CONSPIRACY OF LOVE

2. I DON'T HAVE A LIFE

"Hey, I told you, but you still insisted. You saw what you did? Now go. You are no longer are a part of C NEWS. We require employees who are efficient and can work smoothly without any errors by not giving chances to the editors or the anchors to speak ill about you." The CEO points his finger at Meghna.

She is sniffling and her nose becomes red and runny.

"But sir, all I did was for the betterment of our channel. You know. I have been working here for the past three years. I have completed all my given tasks. So what's with this now?" She tries to explain, her voice breaking like she's caught a cold.

"Don't even dare to backfire me. And what are you talking about huh? You completed your job?" He laughs in the middle. "Don't even get me started, oh yes, you did, but you wrote something else. There's always been errors in your work. And you know what? You can't even improve in these three years. You're always confused about everything, your mind is somewhere else, you talk about something else and you behave weird. I don't know how you were hired." He says, rudely.

"Sir, I only have this job. Please reconsider." Meghna joins her hands from her elbows, wiping her tears.

"Now what's the use? There's no point in crying. It's useless. The editors don't want to work with you anymore. I can't help you. Sorry, but you are not fit for our channel. So, leave." He says in a soft voice this time.

"Please sir." There she goes again, begging.

All the office staff is gazing at her like she's some weird animal walking with something on her body or like she's an alienated woman. She gazes back at them and cries more. She doesn't want this to happen. She always enjoyed her job. She was loving what she did. But, unfortunately her past resurfaces, her present doesn't become any better and she is left with no future.

She gets up and starts walking slowly out of the CEO's cabin. She walks past a few of her other colleagues. Few of them feel bad for her, few of them are un-bothered while the majority are just enjoying the scene.

I entered with all the files I had to do today and saw her devastated. I see her walk past me. Of course I've seen her worse than this, but the reason must definitely be so harrowing. Her short strature is making my heart go all pity for the poor thing. I keep all my files on the table next to me while I see all the people are staring at her and soon stop and start gossipping after she leaves the main door. She's not in her senses. I so badly want to ask her what's happening but I can make out, she's in no mood to talk.

I follow her as soon as she leaves the gate but it's too late for me as she had already left on the slate grey scooty which she everyday arrived at work for.

FEW HOURS LATER:

There's a sudden knock at the house in the wallien street of Delhi.

"Oh! Darling come inside." Mrs. Malik opened the door for me with a huge, warm smile. She likes me, I think.

"How have you been doing these days? Saw after a month or so." She asks, concerned.

I see Mr. Malik is watching Tv, un-bothered as to who entered his house. He is a jovial person. A loving husband and a protective father but sometimes gets too carried away. I say hi to him but he is just busy watching the game of politics.

"I was not here Mrs. Malik, I had gone for a vacation and then to my village, visited my grandparents there, stayed for a few and did so many things." I reply.

"That's great! Would you like to have something?" She asks, making me feel comfortable and sits me on the Black-velvet couch.

"No thanks Mrs. Malik, but may I ask where's Meghna? I mean she left the office early today. I was waiting for her but she had gone by then." I ask, curiously.

"Oh dear she is in her room. Maybe, doing something interesting or searching for new news. You journalists have such an intriguing job I must tell you." She says, offering me some 'Samosas'.

"Yeah. That's true, but it's hard too." I utter softly, taking a bite.

"I'll just go upstairs and talk to her." I insist, getting up from the couch.

"Okay." Said, Mr. Malik. Uh..finally he noticed me. At least he heard our conversation.

Their house is a two by two duplex like a small bungalow or a row house. The ceiling is decorated with a beautiful and ornate Golden light emitting chandelier.

While going upstairs there are some amazing paintings and scenery holding against the wall. I have known this house since the past three years and not a thing has changed from my past visits.

"Megh! Are you there?" I knock before I enter her room. Usually I don't, but she is not in the mood today so I just do that.

She opens the door upon me insisting for over three to four knocks.

"What's there Megh? Why didn't you stop for me? You saw me. You should have waited for me. What's the matter huh?" I barge into her room directly.

'I don't wanna talk about anything Saksh. I am just tired of everything." She says, tears forming in her eyes.

"Meaning? What happened? Will you not tell me? Don't leave me hanging, maybe I can help." I say, sitting beside her on her bed.

"No, you can't! Nobody can help me. It's out of everyone's league. Please don't even try." She says, running her hands through her hair.

"Oh c'mon Megh! You can tell me. I do believe you and trust me you know I can help you in some ways. What has happened?" I still resist.

"Again the same thing." She says.

"What is the same thing? Did you have a flare up with your depression and anxiety again?" I ask, concerned.

"No, that's a part of me, but there's something more to it that's triggering my health, my nerves." She says.

"What's it?"

"I'm fired." She cries.

"What?" I say in a surprised tone.

"Yes." She wipes her tears.

"But how and….uhh...why?" I ask, my words jumbling and fumbling in my mouth.

"I don't know. You tell me, am I really of no use? Am I worthless and can't do a thing right? What is my existence for?" She asks looking pittyly.

"Oh please! Because of them you don't need to think that way. Their standards are beyond my understanding." I say.

"For my whole life I've been bullied by my classmates and friends. I've been tortured and been assaulted. Why does this happen to me only?" She questions, wailing.

"Oh my poor thing, stop crying. There's nothing you can do about this. You can start anew. You can do what makes you happy instead." I suggest.

"But I loved this job." She says.

"I know, but what can we do?" I shrug.

"See I told you no one can help. I just don't have a life Saksh." Her lips are trembling.

"No. Don't think that way. Please. How much are you going to hurt yourself more huh? Stop it. It's time for you to live for yourself. It's time for you to forget everything, Megh." I say.

"I just can't. Do you think it's that easy? I'm on pills. Our CEO is correct, I'm not fit for the job. Who will tolerate my mental tantrums? For my whole life I've been this way. First I've been a burden on my parents, then my job and now you too." She whines.

"You're never a burden on your parents and me. You know we are always there for you and your parents, they have always supported you, taken care of you like a delicate flower, so don't say that." I striclty say.

"Say anything, but it's not gonna make me feel better. I really don't have a life." She resists.

By turning my sides to sit on her left side, I accidentally sit on the remote laid on the bed and it's buttons are pressed because of my buttocks. The Tv in Megh's room starts. And suddenly a news channel pops up. We both look at it trying to understand what happened.

[Today, at 10 o'clock in the morning two dead bodies were found in the Sicilia Grand hotel, New delhi. The Murdered people are, Meet Sinha, the GT company's Director's step-brother which is the richest family and company in India and of Payal Mehra, the GT company's business partner. The suspect has been arrested and all the proofs are against the GT company's director, Mr. Vihaan Sinha, the youngest billionaire bachelor.] The Anchor announced.

We both look at each other upon the news.

My phone rings and it's our CEO, "Hello!....Yeah sir I'm coming. Sure sir." I hung up.

"What happened?" She asks.

"I have to go. We have to cover this billionaire's news too. Call me if there's anything." I say, rushing downstairs.