S.t.a.l.k.e.d.

by Girvani Dhyani

  I silently made my way down the stairs. I opened the front door and stepped out. It was dark. I didn’t want to turn on any light in case the person in the car noticed me making my way towards them. Most importantly, I didn’t want to wake up my parents.

  It was a windy night. Even though I generally appreciated my parents’ efforts to plant a lot of trees in our garden, I was certainly not appreciating them now because the sound of the wind howling through the trees was making me nervous and sending a chill down my spine. I stood, unsure of what to do, for a couple of minutes. Then I briskly walked towards the gate and opened it. It was very dark. The driver must have sensed my presence because by the time I reached the gate the car was speeding away. And it was too far away for me to note down the number on the plate. I made my way back inside the house. By then my mom had woken up.

  ‘What were you doing outside Tara?’ she quizzed me.

  ‘Nothing, Mom. I was up late reading then found my purse missing. I remembered having it on me in the car, so I went to look for it outside.’

  ‘At this unearthly hour? And why are you carrying that bat?’

  I was silent; I couldn’t think of any excuse for the bat. And I just knew what was coming next.

  ‘Beta, is there something you want to tell me?’

  ‘No, Mom, I am fine. I was not having a rendezvous with a secret lover and I wasn’t buying drugs either.’ I was hoping my words would silence her for the time being.

  ‘Why do you jump the gun? I wasn’t alleging anything.’

  ‘I know, Mom, but I just wanted to put your mind to rest. And anyway, I need to hit the sack now. I have a long day ahead of me.’ So I turned and hastily made my way up the stairs before she could ask any more questions.

  ‘Beta.’

  I turned around.

  ‘Remember, if there is anything at all you ever need to talk about, I am here for you.’

  I saw concern in her eyes. ‘Of course, Mom.’ I went downstairs gave her a quick hug. But at some level I knew it was a mother’s premonition at play.

  He saw her backing out of her driveway the next morning. She looked like she had been hit by a tornado. He shouldn’t have called her or taken the kind of risks he had. What if he had been caught?

  But he so wanted to get close to her. He just couldn’t help it. Suddenly the beautiful thoughts in his head were replaced with acute irritation. To make matters worse, the security guard in her neighbourhood had been changed. The new guy was pretty sharp, always keeping a lookout for intruders. So he couldn’t sneak in and out as he pleased like before and had to take a risk like he did last night.

  He drove back home. He could feel the anger welling up inside him at the thought of not being able to end things. He knew his emotions were getting the better of him. He wanted to finish things quickly and move on to the next chapter in his life before it got too late. She was the only one standing in the way of his happiness.

  He clenched his fist and without realizing it, smashed it against the rearview mirror. Now all around him were bloody glass splinters. He looked at his hand oozing blood and felt the kind of perverse pleasure he got every time he inflicted pain on himself. It was indescribable. He started laughing hysterically.

  8

  I FINALLY REACHED work and that too on time. Awaiting me were six very important emails. I needed to respond to them immediately. The air-conditioning was particularly chilly that morning so I opened my drawer to take out my shawl. I always kept one in my office. It was a pashmina given to me by my mother and it kept me warm when they turned on the AC full blast. Every time I wrapped it around myself it felt like my mother was hugging me.

  It was missing. That was odd. I didn’t remember carrying it home for washing. And I never wore it outside office either. The drawer wasn’t locked so anybody could have taken it. Did one of the housekeeping boys steal it, or was there something more sinister going on? Gripped by fear I sat there paralysed and shaking in the cold.

  ‘Tara, the boss would like to see you in his office,’ Suzy called out.

  I quickly made my way to the restroom. If there was something Mr Kapoor was particular about, it was your appearance. I quickly arranged myself in the restroom, then walked over to his office, knocking twice before going inside.

  He looked like a stuffed turkey today. Wearing a double-breasted striped suit a size smaller for him and buttoned up to the collar, it looked like he had eaten too much. The buttons were popping out. I always wondered why he didn’t just get himself a stylist.

