Chapter-15
Life is unpredictable
Monday morning, on my way to office, I remember that how I left my aunt in tears in her when she hugged me. That moment I decide that after going back to office, I will talk to Mr. Ethan about my leaves as I have hardly taken any leave this year. I have been working hard in this job and I can ask him for few days off and will go back to my aunt and convince her to come with me. But I feel little hesitant to ask because Margarette told me that he is in a bad mood. Hope the storm has passed away before. I come back from my thoughts when the cab stops outside my office. I pick my bag and go inside see Lily smiling at me and Stella looked as usual stone faced. She tries to give me small smile but I ignore her and go straight to my cabin. I realise that my boss Ethan is still missing in the office. I open my laptop and ask for a cup of coffee. Margarette comes to my cabin. Hi! Today, I am little late, no issues our boss hasn’t arrived yet. He is boss he can be late. But I have never seen Mr. Ethan coming late to office. That’s true! Margarette says while sitting on my chair.
I think he is tensed about the failure of the project. In business there are ups and down and I don’t think we need to be upset instead we should focus on improving ourselves. Yes, right, finally Victor is gone. He is enjoying his new phase, lucky bastard. Margarette says in a bitter tone and I smile. You know that bastard told Hannah that I intentionally deducted his salary while clearing the dues. He himself did many frauds in the office’s account and now he is blaming me. How stupid! I only checked his past account statements and shown to Mr. Ethan and rest I did it what he commanded. I smile. I know you wanted to teach him a lesson for what he rumoured about you and Mr. Ethan. Yes, he gave me a chance and I grabbed it saying this I start working on my laptop.
She sees her watch and prepares to go back to her cabin. We will meet in lunch time says she and leaves. I smile at her. After an hour, I got a call from Mr. Ethan cabin and he asks me to come in. He sounded quite depressed or angry, I don’t know. When I knock on the door, he asks me to come inside. I notice his face expressions, he looked dull and tired as if he came running from a marathon. Hello! he sees me and nods and asks, ‘how is your aunt’? she is at her last stage, her liver is totally damaged. She needs rest and care. I want to take some more leaves so that I can convince her to come and live with me. I say in one breathe.
He remains quiet for a while and says, ‘Nora, I didn’t t expect this from you’. What? I don’t get it. I am still confused. I mean the project meeting wherein Henry company already knew all the details that we finalised. They gave us less margin for purchase as they were already aware of our actual price and they quoted exactly the same. Moreover, they told their future plans for this merger that were ours. So, what are you trying to say that I gave all this confidential information to them. Yes, this is what I mean. You don’t trust me; how can I do such a pathetic work to the company for which I have always been loyal. I don’t know one of my known told me that information has been passed by your company only. You had the file and you knew everything then who else to blame. I really don’t believe what you just said. You didn’t think for a minute before doubting me. Water comes in my eyes. I don’t have any other option. Don’t shed tears now. May be your aunt is ill and you need some money so … please stop! I am not that much abated that I have to do such cheap stuff. I interrupt in between. Noticing my face expressions, he lows down his tone and says that I am mistaken but I am sorry, I am not convinced. Our Major Company’s shareholder Mr. Liam brown said that you are not innocent and ordered me to give you one month notice period and than ask you to leave afterwards. As he finishes, he stops to see my reaction. I shock and feel like finished but I swallow his words and said in harsh tone that I don’t need any notice period. I am giving my resignation. You can clear my dues and transfer it to my account and I don’t need cheque. I wipe my tears and move out of his cabin and rush to the bathroom and feel completely broken and end up in tears.
Margarette sees me from her cabin and runs to bathroom after me. Nora! Are you okay? Tell me. Yes, I am. I wash my face and open the bathroom gate as she enters, again I start cry. She hugs me and I tell her everything. Oh no! how cruel, don’t resign, just wait for a month and she consoles me. Please let me go. I cannot stand such humiliation. I move her aside and pack my things and within few minutes I leave office. I did not meet Lily or Stella because they are none to me. But deep inside they will be very happy. I don’t go to my apartment I sit in park for a while to collect my thoughts and then only receives Grace’s message asking me to pick up Brownie. I asked her to leave him at the security guard of my building because at that moment I did not want to talk to anyone not even my friends. In life it happens we want to be alone to feel better and brave.
