless….
As Bani was going back to her desk, she thought to herself, God what's wrong with me, am I becoming an emotional wreck just because of one night?
+++
Next few days Bani found herself getting more comfortable in office, returning to her normal self…Jai was on tour and when he returned they hardly crossed each other's path…
One evening Bani sat in the verandah thinking it is about 10 days now, did it happen at all or was it a dream, the bell rang….
+++
Bani smiled, is it so obvious, thought Bani but Saloni words made her feel much better…
+++
Bani was getting ready for office, feeling a little shy, a little apprehensive, what will happen today, how will I face him, if he asks me a question will I be able to answer….Bani was dressing mechanically, then a question crossed her find is he thinking that I made a pass at him….he doesn't know that once I got caught in the storm on the 1st year of my orphanage at the fruit orchard, came out barely alive and after that any type of storm scares me off….
Bani got out of the flat to the bus stop, opposite to it was a billboard with a condom ad., well I am no more a virgin…..so Rakhi, there you go, well Mr Walia was prepared but then a person like him is always prepared isn't it…the very thought made Bani feel sad, she did not know why...
+++
Jai walked into his office at his usual confident self but as he approached Bani's cubicle he slowed down, with the corner of his eyes he saw her sitting with her head down almost touching the keyboard…
+++
Bani saw her watch discreetly, if he is in town then its time he will be walking in, just then she heard clicking of the heals, without lifting her head much she looked literally hiding from behind the monitor, she caught Jai looking at her through the corner of his eyes before entering his office…
Rakhi frowned
+++
During the lunch break, Saloni came to thank her for the bracelet, she was wearing it, as they were eating, Rakhi joined them, Saloni said Bani was a hit with her male friends, they want her number, so Bani is interested…
Bani went red, eer Saloni not now please, you see at the moment I would like to concentrate on my career…
Career, Bani, what this has got to do with your career, after office its your personal time yaar, mauj karo, masti karo, maybe one of them might turn out to be your man of dreams…infact remember Rajeev, the tall guy…a sort of reserve guy, you & he will match well…
Bani did not know what to reply, then said, you see …I plan to work for a year then take up a Management course, you see I don't have a family to fall back upon if something goes wrong…
But you have Jai Walia, Rakhi butted in….
Bani went red, matlab…
She smiled sarcastically, I am working here for 8 years, last 5 without any promotion, team leader toh dur ki baath, ek bhi independent project bhi nehi di gayi mujhe, wohi routine job aur tum, you mis-calculated and got away by making our job difficult abhi 12% savings karna hai humme
Bani thanked her orphanage upbringing, there it was the survival of the fittest….she might look soft….her voice turned hard…dekho Rakhi, no doubt, I am obligated to Mr Walia for giving me this job, lekin he did not give me because I am Bani Dixit but because Rose Grandma asked him to, now I have to prove myself so that grandma's soul can rest in peace….and Rakhi, cribbing takes you nowhere, you have to show your eagerness to take up new responsibilities…
Don't you dare lecture me Bani Dixit, I am senior to you in experience & age….kaal ki chhokri bari ayi lecture dene…..you know what, I am not the one who will screw my way up….
That was very mean you know said Saloni, I think you better apologize to Bani, and Rakhi, Bani is right, no boss likes cribbing subordinates and moreover I have been working three years and yet to see anyone promoted because of that reason, barring a few cases but that happens in all offices all over the world and Mr Walia is not known to promote people in return of sexual favours…
Bani's face was burning, tears clouding her eyes, she picked her plate up, dropped it in the bin and walked out of the cafeteria.
+++
Bani's feeling of wellness over the last three days vanished, she washed her face over and over again…..as she was wiping it dry, Saloni entered…
Bani don't get upset, she is a bitch, you know that nah, she is simply jealous…
Bani threw the tissue away, yes Saloni you are right but it hurts nevertheless….
As Bani was going back to her desk, she thought to herself, God what's wrong with me, am I becoming an emotional wreck just because of one night?
+++
Next few days Bani found herself getting more comfortable in office, returning to her normal self…Jai was on tour and when he returned they hardly crossed each other's path…
One evening Bani sat in the verandah thinking it is about 10 days now, did it happen at all or was it a dream, the bell rang….
+++
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