Chapter 8: Bhairavi
The next day was first day to work. Singer and I stood waiting for somebody (or anybody!!!) to give us a lift to office as we had no vehicle of our own.
"Singer, come I will drop you to office."
The voice was way too loud. It was Mallu.
"Lady you can come with me," said Senorita.
"All of you be back in time for lunch," shouted Athlete from the other side of the corridor.
Thankfully, I got a warm welcome in my office. Hardy was with a new Laurel this time. They showed be around my office premises. I found to my joy that I had a library with a whole lot of books at my disposal. What more can a bibliomaniac want!!!! My immediate Boss was off to a godforsaken place for a godforsaken task (don't even ask about it!!!) and I was to function under his Boss: A tall, hefty giant who roared more than he spoke. My first day at work came to a smooth finish when Senorita came to pick me up for lunch.
"We all have our lunch and dinner together. Now that you are a part of Bhairavi, stick to the gang or else you will have to fend for yourself."
I did not know whether it was a threat or a genuine briefing still I thought of finding out things on my own. We were the first ones to reach so Senorita left me in front of Room No 20 and went on to park her vehicle and freshen up before rejoining. I took this opportunity to look around. There were four shaded flanks with a corridor each in total all encompassed within a square shaped compound wall. Each flank had approximately ten rooms. Rooms in Mallu's flank and my flank housed the gangsters. The flank opposite Mallu's housed the oldies or forced bachelors: The one opposite to mine had people coming and going on a regular basis. Senorita, Athlete, Techo, Singer and me stayed in the same flank while Mallu, Chow, Brat stayed in the same. Poor Nasky stayed amongst oldies, therefore his mature neighbours had a greater influence on him thereby restricting his hangouts with us. The centre housed a green mini field that always witnessed matches - cricket, football, badminton etc., celebrations and parties. Here is pic for better understanding.
Bhairavi was indeed a wonderful place with the gangsters being a close knit group. The norm of having lunches and dinner together ensured a formation of a formidable group of minimum ten. The gang also had another name - The Bachelors.
On weekends, the entire lot would go out for a drive followed by a meal. Singer and me were yet to buy our two - wheelers, so we always ended up being pillion riders to either Athlete or Mallu. Mallu visibly always tried his level best to avoid taking me since for him, I was a stuck up snob. However, Singer was so terrified of him that she always convinced Athlete to take her along. So...most of the time I ended up being his pillion rider. I too hated the idea of sitting behind a disgusted rider. Just too bad for both of us!!!
