I was working with a multinational construction company, as an assistant engineer, which undertook major construction projects throughout India.
I had been transferred to a new dam project which was located in a remote area and where the nearest town was almost 200 kilometers away.
By the time I reached the site in my jeep it was almost dark. It was a long and tiring eight hour journey on the bumpy roads and each and every joint in my body ached.
When I reached the site I was greeted by Ramesh, the peon. He had prior information of my arrival and had made all the necessary arrangements. He took me to a small and cozy cottage which was especially built for the project in charge.
Rest of the company staff lived in the village a few kilometers away. I felt kind of isolated where the only company I had was that of Ramesh and his wife who lived nearby in a small hut.
As I entered the cottage I was surprised to see that it was a neat place with all the amenities. I felt a bit relaxed.
I unpacked my bags and went to take a shower. The warm water from the shower washed away all the dirt on my body and most of my weariness. When I came out of the shower I found Ramesh busy in arranging the dining table.
Ramesh had arranged a nice supper for me, which he told was prepared by his wife. I was so tired that as soon as I finished the supper I felt my eyelids heavy. And the next thing I knew was that I had hit the bed.
I woke up by a tinkling sound. Slowly I opened my eyes to find out the source of the sound. I saw a lady moving around my house and male voice coming from outside. I sprang from the bed and my sleep vanished in a second as the adrenaline rushed through my veins.
But to my relief the lady was Rupa, Ramesh’s wife and the male voice was that of Ramesh. On seeing me awake she greeted me respectfully and came to my room with a hot cup of tea. It was a surprise as well because I was living a bachelor life up till now and this surely was a luxury.
For next few days I had a hectic schedule and didn’t get time for anything else. I would leave my cottage early in the morning and returned only by night. I would even have my lunch at the construction site.
My subordinates sometimes told me weird stories about Ramesh being a gay. Even I had noticed Ramesh behaving in peculiar manner but never paid attention to it.
It was almost a month of stressful work and now the stress was taking its toll. I had worked continuously for more than a month and desperately wanted a break. As the saying goes, according to me, “all work and no play makes jack a dull boy “.