A Suitor for the Princess - Chapter 59

        Martha was very pleased with herself as she retired for the night. She slept very soundly. The next day as she was having her breakfast the phone rang. Thinking that it was John, she picked it up excitedly and was surprised to hear Dr. Hussey’s voice instead. ‘Think of the Devil’ she thought and said, “Hello Doctor. Good morning. I was going to call you today. How did you guess that I wanted to speak to you?” He replied evenly, “I was thinking about you since yesterday. I have come to a conclusion about your peculiar dilemma. I suggest that you finish your novel at the earliest to prevent your recurring nightmares and delusions. In fact, I want you to do it in my house, under my supervision, if you don’t mind! Thus I’ll be on hand to administer to you in case of any eventuality.”

        As she mulled over his unusual solution, she wondered whether she should tell him her version of what she wanted to do in his presence. Talk with John D’ Costa! Would he consider her suggestion foolish or would he consider it seriously. She had to tell him that as John would be banking on it!

        Cautiously, she said, ‘Well thanks Doctor. But I wanted to have your opinion on another more important matter. “I want to have a conversation with John D’ Costa in your presence so that you could actually see my reactions on seeing him and counsel me. It is imperative that I get over my hang-up over his physical resemblance to the hero of my novel. I, we have decided to give our fledgling romance a try,” she felt her cheeks flaming as she said that.

        Thoroughly disappointed that he was nowhere on Martha’s personal radar for a real relationship, the Doctor gulped silently and said, “Sure Martha. But only after you get that darned novel out of your system!” He knew that he was buying time but wasn’t prepared for her infectious enthusiasm. “Thanks so much Doctor, I will do as you say. When should I come over to your apartment for writing the remaining part of my novel? I propose to do it in a week’s time at one stretch. I’m sure that Norman will be convinced about this exercise if you could speak to him and arrange for my absence from work the next week.”

        Not happy with the way Martha had controlled the situation, Dr. Hussey could only say a reluctant “Yes.” He regretted his suggestion as things were moving too fast for his liking. If Martha had her way, she’d complete her novel, meet John at the clinic and get married to him, all in the space of a fortnight! She certainly seemed determined to have her way. He’d have to find a way out of that imbroglio. He had to ensure that she remained his and didn't belong to anyone else! Of course, he had the pawns in his hand. He had to only play his game well enough to declare “Check-mate” at the end. The Queen would be at his command! Martha was his Queen!

          Blissfully unaware of the turbulence in the Doctor’s mind, she happily wished him a nice day and ended the call. In a pleasant frame of mind she called John and briefed him about the conversation with the Doctor. Again she pleaded with him, “Please, have you cancelled your reservations as yet? Promise me that you’ll not leave for India right away?”

          Patiently he reminded her, “Martha you have the next week to finish your novel, don’t you? I’ll not be needed then. I suggest that I go and join my new job and come back the week after next. I cannot just wait around agonizing over you and my life. I need work to keep me constantly occupied. I hope you understand that. I promise that I’ll return after 8 days and call you. Meanwhile, we can keep in touch over the phone. Will that be O.K. with you?”

         She guessed that she had sounded selfish. Yes, she couldn’t expect him to just sit around at home twiddling his thumbs while she went about her job. That would be very unfair. Hence she acquiesced with a heavy heart. She had to go to Norman’s publishing house for two more days this week. She couldn’t wait enough for the weekend.

         The next day, Martha sat till late after office hours, completing editing of that voluminous tome that he had given her the previous day. Norman worked in his cabin and she in her department. Much to her relief, Norman hadn’t mentioned anything about the previous day’s conversation. He wanted to let sleeping dogs lie. After working till 9 p.m. Norman dropped into her department and was pleased when Martha told him wearily that her work on that manuscript was over.

         It had been decided earlier that day that the manuscript would be edited and changes recommended to the author, who if pliable, could revise it or the publishing house would publish it in exactly the same way as it then stood! They had to do it to keep the firm running as the author could turn to another publishing firm who would be only too pleased to publish that boring novel. Though Martha resented the inevitability of publishing it and Norman’s commercial stance, there was little that she could do about it. He knew better and she had long ago decided that she’d not interfere in his decisions.

          It only gave her one more reason to question her relationship with Norman. If she were to continue working with him even after their marriage, she’d have to reconcile herself to be relegated to the background in the face of such important decisions. She had a mind of her own and would certainly not take it lightly if her suggestions were never heeded to. She couldn’t even imagine such an unpleasant scenario. Could they ever remain really happy?

          Then she chided herself. Whom was she kidding? Was she really contemplating their marriage when her heart just yearned for John? She was really losing it!

To be continued.... 

The copyright of this novel is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

A Suitor for the Princess - Chapter 58

         Sensing her unasked question, Norman said, “Believe me Martha. I didn’t ask him to resign. He’s too valuable to lose! But now I think that it is for the best. Let’s go for dinner.”

