‘Please don’t play with my life.’
‘I’m not doing anything! Be strong, move on,’ she said. ‘It’s not easy for me. So
please, let me be.’
She went back to her office, leaving me still sitting there burning with fatigue
and fury. I hadn’t shaved for ten days. Other girls in the cafeteria stayed away
from me. I resembled a Kollywood villain who could rape anyone anywhere
anytime. My flight didn’t leave until the evening. I had half a day and no money to
spend. Like a total loser, I decided to go to Citibank and visit Bala.
‘Krish!’ Bala said, shocked at my presence and appearance.
‘Hi, how is the champion of the South?’
‘I’m fine, but you look fucked,’ he said,
‘I am,’ I said and slumped in front of him.
Bala ordered coffee for both of us. He pulled his chair forward, eager to hear
gossip from the other office.
‘Is Citi Delhi screwing you? Don’t tell me you want to come back.’
‘Fuck off Bala, you think Citibank can get the better of me?’ I said.
‘Someone clearly has. Boy, your eyes. Do you have conjunctivitis?’
I shook my head. He touched my arm.
‘Dude you have high fever. Do you want to see a doc?’
‘I want a drink. Can you get me a drink?’ I said.
‘Now? It is not even lunchtime.’
My stomach roiled and I retched. Thankfully, nothing came out and Bala’s
office could maintain its pre-me conditions.
‘You are sick. My cousin is a doctor, I’ll call him. He works in City Hospital on