A Birthday Gift

Mr. Sen glanced towards the wall, the hands of the clock indicated that it was three in the afternoon. He would have to leave office right away and go for his appointment with the doctor. He looked up at his assistant Shrabasti, sitting in front of him and announced that he had to leave immediately and that she should finish the pending work before she left for the day. Shrabasti looked up with a start slowly coming out of her thoughts and nodded slowly. Mr. Sen had noticed recently that his assistant had become absent minded. She had always been a star performer and the different departments of the organization vied to have her services. Mr. Sen had fought quite doggedly to retain her in this section but certain personal issues had mentally disturbed Shrabasti to quite an extent and he was well aware of that. He had tried to be as helpful as possible in his own way but deep inside he knew that no amount of sympathy was enough to make her feel better.

Mr. Sen packed his Tiffin and umbrella into his smart looking leather bag and made his way out of the office. “See you tomorrow” he said as he left. Shrabasti nodded in acknowledgement. The figures on the paper made little sense to her at the moment. Her mind had been wandering and trying to push back the thoughts did not help. They came back to haunt her and the deep uncertainty of the situation made her uneasy. Shrabasti, sat up straight and looked at her watch. It was three-thirty, Gargi and Babita her two colleagues peeped into the chamber and found that Mr. Sen had left. “Shrabasti Di, what are you doing?

Still working? It is your birthday and you should be on your way home, your family must be waiting to cut the cake” chuckled Gargi. “Nah, say that her hubby dear will be waiting for her with open arms” said Babita mischievously with a twinkle in her eyes. Shrabasti smiled. Yes she had to leave early.

Her two sons Tatun and Simba would be dancing in excitement and waiting to cut the cake on their mother’s birthday. She made her way to the washroom. Washed her face and looked up into the mirror. At 39 she looked good she felt, taking into consideration the mental state she was in. Shrabasti was not a classical beauty in fact she was short and had a dark complexion but had the most beautiful pair of eyes in the world. Friends and colleagues adored her for the person she was. Her helpful nature made her touch people’s heart, inspite of all her problems she never forgot to wish people on their birthdays and anniversary and was a wonderful host to people who visited her home. She brushed her hair and adjusted her dupatta. The rust colour new dress which she wore looked gorgeous on her. It was time she left.