Don't Leave Me #2

I continued to stare at the woman sitting in front of me hoping she will glance at me at least once and not at our wedding photo which she is holding after taking it from my table.

I cleared my throat and calmly asked, "She tried to take her life just because she got betrayed by her love. But you didn't let one single tear fall from your eyes and didn't ask me any questions, even after knowing that I betrayed you. Why?"

I patiently waited for her answer which I wanted to find out from a few days very eagerly.

"Her love is pure. But..." She just trailed off.

"But?" I stressed leaning forward, placing my elbows on the table.

"But mine is.... just an act." she said the last words looking at me straight in the eyes and placed the photo frame back in its place, but made sure the photo is facing the table and not anywhere else.

"So that's all I guess. Have a nice life." Saying that she got up and left my office cabin while I just stared at her in complete shock.

Just an act? Should I be relieved feeling less guilty? Of course, I should! But why am I feeling like, I should ask her again to make sure what she said is true?

*Jiya Pov*

"Ms.Sarin! " I heard someone calling and looked up to see the finance department manager.

"Yes, sir? " I asked politely.

"Err... Boss is asking for you." He replied.

"Ok! " I said, nodding and he left actually rushed away.

I shook my head and then glanced at the phone through which he could have called me and not by some superior to me.

I locked the computer and got up holding the notepad and pen. Walking towards his cabin, I knocked on his door and entered when asked me to 'come in'.

"Mr.Mehra!" I said when he continued to work on his system.

"Is the time for the meeting still the same?" he asked not looking up.

"It is, Sir! But if you want me to change it, I can do it." I replied staring at his forehead.

"No need for that." He said and I nodded, even though I know he is not going to glance at me.

"Shall I leave, Sir?" I asked him.

"Sure!" He replied.

I shook my head and walked outside his cabin only to meet a few stares glancing at me. I stared back at them, and they immediately glanced down to work.

After some time, I heard the phone ringing, and I lifted it to see that it is the receptionist.

"Yes? " I asked her.

"There is another personal call, and I am forwarding it to you." She replied and hung up.

"Hello! Mehra corporations." I said politely.

"You are such a lousy secretary. Are you hiding my messages from him? " I heard the shouting.

"We are extremely sorry for the inconvenience Madam, but we are doing what we were told." I said politely, and I can see a few heads turning towards me from the corner of my eyes.

"I will complaint against you to him and then cry over the lost job." She threatened.

"Sure, Madam." I said with as much force as I can but with politeness and heard her slamming the phone.

I calmly put the receiver properly and continued to carry out my work.

I walked toward his cabin looking at the time and knocked on the door. I entered and said, "It is meeting time, Sir."

"Let's go!" He said looking up from the system, and we both walked outside his cabin.

Getting into the meeting room, he took his place, and I sat beside him opening the notepad. A few minutes later the room filled with the client and the staff belonging to us and them.

"We are glad that you are free for this meeting today." The client said shaking his hand.

"Well, my secretary knows properly what I need to do for this company." Mr.Mehra said.

"I am sure she knows." The client said seductively or that's what he thought.

I glanced up from my pen and looked at him, raising my eyebrow. He immediately gulped and said, "Er... shall we start the meeting?"

The meeting went well, and client got satisfied with the presentation given by Mr.Mehra.

Exiting the conference room, I walked into his cabin along with him. He glanced up after sitting down and asked, "Yes?"

"Sir, personal calls are piling up." I replied.

"Ms.Sarin! You must have already known in these two months that I will not take any kind of personal calls that come to the office phone." He said staring at me.

"Women are throwing more tantrums, and it is disturbing everyone's work." I said still standing.

"You can sit." He said, gesturing at the chair.

"No need, sir." I said and stared back at him.

"What Women?" he asked me confused.

"Your lovers, Sir." I replied.

"I don't have any lovers." He said frowning.

"All the Women are saying the same for the last two months from when I have been working for you, Sir." I said, opening the page where I wrote the names and their numbers along with the messages.

"I don't have any." He shouted in rage.

But I just placed the book in front of him ignoring his rage. He looked at each page and asked, "Why are you doing a receptionist job?"

"The calls are getting transferred to my phone." I replied.

He took the phone and called the receptionist to be in here fast. I stood there, and he continued to look at me and then at the book.

"May I come in sir? " Receptionist asked him, frowning.

"As far as I know your job is to receive the calls and do as per the instructions." He said, and she nodded.

"Then, as per the instruction no personal call should be entertained, but why are you transferring to this floor and that too to Ms.Sarin?" he asked.

"I am so sorry Sir. It was my mistake." She replied looking down.

"If you don't tell me the real reason, then you can forget about your job." He said calmly.

"I... we... few people decided it would be fun to irritate her by transferring the calls." She stuttered and he immediately glanced at me, but I stood calmly.

