Chapter 4

*Kalpana Pov*

“Good morning!” I said, smiling at Pallavi, who is standing near the canteen.

“Good morning! I will just get some coffee and come.” She said smiling.

“Do you want?” she added.

“No! I had just before coming to work.” I replied and walked over to my desk.

I sat down and smiled, staring at Sudhir ‘s photo frame just like everyday for the past one month.

It still amazes me how helpful this job became for each and everything. It cuts down some of the expenses I have to keep with the benefits it gives the employees.

I glanced at the door through which we can reach the elevator. Pallavi said our boss goes to his floor from the basement itself and I need not use the lift for my work being on the ground floor.

Shaking my head to come out of all these thoughts and started my work. I just wish my timings are not so different in the morning, but I can understand clerk’s can be fine with this time to finish the work.

“So, how was your weekend?” Pallavi asked, walking near to my desk.

“Amazing! Jhanvi and I spent with our kids, but she still has the duty in hospital so she left, but I enjoyed it playing with the kids.” I replied smiling.

“You know, I feel jealous of you both. You both are having most wonderful moments.” Pallavi said smiling.

“We are glad for those kids. Otherwise, I am sure there would not enough strength to go on.” I said, gripping myself to not dwell in the past.

“Anyway, did you hear about the new plan?” she asked, gesturing towards the door from which we can reach the place where the elevator is present.

“No!” I replied, shaking my head.

“The construction is going on from morning nine by the time I came here. They are going to construct a room.” She explained.

“For what? For helping employees to have a good sleep if they want?” I asked grinning.

“That’s funny!” she said laughing.

“No! It is for the baby care center.” She stated and I stilled.

“Oh!” I mumbled, suddenly feeling happy, but at the same time felt uneasy.

“Isn’t it amazing? I am sure you will find it useful.” She said smiling.

“Yeah! But… who will take care of the babies?” I asked frowning.

“He will hire some of the best nannies.” She replied proudly.

“How do you know all this?” I asked, frowning more at her.

“Gossip! And mainly I will not let Mr.Girish move until he inform me everything. It feels nice to inform everyone about everything.” She replied, shrugging and I nodded, staring at her, but then turned to stare at the door.

“Does no one want to work?” we suddenly heard a voice and turned to see Mr.Girish walking towards us from the canteen.

“Sorry, sir!” I mumbled and started working quietly but I frowned hearing Pallavi laugh.

“He is a sweetheart, Kalpana! He is like our own family.” Pallavi said while I stared at her in shock.

“Come on, Mr.Girish! It’s been one month and you can leave the hard look.” She added and to my surprise he actually sighed in relief before smiling at me.

“I had to be rough to see whether you all will work or not. You proved to be good at what you are doing.” He said shrugging.

“Er… thank… you…” I couldn’t even finish the words.

“By the way everyday one hour training will be given to the clerks the next two months to learn the work of next stage. If you want to improve your work, then take the classes. It is for these two months only.” He said and I nodded after which he walked away.

“You should so take it. You will get good chanced in your career here.” Pallavi said smiling before walking away.

I took a deep breath chanting myself, ‘It is ok! Good things happen too. No need to doubt it’.

After a few minutes of chanting it, I felt better and then started my work. I need to tell Jhanvi about these things.

“Right! Did you check if your boss is a human or some spiritual person?” Jhanvi asked and I burst out laughing.

“I haven’t even seen him.” I replied after controlling my laugh.

“Well, everything is fine then until you feel uneasy.” She said shrugging and smiled.

“I don’t!” I lied right through my teeth and turned back to look at Sudhir.

For the first time it feels good to be able to take care of him. I need not worry about his health or mine and whether I will be able to raise him with good care.

Maybe I just became too bitter with the past that I am feeling all these doubts. That must be the reason! I thought and decided for it to be the case.

“Well?” Pallavi asked, folding her arms but I just stood there hugging Sudhir to myself.

“It’s been half an hour since you are standing here. Will you give him to her or not?” Pallavi asked smiling.

“Why did it finish so fast? I thought it would take one year, but not just a few minutes.” I replied and rocked my baby.

“He is going to be one year soon within a few months. He will be fine and you are just a room away.” Pallavi assured me and I nodded before reluctantly handing him to the nany.