          Resenting his casual words, she felt like declining and going home to weep her heart out. But she didn’t want to appear ungrateful to Norman. He was doing it for her. She felt like screaming that she wouldn’t ever faint on seeing John and that he shouldn’t be allowed to resign. But even she knew that that wasn’t in her hands. Life wasn’t so easy!

            Both of them went for dinner to a nearby restaurant, had forced conversation and he left her at her cottage. She felt like telling him about the stranger but didn’t. She couldn’t handle any more stress. Her heart was bursting with untold grief. She just wanted to be alone and wallow in self-pity and loathing. How she hated herself!

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             Back in the safe sanctuary of her cottage, the first thing that she did was securely bolt and lock all the doors and windows. The burglar alarm was on and she didn’t have to worry at all. She was used to staying all by herself. Only, that intruder in her rear-view mirror had unnerved her. She decided that she wouldn’t open the door, at any cost. She dressed for the night in a comfortable pajama suit and made a cup of coffee to have and unwind. As she sipped it, she remembered that she had to phone John.

           She dialed his number with slightly trembling fingers and waited anxiously for him to pick it up. She had deliberately dialed from her landline number as he didn’t have it and hence wouldn’t be predisposed to ignore her call. He would obviously know why she had called him and would certainly refuse to talk to her, to avoid an argument. He cared for her and wouldn’t want to displease her or cause concern to her. After what seemed like an eternity, he picked up the phone and said “Hello” in that irresistibly male voice of his. How she loved that accent!

             When she didn’t reply, he repeated “Hello?” Then she said “Hello John. This is Martha here. “Oh, Mara,” she said softly and laughed hesitantly. She could feel the stiffness in his voice when he asked, “Why did you call me Mara? I wish you hadn’t.” She winced and felt the jibe stabbing her heart. “John, I hope that you aren’t blaming me for your resignation! I know that you wouldn’t have resigned had it not been for me! I can understand how hard it must have been for you, giving up a secure and much-loved job of nearly 2 decades for a lady who just swept into the office hardly three months ago and sucked you into her obsessed life. I am really, really sorry. In fact I feel wretched and guilty. You didn’t deserve such an ignominious exit. I ……” she trailed off, struggling to stop the hot tears that threatened to spill down from her eyes. Her throat was choked with gut-wrenching emotions.

            John seized the opportunity to say, “Oh, foolish Mara. I didn’t resign because of you. I have been contemplating the change for quite some time. You just acted as a catalyst for my decision to quit. In fact, I must thank you for the opportunity!”

           “I’m sure that you’re saying this just to make me feel better, John.” “No I really mean it Mara. I will be joining “Nora Publications” in New Delhi from this Monday. I’ll be visiting our office to obtain my reference certificate from Norman tomorrow. Let’s see whether I could drop in and say “Hello and Good Bye to everyone there””. Even as he said it, he felt miserable for lying because Norman had already mailed him his certificate and informed him about the same by a terse phone-call.

           Though Norman hadn’t actually worded it, the very fact that he had done everything so quickly meant that he hadn’t wanted him to visit the office even for a farewell. John wasn’t obtuse so he had got the point. His Boss didn’t want him seeing his fiancée even by chance! And here was his fiancée calling him up late in the night to inquire about his resignation! He hoped against hope that she felt the same about him as he felt about her. He was already missing her. He hoped that she missed him equally. Now he was sure about that after receiving her call. He felt better. Even ecstatic! But the thought that bugged him couldn’t be ignored. If she always fainted at his very sight, what hope could he have for a future together?   

       Without a second thought he said, “Mara, I miss you dear! I love you. But since you can’t stand the sight of me, literally, I think it is best that we part as good friends. We’ll definitely be in touch over the phone.”

       John, please could you postpone joining in your new office? I think that we must discuss our relationship face to face. I’ve a good idea. Why not meet in the presence of Dr. Benedict Hussey? Then there would be no cause to worry. Meanwhile I’ll train myself to halt my fainting fits on seeing you. John, I can’t even contemplate a life without you. I too love you with all my heart. You are my first love and hopefully my last too! Let’s give ourselves a chance dear!”

       John’s heart went out to her though he did have his reservations. Would it work? He’d just have to give it his best try and wait and watch. He was ready to wait for Martha for the rest of his life. He was so enamored by her.

      She took his silence as an affirmation and said happily, “So it’s decided then. I’ll call up the Doctor and fix an appointment for the earliest date. Please, please cancel your reservations if you have made them. Promise me.” The urgency in her sweet voice warmed him as he simply said, “Yes Ma’am. Good night,” and hung up. Life was going to be beautiful again!

To be continued.... 

