Ajay stood up from his workstation and stretched himself.He hated Saturday shifts.There was always a dreary silence in the office which made him uncomfortable.He stepped out to get coffee and some fresh air.While returning , he bumped into Veena around the corner ,spilling his coffee.
"I'm sorry" she mumbled,her face red and eyes blinded by tears.
"Veena ,is everything alright?" Ajay asked.
"I'm fine" she replied without making eye contact and left quickly sobbing.
It didn't seem right. Ajay got back to his desk and checked if she was online. Her Skype status Showed
"Pillai,Veena - Away "
Her eyes still haunted him.Not only today ,but from the very first day they met.They had joined the company together.They soon became friends . Even though not part of the Ajay's office gang ,they still kept each other abreast of the major events in their lives. Veena was a good friend.
**************************************************************************
"Pillai,Veena - Offline 14 days"
He had been trying to reach her mobile every single day,but it was switched off.
His phone suddenly sprung into a song with Veena's name flashing on the screen.
Before he could pick up her call,his team lead interrupted "Ajay ,we need to plan a farewell for Mr Shetty, he's leaving the firm tomorrow."
"Sure !" he said hastily and returned Veena's call ,but it was switched off again.
***************************************************************************
"Hey Peter ! I thought you said you would take care of the aftermath.There's this guy who keeps threatening about going to the police."
"Don't worry Shetty ! I get those calls too .I'll take care of him.I know what needs to be done."
"Good thing,you didn't tell your wife Peter ! She 's treating me well in the new company."
***************************************************************************
Ajay dialled into Peter's alternate number ,this time from another sim card.
This was his routine since a couple of days - calling them and spitting profanity at these filthy guys.
He was also frustrated that he could not convince Veena to go to the Police. Even though she was a strong women,this incident broke her and she was worried of all the shame. The HR - Mr Peter was Shetty's ally and had rejected her complaints,which deepened her distress.Her friends didn't fight for her because ,they were part of Shetty's team.She confided in me and I couldn't convince her enough.
When the call connected ,and as Ajay was about to spew the venom ,a cool female voice spoke
"Andrea Peter speaking!"
Ajay held his breath and started a mellow conversation trying to put sense into the woman.But the lady denied all the allegations he threw at her.The argument heated and ended on a vile note.
"My husband would never do such a thing ! He is a man of ethics and would never allow such behavior from himself or anybody!" hollered Andrea.
"Just so you know your husband and his friend Peter are not going to live too long !!" Ajay shouted hanging up.
***************************************************************************
Ajay slammed the door so hard that the board reading "HR" almost fell off.
Peter had given him the pink slip.
Ajay already saw it coming ,but he was furious the way people misused their power.
Everything happening around him was chewing his head ,but he couldn't speak to his friends.
He couldn't even display his disapproval ,coz he couldn't disclose anything as it involved Veena.
***************************************************************************
"You know what ???" I started all excited.
We were just meeting over for lunch at the common cafeteria in Techno Park ,since Ajay had recently moved to a new company.
" You know Mr Shetty ,our ex-senior manager ,he died last night! .Rumors have it that he was drunk and fell off the tenth floor from Mr Peter's house.He died on the spot."
"Hmm.." ,he replied uninterested.It was unusual of him .As he used to be the one with all juicy gossips when we were working together.
As he was stepping out to get water ,his mobile beeped with a message.
"HOPE YOU ARE HAPPY NOW..." ,read the message from an unknown number.
**************************************************************************
"Can you believe this ? Another death in just a week ! "I said.
Ajay seemed to be sober since he changed his jobs,his conversations were mostly "hmm","yes" or simply silence.He also didn't open up to us.I sensed something was bothering him.
But I continued the monologue.
"Mr Peter was such a gem of a person.He was the best HR ,very supportive of his employees.They said he died of a heart attack.Poor man! "
Ajay's phone beeped with a text message,
"HOPE YOU ARE HAPPY AGAIN..." ,read the message from an unknown number.
***************************************************************************
"Pillai,Veena - Available"
"Hey Ajay! You know that girl Veena, looks like she's back after a hiatus. Some say there's something fishy going on with her!"
"She was raped!" Ajay replied sternly.
"Oh my God! I'm sorry!"
***************************************************************************
Andrea lay on her bed contemplating those nights....
She tossed a coin that day.Heads or Tails. Forgive Shetty or Kill him.
Her heart pounded as the coin stood in the air ,and at that moment she wished it should be Tails!
The coin landed on the table dancing and then flat - TAILS.
Shetty stood there along the balcony railing of her house, inebriated and swaying, a glass of alcohol in one hand and other hand clutching the railing for support.
Peter was inside at the bar table getting another bottle for the night.
Drink parties for these childhood friends always lasted all night long.
She walked slowly towards Shetty ,bent down as if to pick up her glass but instead chose his legs!
A week later she tossed her coin again.Heads or Tails. Forgive Peter or Kill him.
Her heart pounded as the coin stood in the air ,and at that moment she wished it should be Tails! Because Peter ,her husband had erred in supporting a wrong friend and denying justice to the girl.
Peter was sound asleep.Thanks to the pills .All she needed was his insulin syringe and some air.
She injected the empty syringe and left the room..
Her stream of thoughts were interrupted by a text message,
"Thank you Andrea!
You did justice to Veena
AND YOURSELF!
-Ajay"
A tear rolled down her eye but so did a smile appear.
***************************************************************************
