Sapno Ka Shaher

39. Heartfelt Apologies...

Naina slammed the pen in her hand on the desk and closed the logbook with a force. She hid her face in her palms, and took some deep breaths. She was feeling giddiness and her bowel system was troubling her too. Having your periods in office hours is the worst feeling, she mused. Thankfully she had carried the sanitary napkin and used it in the washroom at close to 12 o'clock. But since then, she has been getting terrible menstrual cramps.

"Naina, kya hua? Tum thik ho?" Naina felt an affectionate touch on her head and she looked up to find her colleague Mrs. Smita Bansal.

Naina adjusted in her chair and put a smile on her contorted face, "ji ma'am, mai thik hu." She tried to assure her.

Mrs. Smita pulled a chair from a nearby table and positioned it close to Naina's chair. "Kya hua? Sir ne bahot jyada kaam de diya?" She asked.

"Nahi nahi. Aisi koi baat nahi hai." Naina maintained a smile.

"Kaam toh hai thoda jyada. I agree on that part." Smita said, "waise.. tum direct entry route se aayi ho na?" Naina responded yes. "toh exam May me dogi?"

"Ji Ma'am."

"Good. Toh? Padhai kaise chal rahi hai? I hope you are not taking it lightly."

Naina went silent for a moment. She didn't really get time to focus on her studies since she had joined her articleship.

"I assume it's not going well?" Smita commented, reading Naina's face. "Naina, direct entry ke wajah se tum pehli baar CA ki exam dogi. Woh bhi CA Inter. It's not easy. I know 9 months ka training khatm hote hi tumhe exam ke liye appear karna padega, but please do it. Don't wait till next November."

For the first time, Naina realized the severity of the exam she had enrolled in. Before starting her articleship, she was studying at home all by herself, choosing whatever subject she felt. But now she comprehended she would need to manage both her studies and the articleship, that too with proper management of time.

"Ji ma'am, mai zaroor iss baat ka dhyan rakhungi." Naina said and her hand clutched her stomach after a sharp cramp again.

"Good girl." Smita smiled back. "Waise tum itni murjhayi si kyu lag rahi ho? Tumhari tabiyat sach me thik nahi lag rahi mujhe."

"Nahi, mai thik hu."

"Naina... you can tell me. Batao mujhe." Smita insisted.

"woh darasal..." Naina looked around for a moment and lowered her voice, "mere periods aaye hai. Aur bahot dard ho raha hai."

"Ohhooo... yeh mahilaon ki har mahine ki dukhbhari dastaan. Hume periods ke liye bhi special leave milni chahiye na?" Smita tried to cheer up Naina, but Naina could manage only a tight smile.

Smita figured Naina might be in real pain and she checked her wrist watch, "tum ek kaam karo. Half-day off le lo, aur ghar jake aaram karo." She suggested with a sweet smile.

Naina refused, stating that she had already taken a leave just two weeks ago. But Smita was persistent. "That's okay Naina, tumhari halat dekho... mai Sir se baat karti hu tum chinta mat karo."

Urging Naina to pack her bag, Smita actually went to their Boss's cabin to talk to him and Naina could only feel grateful at her caring gesture. After five minutes, she returned with a smile and a thumbs up, indicating she got the half day approved for Naina.

She assisted Naina till the main gate of the building and booked an auto for her straight till the society. Naina heaved a sigh and shut her eyes as the auto started. Whenever she had a painful first day or severe cramps at home, she would leave everything in her hand straightway, stretch her legs on the mattress and relax for some time. The hot water bag given by Sameer or Papa used to be her favourite add-on. But none of it was possible in the office today and the constant sitting position just added to her misery.