"Can you name them?" He asked her.

"I am sure that they must be a lot that she forgot the names and the people. Am I right?" I asked her, and she nodded.

He sighed and said, "This will not repeat, and if it does, then you all can say good-bye. Pass this message to those people too whose names you have forgotten."

She nodded and rushed out of the cabin. I nodded at him and started to leave, but he stopped me asking, "Do you know what they wanted to do?"

"Yes, Sir! But I am just doing my job." I replied and walked out.

In the evening, I decided to have some coffee. I walked inside the coffee room to see few people already there.

They gazed at me while I just nodded at them politely. Grabbing a cup of coffee, I stood near the window and glanced outside.

"So you are coming to the party, right?" I heard the conversation between a group of people.

"I don't know! I need to prepare this presentation." One girl started complaining.

"Come on! This is the weekend, and we need to enjoy our life more than some job." Another girl said, making me go down the memory lane, which I don't want to.

#Past Beginning#

"Jiya! There is no rush." I heard my friend saying, but I shook my head and pulled them to the dance floor.

"We have finally graduated guys, and we need to celebrate." I shouted loudly and started jumping for the music.

"But we still need to get jobs to celebrate." Another friend said.

"This is just one life guys. Who cares whether we get the job or not? We need to enjoy our life first." I said and made them dance along with me.

"Woah! " I shouted excitingly hearing my favorite song.

"There is a life which we need to think about." They started their as usual discussion.

"Jasmine! When we enjoy our life, then we do not have to think about the life because life starts thinking about us. And I hate this boring talk about the job and seriousness of life. We are graduate's guys so for the god's sake enjoy." I said grinning at them.

"Drinks are on me." I shouted at my classmate who went to bring everyone drinks.

"No need to do that when you don't drink in the first place." Jasmine said scolding me.

"Do I have to shoot myself to sell guns?" I asked her laughing, and she shook her head laughing back.

"Excuse me? " I heard someone calling me, and I turned to seeing a guy standing behind me.

"Yes? " I asked him smiling with awestruck looking at him who looked like he just walked out of a magazine for sure.

"Dance? " He asked forwarding his hand.

"You are asking me to dance?" I asked him shocked.

"I guess I am." He replied shrugging.

I nodded, and we both started dancing together. I just smiled at him and said, "I am Jiya."

"I am Ajay." He said smiling a little.

We enjoyed those three hours talking about ourselves, but more than that we are looking right at each other.

"I had too much fun. Thanks for making it special." I said when it was time for me to leave.

"Phone number?" He asked.

"What if you are a stalker?" I asked him back.

"Don't you know that already?" he asked and I laughed.

"Here!" I said saving my number on his mobile.

"Bye Ajay." I said, shaking his hand, but he pulled me to him and kissed my cheek making me blush.

That was meant to be the most beautiful day for me, but I never thought I would regret that day.

#Past End#

"Are you fine?" Someone asked, and I came out of my thoughts.

I turned to see some co-worker standing with a question in her eyes.

"I am fine!" I mumbled and threw the coffee into the sink.

When it was time to leave I noted my Boss that I was leaving and took a bus from the bus stop which is near to the office.

"We need groceries." That's what my Mom said when I entered.

"I will bring them tomorrow." I said, walking to my room.

"I know we don't have that much money but can you talk to a good lawyer?" She asked making me stop in my tracks.

"No! I am not going to do that." I replied, turning towards her.

"I have been asking you for these few months, and now you are working too, so what's the matter?" She asked fuming.

"I don't want to help him." I replied like every day.

"But he is your brother." She said glaring at me.

"I don't care! Let him sulk in the jail." I said turning away.

"Go and eat. We already had our dinner." Dad said entering the living room.

"I am not hungry." I said walking inside my room and just plopped myself on the bed.

I closed my eyes, wishing to go far away from each one of these people or at least die...

*Jiya Pov*

I woke up hearing the shouts rather than my alarm. Anyway, it's just ten-minute difference, and I can use the extra minutes.

I went inside the washroom and looked at my reflection. Those cold eyes staring back at me, which stare everyone throughout the day for the past few months.

"You are nothing but a fool, Jiya." I said to myself and then glanced at the blade when I heard more shouting's.

"No! You are strong." I said, turning away and started getting ready for the day.

When I walked outside my tiny room, I saw my Mom shouting at my Dad in the living room cum dining regarding of course my brother.

I sat calmly at my place, and they both continued to fight. Actually, my Mom was shouting and my Dad is listening.

That is a quiet development. I thought, shaking my head, but not a single bite was ready to go inside.

I sighed and was about to get up, but my Dad stopped holding my hand making me look at him.

"Have your breakfast." He said and then glared at my Mom.

Even though I felt surprise, I didn't show it on my face. Mom just huffed and said, "No one cares about my Son."

