Chapter 10

Mohit's POV

" You don't know anything, I had to leave... I was not safe there... as well." She said in a low voice.

" What?? What happened?? " I asked.

Oh My God !!! So that dream...

" Nothing just leave all this. I don't want to bother you anymore Mohit Ji."

" It's ok, you can tell me if you want... I would not be bothered. Where will you go?? What will you do?? "

" I haven't thought about it but I am not going back. I will find a job. "

" Were you not scared for your life? It was very dangerous to leave your house at that time of night. "

" It didn't bother me at that time. As it is there is nothing good in my life... Listen, I am very thankful to you and I know I am sounding a bit ungrateful to you, but I don't want to talk about my life. Thanks for your concern, I will find a job. "

Oh !! The sweet child was scared and miserable last night. I can't let her go out like that... It's not safe.

" Ok, but you can stay here till you get a job and safe accommodation. "

" How can I stay here?? "

" You are absolutely safe here. I am out for most of the day. And as it is you don't have any place to go. Consider yourself as a housemate or PG. "

" PG ?? How much do I have to pay??"

" Nothing "

" What ?? Why?? "

" This house is so big. I live alone here. I don't even use more than half of this place. It is a waste for me. "

" But, I don't want your charity... "

" It is not charity. It is just a help. "

" It is a charity. See, I have to find a job, if you want to help, please help me find a job. " Just then my doorbell rang and I went to open the door.

It was the lady who used to do the cleaning and make food for me. As Manu was pregnant and is at her home. So I tell this lady to make food for me sometimes. But it is usually tasteless.

" Make breakfast and lunch for two. " I instructed her.

" Ok, sir. " She said and I came back where we were.

" My cook and cleaner is here. I will tell her to clean your clothes they were covered in mud. "

" Is she the one who changed my clothes yesterday?? " she asked.

Oh, God !!

" What ?? No... No this one comes in the morning. "

" Oh ok.. "

" I have to go to work. I must go and get ready. " I said and went back to my room.

I did my daily routine, took a quick shower and got ready.

I asked her to live in my house but I knew nothing about her. How could I be so stupid??? But it seemed that she was a nice girl belonging to some good family.

I was wondering what must have happened to the girl that made her left her house? She said that she was not safe in her home. That's why she was so scared last night and that dream... Oh, God !!

But she is not ready to tell me anything about her and I have already asked her to stay in my home. What if it is all a play?? I must know something about her.

I came out and saw that she had changed into a clean pair of jeans and a plain t-shirt. She had cleaned up nicely and was looking much better now with her long hair tamed in a high ponytail.

" See, we met under strange circumstances and didn't get a chance to get to know each other. So how about we do it now? " I said and she just kept looking at me.

" I am Mohit... Mohit Paul. And you? " I extended my hand towards her to shake hands but she just looked at my hand and seemed reluctant to shake hands with me. I pulled my hand back.

" Srusti... Mehra. " She said meekly.

" Nice name... " I said with a friendly smile but she just kept looking at me. She looked very young.

" How old are you?? "

" Twenty three... " She said. Just then my cook and cleaner said that food was ready.

I asked Srusti to join me. She walked with difficulty.

" Wait here, you have a problem in walking, I will ask her to serve breakfast here itself. "

" I can walk... " She was saying but I told the cook to serve food in the guest room.

She brought breakfast within 5 minutes. She had prepared parantha as instructed by me as I usually eat food at the office and it is always fast food.

We started eating but I didn't like the food much. I shook my head lightly and stopped eating. She kept looking at the food.

" What happened?? Didn't like it?? I know... Hey !! But how do you know?? You didn't even touch it...."

" No, it is a bit weird and embarrassing. "

" What is weird and embarrassing?? "

" This... Me staying in your home. Eating food here... "

" Oh please, it is nothing. Please don't think like that. Please have food. You need rest and energy. You can go when you are absolutely fine and have found a job and safe accommodation for you. "

" But... "

" Don't worry, you are safe here. Now have food please "

" Yes, somehow, I can feel that I am safe here. Thank you. " She said eating without any fuss. I was trying to read her expression she looked sad and depressed.

" You are not eating?? "

" I didn't like it much and I can't eat what I don't like. A bit choosy about food, I eat. "

" But you have not eaten much. "

" I will order something in my office. "

" Shall I make something else for you?? "

" Oh no... You must take a rest. It's ok I usually get food ordered in my office." I said.

" Ok, if you have any job in your office please let me know... I would like to apply. "

" What are your qualifications ?? "

" I completed my graduation last year and was planning to do my post-graduation when my parents passed away in that tragic car crash. "

" So what kind of job can you handle? "

" Ummm... Any job. Er... I don't know, actually, I never thought about it, I had no idea that I would have to find a job like that one day. " She said with a sad expression.

" I can understand... "

" But, I don't mind any job, no work is small. I can even work in your office canteen if you have one. I can cook well. "

" Seriously?? "

" What?? "

" You can cook well?? "

" Yes, very well. It's one of my favourite things. "

" Ok, then how about cooking for me?"

" I just offered to make something for you... "

" No, not right now... I mean every day. "

" Till I am here? Sure, no problem. "

" No, I mean I can give you a job as my cook. In return, I will give you a salary and you can stay here too. "

" What?? Seriously?? Are you kidding me? "

" No, I am very much serious. I am getting irritated with outside food and I don't like food made by this lady."

" But... Just like that?? You don't even know me. We don't know any about each other. "

" I already asked you to stay in my home till you get a job. "

" That was so sweet of you, but you don't even know, if I can cook or if you like the food cooked by me or not. "

" Well, that is simple, whenever you are fine enough to cook for me, prepare a meal if I like it the job is yours. "

" But I can't stay with you. "

" Why?? I swear you would be safe with me. Trust me. "

" What would people say?? "

" Where will you live?? Do you know anyone who would let you live with you?? "

" No, I don't know anyone here. I came to Delhi only after my parents died. "

" So everyone is a stranger for you. See, you need a job and I need a good cook. It is a good thing, we can help each other. It is I can't eat all my meals from outside. "

" Who was cooking for you earlier?? "

" Another lady but she had to go back to her hometown. And my best friend used to bring lunch for me earlier. She is a fabulous cook. But she is busy these days. "

" Oh ok !! I don't know... I mean, thanks a lot. "

" Welcome, I have to leave now. " I said with a smile and left for my office.

She seemed to be a very simple and nice girl... But she was sad and scared. Somehow, I wanted to keep her safe that's why I offered her the job.

I reached the office and asked Harry to order breakfast for me. It was a long day and I got busy with my work.