Chapter 04

PRATIBHA

Pratibha, drumming on the steering wheel, waited for the traffic light to turn green. She pressed the accelerator soon after the green signal appeared and drove through the intersection in haste.

She wanted to discuss her transfer order with her parents and seek their opinion. Even though she desired to go to Hyderabad and work on the new project, she would abide by her parent's decision. She didn’t want to get in trouble by going against their wishes.

Being a broadminded person, her father, Damodar, might allow her to accept the transfer order. But Pratibha’s mother, Arti, was quite traditional; she wouldn’t agree to send her away from home. Arti had been insisting Pratibha get married and settle, but she wished to wait until her training period ended.

Pratibha had been fearful of being placed outside Bangalore; she had avoided revealing her parents about her affair with Rahul. She had waited for her training to get completed. She had hoped her project manager would retain her in his group. But things had turned out against her. Now, she needed to wait until her new assignment at Hyderabad got completed.

She glanced at the dashboard clock. Another twenty minutes, and she would be home. She was eager to talk to her parents.

Her phone rang. She slowed down the car and fished out the phone from her purse. It was Arti. Mum must be angry. It was unusual for Pratibha to return late in the evening. She had often called Arti and had informed her if she had worked late. But that day, she forgot to ring her. Pratibha needed to calm her mother.

She plugged the headphones in her ears. “Hi, Mum.”

“Pratibha, where are you?” Arti sounded angry. “Are you still working?”

“Don’t worry, Mum. I am on my way; I should be there in ten minutes.”

“Did you stay this late at the office?” Arti said. “Your father is asking for you.”

“I had to meet my boss over an important matter, Mum. Please wait for another ten minutes. I will be there.”

“Was the meeting that important?”

“Yes. Let me arrive home so that I can discuss it with you and Dad.”

“Okay. But don’t delay. Your Dad is already upset.”

Pratibha pressed the red button. She heaved a sigh, contemplating. Her parents were so vigilant. They wouldn’t let her leave home and work at Hyderabad that easily. Pratibha needed to try hard to convince her parents, especially Arti. They should know the crisis in the IT sector; and why it was important for Pratibha to stick to her job. She should continue working on a project instead of spending idle time on the bench and possibly losing her job.

Damodar would understand her. He had read the news and had discussed the matter with Pratibha. Convincing Arti would be a daunting task. Pratibha hoped if her father agreed, it won’t be difficult to convince Arti.

Outside her home, Pratibha parked her car near the main gate and entered the premises. The ground was wet with rainwater. The gardening plants – roses, jasmine, daisies, and daffodils – swung in the cold breeze that swept down the verandah. The colors of the blooming flowers - red, pink, and purples – soothed her eyes. The smell of jasmines and roses hit her nostrils. The scenery of her garden relieved her from the work stress.

Pratibha entered the living room. Arti was, as usual, knitting a sweater; Damodar was reading India Today.

“Hi, Mum.” Pratibha balanced while she took off her sandals. “Hello, Papa.”

Arti, in her cotton embroidered sari, appeared younger than her real age of late forties. She looked up at Pratibha with her dark, medium-sized green eyes. Her wide forehead stood out from the rest of her facial features. A feel of seriousness eclipsed her fair, square face.

Damodar, in his pale blue night suit, continued to read the magazine, oblivious to the surrounding. His long nose appeared prominent on his oblong, fair face.

Arti stopped knitting; Damodar tossed the magazine on the coffee table. He looked at Pratibha through his brown framed glasses. Their continued silence showed they wanted an explanation from Pratibha for being late.

Pratibha drew in a heavy breath. “Mum, I told you already.” She sat in between her parents and crossed her hands over her chest. “My manager wanted to meet me when I was about to windup.”

Arti remained silent. She looked at Pratibha with an expression that said 'why-the-meeting-was-arranged-so-late'.

Pratibha took her transfer order out from her bag. “Here is the reason I came home late.” She gave the letter to Damodar.

He opened the letter and read it. His face grew pale as he continued reading it.

“What’s the matter?” Pratibha’s mother sounded curious. She inserted the needle into the half-knitted shawl and dragged it from the other end.

Pratibha needed to relieve Arti. “It’s my transfer order to Hyderabad.”

“Transfer order to Hyderabad? You got placed so early, then.” She put the woolen ball and the half knitted shawl aside. “You said you would remain at Bangalore, correct?”

