Forbidden Desire by Ritesh Prasad (best sales books of all time .TXT) 📕

I asked, “Is Mr. Roy with him?”

He replied, “Yes.”

I knew what the scene will be inside so I stood and moved slowly towards MD cabin. I gave a knock on the door. There was a voice “come in”.

“Good Morning Sir!!! Good Morning Mr. Roy.” I said and tried to be as poised as I could be. They didn’t responded back and stared at me. I kept looking downwards.

“What kind of etiquette is this? Do you have any sense of responsibilities or not?” Mr. Saugata Acharaya our MD shouted at me. I just kept mum and looked at Mr. Roy, he was enjoying every moment of this as I could see spark in his eyes.

“I am talking to you Rohit.” I need an explanation why didn’t you come to office yesterday.” He said raising his tone louder.

“Sir I was not feeling well yesterday.” I tried to give excuse to save myself from his wrath.

Ohhh really, so what happened to you all of a sudden.” He said in mock tone.

“I was having a bad stomach pain. I could not even get up.”

“Ohhh ….so you must have visited a doctor…right? Comon, show me the medical prescription.”

“No sir, I just took medicine from the nearby chemist shop.”

“And you became fit today.,,, Great, do you think I will buy your cheap excuses?” He said being sarcastic.

“Sir trust me… I was really in such pain I could not even speak.” I said with a heavy voice to fake that I was really sick yesterday.

“Do you have any idea how important was yesterday for us? We had to cancel an important meeting just because of you. Mr. Roy told me that he had asked you to work on an important file that was supposed to be share with the client yesterday.”

I gave astounding look to both of them and countered, “Sir, I am not aware what Mr. Roy is talking about. I was not working on any such file that was needed so urgently.”

Mr Roy got conscious with my statement and replied back hastily, “Didn’t I ask you to work on the Balance Sheet of M/s Shrachi Infocom Pvt Ltd.”

“Yes you did but that was few days back and I am still working on it. But you never said that it is urgent and were required for yesterday’s meeting. How would I know then it was needed immediately.” I confronted him.

“Did you see Sir? This is his attitude. He always has reason to prove others wrong but never takes responsibilities of his own work. He is working in this company for last six months but till date I have not seen an inch improvement in his performance.” He added further.

“Mr. Roy. Please don’t blame me blindly, had you informed me earlier that this file was needed urgently, I would have definitely worked on it on priority.”

“Do I need to spoon-feed you all the time? I told you several times this file is need urgently.” He said and mocked his face.

“No Mr. Roy, You never said that.” I said raising my voice.

“Both of you stop now!!!!!!” MD shouted raising his hand.

“But it was not my fault in any case, believe me Sir! I was totally unaware.” I said to protest.

“Enough Mr. Rohit, you didn’t come to office yesterday without even bothering to inform anyone. I don’t care whether you were actually sick or simply bunked office but it showed your lack of responsibility towards your work. I only want to see people in my office who are dedicated towards their work. I have already received numerous complaints against you that you lack in performance, you don’t pick of things quickly, you have attitude problems and the list goes on. It has been 6 months and I haven’t heard a single positive feedback about you.” He kept on firing and I was standing there helpless with my eyes down.

“So if you want to earn your living from here. I need positive results from you, one more complaint and you are fired. So better take my words seriously.” He literally threatened me.

“But Sir, please let me explain. It’s not true all that you have heard about me. You can ask anyone from the staff. I have been working 12-14 hours every day. I have worked on Sundays and holidays as well.” I said defying his allegations.

“Enough MR Rohit no more unnecessary arguments…. I want results, so you better start working. I need this file before you leave for home today.” He said and handed me the file.

“But Sir… it’s a huge and i have gone through it. I think it will take at least few days.”

“I said today means today. I don’t care how you do it.”

“But Sir …please listen to me.” I almost pleaded him.

“Rohit…you may leave now.” He said and got engulfed on his laptop screen.

There was no point in saying anything further. I could see Mr. Roy was enjoying his moment of victory. He smiled and left the room.

I was feeling helpless when I exited from there. I didn’t feel like working anymore. What’s the point of working so hard when your performance is not recognized; instead you are rebuked and penalized. When a single person has the power to screw your life so easily whenever he wants…. “This is Office Politics my friend,” my conscience taunted me. I came with bow head and sat quietly on my chair. Shweta was there at a distant silently watching my move. She was the only friend I had in office who understood and felt what I was going through. She came near my desk and tried to solace me. I thanked her and started working on the file.

