Miss Bittermouth

Sneha entered the office and noted Seema moving around with a sulky expression. She took in a deep breath, and thanked God that Seema never had the guts of messing with her. Most probably because Sneha knew very well the process of handling her. She has long noticed that Sneha had a way of snapping at each and every junior, or soft speaking persons whenever she had some problem in her personal life.

So many times Sneha had to choke an irresistible impulse to give her a piece of mind, but resisted herself because Seema always avoided confronting her. She did not had the guts to show her tantrums to her superiors, it was reserved for person holding similar ranking or juniors.

There was a knock on her cabin door within a few minutes of her entering, after getting her permission four of her junior staffs entered the cabin together. For a second she thought that they have come to complain against Seema and she cursed her in her mind. Because these four young girls have won her wrath ever since their joining the office, they joined under her, they were very sincere and intelligent girls. But they had a very big vice, all four were extremely pretty and immensely popular in the office. So Seema always watched them like a hawk and made it her duty to ruin their days whenever she will see any of them.

The girls were extremely frustrated but could not do any thing because their upbringing did not allowed them to make scenes, even though they knew that they were right and she was absolutely wrong. So they bunched together and used to giggle behind her back.

They beamed at Sneha and announced that they are transferred to the company’s Mumbai branch after promotion. Sneha shaked their hands and wished them luck. Then they asked her permission for a small party on the Saturday for two hours in the evening. They wanted to thank everyone individually and offer some snacks and gifts. Sneha said that she will take care that no problem arises.

The party was held, the girls managed it very well, every one received a gift with one of the girls explaining the reason behind the gift. One by one every one’s name was spelled out but Seema’s. Everyone was sure that they have no gift for her, and every one knew that she deserved that. The way she used to insult those girls even though no one protested but every one hated her for that.

Finally when all the gifts were given away two of the girls left the room, they came back with a huge gift. Then the girl announcing said, “This gift is for the person who all of us will remember for the rest of our life, our very own Miss Bitter Mouth, on our parting day we are gifting you a cauldron of honey with the hope that its sweetness will save the girls who will replace us.”

There was a stunned silence in the room, Seema sat staring at four giggling girls.

Duties

“You too have some duties towards him Tandra.” Her sister glared at her.

“I knew that, you too will take his side. He must have been telling you all types of stories with eyes full of tear. How mean I am. How querulous I am. How I treat him badly.” Tandra sniffed.

“You know very well that I care about your welfare first, then of someone else.” Chandra said. “Now wipe your face and sit near me, listen to what I have to say.”

“He is a boy born and brought up in a large town. He has not married you to have children or look after his home. For the second thing he could have appointed a maid.”

“For the first, as per Indian tradition, he of course needs a wife.”

“If you skulk in the home looking and acting like a witch, for how long can he suffer you?”

“He comes home tired after all day. You meet him with a huge list of complains and problems.”

“You don’t understand his passions, his tastes, his hobbies. Forget about sharing them. To add up you don’t let him go out with his friends. You want him at home all the time. When he is not in office of course.”

“In that case my kid sister, you will have to become his best friend. Can you become that?”

“If yes then all problem will be solved. If no, then let him have some friends of his own. Give him some independence and when he is with you treat him with love and understanding. With sweetness and compassion. After that, see the change.”

“Tell me if he does not change.”

“It’s not your fault; you have seen your mom busy with only you guys and household chores. Your father busy in fields, so you have grown up without the concept of soulmate.”

“If you can’t be his soulmate, be his best friend, if you can’t, be that either be his friend and lover.”

“I know you can do that. Now smile and go back to home. He is waiting for you eagerly.”