THINGS WE NEVER UNDERSTOOD

2.

Riya's pov

"Why are you so zoned out always" Rahul asked me. I didn't notice him coming out of the cabin and standing beside me. I really must have been dreaming for a long time.

"Just thinking casually" I replied to which he smacked my head lightly and said.

"Stop pressuring this little brain so much" and gave an assuring smile and went away.

How much ever assurance anyone gives nobody can fix the mess I am in every day. A mother who barely cares about her daughter and is still not over her son's death and a father who is sick and bed ridden and a small human called my nephew who knows nothing about this cruel world and likes his aunt more than anything in this world.

"Did you hear about the lay offs, the company's deciding to remove unnecessary posts. They are doing this as a part of their cost cutting strategy for the new merger with the other company" Rahul said. He just brought me coffee even though he is my superior he acts like I am his boss.

I knew him from my college days. We were not this close back then but then fate happened and now he is the closest next to my family. Even though I couldn't complete my studies fully and had to drop out he completed his undergrad and then his masters from a prestigious college and came back to hometown here in Delhi and happened to join the same company I am working in.

"Lay offs? Any idea at what rate. Cause I really cant risk loosing my job now. I can barely survive with this salary and I can assure you no company would give me a job with the shitty degree I hold" I said already worry lines forming on my face.

"Don't worry, they won't remove you. You've been working here for 4 years approximately and it's for the lower posts, you're post is kinda mid. So no worries" he said but I wasn't satisfied still. There is something else bugging me and he knows when iam in dire need of money.

"What are you worrying about" Rahul asked serious this time.

"The usual, how will I run my family with this bare minimum salary"

"Riya, you have to really stop worrying. You do this every single day. Don't self doubt yourself, I know how good you are at looking after your family. You will go through it" he says but I wasn't satisfied yet. The coffee in the mug is already completed and he went to his cabin while I work in this petty little box called cabin among the hundred others here.

I got a call from mom. she asked me to bring some sweets and the best ones because she wants to gift the neighbors on their birthday. And then I looked at my purse which barely had two thousand counted with the change.

We used to live lavishly when bhaiyya was there. The company was profitable and he brought many many gifts for me and mom. He loved me more because mom showed indifferences between me and bhaiyya from my childhood.

I don't know what I did that she hates me so much. She sees me like a money making machine and nothing more than that.

The day was done for today and everyone started to leave but the Rahul's cabin was still switched on with lights.

"May I come in" I said knocking on his door and went in when I heard a faint come in.

"Why haven't you gone home yet" I asked him.

"I had some last minute work regarding the merger acquisition. You can go. I will be late" he said. If it were under normal conditions I would have gone as soon as he said those words but now I wanted something. I needed something and I was so hesitant asking for it.

"Riya, do you need money" he asked looking at my uneasiness to which I just nodded.

"How much do you need" he asked searching for his wallet. I wanted a lot but I can't be relying on him this much.