The copyright of this novel is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

A Suitor for the Princess - Chapter 57

        She hoped that its author was not an amateur. She had started genuinely hating the extensive corrections that she had to make in the Grammar, syntax and spellings. These new wannabes wouldn’t even spell-check their tomes and sent their manuscripts cockily to the publishing house, confident that all the editing would be done by it. After all, most of them were publishing their work on their own. They were paying to get their novels edited and published.

      Of course, Martha had to only do the editing. Susan was in charge of the proof-reading. But Susan wasn’t thorough in her job and lots of howlers escaped her sight. Martha, who read with an eagle’s eye, was often quick to note them and correct them. With all her work at the publishing house, her respect for Norman only grew as she realized what a lot of hard work went into publishing a book.

      Maintaining the highest standards of quality and content in publishing wasn’t a job for the faint-hearted. This, coupled with the fact that the publishing house had grown in fame and success by leaps and bounds only meant that the employees therein were consistently working diligently. Yes, Norman had an excellent team. Now she was proud to be a part of that team and slightly ashamed at playing truant. She’d henceforth not give Norman another chance to be annoyed with her. She’d even apologize to him that evening, after office hours.

      She went straightaway to her desk and immersed herself in her onerous task. For a moment, she remembered Juan’s task but brushed it away from her mind. She skipped lunch as she wasn’t really hungry after that huge breakfast. The thought of the Doctor seeing her in a state of undress brought a blush to her cheeks that Susan couldn’t help noticing. She jumped to the conclusion that the Boss had called her to the cabin for a quick kiss.

      She sighed. What a lucky lady Martha was! She had everything on a platter. But she knew that all wasn’t well with that elegant lady. She sincerely hoped that whatever the problem was would get sorted out soon enough. Martha was a very pleasant and likable lady. Though she was so accomplished as a writer, she didn’t have any high airs about her. She was very approachable and affable. Only now, she appeared remote and withdrawn. She casually remarked to Martha, “I hope that I haven’t left out any errors Martha. By the way, that manuscript is a pain. It’s very boring. Wonder who’ll read it?” Martha just smiled and continued her work. She didn’t want to be drawn into a long conversation with the talkative Susan.

     Time was precious right now. She admitted to herself that that manuscript was indeed boring but knew that commerce won over content at times. After all, Norman had to pay his staff judiciously on the first of every month! But she reminded herself to sound out Norman about her reservations about publishing that tome. Then she would leave it to his discretion. She didn’t want to interfere in his domain. It was his prerogative to have a final say in matters that concerned his publishing house.

     She worked steadily till seven that evening. All the staff had left at 6 p.m. Susan had kindly got her a mug of coffee at around 4.30 p.m. Now her stomach was growling with hunger. Then she remembered that she had to apologize to Norman. She walked to his cabin and saw him concentrating deeply on some documents in front of him. As she knocked the door, he looked up and smiled slightly. “I thought that you’d left. By the way, you can continue tomorrow, Martha.” He said it gently.

    “Norman, I’m sorry.” “Why are you sorry Martha? You are entitled to your freedom. After all, this work is just a means of diversion for you. I don’t want to burden you with unnecessary work. In fact I should be the one to apologize. I deliberately gave you that awful manuscript to work on. I was angry with you for not informing me about your whereabouts yesterday. But I just received a call from Dr. Hussey. He explained everything to me and now I feel better. But I still wish that you’d confide more in me.”

      “I….” she began and stopped. “Would you be angry if I suggested that that manuscript should be returned to its author with a request for a better one? Probably he could spice it up a little and make it more interesting?” “Thanks for the suggestion Martha. I’ll look into it. In fact I was toying with the idea. Now my mind is made.” She said, “Even Susan found it boring. In fact, she was the one to suggest the fact that no one could be interested in reading it in its current state.” “Well, thanks to both of you then.” He said affably.

       Seizing the opportunity, she said, “Can we have dinner somewhere Norman? I’m ravenously hungry as I skipped lunch.” He burst out laughing and she noticed that he looked considerably younger than his years. “Yes, why not? Then I’ll drop you home.”

        Seeing that she appeared as if she still wanted to ask something, he inquired “Do you want to ask me something else?” She decided to face his wrath and take the bull by its horns, right then. “Have you sacked John? I didn’t see him today.” His expression was inscrutable as he wordlessly handed over the document in front of him to her. It was the resignation letter of John D’ Costa.

         It was tersely worded and simply stated that he was leaving for better prospects. He had thanked Norman for his mentor-ship and asked for an experience cum reference letter. As she saw the neat handwriting with its carefully dotted ‘i’s and equally carefully crossed ‘t’s, she realized what an enormous loss that meant to the publishing house. Both Norman and John were at the receiving end just because of her! Oh how she wished that she hadn’t started working there! As the words blurred before her eyes, she realized that she had tears in her eyes. She mutely handed it to Norman and sank onto a chair. All her appetite had vanished. John was no more in her life. The painful realization hurt her beyond measure. 

