I rushed out of his cabin and went straight towards mine.
Mina tried to ask me what happened, but I raised my hand and signaled her to stop, shaking my head. She didn't understand what was going on.
I entered my cabin and lay in my chair for a few seconds before getting up. I collected my stuff, grabbed my car keys, and started walking out of the office.
The admin said, "It's not time yet," but I didn't look at him or anyone else in the office. Without punching out my time, I headed straight towards the car parking.
I unlocked my car, hopped in, threw my bag on the passenger side seat, and shut the door loudly. Then, I let out a crazy and loud scream!
"What the heck does he think of himself?" I muttered angrily. "I've been working for this firm for so long, and he thinks I don't know what I'm doing?"
I pulled out a cigarette and lit it up, taking a puff as I reclined my car seat. I switched on the AC of my car.
My thoughts raced. "Alright, there's a mistake in the report, but he could at least be a little supportive and tell me without screaming at me, right? That's what bosses are for, aren't they?"
I never scream at my teammates, and I never will.
I got a text from Meena asking what was wrong. I replied, saying, "Nothing, I just need to rush home, a little urgent," and kept the phone aside.
As soon as I replied, I got a call from Shreya's school number. My heart skipped a beat; she never calls from that number.
I picked it up.
"Mom, could you pick me up a little early?" Shreya said.
"Oh sure, honey. What's the matter?"
"Um, nothing. Someone is not feeling well from the staff, and all the teachers have to go and see them. So, they are letting us leave a little early, like half an hour early."
"Okay, darling. I'll be there in no time."
"Okay, Mom. Bye."
I tossed the cigarette out, pulled on my seatbelt, and started the car's AC just to clear away the cigarette smell.
Once the car was filled with clean air, I closed the window.
Removing the car from the parking spot, I headed towards Shreya's school. Oh, the summer heat was so much to bear. I turned on the AC to the full speed and also switched on the radio.
"Humne tumko dekha... Tumne humko dekha...aiseee humtum sanam milte rahe ho jaise... la la la.." the song played on the radio.
"Hmm, I like this song," I said to myself. I turned up the volume and started singing along.
Driving along and singing, a simple call from my daughter made me forget what happened in the office and lifted my mood.
I smiled and kept on driving, navigating through the traffic.
"So, here we are," I said to myself as I reached her school.
I parked my car and went to the waiting area, greeted by a few other parents.
"Hey, Maya," I heard a voice from behind me.
"Hey, Shila, how are you?" I said, meeting my old friend Shila.
"I'm good. My son called and asked to pick him up early. I don't know what's the matter," she said, looking at the school building.
"Oh, I think someone has been admitted to the hospital, that's why they are letting them leave early."
"Oh really?" she asked.
"Yeah," I replied.
After some chitchat with Shila, I started feeling tired and bored, as I didn't enjoy too much gossiping and bitching.
I hoped Shreya would come out soon, and in a few minutes, I heard her calling me, "Mom... Mom..."
I walked towards her, and as usual, she hugged me. I kissed her forehead and said, "So, you got a chance to go home early."
She smiled and said, "Mom, ice cream."
"Okay," I said, and we walked towards my car parked after I said goodbye to Shila.
"You saved me," I said to her.
"What?" she asked, seeking clarification.
"Nothing," I smiled, looking back at Shila as she was talking to some other lady.
We hopped in the car and started driving home.
"Mom, you know the teacher gave us a project to finish by this weekend," Shreya said, raising her eyebrows and giving me that 'I don't know' look.
I smiled and said, "No worries, my bachha (baby). Mamma will help you with that," I assured her.
"Really?" she jumped in joy, a bright smile lighting up her face, and pointed towards an ice cream parlor.
She ordered her favorite chocolate, and I accompanied her with that flavor as well.
We were enjoying the ice cream, and soon I got an email notification on my phone. I paused for a moment, then locked the screen without looking at it.
"I said to her, 'Mama is going to take a day off from work.'"
"Oh wow, so should I take off from school too?" she said.
"No, baby. Mama just wants to relax a little, so she needs a day off," I smiled.
She nodded, saying, "Okay," and continued enjoying her ice cream.
I loved the innocense she have, how wonderful the life is when we are kids no work stress and no corporate race. Wish I could be small again.
I remember the days I used to sit on my Dad's bike and we used to ride through the market. Those days are priceless one thing is for sure money could not buy everything. I have enogh money today but I can not buy that past and those peaceful days!
"But isn't that what life is?" I mused. "We grow up studying hard, we race for a good job. Once we're in a good company, we again race for a better position. That's what life is, I believe. We can't escape these realities of life."
I still remember our old days when all of us used to live in a tiny apartment on the outskirts of the city. Dad used to go to work in the factory on his bike, which he bought after spending 15 years on a cycle.
Those days were not so good from any point of view. Dad used to work hard, and Mom too used to do some maid work while raising me and my little brother.
I silently thanked my dad in my mind for allowing me to learn and complete my MBA from a good college and get into a job.
I was in my thoughts of chain till she snapped her finger and I was back in present.
I smiled and wiped a drop of tear from my eyes and said let's go home baby!
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