chapter 9

Chapter 9An erupting volcanoWhen she stepped out of the office that evening, for the first time she felt very low. Not even when Mr. Arya had been in full battle gear, throwing spear after spear in her direction with his letters, had she felt so low. But today, seeing her prospective job snatched away from her, she felt gloomy with despair. The hopeless look on Chintan’s face was ominous, and she felt helpless at not being able to reach out to him. It made her seethe, the way they seemed to be trapped.She stood at the bus stop, leaning against the post, her emotions spiralling down. She didn’t even want to think about Chintan, the betrayer, and was angry with herself for feeling any sympathy for him. Oh why had he held back her resignation letter! He must have been hand in glove with his father, pretending all the while that he needed her support. It was just a ploy, she thought miserably, and that he may not be was a thought she would not brook. It didn’t even flatter her that she was needed. She was needed for the wrong reasons - because she was cheap! Not because she was good. She wanted to sit on the road and howl. She wasn’t looking forward to going home and facing her mother just now either.She shook her head, trying to clear it of miserable thoughts. It was bringing her self-confidence down. She didn’t notice the Beat crossing the bus stop and pulling up on the side. Suddenly she sensed someone standing next to her and looked up startled.Chintan! She turned away, all her gloom dissipating in the heat of her anger. “Anuradha,” he said apologetically. “I am very sorry for what happened today. Please let me set it right.”She didn’t look at him, not wanting to erupt and create a scene; not wanting to fall into his arms and weep either. When he addressed her again, she turned, her eyes burning like coal. “Please, Chintan! You asked me to trust you, and this is what I get for it!”She covered her face. Chintan glanced around, and seeing curious eyes, lead her away by her elbow. She jerked her arm free.“Please! We are creating a scene here,” he said, and his hold tightened.“Excuse me, what’s up?” asked a lady stepping forward boldly. Anu sensed the crowd getting ready for a confrontation. She looked up, and though she hated defending him, soothed the others saying, “It’s okay…some misunderstanding.” She so hated the understanding smile on the lady’s face.They reached the car and he said, “Thanks.” She pursed her lips. “Anu,” he beseeched. He touched her shoulder and she jerked away. “I didn’t expect this. I didn’t expect dad to be so particular. There are some things you need to know. Please, just give me a few minutes.”She looked at him angrily. “Can you see how he has trapped me? Why didn’t you just sign my letter? You…” Suddenly, realisation dawned on her. “You couldn’t have! You have no authority to, do you? You are just a…dummy!”How could she not have checked this basic information! Though she fought them, angry tears flowed down her cheeks.Chintan reached out to touch her cheek, but she recoiled and wiped them away herself. He looked wounded, but mastering himself, pleaded softly. “Please, let me explain.”“Oh stop it!” she said angrily, stepping away from him. “What more can you have to say?”“Not much, I know…but please don’t make it worse for me.”“Worse for you?! Why should I care! After what has happened to me!”“It’s not so simple,” he said, sounding utterly defenceless.She glared at him, steeling herself. “What do I care about that?”He shook his head. “I am not asking you to care…but maybe you will understand me better?”She said wearily, “How does it matter? Two wrongs don’t make a right.”“No, they don’t. But two minds can be better than one. I promised you could get out before he makes your life miserable. Give me a chance to stand by it…”She looked at him tired. What could she lose? She shrugged, and he opened the car door for her. “Please, let’s go somewhere where we can sit and talk.”She got in and he drove her to a coffee shop nearby. They ordered something just so the waiter would stop hovering around them.