  ‘Tara, are you handling the Project Emerald file?’

  ‘I am handling some parts of it.’

  He looked up in an irritated way, taking off his swanky Gucci glasses that made his eyes look smaller, giving him a severe look.

  ‘Tara, a simple question requires a simple answer. Are you handling the Project Emerald files or not? I don’t care about the details.’

  I hated it when I got nervous because I would start speaking incessantly.

  ‘Yes, sir. I am handling it but there are parts . . .,’ but before I could complete my sentence, he rudely interrupted me.

  ‘I am giving you an hour. I am meeting the clients this evening. I need to go over a few things with them. Get me all the files and arrange them chronologically. I need to take them with me for the meeting and please do understand: it’s urgent. The company board meeting is to be held in a couple of weeks and we need to make sure everything is in order to be presented at the meeting.’

  ‘Yes, sir,’ I muttered.

  I went back to my desk and looked up all the files. They seemed in order. The files were organized into folders by content. One folder contained all the emails that had been exchanged in the course of the transaction. Then there were the documents we had received from the clients and other parties on the transaction and, finally, there was our working drafts file which covered all the versions of the relevant documents drafted by us in case the documents pertained to the proposed deal.

  Project Emerald was an acquisition case, where we were representing the company in its acquisition of a smaller company. As merger related news can materially affect a public company’s stock price, the transaction was being negotiated highly confidentially.

  There was a rumour that some of the board members were not in favour of this acquisition and even though the board meetings were primarily being held to discuss the acquisition, a lot of management changes were in the pipeline to pacify these hostile board members. I remembered that in our last meeting these changes had been noted down. I looked over the file and noticed the documents were still in the file.

  The two things I truly admired about AK were his unrelenting meticulousness and his incredible memory. I carefully went over all the files again. I wanted to make sure everything was in order before handing over the files to him.

  I reviewed the summary report that had been prepared for AK’s benefit some time ago, which essentially summed up all the documents in the Project Emerald files. Going over the report, I made sure that all corresponding documents were available. While slowly going over each document I suddenly realized something was amiss: some of the original documents—those that pertained to the company’s board meetings and resolutions—were missing. The meeting’s agenda had been approved by the company officials and I saw a signed copy in the file but when it came to the draft documents to be presented at the meeting, they seemed to be copies. I knew I could go and just print them out but it was our firm’s policy to get the documents initialled by the company’s legal counsel before final versions were presented at the meeting—and those were missing. Every piece of information was classified.

  This was not good. I would have to give AK the file without the documents being in order. But then again, if it was mentioned in the summary report, it had to be there somewhere in the files. I went back and re-checked the folders and sub-folders but could not trace them. By now I was beginning to get anxious. I remembered that the girl who has handl
ing the file before me was leaving, so had she overlooked this crucial bit of information in her hurry to leave?

  I went on searching and re-reading every piece of document in front of me. By now my fingers were sweating in nervousness. How had the original documents been replaced with the copies? What would I say to my boss?

  I didn’t know what to think any more. It almost looked like somebody wanted some essential data from the signed originals and made copies but forgot to replace them. My blood froze. This was serious. And I was in the middle of it.

  We had signed a non-disclosure agreement with the company and copies missing of what was to be discussed at the proposed meeting was not good.

  9

  ‘TARA!’

  I looked up and saw Riya charging towards me looking more like her usual self. I was glad.

  ‘Hey Riya!’

  ‘Guess what? I just checked my email and found I have scored a complimentary package for two at the Ada Spa. I thought I’d ask you to join me,’ she said excitedly.

  I knew going to the Spa was exactly what I needed but I didn’t have the time.

  Before I could reply, Riya continued, ‘I know exactly what you are thinking, Tara. There is no point in me sitting around brooding over Jay. When he has to call, he will. I am no longer going to put my life on hold for him. I know underneath all the harshness he does love me and it’s a matter of time before we get back together again. But before that, there’s no harm in looking gorgeous, right?’ She winked mischievously at me.