Pratibha nodded, defiantly. “Yes, I did. But I need to go to Hyderabad to work on a new project.”

“It’s a four to a six-month assignment,” Damodar added. He looked at Pratibha. “Will you be transferred back to Bangalore after the project completion?”

“Well, I’m not sure, Papa. You already know how IT companies are struggling these days.”

Damodar nodded his agreement. He shifted his gaze to Arti.

“Are you going to Hyderabad alone?” Arti asked.

“Yes, Mum.” She turned to Damodar. “What do you suggest, Papa?”

Damodar raised his glasses. “Your Mum may be correct. Going alone is not advisable, beta.”

Pratibha shrugged. If Damodar didn’t support, then she needed to forget the new assignment. And she should search for another job for going against the management decision. She still hoped Damodar would support her. Pratibha needed to remind him how the IT employees are being laid off those days.

“Papa,” she said, “You know how hard it is to get a software job. I am lucky to have a project to work on in Tech-Soft solutions. Most of my engineering classmates are still trying hard to find a job. I need to stick with my employer.”

“But you can get another job if you try, right?”

“I don’t think so, Papa. And I should be answerable to the interviewer as to why I’m changing the employment.”

Damodar remained silent. He seemed to have understood Pratibha's situation.

“What if you remain at Bangalore?”

 “You mean refusing to go to Hyderabad?”

Damodar nodded, adjusting his glasses on the bridge of his long nose.

“If I remain idle for a couple of weeks, the management will give me a pink slip.”

“Have they done so to any other employees?”

“Yes, a few of them lost their jobs.”

Damodar appeared to be in deep thought over the matter.

Pratibha remained silent and waited for Damodar to speak. Her mum seemingly expected him to decide about the matter.

“Alright,” Damodar said, “I also want you to be busy with your profession. If you’re interested, you can and work on the new project.”

Pratibha heaved a sigh of relief. Her expectation that Damodar would allow her to go turned out to be true. She rose to her feet. “Thank you, Papa.” She shifted her gaze to Arti. “Mum, it’s a matter of four-six months. I will be back in Bangalore once the project is finished.”

Arti shrugged. “I still suggest you not to accept the order. I know you never listen to what I say.” She paused and then said, “Make sure another employee in your group joins you. You will feel more comfortable if you have a company.”

Pratibha nodded, smiling. She walked to her bedroom.

Her younger sister, Usha, was reading a book. Her fair, square face shone in the fluorescent light and she looked up at Pratibha with her deep-set, almond-shaped eyes. She narrowed her dark, short arched eyebrows.

Pratibha placed her backpack on the table. She sat beside Usha on the bed and stretched her legs out.

Usha inserted a bookmark and turned to Pratibha. “You’re late today.”

“I am going to work at Hyderabad.”

“Hyderabad? Why?”

“I am placed there.”

“But you said-”

“I know,” Pratibha said. “I too am surprised.”

“Did you talk to Papa and Mum?”

“I did.”

“What did they say?” Usha asked.

“Papa is okay with it. Mum is a bit upset, but should be all right eventually.”

“I am going to miss you, Akka.” Usha forced a smile.

“Don’t worry,” Pratibha said. “I should be back in Bangalore once the project gets completed.” She held Usha’s shoulder. “Another three years and you will have your engineering degree. Then, you can work anywhere in India if you want.”

Usha held her hand. “I decided to study engineering only because of your encouragement, Akka. I need your support in passing through the remaining semesters and in seeking a job as a software engineer.”

Pratibha gently squeezed Usha’s shoulders. “I already told you’ll have my full support and encouragement. Talk to me over the phone whenever you like. I have faith you’ll get through the degree without any hurdles.”

“Thank you, Akka.” Usha rested her head on Pratibha’s shoulder. “Have you informed Rahul?”

Pratibha straightened in her seat. “No.”

“You wanted to tell Papa and Mum about your interest in Rahul, right?”

“Yes. But I need to postpone the matter.”

“What if you tell them before you go to Hyderabad.”

“They're already upset. I don’t want to further disappoint them. I’ll wait for a few more months. I hope I’ll be relocated back to Bangalore once the project gets completed.”

“You are going to miss Rahul.” Usha smiled.

Pratibha squeezed Usha’s cheek. “I will miss you too.”

Usha grinned. “I wish you good luck, Akka.”

