Siren

The siren rang across the factory floor signaling the end of shift. To Rabinath’s accustomed ears, it sounded dull and melancholy. He collected his lunchbox and quietly joined the queue at the exit gate.

Today was his last day at work. His entire unit had been closed down and they were being relieved in batches.

Long before the final announcement came there had been rumors of the company not doing well. They were told that continuing the production in his section had become unviable. Most of what was said did not make sense to Rabinath. He had always followed instructions, worked overtime, kept to himself and earned just enough to keep his family of four, clothed and fed. He glanced at his calloused hands. Probably another job could be found but where and by when were the questions he didn't feel ready to answer just yet.

“We will have to be careful about expenses for some time,” was his unhelpful parting shot to Ridhi this morning.

She had looked up at him curiously wanting to know more. He had quickly stepped out of his rented shanty before she could ask anything.

“I should have told her,” he admonished himself. “She does the best that she can with what I bring home. This will be too much for her. Diwali is next month. We can do without new clothes but the kids?”

The queue was unusually slow.

***

Ridhi pulled the covers over the children and checked if they were asleep or just pretending by snapping her fingers over their eyes.

Satisfied, she got up from the bed and lit the stove to eat dinner. Rabinath would be home anytime now.

The trouble at the factory had been brewing for a while. Sudha had kept her updated during their daily visits to the temple. She was the Union Leader’s wife and had warned Ridhi of the massive retrenchments that had been agreed with the management.

It wasn't as if Ridhi liked keeping secrets from Rabinath. But this would have worried him unnecessarily. He was doing the best that he could.

“I should have said something to him this morning. He looked so dejected,” she said to herself.

She opened the wooden cupboard and pulled out her long notebook, which was safely hidden, between her two good sarees. The dog-eared pages were beginning to turn yellow with age. She took out a pen from one of the schoolbags and started making small entries.

The accounts looked promising. Her small monthly deposits had earned a good interest and the savings scheme would mature in a week. Sudha’s tip on investing small sums in some shares had also worked very well. He could take his time to find a new job. It would be a good Diwali.

She smiled and decided to change in one of her better sarees. She had just finished pleating her hair when there was a knock at the door. It was Rabinath.

She opened the door. They started talking at the same time. There was a lot to say.