  While talking Riya had absent-mindedly picked up a piece of paper and started shredding it to pieces. Immediately an idea struck me and I sprang from my seat and ran to the copy room. I could hear Riya calling out after me in surprise but I didn’t stop to listen. There was something that I really needed to look into.

  I glanced around and looked at the different kinds of sheets that we kept in our copy room. And my hunch was right. There was a particular quality of recycled legal paper that was very fine and superior and was especially used in all correspondences with clients. What was special about that paper was that if you happened to hold it near a light source, you could see the watermark of the company and a serial number. It looked like normal paper but was slightly bigger. Only a handful of law firms used this kind of paper because it was very expensive. I grabbed a couple of sheets and rushed back to my seat.

  I matched it with the copies on my table and the serial numbers matched! The paper quality was the same. One thing was clear: whoever had replaced the originals with the copies was definitely somebody in the firm. But why would somebody in the office want to make copies of classified information, especially since they had access to the files? Things didn’t seem to add up. If my hunch was right, it looked like a rushed job. Nobody would be foolish enough to leave the copies and take the original. That would immediately raise suspicions.

  I knew exactly whom I had to speak to now: Shyamji, our official photocopier. He would probably have some answers for me.

  I went back to the photocopy room looking for Shyamji. I know the term ‘official photocopier’ probably sounds hilarious but in a law firm where you had a sea of paper to copy, Shyamji and the boys who assisted him were a godsend.

  ‘Do you know where Shyamji is?’ I asked one of the office boys when I found the copy room empty.

  ‘Shyamji is not well. He won’t be coming in for a couple of days.’

  ‘Ok, thanks,’ I replied disappointed. ‘Is there any way of reaching him?’

  ‘I think his phone is out of order.’

  I was beginning to get slightly impatient now. If AK got a whiff of these discrepancies, all hell would break loose. I really needed to get on top of the situation and have some answers ready if questioned, which in all probability I would be.

  As I walked out a thought popped into my head: Why not go to Shyamji’s place in the evening and ask him directly? God knows how many days he’d be away. At least I would have a legitimate explanation to give to AK if I spoke with Shyamji first.

  I went and checked our online office directory but couldn’t find Shyamji’s address. Trust our bourgeoisie office not to keep the support staff’s numbers or addresses in the main directory. Then I saw Pappu, one of the office boys, doing the usual rounds of serving people a cup of masala tea.

  ‘Pappu?’ I called out to him.

  ‘Yes, madam?’ he replied cheerfully.

  ‘Do you know from where I can get Shyamji’s house address? There is something important I need to discuss with him.’

  ‘Madamji, I don’t know. Shyamji recently moved so I don’t know where he’s staying now.’

  ‘Okay, Pappu. Thanks anyway.’

  Just when I was about to give up, Pappu turned around as though he had just remembered something and came back to where I was standing.

  ‘Madam, I do know somebody who can help you. Last weekend, I heard the night watchman Bahadur saying he was going over to Shyamji’s new house. You could check with him?’

  ‘Thanks Pappu, that’s a big help.’

  ‘Any time, Madam.’

  I now pondered on how to deal with that creepy Bahadur. I walked to the front of the office to the guards’ station where Bahadur usually hung out.

  The guards and some of the office boys were sitting around chatting over beedis and tea. They stood up when they realized I was going over to speak to them. One of the guards looked at me questioningly. I noticed Bahadur was missing from this assembly.

  ‘Have any of you seen Bahadur?’ I asked.

  ‘Madam, he has left for the day. His shift ended in the morning,’ one of the boys answered.

  Another one piped in, ‘Sometimes he hangs out with us till lunch time. But today he left early—some personal issue.’

  They looked at each other knowingly.

  ‘Well, could you ask him to speak with me the next time he comes in?’

  ‘Sure.’

  I said thanks and made my way back inside.

