Mystery of the vanished lady software engineer There is devilry afoot Watson!!

We need a miracle!!!

"So you only had one failure?" asked Sheeja. We were sitting down having dinner. In between eating we were talking over the stories I had been telling to my family. I thought for a moment then replied.

"It depends what you mean by failure. If I did not have an answer it can be a failure then only and that never happened. But if you mean whether we never managed to get the stolen item back or could not give punishment to culprit, then yes it happened quite a few times" I stopped speaking and resumed eating.

"Oh I would like to know about that otherwise you will keep acting Sherlock," Sheeja was smiling smugly.

"Well dear wifey even Sherlock, Hercule Poirot had failures or near failures :) So why should I be different? After all I am human unlike them who were super fiction detectives" I smiled and returned to my food.

"Please tell me one more of your unanswered cases" Sheeja persisted.

"Well it all started when Shantha madam exclaimed "We need a miracle to save the boys." I had just entered our office. It was my 3rd job as Head of Quality and testing plus a lot more other responsibilities :)" I smiled thinking about all the responsibilities I had in my job with Bhagwan Infosystem Limited known as BIL back in early 2000 in Chennai.

I then started off with the narration once more ““Shantha madam was the Executive Assistant to the CEO and also assistant for the operations Head in Chennai of the BIL. I asked her “What are you talking about Madam?” “Giri the police are here and two of your boys they want to take to custody – Annamalai and Ramakrishnan” said Shantha Madam. “What on earth for?” I was stunned to say the least. Both were quiet and not the rowdy or party going type. I could not think of either of them doing anything to get them into a police related trouble””

My family knew both of them so they looked at me in surprise and Amma said “You never told us this before Mone. They have been to our place so many times and always so friendly and always respectful of you. I should have known there was something behind it more than the respect for a good leader.”

““Amma first of all remember I was never acting the leader so they respected me for being a good friend or more like a brother. Secondly they were given good training and great opportunities which they never would get with other companies. Regarding not telling you, it is an embarrassing story for them Amma that is why and how could I embarrass them more by telling it you?” I said and continued “Anyway getting on with the story I asked Shantha madam to explain what was happening and why. And then out came the story from Shantha madam which got me even angrier.””

I continued ““Giri that girl you know Jayanthi, who was part of your team till some 4-5 months back. You know the one who got almost all the men eating out of her hands except you and Renny. She is missing it seems since a week and her parents complained to the police. They came here for investigation and you know that Mohanakrishnan, he told that these two were always after her and having tea, lunch etc with her.” “Dirty rat” I said softly.””

My family looked surprised to hear me make a statement like that openly and that too while in office in presence of a senior lady and looked at me in amusement.

So I explained “Mohanakrishnan never liked me or the importance my team got due to the ISO and CMM journey. Till we took that target he was the big shot as he was developing a product which they thought was going to revolutionize IT☺. And the fact that we achieved our first target and were doing well and got us lots of attention he did not like that.”

I continued “Every chance he got he tried to attack me or my team. And he had no decency of scruples and even created stories to try and embarrass me and team. I don’t mind people competing or professionally unhappy and trying to gain back the position or prominence. But taking personal attacks is not something I can accept or tolerate.”

“Oh Ok that type enh” said Sheeja.

“Yes similar types we see in every company not only IT, when someone gets importance they hate them and try the best to stop or derail them☺” I smiled.

“But then let us not deviate from the topic. What was the story? Obviously you knew more and you solved it otherwise those two would not have been there and come to our house also right?” asked Amma.

““Right, so I was furious and asked Shantha Madam, “Madam why did you not tell the truth and save the boys?” I demanded her. “I was waiting for you to come in Giri, but in the meantime situation got bad. They are about to take them now come quickly” said Shantha Madam. I turned to Renny my trusted side kick and told him “Get Jagadeeswari, Suresh and Sowmya and get them into the conference room.” Renny ran and I rarely seen him run he was a laid back and always take it easy type.” I looked at Sheeja she was looking perplexed.

