Swiping for Shaadi: Episode 18 - The Blunder

(Check out the previous Episode here!)

Mishraji has been coaxing Anjali to send biodata and horoscope reports to the newly found proposal. But he called her continuously while she was working at the office, trying to cope with the current deadlines. Anjali was entangled with her father’s continuous nagging and the burdensome office work but she successfully emailed the concerned persons about the respective matters.

Tuesday morning was usual and calm for Anjali until she reached the office. She hoped for a pile of critical tasks waiting for her, but it was something else. Her team members eyed her humorously, some of them even grinned at her wickedly while others hid themselves in unknown embarrassment. What was that about? Had she been wearing clothes inside out? Or is she a part of any meme? She pondered for a while and hopped into her cubicle.

Her colleague peeped in her cubicle and whispered, “Hey, what have you done? You mailed your horoscope and biodata to the entire team and the Director.” She covered her mouth with her palms, and Anjali could clearly notice how hilarious her colleagues had found it.

Anjali felt that her whole world had been shattered. She had unknowingly emailed her horoscope and biodata to the company and the said mail to that HR guy. Hell, now she will never bother to check that proposal that had messed up her mind even before meeting her. She hurried to the washroom and since no one was around, she leaned onto the basin and gasped for breath.

I have become a mess. I don’t know what kind of person I have turned into. I have never goofed up with something silly until now. It is just because my mind is out of order. I have turned into a bitter person. Earlier, I had dreams of my life partner, I visualized a happily married life. And now, I have become a ‘misandrist’. I hate marriage and men. I was never such a person. What will happen when I get married?

She splashed cool water on her face and wiped with a tissue. It is okay, she said to herself. Whatever the consequences, I am willing to face it. It won’t be about the family, office, society, relatives, and their expectations, it is going to be me and my attitude towards life. I will do whatever I want to do.

She returned to her cubicle and noticed that she had received a message on the office chatbox from her senior. She was supposed to report to his cabin ASAP. She strode with long, confident steps towards his cabin and calmed herself at every moment.

“Yes, Anjali Mishra.  Your biodata seems to be good but your horoscope doesn’t look favourable. Some of your planets seem to be in a retrogatory position that will make you face the music from the Director and CEO of the company.” He said in an evil tone, a wide smile flashed on his face.  

“It was a goof-up. I was entangled with the office work and the monotony and I messed up. I am sorry.” She apologized.

“Anjali, do you understand the intensity of this matter? Your mail has reached the Director and the entire team. Thank your fortune that it didn’t reach any of the clients or else it would have spoiled the reputation of the entire company. Now, your reputation is at stake, but it has no impact on the company.” He shrugged and continued with his blabber.

“Is there any chance I can manage this mess? I am willing to apologize to the Director for the inconvenience caused. I made a blunder.”

The senior ignored her existence for a few moments, but regained his attention when Anjali muttered under her breath, “And I quit.”

“We don’t demand your resignation. It is okay if you apologize to all the employees in your team and the Director in writing.” He was astounded to listen to Anjali’s impulsive decision.

“No, I have been trying to quit for a long time. It’s not because of this blunder. In fact, it is a kind of awakening for me to listen to myself and not others which I have been doing and messing up with my life.”

The senior wasn’t sure whether Anjali was in her senses. He suggested to calm down and not make a hasty decision. But Anjali was adamant and sent a resignation letter along with a sincere apology to the Director of the company. She knew half-heartedly that her team members would judge her for resigning because of the blunder. She was alright with the judgmental looks.

When her resignation was duly accepted after a detailed interview by the senior HR manager, she felt relieved. It seemed like a huge mountain that had gotten off her chest. She never wanted to become an MBA graduate and work in an MNC, it was because her father demanded and the society expected her to do something huge and successful.

In the evening, her father called her with a grumpy voice, “Beta, you still haven’t sent the biodata and horoscope report to that guy? He had been waiting, now they are sure that you are not interested in their proposal.”

“Papa, please tell them that I am not interested. And I am coming home this weekend.”

“Why, beta? I mean why aren’t you interested? And why are you coming home this weekend again? It is okay. You can come when there are some proposals in hand.” He asked in a worry.

“Papa, I will come home and we can talk then. Please. And don’t call me unless you want to know genuinely about my well-being or whether I have eaten food.”

Her tone and voice worried Mishraji extensively. He tried to interrogate further, but Anjali refrained from responding.  

“Beta, are you alright? Is everything okay at the office? Did anyone say something to you? Tell me, beta.”

“Papa, all’s well.” She could manage to answer three words and she disconnected the call. Mishraji turned towards his wife and said, “Anjali ki mummy, Anjali didn’t seem to be well. It seems she had become a totally different person. Do you think she has already found a guy in Mumbai and she has been hiding from us?”

“Offo, please stop it. It has been five years now that you think of only boys. And you criticize me for taking care of my garden. Have you noticed that you have been thinking only about grooms and men?”

It was a revolver shot for Mishraji. Truly, Anjali’s marriage topic had become the central part of his life, leaving him no time and scope for watching TV or taking care of his health. Even his early morning walks to the park had become a discussion hotspot of Anjali’s prospective grooms. He talked to people not to enquire about their health, but to get acquainted with the eligible men of North India.

Had he become so obsessed with Anjali’s marriage the way his wife was immersed in the garden?