“We talked this whole week, Madam. You still doubt me?” Nanny asked, but with a smile.

“I am just worried.” I mumbled and stepped back fisting my hands to my sides.

“You were fine with Jhanvi, right?” Pallavi asked, turning me around while I turned my head to stare at him who is giggling with the toys nanny is showing and then staring at the other kids.

“Because she is like a second mother. She was there for my delivery. Actually, she was the only person there as my family.” I mumbled replying and sighed when the door closed.

“The door of the center is transparent and there are cctv cameras in that room due to the elevator. So, they all are safe.” Pallavi assured me again when I sat down, but just stared at the screen.

“Thanks for supporting me like this.” I said turning towards her.

“It is not a big thing.” She said and walked away while I took a deep breath and started my work.

“Thank you!” I said with grateful look and took him into my arms before hugging him tightly.

“He was just smiling and never cried.” Nanny said smiling at me.

“And many kids stopped crying seeing his smile.” She added before kissing his cheek.

“He does have that talent.” I said proudly and walked away.

“I have to give it to you. I thought you will rush there every hour, but you stayed here except during lunch break.” Pallavi said making fun faces at Sudhir.

“I know I need to get used to it. For this help from the company I can’t lag from the work.” I said, smiling and she nodded before we both walked towards the bus.

“So cute!” we heard a voice and turned to see a guy walking near to us.

“Thanks!” I said, smiling.

“Actually, you both are cute.” He added, making my eyebrows raise.

“From how long you are working here?” he asked not giving a chance for me to reply.

“Six months! And you can stop your flirting, Mohan. You can see the kid for god’s sake.” Pallavi said hitting his shoulder.

“But I don’t see anything for the sign of the husband. You have a husband?” he asked worriedly.

“Divorced!” I mumbled, still feeling shock with his flirting.

“See? Now what is your work?” he asked smiling.

“Clerk!” Pallavi replied when I stayed silent and pushed him away before dragging me towards the bus.

“Don’t mind! He is our company’s reputed flirt.” Pallavi said sighing.

“Okay!” I said, shrugging.

“He seems happy!” Jhanvi noted and I laughed at her words.

“When is he not?” I asked, twirling him around.

“You are also happy.” She said, shaking her head.

I shrugged and settled down while Jahnvi left for her house to get ready for the shift. I nodded, hearing her instructions like every day for her kid and then she left.

“It’s fine, Harsh! She will come soon.” I assured him while he kept on crying and I know she also sheds tears when she goes out of the house for work.

They both are so attached that it wonders me too much. But I can understand with them all these years with no one else. I joined them recently and maybe they will be fine getting used to all this.

“Hello! I didn’t get your name yesterday.” Mohan said, leaning on my desk.

“Kalpana!” I said, nodding at him and continued to work.

“You seem to be busy! I will come later.” He said and walked away.

“Just a coffee!” he asked for the millionth time.

“Please, Mohan!” I said, pleading him.

For the past two weeks he has been behind me for this coffee and not taking a simple ‘no’ for an answer.

“Fine!” I said, getting up and walked to the canteen with him completely ignoring his excitement.

What is so good at drinking coffee with me? I thought, shaking my head and sat down when he walked away to order for us.

But it turned out to be good actually. He may seem to be a flirt but he is fun to be with.

“Thanks for coming!” he said when we both walked outside.

“No need for that! I enjoyed it.” I said shrugging.

“Then can I join you both for lunch later?” he asked eagerly.

“Sure!” I replied, nodding and walked away feeling good to have another friend.

“What?” I asked, frowning at Pallavi.

“Yeah! He got transferred to another branch and left this weekend.” She replied shrugging having her lunch.

“He didn’t say anything about it from the past one week. Did I miss it when he was talking during lunch?” I asked her frowning.

“No! It happens here. One minute you are here and the next minute you are shifted depending on capability of yours.” She replied shrugging.

“What?” I asked now feeling scared.

“Don’t worry! I don’t think there will be any transfers for both designations of ours.” She replied assuring me.

“Okay!” I mumbled, but kept down all the doubts and questions pouring outside.

God! Why does it feel so weird with all these things going on around? I thought, but then shook my head before finishing my food so that I can go near my baby.