Simran would scream if another one of those nosey kids from her neighbourhood banged on her window again.
The little heathens had made a game out of it and kept banging on her window until either her mother or Simran herself would tell them off.
At this point the window was only days away from breaking.
As another knock sounds on her window, she finally pushes off the wooden oak chair, sprinting to the window, placing her copy of La Vita Nuova on the window sill. "Touch it again and I will tell your ma", the young kid who is new to the neighbourhood has a frightful look on his face as he stares at her, his hands trembling as the bowl he is holding on to shakes in his hands.
"Oh" Simran breathes out, her expression softening.
The child still seems scared and ready to bolt at any moment if Simran showed any further hostility.
She sighs, "Sorry, thought you were one of those annoying kids..."
The young boy tilts his head to the side, confused.
Simran contemplates explaining herself but decides against it, "Anything you want?" she asks instead, jutting out her chin to point at the bowl the child is carrying.
The child seems to remember his reason for visiting, "Oh yes, ma was wondering if you could give us some sugar", the boy was nervous, scratching his chin subconsciously.
Simran smiles, he seemed like a nice kid, she had a soft spot for children, at least those that were reasonably civil.
"Of course, wait here"
By the time she's back, the boy is still standing by her window, rocking back and forth on his heel.
Simran decides to walk out through the door rather than passing the sugar through the window.
The boy seems a little embarrassed at Simran's sudden arrival through the door, but brings forward his bowl for her to put sugar in.
"Why didn't you just knock on the door?" she asks him as she pours sugar in his little bowl.
The boy hesitates a moment before he speaks, "I saw you reading through the window and thought I'd ask you there instead."
She looks at the child, his big brown eyes stare at her innocently, her heart almost melts.
"Oh you're so cute" she scrunches up her nose as she pinches his cheek gently.
The little boy blushes but smiles back at her.
"Thank you didi" he grins as he sprints down the porch steps and out the little fenced courtyard.
Simran is smiling as she walks back inside the house.
— — — — — —
"Look at you actually being nice to those little kids" Reema smiles as her daughter walks back inside.
Simran shakes her head, "He's not one of those annoying kids ma, he's that new neighbour's son, Mamta I think."
Her mum laughs again, "Okay, okay, go close your window before those little devils come back again."
Simran stomps her foot in frustration, "Why should we have to close the windows of our own house for them, I like the cool evening air circling my room."
She leaves anyway, closing her window regardless.
Reema shakes her head as she folds another blouse up and places it on the neat pile of folded clothes next to her on the diwan.
— — — — — —
Simran doesn't need her mother to verbally say it for her to know that they were struggling financially, she could tell they were being late on some bills again by the way her mother was delaying buying a new sandal. Deadset on fixing the old sandal for the 5th time as the strap came loose.
She circles another job in the newspaper and sighs.
When will she finally be able to support her mother financially.
The whirring of the sewing machine in a room not too far from her own kept Simran up all night, strengthening her resolve to get a job as soon as possible.
The thought of her mother's tired eyes and fingers sewing away at the sewing machine all night to make ends meet was the nightmare that wouldn't let her fall asleep.
All she could do was wait for the sun to rise so she could finally go out and hunt for some jobs again.
— — — — — —
It has been months since she has been trying to get a job and yet even then she is struggling to find one.
What use was her degree if she couldn't even find a job that would pay well?
If she could, she would make sure that her mother never had to work again.
She would make sure that all her mother did was sit on the diwan all day, reading books like she used to do when Simran was younger.
And yet, she knew that dream was ages away.
She couldn't forget that she wasn't rich, she would need a job to be able to support her mother, to earn money, and ironically still, most jobs can only be obtained by bribing their way in. Paying money to earn money, how sad she thought.
She barely walked for a few hours and her back is already drenched in sweat, her blouse clings to her back uncomfortably. The Mumbai heat is scorching her skin. She decides to take a seat under a tree in the local park, the wooden bench warm to the touch.
She sips some water from her drink bottle thankful for remembering to bring it with her.
She sighs, it was well past noon and she had had no success so far.
Maybe she should try looking for a job that didn't require much experience or academic potential.
Just then she felt her phone vibrate against her thigh.
She fishes it out of her pocket, her heart thrumming against her ribcage as she stares at the caller ID.
It's from a tutoring company she applied to a few weeks back, she hadn't heard back from them since.
"Hello?" she asks, trying to muster up all her confidence.
"Am I speaking with Miss. Simran Singh?" The voice on the other end is deep yet soothing to listen to.
"Yes, how may I help you?" she asks, breathless.
The woman on the other end either doesn't notice or chooses to ignore it, "We have been contacted recently by a client who's tutor profile you fit, they're holding interviews at the moment if you'd be able to make it?"
Simran almost can't believe it.
A job.
She was being offered an opportunity for a job.
"Yes...yes I'd love to, what times are still available?" she asks, a smile already burning on her lips.
"Okay perfect...I'll send you an email with the details and the available time slots, you can book one to your preference, thank you for your time Simran" the woman seems eager to end the call, and then it dawns on Simran that it's nearly lunch hour, the woman's most likely eager for her break.
"Great thanks" Simran smiles down the line.
She places her phone on the bench next to her as the line cuts off, her heart beating with renewed energy
YOU ARE READING
Marriage for Two
FanfictionSimran Singh and Raj Malhotra were never supposed to meet. With Simran trying to make ends meet for her and her mother and with Raj living a carefree life unrestrained by any responsibilities, a tutoring class was all that was needed for worlds to c...
