Life of cashier
Sandip was collecting amounts when he heard that sound. He was so confused. He looked behind counter. He watched customer was looking scared too. He gave sweet smile & said “ It’s just owner of shop.” “ What happened?” Sandip said low voice “ She always kept searching for something.” “ What?” “ I don’t know except & I am just cashier I can’t ask questions to my employer can I?” Immediately customer nodded. There was already next customer waiting to ask questions. Sandip knew that this one might not buy anything but it was his duty to answer everything so he immediately took payment & thanked customer he was attending. When next customer came that one asked in low voice “ Do you have any charms?” “ Charms?!” “ Yes. The one that bring good luck.” This customer was good looking middle age woman. He assumed she wanted charm to get something in her life like money, husband or child. He couldn’t guess what but he didn’t feel they had those charms. He said “ Madam you are in wrong shop. We don’t sell anything like that. You need visit some Astrologer or Tarot card reader. They have those charms.” But that customer wasn’t ready to give up. She pointed & said “ But she said you have them.” She pointed towards shop owner. Sandip looked towards that direction with shock. He said “ She is owner if she said we have it then it’s possible. You need to ask her.” That girl smiled & ran towards Shop Owner. Tarika was shop owner who was widowed at young age. It must be unfortunate for her by Sandip’s view. Sandip never met her husband. He came for employment after Tarika’s husband’s death. He saw a widow who had different attitude. Tarika would come in store on any time as she wanted. It was her store so he knew that she had full right but it was frustrating the way she kept changing things. Now she planned to keep some lucky charms in this store then she should have at least inform him. He knew that he was just servant but still it seemed so wrong. He was on counter & he didn’t know what items they were selling & their cost. He didn’t like the way he was treated. But he had nice job & he wasn’t actually insulted or targeted by employee. Tarika was little bit odd but still she was nice lady. He could adjust with her moods. He slowly looked around. Then he found chart which told him price of charms to be sold by shop. He managed to miss it when he came in morning. Now he slowly added it to his computer system. This wasn’t product of specific company but they sold many products from local businesses in their shop so it was not big deal. He knew how did he could place it. But then he heard that strange noise once again as if something heavy had fallen on ground. He didn’t want to argue but this noise was making him upset then he suddenly heard some singing. This was too much. They kept some musical program in the store. He didn’t understand why his Boss acting like that? He was always helpful. He didn’t understand what was going on. He was about to move from cash register when that girl came. It was clear that she was with Tarika. He asked sweetly “ What was that noise?” “ Ohh that! We are doing relaxing process. We are planning to increase our group.” She showed Charms she purchased which had some sort of music. It didn’t relax Sandip but he felt that it was sweet not like something fallen down. He added “But that voice was bigger?!” She gave him angry look & asked “ Are you my parent or Boss? Why I supposed to answer you?” He gave nervous & guilty look. He immediately said “ I am so sorry. I heard noise & I felt someone fall on ground so I asked.” That girl laughed. She said “ You thought Tarika Madam fainted on floor!” He felt so embarrassed. He truly thought that. He felt that Tarika was little bit unsound so she did something wrong & fall down. He also felt another thing that Tarika might be doing some witchcraft. Now he started to laugh at his own thought how could he believe in witchcraft. This was modern century of robotics not gothic time of witches. He told himself that he needed to stop thinking this time of nonsense. “ I am concerned for Madam. She handled all alone..” that girl immediately said “ She is okay.” Sandip nodded. He wasn’t interested in getting more involved in that issue. He decided that he could ignore all. He returned to his work. He wasn’t interested in what exactly Tarika was doing. It was not his business. When Tarika came out & looked towards him. He felt that she was angry with him. He gave nervous laugh & said “ Good morning Madam.” She didn’t say anything. She just gave slight nod of her head. He could sense her anger. He decided that he must not discuss. Then she went out. He kept looking towards her. He didn’t understand what he actually supposed to feel. He was little bit tense. He didn’t understand what was actually happening in his store. He supposed to sit on cash counter for fix time. He began to feel scared. He was no longer thinking of witchcraft but he was thinking about criminal activity. They might be selling something wrong inside that lucky charm. He began to so scared. He started to look around. He began to observe objects inside that room. He didn’t thought properly what they could be. They looked like normal branded items. He was so tense. He needed to tell this to someone. He could tell about it to his wife Aparna . But he knew that Aparna would taunt him & say “ He was doing this since he wanted to leave this job & sit in home, His wife always thought that way. Aparna never understand him. He kept feeling that Aparna might be having some affair in her office. Aparna went to some tours as per required by her job. He didn’t dare to object. He was so scared. Aparna always kept screaming on him. They didn’t have children since Aparna didn’t got pregnant but he was scared even of that thought. He couldn’t see his child respecting him or even loving him when he imagined his future. He kept feeling frustrated. He sometimes hoped that she would ask for Divorce but she didn’t & he was stuck with her forever. He checked timing. It was his time to close door of store. He locked it properly gave keys to security & started to drive home in his car. He always loved to drive in his place of work. This job in store was perfect for him.
