Revenge : Part 2
Story By Thiyam Ningol, Africa

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Quite! No answer. John decided better to leave there for the moment. He put two and two together. Of late he noticed that Rozy had been staying a lot of time in the Boss's room. On several occasions, he found her arranging the files on the trays, which was normally not her duty, the secretary did it always. Also he noticed the Boss too comfortable with Rozy working in his office. He usually loved working alone in the room. if needed, he usually rang the bell and called for the concerned person only.

-And why today such a strange behavior from Rozy!!!, came home direct without going to classes, she left her duty incomplete!!! No, no it can't be. I am just imagining things. Our boss cannot do any harm especially to this tiny girl. But then what could have happened for her to behave like this?

Food was brought, but she never even touched the plate.
He was contemplating whether to take her to the doctor or not. He decided to observe till the next day morning. Eventually, after some time Rozy fell asleep while seated on the couch but the whole night he sat on the opposite couch watching her and his mind actively wandering all the possible corners of thought.

Not much change, the next day morning, still very quite and the same aimless, blank staring. He gave her tea and told her to rest for the day. His main aim of wanting to rush to the office was to go and study the boss's reaction and find some clue to what might have happened.

He informed his colleagues except the boss that Rozy won't be working due to ill health.

He could not concentrate. He was expecting any moment to be called and enquire about Rozy. The call never came. With the pretext of looking for a misplaced file, he came to Juma's office. Nothing unusual, files always get misplaced but John felt an unusual quietness in the room. No questions asked, simply Juma raised his brows. John browsed some of the files and walked out feeling uncomfortable.

Now he was more convinced that Rozy's situation was connected with that room. Time will tell and I will react accordingly, I need time and proof.

After 4 days, the following Monday John found a middle aged man working as the attendant. His colleuges noticed that John was unusually quite for the past few days but they thought that it was because of extra domestic work for nursing a sick sister.

On the last day of the month, the pay day, John was called and handed over an envelope.
- This is your sister's salary of the month, full salary with benefits. As you know I have already found a replacement in her place. You may go.

As simple as that !!!

John was dumbfounded. He wanted to say something but no words came out. He was not prepared for this. Instead he found himself walking out of Juma's office like a dream walker. He had the chance to protect his sister, to fight for justice, for her rights, but he could not do anything. He was completely hypnotized.

When John was attending NABAA classes, one teacher said, "when you are confused and panicking, never proceed with any calculations. Take a walk, cool down and re-do the calculations you think you made a mistake."

He followed the advice. He went for a long walk, thinking, revising mentally the passed days. No solution found, but took one firm decision- decision of revenge. For that he needed time, he had to buy time and plan it perfectly.

An unseen hurricane had struck in the peaceful, simple life of John and Rozy.
The hurricane had woken up the sleeping lion.

John continued working as before, punctual and efficient, but he had become quieter. He had forgotten all the taarab verses; no more interested in socializing and entertaining.

Whenever possible, he listened to Juma's voice attentively, marking all the typical pronounciatiations of certain words he made, learnt the common phrases Juma loved using. He was obsessed with Juma. He studied his friends, the places he loved frequenting, his attitude to his family members, his behavior with his wife.

He had not yet come to a definite plan of the revenge.

Everyday, when he came back home, he promised to his sister the culprit would be punished and justice would be done. He wished if only she could tell what exactly happened. And Juma had not shown the slightest concern.

To be continued....