I had to do some explanation of each character background I realised. “Renny was my second in command in the team. He was a class mate of Rejitha, our Hyderabad Kalamkari saree and dress material supplier and my classmate from MBA. You know her and met her and talked with her many times. Renny was her class mate during graduation in WC College Aluva”

“Oh Ok now I know who Renny is. We met his wife and kids in Kakkanad right?” Sheeja asked me and was nodding her head also.

“Yes that was same Lissie and kids. So Renny is a very never say hurry type and always relaxed, he used to sleep every afternoon at his seat and every one used to come and watch to see when he will fall off. They used take bets on which side he will fall off and watch and wait. Once I joined it changed, as Renny needed some purpose and I had come with it.” I paused and then decided to tell some more about them all.

“Renny became the heart and soul of my team along with Jagadeeswari. Jagadeeswari was a no nonsense, focused but witty and sharp gal who used to give as good as she got and more than a match for the always witty and fun making Renny. Renny was almost as tall as me but a bit heaviy built. Jagadeeswari was a petite barely 5 feet slim thin girl but her sharp tongue and wit was more than a match for Renny. Ramakrishnan was the go to man for anything that needed done but he was a fresher from his MBA and needed guidance and with either Renny or Eswari he was a deadly combination. You have not met Ramakrishnan he is 6 feet but same built as me and wears specs” I explained.

“Annamalai was in the testing side and he had aspirations to become a developer. During his free time or sitting late he used to support the team of Mohanakrishnan to practice .Net and with Selvan Tanjavur another PM a nice guy who was leader for Java projects management. Annamalai was almost 6 feet himself and a good cricketer well built and intelligent but a bit on the introverted quiet side” I said.

“Ok clear now” said Sheeja who had no history before marriage of my colleagues and friends and some other not so friends ☺

“Not over yet, there are 2-3 more characters now I can tell about and some others I will explain as they come into picture as the story progresses. One character is our COO Harinath Sir a brilliant technologist who used to go every free time and sit with developers and do coding or designing. Typical Tamil Brahmin with the easy going attitude sharp brains and short and paunchy with the typical Tamil English mix speech and drawl. Another person is our HR head Suresh. Suresh and Shantha madam were from Palghat but they and every other Keralite used to say my Malayalam was the toughest to understand☺” I smiled.

“I can imagine” said Sheeja making a face.

I laughed and said “No point in blaming me for your mistake to not learn your language well. Anyway so these were the people I had asked to be called to the conference room.”

“No you missed two people” said Sheeja.

““I know Jayanthi and Sowmya. Jayanthi being the centre of this story we will develop her as the story develops so have patience. Sowmya was another Keralite in BIL but she never tried to say she was strong in Malayalam and always speaks with me in English, Tamil and Malayalam all mixed up. She was married to Ramesh a businessman. Sowmya was the one who famously said about me and my genius friend Krishna “Giri your friend allows the situation to influence his character and change it accordingly, while you change the situation by influencing it with your character.”” I said.

“Aha another fan I see” said Sheeja laughing.

“No fan or AC she was and is a good friend.” I said.

“Ok but what is she and why did you ask for her?” asked Sheeja.

“That was because of a few things that happened which I will explain, Sowmya was second in command in HR reporting to Suresh and she was a prime witness to the events that we are talking about. Her family had some political connects and was from a well to do and also business connected family. So she was bold and I knew she can be relied when dealing with such a dangerous situation like a missing person and police case.” I explained.

“Ok got it, please carry on sir” said Sheeja with mock respect.

I gave her a punch and continued “I asked Shantha madam where Harinath Sir was and was told that he and Suresh were with the police and trying to reason with them in Harinath Sir’s room. So we went there. I walked into a very confusing scene, Annamalai was standing silently – he was a strong silent character but steady. Ramakrishan was a more exuberant character and along with Renny and me formed the three stooges of the company. As every one used to say Ramakrishnan alone is tough, add Renny it becomes difficult, add Giri to the duo the trio is impossible to escape from and survive” I told my family.

“OK enough of SP” said my wife.