Aparna was so frustrated by her husband Sandip’s attitude. He never wanted to move ahead in life. He kept feeling scared of everything. He was so upset on each sentence that she didn’t how did she supposed to talk with him! His behaviour was so odd. This time he got job in that store. She hoped that he would manage to keep it. It was important for her. She wanted to have babies & husband’s earning were important for it. She knew that there were many men in world who would take interest in her but she loved Sandip. She knew that Sandip didn’t return her love. He was always so scared of her. He kept apologising for his every sentence. He acted in such a way as if she could kill him or hit him for his mistakes. She didn’t understand why she was so evil in his eyes. She knew that she was extra friendly with few men at office. She was expecting his objection but he never did. It was so odd. It seemed as if he didn’t mind. He wanted her to go with other man. Sometimes she thought that he seemed to have some secret wish to have affair himself one day. Otherwise he shouldn’t have encouraged her to have affair with other man. She didn’t understand what he had in his mind. Today she came home early. She was doing everything to please him. She wanted to make him comfortable. It was important for her to start her life properly. He didn’t want survival of his marriage but she desired it. She wanted to make him comfortable. She waited for him. Today she took vacation from her office just for that purpose. She was so happy when Sandip opened door. Sandip wasn’t expecting her at home. He was so shocked when he noticed her all dressed up for dinner. He knew that now he needed to smile & encourage her. But he didn’t feel that way. She suddenly asked “ What happened?” He didn’t want to tell but he didn’t want to pretend that he was in romantic mood so he started to tell all. He was expecting her to start criticising him but she didn’t say anything. Then she said slowly “ Are you planning to quit?” He gave nervous smile & said “ No..no I am not planning anything like that I is my job.” “ Come on. It’s not question of life & death if you lose job but what if that woman might be trying something fishy!” “ Like?” Now he was scared. Aparna was so happy finally she was getting his attention. She began to tell him many stories which had crime or ghosts. He began to get involved in them. She managed to finally come close to him. He was holding her like some support pillar. She liked it. She wanted him to become dependent on her. But on that Sandip was so confused. He didn’t sense that he was holding her hand. He was occupied in his thoughts. He didn’t understand what he should do. Then he sensed that leaving job meant remaining at home. He looked towards Aparna who was holding his hands tightly. He immediately decided that he couldn’t. He gave nervous laugh & said “ It’s okay. I don’t think actually something wrong was happening in that store. I am just fine.” He pulled away his hand out of her hands & went in washroom to change. She was so frustrated. He was clearly waiting for moment when he could push her away. She didn’t understand why did she needed to run after him? She could find another man. But it wasn’t so easy. She lived here for few years & she didn’t want to change her house now. She wanted to live in this house. On that point her mobile rang. She felt so restless. She looked towards it. It was friend from office. Actually he wasn’t just friend. He was more than friend. She didn’t want to keep any connection with him. She wanted to settle back with her husband. This friend from office was rather abusive & aggressive. She was trying so hard to get rid off him. She needed Sandip’s help for it. So she ran towards Sandip. Sandip just came out after changing clothes. She slowly showed mobile to Sandip & said “ This man is irritating me. Can you talk to him?” Now he didn’t want to do that but he was husband so he didn’t have much option so he just nodded. He took her mobile & accepted call. That man immediately started screaming “ When you are going to meet me? Or do you want me to tell all to your husband?” He was so happy. Without second thought he said “ Tell me. I will divorce her not come between you two?” This was shocking for man who was speaking. He started laughing loudly & that man who called said “ I think I have dialled wrong number.” Then that man disconnected call. Sandip was so upset. He was expecting that caller to argue for Aparna but clearly that caller wasn’t interested in her so much. Aparna gave him innocent look. Aparna “ What happened?” “ I thought you wanted divorce!” She was not expecting direct question from him. She gave nervous smile & said “ My God you joke in interesting way..” Sandip didn’t reply. He just returned to table for dinner. Aparna cooked favourite dinner for him. He felt so happy about it. He started eating & he managed to forget entire incidence. His mind managed to do it a lot like that. He could forget all incidence. He began to eat in a way as if nothing had happened. He didn’t ask any questions to Aparna & after dinner he went to sleep. He never watched TV. Only Aparna was watching it. He sometimes thought that he might demand some time but he was too scared. She started talking about his earnings which were not much. So he decided that he could just ignore his desire of watching TV. He slept on bed. As soon as he closed eyes, he began to dream about store. That store was so unique in his dream. He loved that store. He wanted to check every shelf of it. He felt so impulsive about it. He began to search then he went to one corner. He saw that there was big bookshelf. He never saw any book sale in his store. He was cashier but he never know that they were selling books. Then he pulled one book. He shivered since there was blood in it. There was blood inside that book. He felt so scared. Book couldn’t store so much blood. It wasn’t possible that book could have room for that blood. He began to call owner of store loudly. On that point he woke up in his bed with sweating. He didn’t understand what he supposed to do. He couldn’t just change his clothes since then number of clothes which he put for washing would increase. It didn’t go well with maid. So he just tried his best to adjust his clothes & once again he tried to fall asleep.
When Sandip wake up next morning entire bed was totally wet. He looked beside her. Aparna was sleeping on her side of bed. Luckily she didn’t feel that wetness of bedcovers. He smiled happily. He slowly stood up on ground. He decided that he would just change clothes & vanish. He didn’t want to answer Aparna’s questions. He knew one thing that he needed to go to Doctor. He was having those nightmares for long time. He loved to work in that store. He couldn’t leave that job. But if he kept having nightmares then he would forced to. He called Tarika Madam to tell that he needed to go to Doctor. Tarika was upset but she said “ I understand. You can’t tell sickness to go away.” He thanked for her for understanding. Then he went to his physician. He waited for his number. When he came inside he told all. His physician checked him properly then physician gave him one card. Physician “ You need to visit psychiatrist. It’s number of psychiatrist. You can’t solve your issue by leaving this job. It’s mental issue & it’s not due to your job. I can’t tell cause properly but I can tell you surely one thing that it isn’t due to job.” Sandip was so upset. He didn’t want to visit psychiatrist. He just smiled & nodded but when was about to go Physician said “ Go to Psychiatrist if you don’t went then you need to go when Aparna force you. I tell you frankly that you can’t survive without one,” He felt so scared. He came out. He looked towards card then he called. He insisted on appointment on that day. He couldn’t keep remaining absent on his job. That Receptionist gave him one appointment. He went there & he waited for him number. He was sitting from morning when his number was in evening but he was so tense. He kept sitting. Finally Receptionist called him. When he told number she immediately said “ You can’t sit here whole time.” He nodded. Then he asked “ Does you have some hotel or mall or multiplex around. She gave address of one. He nodded happily. On that day he went to mall then he took movie tickets. He sat in food court eating. He began to think about his life. He just didn’t want Aparna to remain his wife. On that point his mobile rang. He saw that Aparna was calling. Aparna “ Where are you? In morning you left without telling when I called your boss said you took day off to go to Doctor! What’s going on?” “ I am waiting for my