The 'Dark' Night

“I need a housemaid for 24 hours. Please find one asap. 

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Yeah! Put the presentation aside, just do it first”, Rustom slammed the receiver back to its position. Tensed. 

Rustom is the CEO of a small firm based in Mumbai and appeared in the 30 under 30 list of some well-known magazines last year. He is a young achiever and an inspiration for many. Though his wife left for her ‘mayke’ 2 days ago with his son after a verbal fight between two of them. At least, this was what people interpreted. 

Since then he was looking for a housemaid for 24 hours. But it was not as simple as founding a startup. The previous maid left her job last week and since then he was looking for someone for full-time. 

Someone knocks on the door. 

“Come in.”, Rustom speaks softly. 

“Sir! We are celebrating in the evening. Everyone is expecting an inspirational speech from you.”, Sofia (The Secretary) speaks. 

“Yeah! I almost forgot about it but I will be there.”

“Thank You, Sir! That is all for the day. There is a meeting scheduled for tomorrow at 12:30 with our new investors. I will send you updates”, Sofia was about to leave. 

Amm… Sofia… Do you live with your family or alone?

Sofia was perplexed as Rustom has never asked such things. He was known for his values, clean image, and great dignity. 

Seeing her baffled face, Rustom rephrased his words. 

I mean I only want to know if you have a maid or you manage it on your own?

“Sushmita Aunt comes to cook twice,” Sofia answered amiably.  

Oh! Amm Do you know someone who can get me a maid for 24 hours? Amm.. you know my wife has left… 

Yes! I will check with my maid. Sofia walks out while carrying a queer feeling.

She has never seen him asking such strange questions. 

“Why does he need a young maid for 24 hours? Why does the old one resign from the job? Is something fishy cooking in his mind?”

She was mazed into the thought. 

Sofia joined as a personal secretary about 2 and half years back. She was sleek and smart. She was also an Instagram influencer. Apart from Rustom, everyone in the office including peon was following her there.

Later in the evening, during the congregation, Rustom gave an uplifting speech. Everyone clapped till their hands started hurting. We overheard employees praising him, talking about him. Rustom acknowledged and set off to leave. 

But he didn’t go home. His landline number kept buzzing throughout the day. 

We found Rustom in a pub. It was 2 AM. only a few were left there. The bartender pushed the bill to him. Rustom noticed the time. Befuddled and tipsy, he walked outside the bar. A vivacious girl in her casual dress gave him a smile. Rustom has seen her somewhere. After putting some pressure on his head, he remembered that she was scrutinizing him under her gaze when he was in the bar, she might be a staff member. He smiled back. She then approached him and after a short chat, they both enter Rustom’s Mercedes. 

The next morning, Rustom woke up. He was clad in his formals. He heard the shower’s running. He got up and left immediately. 

He entered the office. People were still under the impression and influence of what he said last evening. He directly headed to his office. His secretary entered. From her pov, he looked tired and dizzy. She offered him a coffee and reminded him about his meeting. 

Yeah! Thank you! 

You okay?

Yeah! I am fine. Just didn’t get enough sleep last night. 

Should I reschedule the meeting? We can push it. 

No! I am fine. I am ready for it.

Ummm… Did you eat last night? I mean you told me you are looking for a maid. 

Yeah! I went outside. But if you can help me to find a maid then that would be a great help. It is kinda difficult to find one without any reference especially if you are alone. You know. You understood na. 

Yeah! Yeah! I will definitely look out for one. I am getting you a coffee. She left. 

Rustom dialed the same number he dialed yesterday. 

Did you find one? 

No! Sir! I am still looking out for one. There are some old ladies who are willing to work 24*7. 

No! No! You are not getting it. I don’t want some old lady to work at my house. They don’t understand the needs. They are very much driven by their values and old traditions. I need someone who is young, smart, and willing to work full-time. 

Should I put it as a vacancy?

Are you mad? I would have done that if that was an option. I don’t want to be a part of any news headlines or magazines. You know na how much I am confidential about my personal life. 

I will definitely find one today. 

You better do that. Rustom disconnected the phone call in anger. 

The secretary overheard the conversation while holding the coffee mug. She had a lot of things in her mind. 

