Oh My Bholenaath !

Chapter 6

The next day she was late again by 2 hours. Why she gets this pass and we don't? This is unfair.

But today I won't bother her at all, not a single word will be uttered. The embarrassment that I felt yesterday was enough doze for my whole lifetime.

Few minutes later she finally came huffing and puffing again like yesterday. But I didn't look at her, not even a small glance. Why show I care? I don't.

But throughout the day I noticed how uncoordinated she was. She could not find her computer glasses and was going crazy trying to search for them, only to find them on her head.

She also made many silly errors and looked really dazed. The HR had to call her name three times to get her attention. She apologised continuously.

But I didn't let my curiosity take control over me. I just stayed quiet and saw her suffer the whole day.

I just wondered that it could be some family issue that's taking a toll on her. But Aggarwal did not seem to be anywhere close to being disturbed or distracted. He was being such a jolly, happy and cruel boss throughout the day!

* * *

"Yaar Shaurya, I'm really curious."
I said as we both stood at the offife terrace smoking cigarettes.
"About what?" He asked as he exhaled the smoke through his nose.
"This Gauri, she has been lacking alot these days."
"What do you mean?"
"She seems dazed and lost and disturbed ... but her baap does not. Instead he is annoyingly happy."
Shaurya chuckled.
"Why do you care?" he asked as he smirked and raised an eyebrow at me.

"Because she is under me right now. And my promotion is lowkey dependent on her"
I sighed
"Hmm, then ask her"
"I tried. It was embarrassing."
"Why what happened?"

I looked at him and sighed. I told him everything.

He started laughing like a maniac and kept hitting my shoulder.

"Stop it." I demanded but he just kept snorting.
I shook my head and sighed.

"Abey chuuu, who asks a girl such a thing??" He said in between his giggles.
I just remained silent and didn't look at him.

"Achha okay. Listen. Arey listen na"
I turned towards him
"Say"
"First, try to help her with her work. You see her make some mistake? Go and correct it. Kindly."

The way he emphasised on the word 'kindly'

"You see her struggle? Help her. You know."

I hummed in response. Why is he good at this?
He knows how to talk to people and I don't?

"Then?" I asked
"Then what, she'll slowly start trusting you and then you can ask her. She'll share most probably."

"Probably?"
"Haan. Cannot take 100% guarantee of course."

I hummed again. Alright. Let's do this.

             
                                    *  *  *

I looked beside me and saw Gauri work. She was late by an hour today too. My curiosity keeps growing and growing!

I saw her struggle with a code. It kept showing error and I could see the frustration build up on her face.

"Need help?" I asked and she looked at me with a dazed expression .
"Huh?" all confused.
I pointed at her screen
"Ohh... yeah. It keeps showing error I don't get why.."

I rolled my chair slightly towards her so I could see the screen more properly.

"You're missing the bracket there." I told her and she shut her eyes and sighed. This was a very silly error.

"I'm sorry."
"Hey it's fine! Happens to all of us. Especially when we're mentally preoccupied... something is clearly bothering you, right?"

She looked at me and nodded with a sigh.

"Why don't you take a break?"
"Hmm? No... I can't."
"Why not? You have three paid leaves."
"Yeah..."
"You should rest. I've been observing you for two-three days."

She finally agreed to this and decided to leave and gave her half day attendance.

I sighed. Now I'll have to do her work too ...