“SP?”, I was outraged because SP meant self-praise, self-propaganda, self-promotion as you feel like it... “Go ask any of them and they will tell you how they were afraid of our ability to fool anyone, beat anyone, outsmart anyone and out do any one in any of our work area. Add to it our sharp wit and sarcasm and Ramakrishnan and Renny’s hard work and inquisitiveness and my wide range of information we were feared as a team. No need for me to SP we were already famous. Add Eswari and Annamalai we did the work of 15 people. A great team if I ever had one that was it.”

“Ok sorry my mistake you guys were the greatest ok?” said Sheeja.

“I miss those days with hard work, tough target, good team and working in tandem like we read each other’s minds after all I selected them and trained them so we were well in alignment. Anyway coming back, I saw the strong Annamalai looking pale and Ramakrishnan not smiling. Both looked stressed and strained and pale. Harinath Sir and Suresh looked at me as I walked in and Mohanakrishnan looked triumphantly at me. Two police men were on either side of both my guys like they were some criminals and had an arm on the elbows of the guys.” I looked at my family and still felt grim fury even now at the scene I witnessed.

“The Inspector was holding court and Annamalai and Ramakrishnan were trying to reply and he would cut others off if they intervened and even the guys were not allowed to complete as he would jump in half way trying to put words or accusations to railroad and confuse the guys. This would break the flow and when they were trying to explain it created tension and they were looking strained. The moment they saw me they suddenly looked less tense and even managed to smile.” I smiled remembering how suddenly the shift happened and the guys looked more relaxed.

I continued “That made me a bit better to see them smile and look less tense and I knew I needed to handle police very carefully. They were speaking in Tamil. I had never shown to anyone until then that I could speak and read Tamil which had always given me an edge when dealing with people like Mohanakrishnan.” I smiled at my family.

““In typical police manner the Inspector tried to tell me I had no business there and to get out, but Harinath Sir said “Va Appa, you came at the right time we need your help, your boys are in trouble.” “Trouble Sir? What did they do? Did they do the usual sarcastic poem in public about politics?” I raised one eyebrow as I asked in Tamil. The Inspector immediately asked “Are you also one of the lovers of the girl?” Ramakrishnan burst out laughing and so did Suresh and Suresh replied “Inspector if there is one person who was not at all affected by girls it is Giri” Inspector looked at me in disbelief and I politely asked him. “Sir what is the problem? A senior and big officer to come personally here it must be very serious””.

I looked at my family and they seemed surprised that at that furious mood how come I became polite suddenly. In fact I am known for ignoring, insulting and challenging authority openly and taking great pains in finding and stating facts to decimate them and cutting them down in public.

“It was a change of tactics because I had to save the boys if it was me I would have given it hard and more than what I get sarcastically but I did not want the boys getting harassed or even worse as I know how our police works all over India it does not matter in which state. They have ability, resources but they are mismanaged and corrupted by the powers that be in positions and wealth. So I had to tread carefully as I knew they can help solve the case or turn it around and frame a case also.” I explained to my family.

“Oh ok, smart as usual my husband” said Sheeja.

“After all whose son he is” said my father and laughed.

“My son” said my mother seriously and we all laughed.

“"My guess was correct the Inspector sat straighter with a self-important look and looked pleased and said "Your boys are just being questioned about the disappearance of a girl who is working in your company. She is of the name Jayanthi, she is missing for a week now" I acted shocked. "But Sir Muthu and Maran from Mohankrishnan’s team were more close to her. Why did you not tell that to Sir, Mohan?"” I asked.

“"Oh yes I forgot also" said Suresh “in fact I remember once there was even a fight between Muthu and Maran about one of them having seen the other with the girl outside.” Harinath Sir was looking more upset. Muthu was a relative of his and he actually was a pest and took advantage of the COO’s relative title in all nonsense way. I wanted to actually teach him a lesson and used to give it to him sharply. Mohan was red and spluttering and he did the wrong thing "I will decide whose name to tell and what to tell who asked you in here? Inspector you tell him to get out, who is this fellow he is just a nobody"” I laughed remembering the scene.