I hardly got up from chair that day and worked continuously till the file was completed. It was around 11 pm finally I was done with my task. I looked around the office was empty except Raghava who was sleeping in the reception area. I jerked him and asked him to close the door from inside before leaving. I hired a taxi and reached home, I had a very bad day and that was enough to feed me, so I didn’t have my dinner. I checked my phone while getting into bed there were 3 calls miss calls from Sakshi. I kept the phone aside and went to sleep.

Next morning my sleep was rattled by continuous ring of my mobile. I saw the word Honey flashing on my mobile screening and I answered her call.

“How are you Babyy? Still upset with me?”

“No I am fine.” I said in Straight tone.

“Then why are you not picking my call. I have been trying since yesterday.” She grumbled.

“I was very busy yesterday. You know how it goes in office.”

“Are you upset? That i disregarded your diktat and still came here.”

“Nope!!! Who the hell am I to stop you from doing anything? You are a free bird do as you wish.” I said taunting.

“Babbyy… Please don’t start over it again. I told you I will back soon. Till that time you take care.”

“Okay... I will. Anything else?”

“Yes dear…Muaaaaaaaaah get up quick and get ready for office.”

“Yes I will. Thanks and bye.”

“Hey…wait!!!!! Why still so rude? I told you I am really sorry.”

“I answered your call that is more than enough. But that doesn’t mean I have forgiven you. You broke my promise and went ahead with you trip. Do you have any idea what I am going through now? I had a terrible day yesterday almost lost my job. What difference does it makes to you? Wish you could understand my feelings but unfortunately you never.”

“I don’t know what’s wrong with you…I don’t know why you are so overreacting”

“I am overreacting Sakshi!!!!! I raised my tone.

“Okay Rohit enough, I don’t want to spoil the morning of yours as well as mine. When you over with this hangover then only call me. I am not going to call you anymore… Bye”

“Yeah…that would be great.” I said and disconnected the call.

I did my morning chores and went to office. The day was as usual but I did not see MR. Roy today. I enquired Shewta and came to know that he was on leave today. I felt happy that atleast I will have a day in peace. I was busy working on my files but was soon distracted with my mobile ringtone, I thought this must be Sakshi but when I checked It was an unknown number., I looked with annoyance at the mobile screen and answered the call.

“Hello? Yes who is this?”

Am I speaking to Mr. Rohit. “There was a gentlemen voice from other end.

“Yeah, it’s me.”

“Hi Rohit! I am Anurag calling from Glaxosmith Ltd, Hiring team. I got your CV from Naukri.com.”

“Hello Mr Anurag.” I responded with excitement.

“Okay Rohit!!!! I was going through your CV and I see it matches with our Company requirement. Hey Rohit are you looking for a change?”

“Yes… of course, if you consider me eligible.”

“Great!!!! Then come to our office tomorrow morning Sharp at 10 am. Shrachi Tower Central Plaza 7th floor with two hard copies of CV and two passport size photo.” He gave me the details of interview venue.

“Yes, sure Anurag. I will be there in time with all my relevant documents.”

“Great!!! See you tomorrow then.” He said and disconnected the call.

I felt like so much of relieve. I didn’t believe I could get call from such big Corporates. “This was an opportunity which could change my entire life,” I said to myself and was very excited but the very next moment I got disappointed thinking about how would I manage for leave? Especially after the yesterday’s incident MD will not allow me leave in any case. I went outside to the nearby Pan shop and lighted one cigarette and started thinking how could I make this possible, the idea clicked my head soon and I made a plan. I dialed Kaki Ma’s number and make her understood everything. I said her to give me a call exactly after 10 minutes and say there is something very serious and I need to come home quickly.

I went inside the office and intentionally put my mobile near the Debu Da’s desk (a senior employee who was also close to our MD) and went to washroom. I entered the washroom and waited for my mobile to ring. Soon after few minutes it happened exactly. Debu da first called me two or three times but got no response so himself picked up and answered the call as planned. Kaki Ma told him exactly what I had said her and that too in melodramatic tone.

My work was done. As soon I came out of the washroom. Debu Da said, “Hey Rohit there was call from your land lady. He said Uncle has fallen from stairs and needs to be taken to hospital immediately. I think you need to rush.”

“Ohhh… how and when? That’s terrible. There is no one in his house except Kaki Ma. Her son stays outside Kolkata.” I acted panic.

“You must rush now Rohit. This can be serious take him to hospital urgently.”

“No Debu Da… How could I leave from office suddenly? Even Sir has not arrived. You know I can’t leave this way.”

“You just rush, rest I will manage. I will make him understand that it was very urgent.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes… just don’t waste time and leave.” He said and pushed me slightly.

I took my bag and pretended to be very perturbed and left office quickly. I came out smiling from Office and apologize to Kaki Ma for faking news against Uncle. This was needed as I had no other options.

I reached home and utilize the entire day in preparation for tomorrow’s Interview…