There are bad days, and there are bloody bad days. Sita was having a bloody bad one.
She seemed to have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Or was it last night? Her kids were sick. She had been up all night looking after them. Her husband didn't care. He snored away blissfully as she struggled to keep the linen dry. Her rage towards her husband steadily rose until the bubble burst and they got into a huge squabble in the morning.
And this was probably the biggest day of her life. She was about to be promoted to Group Head, Inter-Company Affairs. Like only women can, she discharged all her domestic duties and got to office by her usual time.
Everything was in slow motion. Her head hurt. Lack of sleep always did that. She had popped in a couple of pills. They were starting to work though not nearly as fast as she would like them to. As if her hands were not full enough, there was some crisis in one of the companies in Europe that chose to break out today.
By the time she solved the crisis and looked up at the clock, it was almost 5 o'clock. She freshened up quickly for her small promotion ceremony. She did all the right things -- smile, shake hands, convey gratitude, etc. -- and moved into her new office. She sat down at her new desk, trying to get used to the place when she was finally left alone. Sleep overcame her almost instantly.
At 34 Sita was a mother of two, not that you could tell that from the way she looked. At about 5'6", she was tall for an Indian woman. She was endowed with a flawless ivory skin, and soft and pink lips that are any man's dream. Her black hair was cut a little below her shoulders which she usually left open. Post delivery, she had quickly gotten back into shape but had managed to retain some of that weight in the right places. Her bust line was now very prominent, and her derriere had filled out to just the right size.
Raj was on his way out when he saw the light spilling out of Sita's cabin. He popped in and saw her face down on her desk fast asleep. For the first time, she appeared vulnerable. She was a far cry from the Sita who could kick a crisis in its face and move on as if she had simply swatted a fly.
Sita and Raj and become good friends. He was a new hire and she had taken him under her wings. She was too far up the hierarchy to have any obligation to mentor a fresh recruit. But she had seen something in this guy. He was unlike the hundreds who waltzed in through the door of her office. With her guidance, she had a feeling he could rise to the top very quickly.
Sita maintained a curtain of formality with him. She never invited him home, and all their discussions took place in her office. She kept her personal life at bay. Yet, at this moment, watching her sleep like a baby he somehow connected with her very personally.
He tried to wake her up. She did not respond to his calls. She was quite deep in her sleep. Not knowing what else to do, he decided to wait in her office until she woke up.
Around 2 in the morning, she got up with a start. Her usually well-set hair was dishevelled. Her clothes were wrinkled, eyes groggy.
"Morning Madam!" he greeted her with a smile.
It took her a while to clear the cobwebs in her head, "Raj, what are you doing here? I thought you were the only sane one among us who left office at 6 every day."
"Ah well, I was on my way out. I saw your light still on. What's a man to do? Can't leave a lady alone." he winked.
"Thank you" she was genuinely touched. It was more than anyone had done for her in a long time. Then she suddenly exclaimed, "Oh no! My kids must be hungry!"
He waved his hand, "I took the liberty of calling your nanny, Madam. Your kids have had dinner and are tucked in bed. They are in much better health today."