She has been working here for 2 and a half years and Rustom has never ever tried to take her advantage. He had never even once aroused any moment that puts them into an uncomfortable place. She was surprised by his behavior recently since her wife left. She was in dilemma whether to extend her hand for help and just let it be and kept her mind with her business only. 

What could be possibly the reason to hire a young maid when your wife was absent? She just couldn’t ignore the negative sequences that started buzzing in her mind thinking about the possible scenarios. 

After office, she noticed Rustom heading in the opposite direction of his home. She sensed something but even she wasn’t clear. 

Rustom headed to another pub in the same area he was last night but just then he was about to enter the pub. He bumped into the same girl. It was an awkward moment. Rustom felt ashamed about leaving without informing her. 

She told her about her shift and amiably asked him to come home tonight. 

Rustom agreed. 

Later that night, they were having a drink at her place. She was influenced by sedation of the drink, got up, and was about to kiss him but he stopped her midway. 

What’s wrong? She said impulsively. 

“I don’t want to be an asshole, but I am married. I am sorry.”, Rustom regretted.  

Why are you here in the first place?

I can’t tell you. 

Get out. 

“I am sorry! I am sorry.” Rustom rushed out from there. He called Sofia. She answered. 

Hey! By any chance… for you to come over my place. Actually, there is an issue. I can’t go back home. I… I am afraid… Wwalking into my apartment. 

Sorry! What? Is everything okay? Should I call the police?

No! They can’t fix it. There is no one. 

Then what are you afraid about? 

There is no one. Just dark. 

1:13 AM

Rustom and Sofia were sitting in the living room in Rustom’s lavish 4BHK apartment. Sofia had never seen such a beautiful apartment. Not even when she stayed in the Taj hotel. She thought. 

“I know it might sound bizarre or maybe stupid to you, but I am afraid of the dark. I can’t stay alone in this big house. I don’t know if this is any sort of problem but seems like it is with me since I was worn. I was always afraid of the dark.” Rustom confided in. 

Startled. Sofia was having a hard time comprehending all these. 

The younger achiever and CEO of her company was afraid of the dark. She might not be any more surprised at that moment. 

Please speak something. Sofia. 

Yeah! Yeah! I don’t know what to say. I just never heard something like this. I mean I can’t even imagine this. 

I know. That is why I don’t usually talk about this to anyone. No one believes these lines. Bdw, thank you so much for coming here. 

No Problem. Did you eat anything yet?

Ammm… No… 

Sofia walked to the kitchen and checked if there was anything. She was shocked to see one of the finest wines in his fridge. She took it out and showed him with a look on her face. 

Yeah! I saved it for a special moment but seems like that would never come.

Sofia was expressionless. 

Just kidding. I bought it last week only. Do you want to taste it?

Amm… Yeah! Sure! 

3 packs later. 

The conversation was juggling from one place to another. Rustom shared his experiences of being the youngest achiever in his cohort. With each passing moment, Sofia was getting more and more impressed. She was a little tipsy and inebriated. Under the dingy and colorful lights, Rustom was resembling no less than a charming and handsome guy. 

Impulsively, she got up and kissed Rustom. In the blink of an eye, they just started rolling over each other on the smooth carpet of his house. They didn’t even need a bed.

First, Sofia removed all his clothes, and then Rustom unclad her. They both kept kissing each other from neck to toe. The city was in deep slumber. The ghost has disappeared from his imagination. The fear of the dark was just a theory at that moment. 

The next morning, her wife showed up but Sofia was gone by that time. 

The place looked exactly the same as she left it before going to her mayke. 

We heard a knock on Rustom’s office. 

It was Sofia. They exchanged a look as nothing has happened between the two of them. Sofia was giving him a download about the schedule ahead of the day. Rustom interfered. 

Thank You. For being there and please keep it a secret. I will definitely do something about this problem. 

Sofia didn’t have much to say at that moment. She was still baffled and comprehending all the information she was inflicted yesterday. She acknowledged it and walked out of his cabin. She was going to engage next month. 

Rustom took out his journal and scribbled the incident. The headline of his journal read “The Dark Night”.