Oh My Bholenaath !

Chapter 7

3 days, I've been working double my original time and work for 3 days. She took my advice really seriously, didn't she?

Why did I take the responsibility of her work? Yeah you know why. I don't know if I should feel selfish right now or what.

I just hope she tells me why she was getting late and why she was so lost. I'm curious and you cannot blame me!

I yawned and looked over at her desk beside me and saw the picture of God Shiva. Must be a devotee. Hardcore one. I don't get why people put their beliefs in such stuff.

But who cares. As long as someone isn't being extra about all this, I'm unbothered. Least interested actually.

                                    *  *  *

It was around 5:35 PM when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I looked to see who and saw the fatso boss of mine.

"Working double?" He said with his wide annoying smile. Hasn't offered me one increment or promotion and he has the audacity to smile at me.

"Yes sir" I said as politely as I possibly could.
"I've been told that you are incharge of Gauri, right?"
"Yes sir"
"Well then I need you to do me a favour. Willing to?"

Absolutely not.

"Yes sir, what is it?"
"I was supposed to pick up Gauri, but I have an emergency meeting with the investors and share holders. I'll need you to pick her up."

I looked at him with pure confusion. What am I? His butler?

"You'll do it, right?"
With a defeated sigh I nodded yes.
What else could I do, I can just curse at him inside my head. That's all.

                                      *  *  *

Pick her from the temple. A temple. Mandir.
What is this bullshit.

I had the most sour and tired face as I drove towards the address of the temple I was given.
Bholenaath Mandir.
45 Kilometres away from our office.

Sigh . . .

After driving for an hour and thirty minutes thanks to the traffic, I finally reached outside the temple. I saw many people come down the stairs and many go up.

The stairs being divided by a metal railing, left side for leaving and right for entering. It was a big temple. White coloured walls.

I dialed her number to let her know I was outside.

"Hello?" She answered
"Shekhar here, I'm outside."
"Oh alright. Uhmm..."
She paused for a bit
"Everything good?" I asked
"Could you come in? Not much just near the entrance. I might need your help"
"Alright."

I ended the call.

I got out of the car and the mixed scent of many aroma agarbattis  clouded my nostrils.
I really do not like their smell, makes me feel suffocated.

I entered the temple and tried to spot her.

"Shekhar! Here!" I heard her call me from a distance. I spotted her easily.

I saw she was carrying two baskets filled with somethings I could not figure out and there were two kids behind her.

"Shekhar! God. Thank you haan." She said as she finally reached me. I saw the baskets and saw they were filled with food goodies like some fruits, a small packet of almond, a very small box of mithais.

The kids who followed her looked at me as if I was some odd alien.

"Who are they?" I asked curiously
"They live here in the temple. Wait, can you hold these?"
She handed me the baskets then
she  turned around and  gave those kids a kiss each and said goodbye.

Cute.

"Charity?"
She looked at me and smiled
"I don't like the sound of that word. I'd rather call this ... being kind?"

I kept those baskets at the back seat then
we sat in the car and I started driving.
"I come here for those children. Makes me feel nice to be able to do something to make them happy, you know?"

"Yeah" I replied as I focused on the road.

"And I'm sorry, I know you must have had to to so much work  cause of me."

As least she's apologetic.

"It's alright, don't worry about it."

I saw her smile from the corner of my eye.

"So, you're returning to work from tomorrow?"
"Yep!"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Yeah sure"
"I'm still curious. Why were you so lost?"
"Ahh..." she paused

"It's okay if you're not comfortable telling!"
"No it's fine. Hahaha"

Finally.

"There was ... well it's sad. One of these kids, he ..." she sounded hesitant but I had already figured out

"Got it." I said
"Yeah ... I was traumatised a little..."

I felt bad. I judged her too quick.

"I'm sorry. Must be difficult for you."
"Hmm, I was late because well he was sick so I got him admitted in a hospital and I'd stay there at night. So I'd get late every morning for the office."
"Okay..."
"Yes. But he was too weak so.."

She sounded really dull. The air became heavy. I felt really bad now.

"I'm sorry to hear all this. Anything I can do to cheer you up?"
She chuckled
"It's okay, Shekhar. But if you really feel bad then why don't you give me a treat tomorrow?"
I looked at her for a moment then back at the road with a small smile.

"Done?" she asked smiling

"Done." I replied.