"I didn't have the luck to get into college," I replied with a hint of sadness.
Mr. Shekhar stopped. He turned and looked at me. Pain and curiosity were evident in his expression. He frowned.
'For what reason?'
'Father died suddenly at the end of high school. He was in debt. And I was father's only child. We had to sell our house and some assets to pay that debt.' I sighed . After a short break, I started to say again, 'Then I used to earn enough to live by working in a restaurant. But luckily that didn't last long.
Mr. Shekhar put his hand on my shoulder. He sighed himself. Does he really feel sorry for me? Or all mercy? I don't know exactly.
Mr. Shekhar said to me in a low voice, 'Truly bad for you, young man. But8 don't worry.'
Seeing the smile on Mr. Shekhar's lips, I became skeptical again. What is he trying to do? Moreover, his name also seems familiar to me. I can't understand. I don't remember many things from the past. Lucky for me though.
"I will bear all your accommodation, food, college, tuition fees as remuneration for your small job."
I was shocked by Mr. Shekhar's words. What is this guy saying! Is he kidding me? I look at his face with a spiritual expression.
I dared to ask him in a serious voice, 'What do you want me to do? Please be clear.'
'Fear not, young man. I will not commit any crime by you. You will be the only bodyguard.'
'Bodyguard? You have so many bodyguards, but someone like me... I am not that strong and strong.'
I was momentarily upset. Bodyguard! Small in word but not small in action. Signing up for this job and throwing my own life into a pond full of anacondas makes the same sense. Because the gentleman is a very rich person. Undoubtedly, his enemies are countless.
Mr. Shekhar smiled understanding my worries. He reassured me, 'It's not like what you're thinking, Dominic. Your work will be like other college boys. But….'
'But what, Mr. Shekhar?'
'But you have to protect my daughter from all the dangers of the college. You have to pretend to be her lover.'
I heaved a sigh of relief after listening to Mr. Shekhar's entire speech. I was getting scared for no reason. Protecting her daughter from bullying…..! Since I was the part of the bullying team in high school, this is a much easier task. But I understood that Mr. Shekhar loves his daughter very much. Is the baby girl I saw in the living room the daughter of Mr. Shekhar? Besides, why should I be so guarded?
Mr. Shekhar turned all my thoughts upside down. He said,
'My elder daughter is reluctant to go to college with an old and serious bodyguard in formal clothes. Friends laugh. Don't want to mix with her. So I had to make alternative arrangements.
'Well.'
I got all the questions answered. So I am calm, like an autumn afternoon. While talking with Mr. Shekhar, we entered the huge building. Just as big and tidy on the outside as it is on the inside. People at work are busy with self-care. The girl I saw a while ago is still sitting in the same place. I smiled at him.
I asked Mr. Shekhar, 'Is this girl your child?'
'Oh, no, no. She is our guest. Visited from India. My daughter is upstairs. Wait I will meet to you.'
After Mr. Shekhar's presentation, I nodded . We completed some formalities and signed the contract. Then he called a servant. The workman approached and stood silently with his head bowed.
'Go, tell your little ma'am to come down. Just tell her Dominic is here.'
After Mr. Shekhar said, the man nodded his head and left. I was quite surprised. He asked his daughter to say my name.
Out of curiosity I asked, 'Am I also known to your daughter?'
'Oh, you haven't been told. My daughter has told everything about you.'
Mr. Shekhar's answer made me think. His daughter? He learned about me from his daughter? who is she? Soon I was dismayed to encounter him. I heard someone's footsteps. I looked according to the sounds. A red-haired girl dressed in white appeared. I failed to see her because of her exposed hair. But I didn't have to wait long. I was shocked when I saw her face. I got worried. I was scared too. I stood up instantly. I stared at the innocent girl. Yes, I know this girl. Now I understand why Mr. Shekhar's name seemed familiar to me. The girl looked at me. She smiled sweetly.
Fixing her hair and keeping a smile on her face, she said to me, 'Good evening, Dominic!'
She extended one of her hands towards me. As her father did. I stared at her in amazement. In response to her words, only one word, only one name was uttered from my mouth.
'Tansi!' I'm sure the puzzled expression on my face was evident as I uttered it.
The girl smiled a little. I am aware of the reason. I mispronounced her name as usual.
'Dominic! I am Tanushree. You still fail to pronounce my name correctly!'
Tanushree sat next to her father. I'm still standing. And staring blankly at her.
TO BE CONTINUED…