Part 4 It is Monday morning. Jodha

Part 4

It is Monday morning. Jodha gets up at 7 am. She goes for a bath and prays to Kanha in the prayer room. She thanked Kanha for everything he has given her and prayed for a good day at work. She got dressed, wearing a smart knee-length skirt and a blazer, which accentuated her curves. Her mother had made her lunch tiffin and she was about to leave for office.

Jodha - Ma, I am leaving, I will be back by evening! Bye!

Mainavati - Ha beta, bye

Jodha walked towards the nearest bus stop from her house. She got a bus immediately, which would take her to her office in the Lower Parel area of Mumbai. The bus stopped opposite her office complex and she got down. She punched in for the day and proceeded to her desk. Her colleague, Sukanya had already reached.

Sukanya - Hey Jodha! How was the weekend?

Jodha - It was great Suku. How was yours?

Sukanya - Oh it was awesome! I was out with my boyfriend the entire time. We shopped, ate, drank and even...

Jodha - Umm...okay no need for that information!

Jodha knew what Sukanya had done with her boyfriend. It was just that she was shy to discuss about these things with her. She didn't have a speck of knowledge about these matters.

Jodha - Okay, we need to get to work otherwise boss will fire us.

Jodha and Sukanya completed all the work that was assigned to them till lunch break. Both of them then sat together for lunch and Sukanya told her that it is getting very difficult to live in Mumbai nowadays with the rising costs and that this job is very important to her. Their lunch break got over and they proceeded to their desks for completion of the other work assigned to them.

It was about 5 pm. Jodha was about to complete the last bit of work when she was called in by the secretary of the CEO

Secretary - Jodha Singh!

Jodha - Yes, what happened?

Secretary - The CEO wants to meet you right away. It is urgent.

Jodha - Okay, I'll be right there.

Jodha left her desk and rushed towards the CEO's office.

Jodha (thinking) - I wonder what is it?

Jodha reaches the office. She knocks and enters the office.

CEO - Yes, Jodha. Please take a seat.

Jodha - Thank you

CEO - Jodha, we have to very sadly inform you, that we are laying you off

Jodha couldn't believe what she was hearing. She was trying to comprehend the CEO's words until she realized what he was saying.

Jodha - But Sir, what wrong did I do? And you can't lay me off at such a short notice!

CEO - I understand Jodha you are shocked. But I am afraid I can't help it. We had to lay off many other employees as well

Jodha - But Sir, I have worked in this company for almost a year! How can you lay me off?

CEO - Jodha, our company is short of funds. And that is why we can't afford to pay your salary

Jodha - Okay, since when should I stop reporting to work?

CEO - Tomorrow itself

Jodha was angry and upset at the same time. She felt as if the Kanha she had prayed to in the morning hadn't listened to her. She felt as if life was playing a cruel joke on her.

Jodha - But Sir, how can you do this? You are laying me off without even a day's notice! This is not fair!

CEO - We can lay off employees for lack of funds without any advanced notice. Here is your resignation letter. Please take it along with you before leaving.

Jodha - Okay, Sir. Thank you

Jodha took the letter and left the office without a word. She felt that her entire world had come crashing down. She thought that how would she face her parents. She started packing the stuff on her desk.

Sukanya - What happened? Why are you packing all your things?

Jodha couldn't control her tears. She started crying inconsolably

Jodha - They layed me off!

Sukanya - What! At such a short notice! How could they? What reason did they give you?

Jodha - They said that they were lacking funds to pay my salary! How is that even possible?

Sukanya hugged Jodha, who was on the verge of an emotional breakdown. Sukanya consoled Jodha saying that she could apply elsewhere and with her record she could get a job very easily.

Jodha - Suku, I know that I will easily get another job. But what am I supposed to tell Ma and Papa?

Sukanya - Don't worry Jodha, see just tell uncle and aunty that these a*****es, layed you off without any notice! If you want I'll come along with you to tell them!

Jodha - I don't know yaar

Sukanya - Jodha! I'll drop you home in my car today! We will talk to your parents and I will help you search for a job! And no ifs and buts!

Jodha - Okay, but first let me go to the bathroom. I need to wash my face! I look like a horror show!

Sukanya - Okay, Jodha make it quick!

Jodha went to the washroom, washed her face and straightened out her hair. She returned to Sukanya. The present circumstances were really troubling her.

Sukanya - Jodha, chalo lets take you home

Both of them headed to the parking lot. They sat in Sukanya's car and headed to Jodha's home.

Jodha - Sukanya, I am really tensed yaar. I don't know how Ma and Papa will react.

Sukanya - Don't worry, we'll talk to them

They reached Jodha's apartment building. Sukanya parked her car inside the compound and they headed to her house. Sukanya rang the doorbell and Mainavati opened the door.