“All the advantage Mohan made went out and my boys suddenly became less suspicious. “Mohan please remember Giri is a manager and by designation senior to you” Suresh just cut Mohan to size. And I noticed the Inspector also suddenly noted that and looked at me a bit differently and he said to Mohan “You can go we will call you if required. You sit down Giri Sir. And you (addressing Mohan like he was a peon, I had a hard time not laughing) ask those two what was the name…” “Maran and Muthu” said Suresh “O yes tell them I want them here. Better still Mariappan you go with him.” This was to a constable from the Inspector.” I laughed remembering the expression on Mohan’s face.

““Shantha madam you also go and show them to Mariappan Sir” I added politely. Inspector seemed to look at me even more kindly. I can imagine him thinking what a polite and nice man no wonder he is a manager.” I saw Sheeja and Mother look at each other with the unspoken statement I could read running through the head “O yeah if only the poor fellow knew who he was dealing with”. I laughed in spite of myself trying to control.

God disposes or is it man himself?

"You know the saying Man proposes God disposes?" I asked my family and they nodded in concurrence.

““In this case it was definitely human hand that disposed things. The Inspector was the first to ask the relevant question. "What is with the girl’s nowadays Giri Sir? 4 lovers?" he was now talking to me only and he shook his head in wonder. “Sir it is a long story and fortunately I know some of it because until 3 months back she was in my team. And all this started about 11 months ago when Jaya as she is called by her friends joined our team”” I said.

““That interested the Inspector; he asked me “Your team Giri Sir? Then why did she move to some other team? You are such a good manager she could have learned a lot” “I smiled at his statement inwardly I was thinking hmm Giri Sir what a sea change from trying to send me back out. “Sir actually she is an Engineer that to Computer Science...” “Oho now I understand” interrupted the Inspector. I was puzzled what did he mean. “She wants to go to America and wanted to be in another team for that right?” I looked at my family.

“For one second he stunned me almost, because he never knew how close to truth he was, even though he arrived at it wrongly. In fact the whole story of 4 lovers proposing and Jaya disposing them off was one part. But the unknown part was God disposing Jaya’s proposal for happiness. I took a deep breath and prepared to tell the story to the Inspector. This was the story of a girl, who was ambitious, unscrupulous and selfish, who did not think anything but her happiness and success. And how fate played her the way she played the 4 poor guys." I looked at my family now they were listening eagerly and literally with bated breath.

I could not resist “Relax, cool, it happened in another state and almost a decade ago. You will achieve nothing by tensing up so let go of the breath evenly and relax your muscles and clenched fists. I will tell you the story after I wash my hands”

It was not continued until after 15 minutes. I had washed my hands and then had my usual quota of soda with salt and settled with my son on my lap. He was playing with mobile another game.

“It all started 11 months back when a short slim petite but above average good looking typical south Indian girl was selected by Jagadeeswari and Renny in spite of my objections to the contrary. She was intelligent, sharp, knowledgeable, quick thinking but something I felt was amiss. Even during the interview I felt she was being manipulative. She was very proper with Eswari, slightly smiley and flirty with Renny and semi proper and flirty with me.” I paused as my son moved to perch comfortably on my lap.

“But Renny and Jagadeeswari prevailed saying we need good resources and she was good. I was soon proven right in just 3 months when she had Annamalai and Ramakrishnan almost fighting with each other. And in next 2 months there was almost a 4 way fight between these two and Muthu and Maran." I paused to move my son to a more comfortable position and told my family.

““I more or less told the Inspector the same in short. “Inspector Sir she was smart at first but you cannot be smart for long so finally all 4 found out about the meeting with others. They became hostile to each other. That was when Renny came and told me about the whole story. And then a couple of things happened which took even me by surprise and shock.”” I looked at my family.

“Can you imagine? First real surprise came when I was informed by Eswari that Jaya no longer was much meeting with these guys and she looked more reserved and quiet. I noticed the same in the team meetings also. In fact I noticed she had a faraway look and even seemed sad. Annamalai was more affected. Then happened the next surprise Shantha madam told me Jaya’s father was picking and dropping her daily or her brother." I looked at my family.

