Endless Affliction

5. Upside Down

Myra's pov:

Monday it is. Mondays are everyone's foe. It is inescapable. Today office hours are crazy, everyone's working around the clock. ''Hey Myra, could you please get me a photocopy of this document, it's kinda urgent'', Sameera, my senior asked me. ''Sure thing mam, I'll be right back'', I replied and took the document from her. 

I guess this is what corporate culture is all about, hog your juniors with your work on top of their own, juniors working in any department are like species that is at the end of the food chain, along with interns ofcourse. I came back and handed the document back to Sameera. ''Oh, I forgot to tell you Myra, Yug sir wanted to meet you in his office'', she said nonchalantly. ''What? Why? Why would he ask for me?'', I asked in panic. ''Whoa! Hold your horses girl, I have no idea, but you know he handles progress of the new employees so maybe it's related to that. Now go, don't make him wait for you.'', she replied. I half-heartedly went towards the elevator and pressed the button. The lift opened and I entered inside it and pressed the 16th floor button. That's where most of the higher-ups work.

As the elevator was going up, the ability to breath was going down. Why did he wanted to see me? Have I done something wrong? The 'ding' from the elevator brought me back to reality, I walked out and walked towards my elder brother's office, ''COO'', the door of his office had this labelled, he was the chief operating officer of the company. 'Okay Myra, just don't overthink, answer everything honestly, and you'll be fine', I thought to myself and knocked on the door. I heard a faint 'come-in' and I opened the door. Yug sir looked at me and said, ''Have a seat''. 

His office screams elegance, you cannot find a single speck of dust in here, a well furnished room it is. I went and stood in front of his table and looked down holding my hands together at front. ''Why are you still standing? Sit down'', he said sternly. I sat opposite to him and looked down. ''Oh, are you scared, princess? I am not Kabir you know, if I were him, you'd probably be lying beaten somewhere in this office''. He said mockingly. ''Yo-, You asked for me si-, sir?'', I asked not being able to look up.

''Yes, but for a completely different reason, I asked for you to talk about Bhumika'', he said. ''Bhabhi?'', I asked finally looking up. ''Hmm, do you think I'm a fool, that I don't know that you guys talk secretly and that she helps you behind my back?'', he asked looking at me sternly. And now I was scared, ''Bha-, bhai it's not like that, it's not her fault'', I replied. ''Ofcourse it's not her fault, she is just too good for this world you know, I don't know what lies you've fed her that she thinks you're too naive and innocent'', he said irritatingly. I couldn't reply to that so I just looked down and waited for his next words.

''And cut this 'bhai' crap, we don't consider you family, it would be so good if you just disappear from our lives, you're just a burden to us all'', he said like it's the most normal thing for him to say. Indeed I'm a burden but to listen to it everyday of your life, for how long I can handle it. My head was down, and a single tear fell from my eye. ''Now, what I called you here for is to tell you, no to warn you, that stay the hell away from my wife. She has just given birth to our little boy, she needs rest and not to look after you. Got it?'', he asked me. I just nodded to it. ''Good, now get the hell out of my office'', he said and continued his work on his laptop.

Dejected, I came back to by cubicle and sat down on my chair. ''Hey, what was it about?'' Sameera asked me as soon as she saw me. Just leave me alone. ''As you said mam, he wanted to discuss about my performance and gave me some feedback'', I said, faking a smile and went back to do my work. Rest of the day went quickly as there was so much work to be done. After office, I was waiting outside for a taxi, as soon as I saw one I hailed for it. I sat and gave directions to the driver.

That's I thing about me I get lost in my thoughts as soon as I'm alone, so I didn't notice immediately when the driver went off the directions I gave him. As soon as I noticed that we're going the wrong way, I asked him, ''Uncle, this isn't the way, why did you take this route? Please stop the cab right now''. ''Oh child, please bear with me I have to buy the medicines for my wife and the pharmacy is this way, it'll only take 5 minutes'', he replied showing me the prescription in his hand. ''Uncle, you could have told me that beforehand, I'll be late now'', I said. ''Please, child just bear me with me for 5 minutes'', he asked looking at me with hope in his eyes.