appointment of Psychiatrist which is in evening.” “ Where you will plan to spend time before appointment?” “ Don’t worry I will manage.” “ But how?!” She screamed loudly. He suddenly began to feel so tense. He knew that he didn’t want to sweat too much in this food court. He just said “ I want you to shut up.” Then he just switched off his mobile. But he was already nervous & he sensed that he didn’t able to control his emotions very well. He was shivering. Suddenly he began to get tense with efforts he managed to control his emotions. He started eating. But he sensed one thing that he needed help. He was lucky that in that food court he didn’t had full attack of nervousness. He went to movie. He tried hard to concentrate but Aparna’s voice kept nagging in his mind. It was so upsetting. He wanted to just forget about his wife Aparna but it was not happening. He kept feeling nervous about everything. He tried his best to think positively but it wasn’t happening. He was feeling so upset. He tried his hard to watch movie. Finally Movie was over & he didn’t understand anything out of it. He knew that it was totally useless to make sense out of movie. He felt so helpless. He couldn’t find that positivity in his mind. He didn’t even enjoy any part of that movie. When he sat once again in food court to eat some lunch. He sensed that he switched off his mobile. He immediately switched it on. Then he felt that he might had some call from Psychiatrist’s clinic so he called to confirm. Finally Receptionist got upset with him. “ Sir I know you want early appointment but it’s not possible.” “ I don’t want that. I am switching off my mobile to avoid my wife so is it okay?” Receptionist laughed & said “ No problem. Come on fixed time.” “ Thanks.” He sat in food court eating. He wandered around like some man who wanted to purchase but he knew that he couldn’t afford much. Then he sat peacefully on bench. Finally he decided to go back to clinic. This time he immediately sent inside. Psychiatrist smiled & said “ So what’s is your issue with wife?” He sensed that Receptionist must had told some details. He told all without stopping. “ Then you don’t want to stay with her.” “ Yes. But I can’t avoid her.” “ You can! You can tell her to stay away from you. You can tell her that you know about her affair.” “ But I am financially dependent on her.” “ Still you need to talk with her about her affair.” He nodded. After talking for long time with Psychiatrist he returned home. Aparna immediately started screaming on him. “ Where were you? I want new beginning. Let’s have a baby.” He got strange courage & he said “ No. I know you had affair. I don’t want to stay with you.” “ You are asking for Divorce!” “ Yes.” She didn’t look upset. She said slowly “ Okay fine. But I want this flat.” He nodded. He packed his bags. He knew that now he didn’t have place to stay but he decided that he needed to try. He kept feeling negative by staying there. He went in one cheap hotel. Next day he went in store. Tarika Madam immediately asked about his health. He decided to not hide anything. He told her everything. Tarika Madam offered him to stay in store at night. She said “ This will keep thieves away too.” He agreed. Slowly he began to stay in that store whole time. He learnt that those lucky charms were just new trend to create positive aura. He didn’t mind them now. He was glad when Aparna called him in Court. Finally they got divorced. Aparna began to hate him. He was a servant who spent night in store & sleep on floor. He didn’t mind it. His parents were also angry on his decision but he didn’t care. His Psychiatrist managed to make him strong & slowly his treatment stopped. He kept working at that store. Slowly Tarika decided to sell store. But Tarika made sure that he would get job & this owner also managed to give him one small room to stay. This employee was generous since he was planning to increase store soon he needed to teach & train staff. After sometime he began friendly with them all. One girl from cleaning staff became more attached to him. Soon her parents asked him if he was interested in marrying her. He said yes. His parents once again rejected idea of his marriage to a cleaner of store. But he went ahead with it & he started living his happy life.
The End
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