“Imagine that, a fiercely independent minded girl like Jaya, allowing her to be always escorted by her father or brother? So something was definitely wrong I was sure. But things were peaceful so I let it go. Then Ramakrishnan the more mature and sensible guy was now totally back to normal and avoided Jaya like the plague. While Annamalai was trying his best to make her happy and try and get her to take time off to have tea or lunch with him. So was Muthu and Maran. It resulted in much laugh for Ramakrishnan, Renny, Eswari, Sowmya, Shantha Madam and occasionally to me also.”

I paused as my son wanted to get off my lap and sit on the diwan and after settling him down I continued.

""Two months later things changed, she was again radiant, occasionally seen in company and more animated in work and team meetings. It lasted one more month when she gave me another surprise. Since joining my team Jaya had been requesting and trying to push through every means to leave my team and join Java projects. So she came to my room again one day “Giri, regarding my transfer to Java team, they have a new project and need people. In fact Pratap the PM has asked if I can join””

I told my family ““I was really irritated. I know Pratap he was married but in Tamil we call jollu type. He goes around acting like he was god’s gift to women and because he was a PM some girls used to flirt with him also. I had already told Jaya that by seniority first transfer should be to Annamalai. So again I repeated “Jaya, Annamalai is the senior in line for transfer, first him then you. I am not changing that, sorry.” That ended the discussion and she left the room””

““Then next day Annamalai walked into my cabin. He fidgeted, I looked at him and said “Sit Annamalai and let us talk then. You want to say you don’t mind Jaya moving to Java team ahead of you. Am I correct?” Annamalai sat mouth open in amazement and then fear. He knew me and my fury. I never shout I just decimate and then leave them to fate. I told him “Annamalai I have only one decision and that is as per the process” Annamalai said “ok Giri” and escaped.”” I looked at my family. Even my nephew was sitting and listening he was just 12 years old.

I took a deep breath remembering what happened the next day and how I was still feeling a bit the irritation at being manipulated even after these many years. ““Suresh had quit as Head of HR and new guy was one Saravanan. He came to my cabin and said "Giri we are moving Jaya out from your team and into Java team for a new project. And you are approved to recruit two new members in return. So all these are approved and I am just told to inform you by VP operations and AVP Delivery that this month end, that is in two weeks she will be moved. After all you had raised a few concerns about her so I hope you have no objections." He looked worried as he was also aware of my reputation towards big shots.””

““I smiled and said "all the best to her and her games. Good riddance, but this is bad on Annamalai who has been asking for similar move for 2 years. Also for an organization’s leaders to do one sided decision making without consulting other leaders and worse encroaching on teams is unprofessional and indecent to say the least. And then sending someone else to convey and not having the guts or courage is despicable and shameful and pitiable. Top it off leaders themselves breaking rules is not setting good precedence or culture or attitude."” I could see my family looking at each other and smiling. I am sure inside they might have been saying typical of my character and usual behaviour.

So I continued ““But Annamalai himself only said he had no objections and mailed us his no objections. Based on that...” I cut Saravanan and his explanation as well as defence short “Just get her out of my sight and let us get the dirty episode closed. I want nothing to do with her or those that supported this scum bag trick” I was furious but my voice was icy. Saravanan hurried out.””

I stopped the narration as I still was feeling angry and unhappy thinking about the chit of a girl who played so much manipulative games. Sheeja looked at me compassionately.

“There are girls like that everywhere son. In fact in our department also there were many worse characters than this. I could tell you worse stories” my Mother said to me. My Father also nodded in agreement.

“You know Varalakshmi right who was in Jo’burg with us? You yourself commented on her right? She did a few things while in Jo’burg which are equally bad or worse. Anyway leave it and tell us the rest of the story please” said Sheeja.

“Well I thought this was the last I had to deal with her but she gave me one more headache before she left and I never suspected it will lead to the scenario that was being played out then.” I stopped to recollect my thoughts on how to tell the rest.

