I was really surprised to see Malathi again in my office as she had resigned on her own brushing aside all my sincere efforts to convince her in staying back. I still remember to have spoken to her for more than an hour explaining that marriage should not be cited as a reason for discarding a lucrative job. She remained adamant till the end, repeatedly saying that her would-be husband was rich and did not want her continue the job once the marriage was over. I finally had to accept her resignation and my heart was weighing very heavy after forwarding to the Personnel Manager. I did attend her marriage and somehow was not impressed with her husband in the first look. In the past, most of my intuitions have become realities and as I got out of the marriage hall, I feared that Malathi's life was going to the docks. I was dead right. Here is Malathi, waiting outside my chambers seeking to be employed again.
Malathi had always remained a well known employee in the premises because she was the slimmest of all the staff. She wore a glass which looked larger than her oval shaped face and if I can guess had a pair of tits nothing more than the size of lemons. She always looked somewhat funny with her loosely stitched blouse which only exaggerated her slimness and it was a surprise to many when she finally got engaged. Looking through the glass, I couldn't find much difference between the Malathi we used to see and the one who was waiting outside. I somehow realized that she might be desperately looking for a job and knew that I could help her. After disposing a few urgent correspondences, I let her come in.
She looked pale as if in grief and I could see her eyes soaked with moisture. I would never proclaim that I am kind hearted but always felt bad to see someone in tears. After the customary enquires, I got to the point straight away.
"I am told that you want to come again," I told her in an authoritative voice. "You have always been a good worker and there shouldn't be any problem in reinstating your services."
I could see her relax after hearing what I said as she smiled briefly.
"You know whatever I told you when you had put up your papers," I said softly as she kept listening to me with eyes wide opened.
"You didn't care about whatever I said. I don't want that to happen again if ever the Management decides to take you back." I told her in a stern voice unable to forget the disappointment she had caused to me by refusing my previous advices outright.
Malathi, after a momentary silence, started speaking in a very low voice.
"You have always been kind to me," She spoke as I could see further drops of tears glowing in her eyes. "I was helpless. I was forced to quit the job because it was a precondition for my marriage. But, the marriage itself is rocking. I have been abandoned by my man and our formal separation is very much on the cards. I now need a job to support myself, more than ever before."
She paused for a moment to let the drop of tears roll down her cheeks. She took off her hanky to wipe her clean before looking at me again.
"I am convinced that this time around, I may have to continue here till my retirement," I could feel the element of assurance in her tone. I genuinely felt sad about the premature end to her married life as I believed that she deserved to be better. I had some responsibilities as the Chief Executive of the company and needed assurances in no uncertain terms. I sighed in relief that I will have an efficient staff back in the office although the circumstances leading to her comeback were not pleasant enough. I offered her a hot cup of coffee which she politely refused. After almost half an hour, Malathi left my office apparently with immense relief on my assurance that she would be absorbed soon. I had excellent rapport with the top management and it wasn't difficult for me to convince them about employing Malathi again. It took just over a week to rush through the formalities before her appointment order was mailed to her. Most of the staff were excited about Malathi's coming back although everybody felt bad about her troubled married life.
Our office works just half a day on Saturdays. It was one such Saturday when everyone seemed to be winding up their work as the day was coming to a close. My mobile phone rang and as I picked it up, the incoming number was an unfamiliar one. It was Malathi on the other side, whose voice was choked with emotion and excitement as she spoke.
"Thank you very much Sir! I am really searching for words for what you have done." Malathi continued to speak showering me with praise which made me somewhat uneasy. She sounded so stupid at times to my surprise. As I was about to curtail the conversation, she sprung the final surprise.