  I decided not to bring the matter to Mr Kapoor’s attention as yet. Let me get to the bottom of things first.

  Yes! The last paper had been attached to the file. I was now making my way to Mr Kapoor’s office. It was 7.00 p.m. He needed everything put together by 7.15.

  Just when I reached outside his office, Suzy asked me to wait. That meant somebody was already inside his office.

  ‘Tara, Boss is in there with Mr Banerjee. You’ll have to wait.’

  ‘Ok, Suzy.’ I replied.

  ‘Since you are waiting, do you want to see my birthday pictures?’

  ‘I’d love to.’

  Just then, I heard the door opening and saw Banner leaving Mr Kapoor’s office. He was red in the face. He looked very upset about something.

  ‘Suzy, sorry to interrupt you but I must go meet Mr Kapoor before he gets busy again.’ I walked into his office.

  ‘Finally, Tara. I thought you’d never make it on time with the files,’ he said sarcastically.

  I put the files on the table. As usual, I wasn’t asked to sit. He opened the files. He had been smoking a cigar in his room so the air was suffocating. Coupled with the stress of him possibly discovering that there was a discrepancy in the papers, it totally freaked me out. I felt like I would pass out any second. Thankfully, he just casually flipped through the pages and seemed okay with what he read.

  ‘Well done, Tara. Everything looks like they’re in order.’ He smiled, showing his sparkling white teeth. I could almost imagine the twisted mouth and the wrath in his eyes if he found out about the discrepancy, but for now all looked good. He took the files and neatly placed them in his Tumi bag. That was my cue to leave.

  ‘Ok, sir.’ All I wanted to do now was head home as quickly as possible and rest.

  He saw her entering the basement parking lot. He was anxiously anticipating the look of surprise on her face when she realized what awaited her. It was time to let her know that somebody was watching her. He smiled while looking at his rearview m
irror. He was actually starting to enjoy himself.

  10

  I WAS WALKING towards my car brooding over the day’s events. Trust Bahadur not to show up today of all days. I would have to wait until the next morning to speak with him. The basement was empty. Why couldn’t they just invest in some good lighting? This was positively creepy. I made a mental note to take up the issue with the office manager.

  My car was parked at the extreme corner of the garage. I started to walk faster. I wanted to get into my car as quickly as possible. For some reason, I felt like somebody was watching me. I looked back but there was no one behind me. I continued to walk quickly and looked back again. I finally got to my car. I pulled out my keys but dropped them in my nervousness. I bent down to pick up the keys and when I stood up, I felt someone behind me. I turned around and leapt up in fright. It was only Sailesh.

  ‘Tara, what’s wrong with you?’ He seemed slightly amused at my reaction.

  ‘Nothing,’ I said defensively.

  In order to justify myself, I babbled, ‘Why do you ask? More importantly, why were you trying to sneak up on me?’

  ‘I was leaving for the day and you looked so freaked out I wanted to have some fun and creep you out,’ he said with a smirk.

  ‘Sailesh, first of all, I was not freaked out. And secondly, anyone would be scared if someone sneaked up on them in a dark parking lot!’

  Sailesh raised his hands theatrically and said, ‘Guilty as charged! Sorry, Tara.’

  ‘It’s cool. See you around.’

  I got into my car and shut the door hard.

  I took a few deep breaths. I was ready to head back home because my aunt was coming over. She was always full of stories and had this great knack of making the dullest of tales sound interesting. If there was something I desperately needed, it was a distraction.

  I fumbled in my bag to take out a Kleenex tissue to wipe my sweaty palms. Retrieving anything from my bag always took forever. I instinctively bought big handbags when I went shopping even though it would always take me hours to retrieve things from it. I finally managed to retrieve the tissue and then I flung my bag on to the back seat, a habit of mine. I noticed there was something else that hadn’t been there before. I strained to look but couldn’t make it out clearly. I switched on the car lights and now I could see what it was: my missing pashmina shawl!