UNIVERSITY ARC
I was oddly enjoying the situation. Did that make me crazy? Maybe, but the feeling was exhilarating. The manager looked like he'd just been struck by lightning—pale, trembling, and utterly terrified. he stammered, his voice quivering with fear.
|"S-Sir, please forgive me. Our security guards insulted you without knowing who you are. I'm truly sorry,"|
|"No problem. But now that you know my true identity, it's your responsibility to keep it secret. If this leaks, you'll pay the price. Understood? Why don't you give me your contact number?"|
The manager quickly agreed, his relief palpable.
|"Yes, sir. I understand. It's my pleasure to give you my number."|
I nodded, sensing the shift in power.
|"By the way, what's your name?"|
|"My name? It's Gurumurthi."|
His voice is still shaky. It was a traditional name, fitting for his role. I took his card and prepared to leave, but exhaustion from the day's events weighed on me. Deepika had probably left, so I thought I could finally rest.
But as I started to relax, she and her father reappeared, having just collected their money. Deepika spotted me immediately.
|"Oh, Manoj! Why haven't you left yet? Didn't the guards kick you out already? Hey, what's that in your hand? Something gold?"|
Her eyes widened in shock as she recognized the gold card.
|"What! A gold card? What the hell is going on?"|
Before I could respond, she snatched the card from me, her face a mix of confusion and disbelief.
|"How did you get this card? Are you seriously trying to say it's yours? You must have stolen it! Dad, call the manager immediately!"|
The manager, watching from a distance, rushed over, clearly alarmed by her outburst.
|"Why are you holding it with your dirty hands? Give me that card! It's very precious"|
she shouted, her words stinging. She shrieked as she grabbed it back, and I finally raised my voice.
|"Deepika, hand it over! It's not what you think."|
She laughed cruelly, her pride evident.
|"Do you think I'm that stupid? This card is worth more than your life, you scumbag!"|
Scumbag? Who did she think she was? Just as I considered putting her in her place, the manager arrived, panting. What took him so long?
|"Madam, may I know what the issue is?"|
She snapped at him without even looking.
|"Hey, you idiot! Can't you see we're busy?"|
Realizing her mistake, she quickly apologized, her tone now nervous.
|"Sorry, sir, I didn't mean to scold you."|
Gurumurthi, still shaken, asked again.
|"What happened, madam? Did something go wrong?"|
|"He's here for the gold card, but he already has one! He must have stolen it. He's just a poor scumbag."|
|"I understand the situation. Is this the gold card you're referring to?"|
|"Yes, sir! Do you know who the real owner is? He must have stolen it!"|
|"Sorry, madam, but the card belongs to him."|
She was stunned, unable to accept the truth.
|"No! You must be joking, right?"|
|"No, madam. There's no joke here."|
He responded firmly. Her father intervened, seeking confirmation.
|"Sir, did you check carefully? Are you sure this card belongs to him?"|
The manager nodded, his eyes wide with fear. I smiled, enjoying the scene as Deepika looked at me with a mix of surprise, madness, and curiosity.
|"How did you get this, Manoj?"|
She probably wondered how someone like me could possess a gold card when her own family didn't even have one.
|"Sir, is it really Manoj's card? I need a clear explanation. I can't believe it."|
She demanded. The manager's expression showed his desperation for my help. I understood their thoughts—they were trapped in disbelief.
After a tense silence, the manager tried to cover for me.
|"Madam, it's true. He didn't steal the card. In fact, I personally gave it to him."|
She was both shocked and intrigued.
|"How did you, a scumbag, get one? Answer me, Manoj."|
|"That's a secret, Deepika. Let's just say I have my ways,"|
Deepika looked puzzled, and the manager, still shaken, suggested a solution.
|"Excuse me, madam. Could you come to my office for further discussion? Lots of people are watching us."|
I nodded, signaling to the manager that I understood. "Don't worry, manager. Just hide my identity, and all will be fine." I thought to myself, 'How can I end this mess? I was just starting to enjoy the show.'
Turning back to Deepika, I added a little story.
|"It's just my friend's card, Deepika. How could I have one? Even your father only has a silver debit card. My friend asked me to claim it for him."|
Sensing she needed more, I continued.
|"Look, Deepika, I'm poor. I came to this bank for money. Once I'm done, my friend will reward me with a good amount just for what I need."|
Her ego appeased, she accepted the explanation.
|"Oh, so that's the reason. But who's this rich friend of yours? I don't even have friends like that."|
Thinking quickly, I added another beautiful lie.
|"He's a childhood friend. It's just my luck."|
She scoffed, still skeptical.
|"You're the worst scumbag ever. I wasted an hour on this stupid answer. You idiot. Go to hell."|
Finally, she hurried off with her father. But Gurumurthi, still shaken, looked like he'd aged a decade.
|"How could she scold me like that? Even my superiors don't dare. And she slapped me! But at least I escaped."|
Exhausted, I sighed.
|"I'm so tired. I need some rest. I just want to go home."|
But before I could leave, Gurumurthi stopped me.
|"Sir, you handled that very well."|
|"Are you really a manager? No offense, but you couldn't even handle a simple situation. How did you get this job?"|
He looked embarrassed.
|"Sir, I have a question. You told that girl the gold card was your friend's, but that's impossible. A gold card requires the holder's fingerprint and retina scan. How did you convince her with that lie?"|
|"I could tell something had gone wrong. The bank must have made a mistake by choosing you as the manager. Only gold cardholders and employees know the truth. She didn't, so it was easy to deceive her."|
The manager looked guilty, realizing his mistake.
As I sat again on a chair to relax, I felt a mix of relief and tension. Relieved the ordeal was over, but tense about the close call with Deepika. I couldn't believe how quickly I had to think on my feet! I took a deep breath, trying to relax, but my mind kept racing with thoughts of the gold card and my secret identity.
Suddenly, I heard a voice behind me.
|"Sir, wait!"|
It was Gurumurthi, the manager. I turned around, wondering what he wanted now.
|"Yes, sir?"
I trying to sound calm.
|"I just wanted to... uh... congratulate you again on your good fortune,"|
He was nervous.
|"And to remind you, discretion is key, right?"|
I forced a smile. My lips are sealed.
|"Of course, sir."|
He nodded and began to leave, but then turned back to me.
|"Oh, and... be careful, okay? There are those who would stop at nothing to get what you have."|
A shiver ran down my spine. What did he mean? Was I in danger?