She took stock of where she was, the beige-white paint, a dark credenza pushed against the far end above which was a wall full of awards and plaques with Suraj’s name on it. Reed & Co. was at the forefront of a new age of publishing.
She fidgeted in her chair, this time catching a glimpse of the family photo that was on the desk. Unable to help herself, she leaned over to turn the picture toward her, smiling fondly at the messy haired boy with a sexy smirk standing tall, next to his equally handsome father. A cheerful woman in a rich saree and opulent jewellery sat in an ornate chair in front of them while the men stood with one hand on her shoulder on either side, as if guarding her. Vihaan had his mother’s smile and eyes, but his facial structure, height and air of confidence seemed to be a gift from his father.
The click of the door opening had Vera looking up just as Suraj entered the room. He waved at her to remain seated when she attempted to stand up as a sign of respect. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long,” Suraj affably said while he took his seat, further surprising her. Maybe Vera was more jaded than she should be. She had not thought someone as important as him would show any respect for her time.
He plucked a white envelope out of his drawer and slid it across. “Here,” he nodded towards it, encouraging her to pick it up. “It’s why I asked you to meet me here. You did a wonderful job tutoring and motivating Vihaan. His grades have improved remarkably, in a way I never expected. He’ll be able to apply to good universities without me having to back his application with a donation. Where his mother and I failed, you succeeded. Thank you.”
Vera didn’t know what to make of such lavish praise, staring at the envelope like it was a ticking bomb. Despite the appreciation, something felt off.
“You deserve this reward,” Suraj continued. “I hope Vihaan has thanked you properly. We don’t want to be those employers who take advantage of our employees and make them work without proper remuneration.”
There it was. Vera’s stomach churned painfully at the clear reminder of the difference in their class. Employers versus employees. Not friends. Not lovers. The idea that her relationship with Vihaan could be categorized under such transactional terms, no matter how different they were in private, dampened her mood.
“Sir, Vihaan earned his grades himself. I only helped steer him a little. I don’t need to be rewarded for that.”
“You’re a good kid, Vera. Humble, hardworking. I hope Vihaan has imbibed something of use from you. But it should end here.”
Vera stiffened at that, her eyes raising slowly to meet old, wise ones. And in that second, she understood that her secret relationship with Vihaan was not a secret anymore.
Suraj reached towards the photo that Vera had been studying, turning it towards himself without breaking eye contact. “You have helped him. And you hold your wages for a job well done. Go on and find your success.”
It took a moment for Vera to find her voice again. “What do you mean, sir?” she asked, needing to be sure before she jumped to conclusions again.
“You’re a smart girl and I hold you in high regard. But Vihaan is not known for being serious about anything. I’d hate to see his interest in you derail you from your goals.”
Vera laughed softly, a sound that was barely a huff, full of sarcasm and disappointment. She picked up the envelope, and pulled out the wad of cash from within, far too much for it to be just tuition fees. She barely tamped down the urge to throw every last green note inSuraj’s face and make a dramatic exit worthy of a Bollywood movie. She rolled a thumb over the edges of the note stack, fanning them lightly. “Are you giving me money because I helped your son or to entice me to leave him?”
“I’m not asking for anything that isn’t good for you both.”
“I may not have much, sir, but I have enough self-respect that I won’t cheapen what I feel for Vihaan by accepting this.”
Vera wasn’t sure what reaction she’d expected, but it certainly wasn’t the sad smile he bestowed upon her.
“No, child. This is not a TV drama and I’m not an old-school villain trying to tear two young lovers apart,” he said, releasing a heavy-hearted sigh. “This money is far less than what I have paid multiple other tutors when they made not an ounce of difference. It is not meant as an insult. You’ve earned it—nothing more. I will assume that we did not have a conversation beyond dues owed for a service you provided. But my warning remains the same. Consider it well-intended advice from a man who knows his son very well. Vihaan has never stuck by one thing he has set out to do. He loses interest or decides it is too much work to see it to the end. Don’t let yourself become another notch in his list of dropped goals.”
“With due respect, I disagree,” Vera firmly countered. “You’re underestimating him. I used to as well. He may have been frivolous and lacked seriousness about many things before, but he’s not like that anymore. We genuinely lo. . . like each other.”
“You may feel that way now, bachcha. Young blood often runs hot but does not survive the realities of life. Take heed to what I am saying. I am not your enemy.”
Vera rose to her feet, reaching back for her bag and swinging it across her shoulders figuring out how best to say what she wanted to without being offensive.
“Sir, I—” she started, stopping herself before trying again. “It took me a long time to see Vihaan for who he is. And I believe in him. Thank you for your concern, but you’re doing him a disserviceby not trusting his capacity to commit. Instead of me, you should have been trying to protect your son first.”
Perhaps it was her tone, the unwavering way in which she held Suraj’s gaze when she made it clear that she wouldn’t abide by anyone disparaging Vihaan in front of her, even if that someone was his father, but she saw the concern in his eyes change to something else. Curiosity, surprise, and perhaps, respect.
Vera held the roll of notes up and gestured to it before placing it on the desk. “I cannot take this.”
She’d barely taken a few steps when Suraj’s voice followed her.
“Stop, Vera.”
Try as she might, she couldn’t ignore the command. She’d been taught to respect her elders and if for no other reason than that, she stilled, turning to watch Suraj make his way around the desk.
“Take it,” he insisted, holding the bundle of cash out toward her, releasing an indulgent chuckle when she stared mulishly at it. “This has nothing to do with your relationship with Vihaan and everything to do with your good work. You can either accept it gracefully now, or I will give it to your Nanaji. I do not like being in debt, and if you refuse this money, I will feel compelled to pay you in other ways.”
Suddenly, Vera saw glimpses of Vihaan’s stubbornness in the way Suraj spoke, the confidence that lay simmering beneath a charming surface. Her sights dropped to the wad of notes he seemed intent on giving her, the temptation to accept it rising. These funds would go a long way in alleviating the concern of paying for Nanu’s medical tests. Vera finally gave in, her common sense prevailing over any remnant frustration.
“Thank you.”