The calm before the storm

““The week started quietly I should have known better that it was the calm before the storm. It started by Thursday when Eswari came and told me ‘Giri, Jaya called she is on leave again saying she is unwell.” “Again, this is the third day this week right?” “Actually Giri she came late on Monday and left early saying not well. Then Tuesday also she left almost around noon taking half day off. Yesterday she came late and stayed late. But seemed not well and frequently went to toilet. Today she is on full day leave”” I remembered that I was not bothered and I told my family as much.

““Well Eswari one more week then we are free of her. How is Karthik shaping up?” He was a new guy given to us in place of Jaya and I was happy. He seemed a jolly and hardworking type. I told Eswari “anyway please do me a favour, ask Sowmya and Shantha madam to also keep an eye and tell me if they notice anything. I had a hunch but I needed confirmation.” I told her and set things in motion”” I paused I wanted to see if my family could solve it.

“Ok you heard all the clues. Have you got the answer yet?” I asked.

“I can make one guess…” Sheeja started.

I interrupted “No guesses. Detection should be based on facts. So state your observations with supporting facts. Guesswork is not detection it is for amateurs.”

“Then you only tell” said Sheeja crossly.

I laughed ““Ok I will. Well it was Friday and we had team meeting and Jaya was there looking like she did 2 months back all subdued, lost and not fully there at all. She was literally wandering. I let it go completed our meeting and told everyone “have a nice weekend and see you on Monday unless you mess something in the next 8 hours and I have to take you and hang you out on the balcony railing for all to see.” We all laughed and everyone started going out except Renny and Eswari.”

I paused took the mobile from my son closed the game and opened the new game he wanted passed the mobile back to him and then looked back at my family.

They were literally impatient and waiting for me to continue. ““I watched Jaya as she walked out. I remembered what once an astute friend who was an engineer and brilliant once told about human body and fluid dynamics. “Giri everything has fluids. Human body also. When some fluids increase the balance tilts and human body adjusts. That is why you have women walking funny when they are pregnant. So notice it and it will tell.””

Mother and Sheeja looked shell shocked “You mean that girl was..?” both asked same question almost same time.

I smiled and nodded and felt amused at the shocked and scandalized look as my mother literally put her finger to the nose☺. Then she said “And you are not bad my son, you noticed it. Who told you this on how to know pregnancy?”

I laughed and said “Let that be a secret. I don’t want you looking at that person if ever he comes or we meet him as if he was a bad person.”

I continued ““Eswari and Renny were looking at my intent look as I called out “Jaya.” She turned and said “yes, Giri?” “How are you now? Heard you were unwell and had to take a few days off?” She literally paled then hurriedly and a bit awkwardly replied “I was having food poison Giri much better now”. “Take care, food poison can lead to dehydration take plenty of water. You went to a Doctor?” I was all solicitous. “Oh yes Giri” she was also equally polite and gracious now. “If unwell do not hesitate Eswari and Renny will take you home” I added. “No, need Giri I am fine now” she was hastening to stop me. “Ok then take care” I said. “Thanks Giri” she said and left the room. She had walked almost in very close to me.””

I remembered the oval table and the stupid designed L shape room and me on one side Eswari and Renny on other side looking at me.

““Ok tell us please” asked Eswari and Renny together. “What” I asked stalling. “Giriiiii” started Eswari with exasperation when she usually stretched my name ☺ “you have observed something which we have not and you have analysed it and come to a conclusion which we have not. Now tell us” demanded Eswari and Renny was laughing and nodding. I quoted a dialogue from a Tamil movie of a saint with my own modification “What you understand is wisdom, what you don’t is lack of wisdom” and I got up and left the room, I had a lot of thinking to do. Leaving behind an exasperated Eswari and amused Renny.”” I looked at my now equally exasperated family and smiled.

“Ok smart man, with fluid dynamics you understood that girl was pregnant, big deal! Any experienced old lady can tell you that…” I did not let Sheeja complete.

