RECAP

Next day, Roshni apologies to KR for her temper and extends to him her hand for friendship.  On Chairman’s visit she fully acquits her role as KR’s secretary.  Everyone is pleased, and more so, KR, who in keeping with the mood, tells Roshni that she could have been his girlfriend if he were ten years younger.

CHAPTER 4

Our little excursions brought about unexpected fallout.  KR was visibly changing.  The dowdy, care-worn man I had once seen was now dressing up in some style.  If I ever complemented him on his choice of a shirt, he said he had bought it to suit my taste.  There were days when we went straight to our homes.  On these days KR made it a point to phone me up late at night.  The things we talked were innocuous in themselves.  But talking to him when everyone else was asleep gave me a thrill. It was the thrill of transgression, like someone buying contraband.    I admired him for his qualities and he, in turn, liked to be in my company.   I did not see anything wrong in that. 
 
One day I brought him a photograph turned yellow with age.  ‘This is my mother, and this here is my Papa - see how possessively he stands behind Mother’s chair, holding her shoulders - and this pony-tailed little girl in frock is me.’

‘You’re a beautiful family.  What’s your Papa doing for a living?’

‘He died young, barely a few months after this photograph was taken.  My mother had a hard time bringing me up.’

‘Your mother must be a strong lady.  One day I must see her.’

I had no intention of allowing KR to get so close to me.  On my part, I had never expressed curiosity about his family life.  Showing him the family photograph was an impulsive act, but now that he had expressed his intention, I couldn’t retract.

That very evening, I brought KR home to meet Mother.  She was overly polite to him.  ‘Bhai Sahib,’ she said, as KR sipped the Darjeeling tea we had kept for special occasions, ‘I’d been happier if you had brought Bhabhiji as well.’

‘She keeps busy with the baby.’

‘Your grandchild?’

‘Yes, my son’s daughter.  We married at an early age, you see.  I was barely twenty-two then and my wife would not have crossed eighteen!’

‘It must be quite a joy to be grand-parents,’ Mother said ponderously, ‘in the evening of life when you have put the fretting of bringing up your own children behind you and watch the frolic of your children’s children.’

KR spoiled his spotless shirt with the tea that had spilled from his cup.  I tried to catch Mother’s eye but she was not looking my way.  KR placed the emptied cup on the tabletop and got up.  ‘I must be leaving now, Roshni,  Patparganj is a long way to go.’

Mother preceded me when we followed him to his car.  ‘Please do bring Bhabhiji when you come here the next time!’ From Mother's lips the words sounded more like a command than an invitation to KR’s wife.

 I was furious with Mother, but did not know how to vent my anger.  To all appearances, she had been at her courteous best with KR.  It was difficult to pick at her on that account.  I decided to keep to myself till the bile rising in me had subsided.

But Mother won’t relent.  Presently, there was a sharp knock at my door.  When I did not make any move, she thrust it open and stood directly before me.
 
‘Why are you sulking in this room?’  She demanded.

‘Mother, that was no way to treat my boss!’ I fumed.

‘What wrong have I done him, hain?  Smashed his head or broken his limbs?  He comes to my home and I do all I can to make him feel welcome.  If anyone is at fault, it is he, not your poor mother.  Forgetting his years, he goes around with someone young enough to be his daughter.  Shame on him!  If your father were alive, he would have beaten him with a shoe till there was not a wisp of a hair left on the old lecher's head!’

‘Papa had got a lot more sense than that.  He wouldn’t have embarrassed a guest like you have done.’

‘Keep quiet, you brazen girl, lest I open my mouth!  I have been watching your foolery.  Coming home at odd hours, attending office on Sundays, tittering on phone at midnight…And why should this old monkey be dropping you home in his car, hain?  Your earlier bosses never did that!   Do you think I am dumb, hain?’

‘Mother, you are imagining things.  KR is a kind old man.  He is the boss in my office, and I am his Secretary.  That’s our relationship, nothing more.  If you don’t like him coming to our place, he won’t.  I promise you that.’

I wasn’t certain if Mother was satisfied with my answer.  But something had to be said to her, and I said it.  Mother heard me in silence.  After some time, she left my room.  Neither of us thought of food that night.

I lay in my bed brooding.  Mother suspected that old KR lusted after me and I was fueling his desire.  But was she entirely wrong?  It was I who had given him ready access to my privacy, encouraging him to call me home. I had smothered his good sense under smiles, gestures and sweet talk. I had revealed to him that I was available.  How could the poor old chap know that I was not available to him! 

I did not go to the office the next day.  Lazing in my bed I heard Mother going through the morning chores: cleaning utensils, mopping the floor and attending to the day’s washing.  If it was a bit noisy, I didn’t react. 

Mother’s patience lost out to my put on indifference.  I knew she could not take it forever.  She just opened the door to my bedroom and shook my leg vigorously.

‘Get up, little queen. It is ten minutes past eight.  Time you should be getting ready for your office!’

Mother was not the one to be ignored for long.  She didn’t leave me any option but to listen to her.

                                 To be continued ....