Chapter 7
Kria continuously rang the doorbell as she stood outside waiting for Rey to open up. With every passing second all types of thoughts crept in her mind. She had wanted to call his parents to ask whether he had come there coz of some unavoidable reason but then decided against it as it would be a big worry to both of them if it didn't come out to be true. She thought to ensure it first herself. As she came there she knew he was there as she had asked the security while coming up. After almost an eternity the door opened and she was all ready to blast him off but then decided against it seeing his condition.
Rey was all in a messed up condition with tousled hair and shabby clothes. He didn't look like the person she had previously met. It seemed as though he hadn't slept for days which was quite evident by the worry lines that had formed on his forehead. He didn't even acknowledge her presence and just walked back inside and Kria followed him. The condition of the house was far worse. All the papers scattered. Food wrappers lying everywhere. Company files kept as if its just trash. She looked around quite irritated over the condition but turned her attention to Rey who seemed as if the world had just ended for him.
"God Reyansh. What is all this? Where were u? Y u weren't answering my calls? Do u have any idea how worried sick we were? I cudn't even call ur parents. All I know u wud be dead and we wudn't have known coz u weren't answering. And whats all this? These papers and everything. I mean just look around the mess it is there and above all the mess u urself are? Seems like u haven't slept for ages and didn't even have a proper bath. And y u aren't answering? For God's sake speak something will u?"
Kria ranted away as she was exasperated over the callous attitude of the guy sitting in front of her.
"I lost my job."
Rey spoke meekly.
"Excuse me?"
Kria spoke as tried to decipher what she heard.
"I lost my freaking job. I have this 2 week's notice. I cannot possibly go back and tell my parents that I lost my job and everything. I am trying to cope up and look for something. I need a job. It takes time and that's the thing I don't have with me and u come barging here on me not even caring y am I like this."
Rey shouted back. He was already frustrated and the last thing he needed was his friend shouting away at the top of her voice.
Kria stood at the loss of word for a minute. No wonder the guy was a mess and not answering the calls. She could understand what he must be going through and above all the level of expectations that he had set up for him -it hurt when it didn't get fulfilled. She chided herself and sat besides him and spoke.
"What happened? Y did they fire u?"
Rey sighed and started.
"Actually u know how I had taken over the project when I got posted here? It was 25% complete already. The previous coordinator had briefed me about it. So I went ahead with that design. Turns out that the strategy had a flaw which hadn't been discussed with the client before. Since the previous coordinator wasn't there it boiled over me. The entire blame was shifted upon me and now here I am with the notice."
Rey spoke defeated and gave his termination notice to her.
"How can they do this? I mean it wasn't ur fault."
Kria spoke enraged over how they had just shifted the blame over him.
"Well apparently they can do. It is the softest action they had taken as they say. I could have been sued for the loss by the clients but didn't get coz it wasn't my fault. But the company people do had to opt for something and it turned out to be this."
He held his face in his hands as he rewined what had happened with him.
"So now what?"
Kria asked unsure.
"Well I myself have no idea about it frankly. All I know is I have been rendered homeless as I have to empty the apartment in 2 weeks time and of which 1 week is already over. Presently I am jobless and I cannot go back like this all lost. How will I face them when I am not even able to face myself?"
Rey spoke frustrated how his life had flipped over in a few days. He couldn't wrap his head around the turn of events and the ultimatum hovered over him. It was a big injustice to him. Kria saw how he looked all dejected and she didn't like that. She had to do something to cheer him up. She side hugged him and spoke.
"Hey big guy. Come on now. Don't lose hope. U r such a handsome, dashing and hugely talented guy. Firing u is their biggest loss. They will soon learn it. And trust me u will find a new job in no time."
Rey smiled on his friend's attempt to cheer him off. He played along.
"Well yes I am that's y I have such a gorgeous lady sitting besides me."