““That is exactly what I wanted and happened in 2 minutes. Shantha madam burst into my room with Sowmya “Giri you won’t believe it if I told you...” I interrupted her and said “Jaya is pregnant isn’t it?” They literally gaped and the jaw hit the floor. Then Sowmya started laughing “I told you he will be not surprised, but Giri this is too much. How did you guess?” “No guess Sowmya, fluid dynamics told me” I said and laughed at the perplexed expression which they both sported.”” I saw my Amma and Sheeja look at each other and roll eyes upwards.

“Eswari and Renny had opened the door at the same time and now they too looked stunned. I said “come in and close the door guys”. They came in and literally all looked amazed. It was Eswari the pragmatic one who asked the relevant practical question. “Giri what it means and how it will affect out team and maybe even our company...” Again I interrupted her “Thinking on same lines Eswari. I am also worried”” I was interrupted this time ☺

“How would it matter to the company or you for that matter?” asked Sheeja.

I smiled at her and said ““the same question and same way I was interrupted by Shantha madam. Same reply “You know madam the 3 Romeos of Jaya the Juliet? Our Helen of BIL for whom 4 heroes launched WWIII now the 3 may launch WWIV and drag the 4th in again.” “3? I thought it was 4” said Shantha madam. “3 now” said Renny “Our Ramakrishnan is more mature and sensible he understood our Jaya first and fast and he abandoned her in the last 2 months.” “It can also mean something else” I said “He may even be avoiding her to not shoulder the burden also” Everyone looked shell shocked. “But I know Ramakrishnan he will never do that” I said to everyone’s relief.””

“Now I understand” said Sheeja “once this comes out they will look at each other and doubt and fight. That girl how could she do this?”

“Or was it one of them?” asked my Mother as practical as ever.

I laughed and said “Sheeja and Amma you have not been following the story at all I see.”

“But we did” protested both.

“If you had you would have noticed what I said about 2 months upset then 2 months happy then 2-3 weeks upset and then unwell.” I looked at them and continued “What did this convey to you?”

“She was pregnant and worried” “Yes” said Sheeja and Amma.

“Hopeless” I said “anyway let me tell you the rest.”

““Ok Renny you better leave.” I said and it was the total trust among the team that Renny left even though he was curious he knew there were things it was not be discussed with him. “Ok now Eswari go call Jaya we will settle this once and for all” I looked at the other two and said “As HR and EA to CEO and COO you both are authorized and as her reporting manager so am I in your presence we will settle this once and for all” Both looked relieve and nodded.””

I took a breath remembering the next 30 minutes or so of that meeting even now very vividly. It actually even shook me up.

““Couple of minutes passed before in walked Jaya followed by Eswari. “Sit Eswari and sit Jaya, at this stage you need to rest well Jaya especially as you are not well and with morning sickness” Her face went paper white literally and she almost fell if not for Eswari and Sowmya grabbing her and seating her. For the first time in her entire stint with my team I felt pity for her as she looked at me pathetically and started sobbing and then crying. Then I exploded the bomb “Is it 4 months since your marriage?” she cried out in stunned disbelief. Everyone in the room was stunned literally.””

It was the same for my family also they gaped at me.

“Marriage, what are you talking about? She got married? Who was the unfortunate man? And how did you guess (on seeing my look) o sorry we mean how did you deduct?” demanded my family in a chorus.

““Sowmya, Eswari and Shantha madam also asked a slight variation. “Married?? She is married?? Who, When, How and How come you know it? Who told you? How did you find out” They were repeating and confusing and loud. I then slammed the table and said “Quiet!!””

I looked at my family “They were stunned into silence. You see they have never seen me go furious or slam table or anything. “We do not want this to leak out as Jaya seems not inclined to tell the world.” I paused to look at her then continued. “It was easy to deduce, remember the first 4 months she was with every good prospect then suddenly 2 months she stopped and then she was very sad and under arrest with her family escorting her. Then suddenly she was happier and she even was trying to be kind and civil to her admirers. That told me the story.””