Durga | ✓

37. Indumati and Aja

Durga picked the receiver of her landline. She dialled a number and someone picked up the phone. The voice from other end enquired, "I am Rosy from Discovering India's Heritage, how may I help you?"

Her accent and voice is so professional. No wonder Rudra must have hired her as receptionist.

"Umm... Rosy, it is me, Durga," she replied nervously.

"Oh! Durga! I am sorry Durga, I couldn't recognise your voice."

"Don't tell sorry, Rosy, I wanted to inform you that I am not coming to office today."

"Okay, is it because today you celebrate Varmalakshmi Festival or something like that?"

Durga gulped. "Actually, Rosy, I am not feeling well. I am taking holiday due to health issues."

"Okay Durga. Take care dear."

Durga smiled and kept the receiver on the landline. She got up slowly clutching her lower abdomen. She sat on her bed and her mind replayed yesterday's hug. She never hugged any man other than her father. Not even Indrajeet. She blushed.

I hate these hormones. Always make me blush at wrong time.

She lay on her bed, covering herself with duvet, slowly drifting to sleep. But she couldn't sleep. She was thinking about her life again and again.

***

"Rosy, whose call was it?"

"Sir, Durga had called to inform that she is not coming to office today."

"Why?"

Rudra was shocked. Durga was fine yesterday, what had happened to her today?

"Sir, she told she has some issues."

Rudra was lost in pondering the reasons for her ill health when Ramaiah walked to him with white face.

Rudra noticed his face. An evil smirk appeared on his face. "Well, well, Ramaiah..."

Ramaiah gulped. Rudra is grinning too much. That means I am gone.

"... yesterday you were saved from my lecture..."

Ramaiah stiffened.

"... so I have decided that you will do something... interesting today."

Ramaiah gave a weak smile. "Huh? Sir, I am okay with this jo-"

"You will type everything that Durga has written about Karthikeya and Valli. Understand?"

Ramaiah was shocked. He was a slow at typing. "Sir, you are getting impulsive."

Rudra laughed. "No, no, Ramaiah, I thought that giving you lecture would be waste of time. So, you have whole day to type. Type it properly, without any errors."

Ramaiah watched Rudra going near the door. He shouted, "Now, where are you going?"

"I have some work. I will be back in an hour."

***

Durga heard continuous bell sound. She got up slowly and tying her hair into a messy bun, she opened the door. "Rudra, idiot, that's why I didn't tell you. How many times do I tell you that your work is more important than me?"