"Yes my boy. U have the lucky stars. Now wipe that sad expression off ur face. It doesn't suit u. We will search for a job and u will have one in no time. Believe me."
Kria spoke out her heart. She knew that this was just a bad phase and will soon pass.
"Well I have shortlisted few jobs but majority of them have a setback."
Rey spoke out. For the past week he had been constantly searching for jobs. He found many but there was a major setback. Unlike his previous company they didn't have any provision for residential stays. So even if he had a job he was homeless and searching for a resident in Mumbai was one big job - he knew that.
"What?"
Kria enquired.
"The companies don't provide the residential facilities."
Rey spoke dejected. Whatever happens he was at loss at one end or the other. On the other hand Kria felt sad but suddenly an idea formed inside her head. She chirped but didn't let it out loudly as she still needed confirmation. She turned to him and spoke.
"Do one thing come at Mom-Dad's place in the evening. And please suit up and come. U r a mess."
Kria spoke making a face and Rey hit her shoulder. She laughed and went out reminding him about the evening.
As soon as Kria was out she made some calls and spoke out for a long time. She had a smile over the face as the call ended.
In the evening Rey made it to Ghai mansion. He couldn't comprehend as to y Kria had called him there. Above all he didn't feel like facing anybody at his moment of weakness. As he entered he was received by a warm hug from her parents. Kria stood there with Sam. Rey smiled. This place always reminded him of his home and he was happy to be at a place with familiar faces.
"Rey please hear me out before u jump to any conclusion or make any hasty decision. I kno self made man and don't like to depend on somebody else be it ur friend. But u know a friend in need is a friend indeed. Now listen to me. I am not doing any favours and u don't certainly need to feel that u owe me big or u cannot take any favours from me and everything."
"Will u come to the point Krys."
Rey spoke impatiently as Kria went around speaking away about things of which he has no clue. Everyone suppressed their giggle as she let out a scowl.
"Fine... Now hear me out. U will get a job anyhow I know. Ur resume is quite impressive. The only problem is ur staying problem. So for the time being u can stay with me. I have 2 spare rooms at my place and u can shift into one of them. I know u wud say no and everything but we will share all the expenses and all once u get the job and if it wounds ur ego u can repay as soon as u get ur salary from the new job. U will keep a track I know that. So what u got to say?"
Kria spoke in one go coz she knew he would interrupt if she faltered somewhere.
"No.. never.. I cannot do this."
Rey vehemently disagreed with her proposition. He didn't feel right doing so. Plus his male ego also din't allow and he didn't want to burden her with her own problems. Kria's mom spoke.
"Rey... please we are like ur family here. And we support her in this decision. She lives alone in that huge house and she wants to be independent and doesn't shifts with us. She is too stubborn. When u will be with her at least we could be worry less as we know someone is there with her."
"Agreed Rey. I also need to go out many a times. So u being there with her will reduce our worries for her."
Sam supported the decision as he side hugged Kria.
"And above all I know she is safe with u."
He added. Everyone agreed to it. They didn't let Rey speak and constantly spoke in the favour of the decision and persuading him to follow it. It was well thought of.
"Okay fine... But..."
"I know ur buts. As soon as u will start ur job u will repay back ur earlier share and then pay with me all the future expenses till u find ur place and move out."
Kria spoke as a matter of fact and chuckled when Rey scowled at him. Everybody laughed over the friendly banter. They then had their dinner and as the night ended Kria walked out with Rey. When they were out he hugged her.
"Thank u so much."
"Hey... ur welcome."
She broke the hug and saw him tearing. She wiped the tear and spoke.
"Awww.. Big boy don't cry. Come one. U wud have done the same. I know that. Don't get emotional and all."
"I know but still. Thank u so much Krys."
"Its okay. So now tomorrow we will be shifting. Okay?"
"Yep tomorrow."
Rey smiled and as they both move towards the gate as Kria escorted him out and Rey went so that he could all things in place.
Tomorrow was gonna be a new beginning.