“Thanks.” Pratibha kissed Usha on her cheek.

Pratibha glanced at the clock. It was just before eight. She took her phone from her purse and called Rahul. “Hi, what’s up?” Rahul sounded excited. “You never call at this time.”

“Yeah. I've got an update.”

“Cool. I guess you talked to your parents about us.”

“No, not that.”

“What’s it, then?”

“Better we meet and discuss the matter.”

“At this time? No problem if it’s okay with you.”

“I’ll be waiting at the Kamat Restaurant near my home.” Pratibha hoped her Mum would allow her to go out.

“I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

“Sure.”

She went to the bathroom and splashed warm water on her face. After refreshing, she combed her half-cut, black hair; she put the curls behind her ears and applied a lip gloss and mascara; she rubbed a jasmine talcum powder on her fair face before she went to the living room.

She heaved a sigh of relief as Damodar had gone out. Arti was busy in the kitchen. Guilt coursed through her mind. She would tell Arti the truth to avoid hassles when she returned.

“Mum, I’m going out; I will be back soon.”

“Where are you going?” Arti raised her voice.

“I need to buy some stationery.” She put on her sandals and went out.

Stars glittered in the sky alongside the half-moon. The street wore a deserted look and the sound of crickets and frogs filled the surroundings. She strode towards the Kamat Restaurant located near her house.

Rahul, in his green T-shirt and dark blue pants, stood near the parking place. His attire suited to his more than average height of six feet. His long, sharp nose stood out from the rest of his facial features. His fair, square face was lit with a smile as he approached Pratibha.

“You look so beautiful in that dress,” Rahul said.

Pratibha blushed. Her new maroon salwar kameez indeed complimented her fair skin and it had attracted Rahul. Her chest lightened as she took in Rahul from head to toe. He too appeared quite smart in his attire.

“Thanks.” Pratibha smiled. “I like your T-shirt.” She came closer to him and slid her hand around his waist.

Rahul walked her inside the hotel. They waited for someone to usher them to an empty seat. The place was abuzz with customers. Pratibha shivered in the cool air conditioning. The waiters, holding the aluminum plates with snacks in them, rushed to serve the customers. The smell of masala food wafted in the air.

A waitress in uniform ushered them to an empty table. Pratibha sat facing the window. Rahul sat opposite her, facing the hall.

“So, tell me what you wanted to talk about.”

The waitress came to take their orders. Rahul seemed upset for the intrusion. “Can you give us ten minutes please?”

But Pratibha needed to go home early. “Rahul, let's just talk over a cup of coffee or juice. It’s already dinner time.”

“Okay. Two orange juices.” Rahul propped up his elbows on the table, shifting his gaze back on Pratibha. “So, tell me now.”

“Okay, you seem to be eager to know. But you promise me first you’ll not get disappointed.”

“Okay, okay, I will not.” Rahul sounded impatient. “Let me know what that damn thing is.”

“I’m going to Hyderabad to work on a new project.”

“What?” Rahul raised his voice. “You said you’ll be here in Bangalore, right?”

“I too am surprised, Rahul. But my manager told me it’s a six months assignment. I will come back after the project gets completed.”

“I can’t wait that long, Pratibha.” His face grew pale. He let out a heavy breath. He looked down at the floor for a few seconds before he turned his gaze back to her. “You wanted to speak about me to your parents, right?”

Pratibha’s heart raced. Rahul had been insisting she tells her parents about their affair and seeks their consent for the union. Her parents were already upset about her transfer. Papa will not agree to accept Rahul as he belonged to a different caste. More so, he came from a less affluent, middle-class family. But Pratibha loved him, for he was a smart software engineer. He was kind, funny and handsome, too.

She needed to console Rahul. “My parents are already upset over my transfer, Rahul. I will speak to them after I return from Hyderabad.”

“One year is a too long period to wait, Pratibha.”

“Don’t say that.” Pratibha sounded high. “Time will just fly if we keep ourselves busy. You need to understand my situation, Rahul.”

“What if you refuse the order and remain at Bangalore?”

“That’s a risk. I don’t think I’ll be given any project to work on.”

He pressed his lips, seemingly thinking about the matter. After waiting for a few moments, he said, “Alright. You have already decided to go. I don’t want to persuade you.”

“It’s for the better, Rahul," Pratibha said. "I hope you will wait.”

Rahul nodded his agreement.