"He should have cared about himself. But the mistake is ours to spoil him with the love." Dad said, and that is the third surprise for the day.

"What do you mean? Do you believe the accusations?" She asked in outrage.

"If he is not guilty, then he would not have gone inside, and it surprises me. You don't believe them." I replied.

"If he comes out, then we need not to live in this dirty place in this big city and go back to our home town, even though that is small and lead our luxurious life." She complained.

Luxury life! Hearing that word I couldn't help but snort and tune her out completely thinking how different the scenario was then in the past.

"Stop your fighting's guys." I said, shaking my head and walked towards the dining table sitting at the far end chair from them.

"Behave!" Dad said, glaring at me.

"What? Did I act different from your perfect son?" I asked him laughing.

"Why did you bring your brother in this?" Mom asked as usual angry.

"Because I want to remind you guys that I am your daughter and not son to act the same. Period!" I replied, rolling my eyes and continued to chat with my friends.

"I know that." Dad said, shaking his head showing his disappointment.

"Be glad that you got a daughter Dad because if you had another son, then they would have fought to their deaths for the property." I said smiling hiding the pain that I am unwanted here.

"Learn your manners Jiya. Your brother will be sad hearing those words." Mom said, fearing for her Son.

"Where is your top student Son by the way?" I asked her sarcastically.

Because he was never top and always just passes, but that is nothing but a gold medal for my parents even though I brought a gold medal for them.

"He went for a vacation." Mom replied.

"Why? Want to start a business there?" I asked her honestly thinking he finally got the sense.

"No! He said he needs change in the air." Mom replied.

I shook my head thinking I too need that change in the air. And looks like god wants to listen to me today because I got a message from my Mr.Ajay.

I grinned and walked outside my home to reach the café he asked me to come.

"Jiya!" I felt someone shaking me, and I looked up to see Dad, looking at me frowning.

"Your phone is beeping." He said and I nodded, taking it out to see that it was the alarm for me to leave home at that time for sure.

"Where is the list Mom?" I asked her and she walked inside to bring the list of groceries.

"Dad! If you both want anything you can buy them from this." I said, placing a part of my last month's salary in his hands.

"We have everything, Jiya." He said, shaking his head and tried to return them.

"I know you must be feeling embarrassed to ask me so just keep them." I said getting up.

"I am not in a position to feel embarrass." He said, and I shook my head.

"Here!" Mom said, walking back and gave me the list.

"Don't leave any items at least this time and don't have the smug look. We will be depending on you only until my Son is inside. One's he comes out we will pay you back." She said scowling.

"Will be waiting then." I said, throwing a stare at her and then walked outside the house.

I walked for five minutes and then reached the bus stop. Getting inside one I stared outside remembering my whining about the new car I want for my birthday, and I were immediately given one because what I asked is a material thing right.

I shook my head when I reached my stop and got down from the bus. I nodded at the cleaners politely and walked inside the elevator.

Reaching the floor where I work I saw that the lights were still not switched on. I switched them on and walked in the coffee room after placing my bag on my table.

Preparing the coffee, I couldn't help but snort again. Why does my memory never leave me alone?

I sat at the center table in the café and waited for Mr.Magazine. Within minutes, I saw him entering the café.

I waved at him and he smiled, walking towards the table. I ordered for both of us remembering his preference, he said two days back while we were talking on the phone.

"So why did you call me here?" I asked him smiling.

"I think I can want to meet my girlfriend whenever I want I guess." He replied, and I blushed.

"You know my friends are complaining that I am talking to them only to explain the way you asked me to be your girlfriend. Can you be more romantic?" I asked him sighing in the feeling of ecstatic.

"When are you going to make me meet your family? Your parents and your brother." He asked, changing the topic.

"He is out of India at present, and I don't know when will he return and by the way, we are together only for the past one week." I replied grinning.

"So? I am feeling great with you, and I really want to meet your family. Will it be late for him to return?" he asked.

"Why are you so obsessed with my brother?" I asked him teasingly.

"Well boys need to be careful from the girlfriend's brother's right?" he asked back, holding my hand making me hold my breath.

"He is not that protective. I am not saying I don't love him, but he is not the typical brother so you need not to worry." I replied holding his hand back.

We sat there for some more time and talked and just talked. I smiled, staring at him while having a sip of my coffee.

"Ouch!" I mumbled to myself feeling the hot coffee falling on my hands.

I took a deep breath and concentrated on the task. I walked back to my place and placed his coffee on the table closing it with a lid.

In exactly five minutes like I counted, he reached the floor from the top of the building where he lives, and I stood up greeting "Good morning, Sir."

"Good morning, Ms.Sarin. Can you bring me my coffee?" he asked, typing on his mobile.

