Girl Friday

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 17

Anjali

I placed a big box of cardboard on the desk and looked around my cabin. What do I take from here? What do I leave? It was as if I had a memory attached with every little thing. I remember buying the little laughing Buddha on my first day of work. The clock that croons every one hour is my favourite. Arav hated it and I had to use my best negotiation skill to make him let me hang it here. He also disapproved carom table I set in the corner, but later he became the one who will insist on playing at least one game a day. How easily I used to defeat him. And those crayons I bought from the mall, god he laughed so hard saying those were for kids and not him. Then I ended up drawing funny cartoons of him in his old sketch book. I lifted the bundle of files to find the same sketch book and began looking at those sketches.

“Is that me?” I heard him ask. When I turned, I found him leaning on the door frame holding a coffee cup that had a collage of his photos, the one that I gifted him for last Christmas. Has he been using that all this while?

“I hope you have accepted that you are not really a good artist.” He said walking towards me in slow strides. “That is definitely not me.” He said looking at the book in my hand.

“No?” I asked looking back at the sketch. “Grumpy eyes, angry nose, tangled hair it looks like you to me.” I said

Arav chuckled looking at me. I looked at him trying to register how he looks when he chuckles because this might as well be the last time I am having such an easy conversation with him.

“What are you looking at?” he asked consciously

“You.” I said

“Why?”

“Let me by heart my first boss’s face so that I can sketch him later.” I said making him chuckle again.

“You will not have to think about art once you start working in Malhotra Industrie. I have heard that it is pretty hectic there. “ he said

“So, no late mornings , long lunch breaks, futile banters, untimely coffee or free advises.” I said and I had to be very careful to not choke at my words. I will be missing this and more when I will leave from here. Why am I doing this?

“But good exposure, proper training, on site experience, opportunities and better career.” he said

“Do you think that is why I am going?” I asked

“Is it not?’”

He pretty much summarised what I expected from a job at Malhotra Industies. That is what I always wanted. Or perhaps I still want. But, why don’t I feel the happiness I ought to feel?

“At least, I don’t have to be scared of a potential competition anymore.” He said smiling making the mood light.

“Hey, if you think I am letting go of art then you are wrong.” I said making a serious face

“Really!!.” He asked tilting his head slightly that always made him look cute.

“Yes, you will know how serious I am when I invite you for my first exhibition.” I said

“So, let’s assume you are leaving behind only the artist not the art.”

Why did he have to say it? Because the tears I have been controlling since morning just broke like damn dam and I was suddenly crying.

“Anjali...” he said worried as he saw me crying. “Hey... don’t cry....”

“Arav....” I drawled as I impulsively hugged him. He was not taken aback by the move. He very warmly put his hands around me and patted my back.

“Why are you crying, Anjali?” he asked

“I don’t know.” I said sniffing. “People generally cry when leaving a job, don’t they? How would I know, this is the first job I am leaving.”

“Technically you are going to be working with another Malhotra anyways. I know Rohan is scary as a businessman, but you know him personally and that will make things easy.” He said in a very patient voice.

“Easy, but not better.” I said

“What do you mean?” he asked. He was about to break the hug by trying to look at me, but I wound my hands around him to freeze the position.

“I don’t know if I want to work there anymore.” I confessed. I have said it. The one thought that was eating me since I got the job offer and I have revealed it to Arav. It strangely felt better to talk to him about it.

“Why?” he asked

“I don’t know.” I repeated.

“Anjali, this is what you always wanted.”

“I know, but it is just.......” I sighed. “What if I don’t like the job?”

“That is what if, Anjali. You may like the job as well.” He said

“I don’t understand what I want anymore.” I said worried

Arav pulled out of the hug and held my shoulder.

“Anjali, look at me.” He said.”This is great offer, Anjali. It will do you so much good. I don’t want to waste your talent being here with me.”

“Why are you saying that?” I asked looking at him. “Why do you always think low of yourself?” I asked.” Haven’t I already told you I like working here?”

Arav turned away his face with a humourless chuckle.

“Look at me.” I said holding his chin.”Do you think I am leaving because I don’t have any career growth here?”

“Isn’t that the truth?” he asked

“No...” I said

“Then?” he retorted

What do I tell him when I myself am confused so much?

I took a deep breath before holding his face between both my hands. “If you tell me not to go, then I will not.” I said confidently because I am so sure that I have no problem continuing to work here.

He looked at me trying to read if I was genuine. As if satisfied by his conclusion, Arav removed my hand off his face and placed his hand on the side of my head.

“I don’t want you to sacrifice anything for me. And no, I am not telling you this because I think any low of the job of my personal assistant. I am telling this because I want you to explore more and understand the opportunities better. Ten years down the lane, I don’t want you to regret anything. Before you decide you like the job or not, try it.”

“And if I like the job?”

“It is good, isn’t? Continue it.”

“If I don’t?’”

He took a long pause before answering it. “Come back to me.”

I looked at him keenly trying to understand what he was saying and what he was not saying. What does he mean by I can come back to him?

“You are talking as if we are taking a break from a relationship and not from a job.” I said making him chuckle and move a little away from me.

“Everything involves commitment right? Anyway, let me help you pack.” He said clapping his hands together and went across the room to lift the various stationary items I collected.

When we were in his main work area, I looked at the painting I was working on and asked, “What about that?”

“It can stay.” He said looking at it. “If you want to paint you can come here.”

“Won’t you lose inspiration seeing me paint?” I asked

“I’ll take the risk.”

I walked to the other side and took a half broken brush from the stack of brushes. The first time I wanted to paint he refused to give me his brush, so I tried to pull it from him and it broke. I can’t believe he still has it.

“Can I take this?” I asked holding the brush

He nodded with a smile.

 I walked out of the studio with Arav behind me holding the cardboard box with my stuff. The taxi has already arrived and yes my official last day working with Artist Arav Malhotra is over. He helped keeping the box inside the car and looked at me patting his hands.

“So, that’s it, I guess.” He said

“Won’t we meet often?” I asked

“Not as often as we used to.” He said and the thought made me really sad.

“When will we meet next?”

“Anjali...” he said with a strange smile as if he was finding me impossible. “Whenever you want.”

“You will be free to pick my calls always, right? Or will you ignore it like every time you make me answer your unwanted calls and lie that you are busy. Will you make your assistant answer my call? “ I gasped at the sudden thought.”You will have a new assistant, won’t you?”

Arav laughed this time throwing his head back. What did he find so funny?

“I will attend all your calls, Anjali, trust me. I may or may not have an assistant. I have not decided yet.”

“You should have one.” I said thinking how he is very careless while signing papers. “But, you should have a male assistant. I mean there is nothing wrong with a female assistant, but I think male assistant will work for you better.”

“Okay.” he said nodding.

“You will miss me, right?” I asked finally holding the car door open for me.

“A lot.”

“I will miss you too.” I admitted. Then quickly I hugged him and placed a peck on his cheeks. Without waiting for his reaction I got into the taxi and urged the driver to start.