When Aarti returned to her work station she found her colleagues speaking about her it was clear as day that she had no friends here only competitor but that did not matter much to her all she wanted was to do her job and receive her salary.
An hour before the end of the workday Aarti received a call to the board room when she arrived there, she noticed the HR dept head, and the three Scindia sons. A letter was given to her Aarti was nervous but she somehow managed to control her emotions her self-talk “what if this is a termination letter what will she do this job was her lif line without it she would have to scrape by until she gets another well-paying job, ,becoming a maid or janitor was something she was not looking forward too”
“Ms Dubey won't you open the letter” enquired the eldest son
Aarti smiled back at him and carefully opened the letter it was a letter outlining that she had received a promotion a new office not just a cubicle three floors up from her current one and she had her staff of about forty people. The salary was like five times more than what she was currently receiving she had more vacation days, plus she was required to travel out of state for business purpose
“MS Dubey all you need to do is sign these copies and originals”
Another Scidia son looked like the youngest and the easier going one held her personal file in his hand“Impressive” he said “I will be personally working with you my name is Preteek” and he held out his hand to her which she happily took.
Aarti was an employee of this company for the last four years and this was her second promotion all the sacrifice was worth it all the night classes to complete her bachelors and master degrees. Life was a struggle for her she had loans to pay all associated to her education. Her priority now wasAnsh his education a good place for him to live to keep him healthy and happy and don’t spoil him.
On her way home, she called her neighbor Radha ma a single woman who looked after Ansh for her since Aarti moved into that building with a month old Ansh. Radha ma was a good woman who lost her family at an early age she was a seamstress but on occasions work as a maid for the wealthy families who lived in mansions a few miles away from their humble building.
Radha ma was excited to hear Aarti’sgood news and they both decided to celebrate by cooking up a special dinner. On her way home from the market Aarti met Yash he looked tired and sad but he offered to carry her heavy bags for her so Aarti invited him over for dinner.Radha saw them together and invited both into her humble home for tea and snacks. Ansh was there doing his homework under Radha ma supervision he respectfully called her his nani ji.
Yash enjoyed spending time with this happy trio they had become his family in the last few months that he lived here, they respected his privacy yet they easily trusted him a complete stranger who move into the same floor of their humble building. On day he asked ma why did she trust him so and she replied that a person’s eyes tells the truth that eyes are the windows to a person soul plus this is the twenty- first century and so many residents here own a smartphone, computer, and tv social media is an important part of life if he was a criminal in hiding he would have been easily caught by now.
In Aarti’s room they had their dinner Radha brought her small table and two chairs and Aarti also had a small table and two chairs. Aarti served Yash and once again she noticed all the bruises on is hand he clearly was not accustomed to doing this type of heavy construction work but the size and shape of his muscles spoke a different story making both she and Radha ma believe that he had a good office job and was a regular at a gym.
“Thanks Ma and Aartiji for the meal” smiled Yash
“Not a problem son “answered Radha “You know it is a celebration today Aarti got a promotion in her office, here let us have sweets and cholate cake”
“A promotion Aarti ji congrats” and he offered her his hand for a handshake, “I think a gift is well deserved.”
“No you don’t have to buy me anything Yash ji”
“Aarti Ji I insist both you and Radha ma have been good friends and support to me these past few months”
“But son we have not done much a few meals now and again, chatting with you and helping you settle in this building”
“Ma that may not seem like a lot to you but to me it is everything when I first arrived here you two could of left me sitting on the stairs or locked in my room or even mind your own business and leave me to the constant attack by the undesirables who live here and were out to steal what little I own. I was so depressed and wanted to die but you would not let me encouraging me to live helping me to get my job I admit I still have a long way to go emotionally before I speak or return to my old life that is if I ever want to return to it but for now today I am at peace and I have both of you to thank and of course you my mini chatterbox champ Ansh”
“Uncle Ji I am not a chatterbox girls are chatterbox both ma and nani ji are chatterboxes” laugh Ansh
“Okay Baba then what do you like doing?”
“Playing sports cricket, football and I want to learn to swim”
“Well guess what I love sports too starting from tomorrow with your ma’s permission we can start having fun after you finish school”
“Ma please”
“After you finish your homework you can with Radha’s ma permission and don’t trouble Yash ji if he is too tired after work”
“Okay” and he hugged his ma naniji and Yash
“Time for you to go and brush your teeth and get ready for bed”
“Okay but I want to request something from uncle ji”
Aarti looked alarmed what was her son going to as of Yashji granted he was a nice man but she did not want her son to step over the line of friendship
“What is it son?”
“Yash uncle I want to tell me a bedtime story please”
“Okay then I will tell you a story”