To be continued.... 

The copyright of this novel is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

A Suitor for the Princess - Chapter 56

     Suddenly she remembered that she had to attend office too! She had to face Norman again. She felt like taking another day off and then decided against it. She didn’t want to behave unprofessionally and have the office staff gossiping that she was taking undue advantage of her closeness to the Boss. Then again, the prospect of meeting John tempted her. But she sobered on remembering Norman’s wrath. She really hoped that Norman hadn’t already fired John in her absence. She decided to confront Norman and give him a piece of her mind if he had indeed done so!

       As she was already late by two hours, she contemplated letting Norman’s haughty secretary know that she would reach there in another hour. Then she voted against it. She was just an honorary employee, not a confirmed one and she could afford the luxury of going late. She’d let Norman draw his own conclusions. It would serve him right. She felt like an ungrateful wretch but she was mad at him.  So there! For the first time since the previous afternoon, she really looked at her cell-phone ensconced in a corner of her purse.

     She had deliberately avoided checking her missed calls and messages. She had received 20 missed calls from Norman’s cell phone and 5 from John’s. She didn’t bother reading the messages at all. She knew that everyone in the office was worried about her. She suddenly felt rebellious at being treated like a truant kid who had bunked school and not a responsible adult! But that was probably because she was right then behaving just like one that deserved a sound spanking.

       The phone rang with the pleasant tune of ‘Silent night, holy night….’ And she was pleased to see that it was the Doctor’s call. Then as she remembered the ‘scene’ she felt glad that she wasn’t actually facing him. “Hello” she said softly. “Hello Martha,” his voice reached her crisply. Highly cultivated and ever-so-slightly nasal, the voice said, “Are you still at my place or have you reached home safely?”

       She felt sorry that she hadn’t remembered to let him know that she was on her way home. “I’m sorry Doctor, but I’ve reached home and will be leaving for work right now. Thanks for everything.” He said, “All right then. Have a nice day” and hung up. He was a busy man. She suddenly felt lonely.

      She was glad that she could go to work where there were many people around her. But her heart hankered for a certain someone special. John D’ Costa. If she could meet him and speak to him her day would be made!

     She quickly changed into a pale pink frock, made up lightly, brushed her hair and locked the gate to the cottage. As she got into her car and looked into the rear-view mirror, she froze. She could see a beefy guy in a cream T-shirt and black jeans looking at her keenly. As he dunked out of view, she could tell that he was observing her movements, hidden from view. Who was he and what could he possibly want? Was he the one who had revived her, the other day? No, that had to be John because she had seen the single eye and fainted, hadn’t she? So who was this stranger? She felt uneasy as she liked her privacy and didn’t like peeping-toms. If she saw him again, she’d dial the Police Control Room. For the moment, she’d not bother telling Norman or anyone else about the intruder. She could handle this on her own!

      When she reached the office, she walked straight into her department, took the papers from her drawer and started working on the subbing of the piece. Susan looked at her curiously as if trying to figure out where she had been earlier that morning and mentally debating whether to broach that topic with her. But she kept quiet on seeing Martha’s defensive demeanor. It appeared as if Martha wanted to be left all alone and Susan took the hint. Soon enough, the intercom on her desk rang. Norman wanted her in his cabin. He had important things to discuss with her.

      With great trepidation, she walked into his tastefully done up cabin with animal prints on the walls and crystal curios. He was standing with his back to the door and had said “Come in” without a backward glance when she had knocked self-consciously. “Good afternoon Norman” she said as casually as possible. He whirled around and she could see his lips pursed into a thin line. Every muscle of his appeared to proclaim his displeasure.

      He didn’t say a word about her absence the previous day or that morning. Instead he took a bound manuscript from his desk and handed it to her saying “I want this edited by tomorrow evening. It was evident that this was her punishment hence she wisely refrained from voicing the protest that had formed on her lips. Just a day and a half for that thick volume! But she accepted the challenge as she had inadvertently asked for it. “Anything else?” she asked tartly. “That’s all!” He said brusquely and dismissed her, by staring at the papers in front of him on the desk. She wished that he would get down to business and ask her outright about why she had missed office. Seeing his stubborn demeanor, she beat a hasty exit.

        She wondered whether John was there in the office. As she walked along the corridor, she couldn’t resist the urge to peep into his cabin. She was disappointed to see that he wasn’t there. She decided to send him a message from her cell-phone and decided against it. That could wait until she got home. Though she was sorely disappointed on noting his absence, she had urgent work to attend to. She looked at the thick manuscript in her hands and groaned. 

To be continued.... 

The copyright of this novel is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.