"Sure, Sir." I said, taking the cup and followed him into the cabin also holding a book and a pen.

"Tell me about today's schedule." He said when I placed the cup on his table.

"There is a meeting scheduled in a restaurant and the client wants your decision at any cost." I said and then turned the page.

"Then another client got some complaint regarding the new electronics delivered and called yesterday, so I have scheduled one meeting in the evening." I said and passed the pages where I write his instructions.

"It is a good thing that you did. We should take complaints in a serious way." He said, and I nodded.

"Is that all?" he asked and I nodded.

"You can leave." He said and I again nodded walking outside.

I started checking the folders which I need to put them in the right place in the system first and then later in the store room slowly.

"Jiya! There is a call from the same journalist." Receptionist called informing me.

"Forward it!" I said and got forwarded the call.

"Hello! Mehra corporations." I said calmly.

"I want to have one single interview with Mr.Mehra." He said, and I closed my eyes.

"I am sorry Sir, but Mr.Mehra doesn't want to do any interviews, and that is the tradition of this company. I am sure you don't know about that, but now I am letting you know." I said calmly.

"Madam! Just a single interview won't cost him, right?" He asked sarcastically.

"Just one less interviewed person doesn't cost you, right?" I asked him back and immediately fisted my hand for being unprofessional.

"I am sorry Sir, but we would like you to stop trying to get one interview from him through us." I added, and he sighed hanging up.

When it was time for the first meeting of the day, I walked inside his cabin after knocking and also informed him about the call.

"There is a journalist who wants to meet you for an interview, but as per the company instruction I have declined." I said.

"He doesn't give up on me." He mumbled to himself, and we both walked outside his cabin with me following him.

I already asked the receptionist to get his car ready, and so it was in front of the door, by the time we reached the lounge.

He gestured at his driver to leave the keys to him and took the seat behind the wheel. I sat in the passenger seat and started going through what the meeting was about mainly, and he listened nodding while concentrating on the drive.

"You can have lunch with us Ms.Sarin." Mr.Mehra said when I stood up as they finished the meeting and started ordering the food.

"Thank you, Sir." I said and ordered Pulka for me.

I played with my food while everyone talked about gossips in the business world, and I put an ear on it thinking I may find some information, which would be useful for the job later.

"Where did you find your Secretary Mehra? She is very good at the job." Client said, and I sighed to myself inside feeling nothing but bland.

"Mehra's always gets the best." Another person said, and I stopped myself from asking for how much time will they act.

"That I do." Mr.Mehra said and I looked up to stare at each one of the clients, and they smiled at me awkwardly.

After the meeting, we returned, and I just stared outside the car looking at the passing big buildings, making me close my eyes feeling so out of place in this big city of Mumbai.

"Orders are completely reversed Mr.Mehra. How can you be so unprofessional?" Client shouted at him in the evening in the conference room.

"I will see what the problem is and don't raise your voice just because I am giving respect." He said calmly, and client sat back.

"Is this your address Sir?" I asked the client showing him the address he gave us.

"No! Actually, there is another shop where we wanted the delivery and this is another one of ours." He replied.

"We must be given instructions regarding the change of addresses. Otherwise, the old address which has been noted on your name will be taken as main one. And the orders must have been reversed in that confusion." Boss said, and they nodded understanding.

"The workmen will be sent soon to your shop, and the confusion will be cleared." I assured him and walked out taking Mr.Mehra's permission.

I walked towards the co-worker who deals with sending the respective workmen and told him the problem regarding the client. He immediately got into action, and by the time I entered back, I was able to give the client the news that the men are at his shop.

"Don't mind my behavior Mr.Mehra. I am just developing at present in the new business, and I need everything to be perfect and I can't take a chance." Client said, and they all walked outside the room while I sat back in the chair.

"We are not meeting regularly, Ajay. I am missing you." I said whining.

"This is a new business, Jiya. I need to be here to make sure everything is perfect, and I can't take a chance." He said, and I sighed understanding.

"I will not disturb you." I said, smiling and hung up the phone after he thanked me.

I took a deep breath and stood up leaving the room and walked back to my table.

When it was time for the end of office hours, I informed him and walked outside the office.

I went to the grocery shopping and tried to buy everything except the few of her expensive items as I don't have money left that much, and I even need to think about emergencies.

I reached the house and heard Mom complaining about how the neighbors are so cheap and always staring into our house.

I fumed and walked towards her saying, "This is Home, and we are going to stay here forever. Start accepting it or just kill me."

She just stared at me shocked while Dad looked at me understandingly. I hate each and everyone! I thought and walked inside my room.

Throwing my bag on the bed, I rushed inside the washroom. I took the blade from the basin and held it on the nerve of my hand.

This is it! Everything will be over. There will be no shouting. There will be no memories and there will be no feelings.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath moving the blade slowly...