The waiting

She was waiting eagerly for his chat icon to become online. Its third day on a row when he has not been online on time. They both value commitments.

 

They have loved each other for last seven years but that has not changed their respect for each other’s ways at all.

 

Internet was the only way of connection between them now. He was to reach Muscat on Monday and send her a mail or chat with her. It’s Wednesday. She leaves her account open all day, but he has simply not shown up. He has not even called up his home.

 

She called up his home during the lunch.

 

“Ma did Pratap called?” she has already started to call his mother ma and father baba. Mother and father in Bengali.

 

“No. neither he, nor the guy who arranged the job. His phone is switched off.”

 

She straight went to his home from office. His parents were sitting in the drawing room with a worried expression. “What shall we do Nisha? Was his mother’s first question after handing her over a cup of tea and a light snacks. 

 

“Eat something Nishu, you are coming back straight from office.” Mrs. Dutta said.

 

“Ma I am not hungry.” She could not tell her that she was scared to death. She did not even touch the snacks.

 

They kept trying the agent’s number all evening. Finally Mr. Dutta escorted her home.

 

“What’s wrong didi?” her brother asked. They lived away from their parents. Both of their parents lived in Maharashtra, they had to shift to Kolkata to work.

 

“Pratap was supposed to contact me on Monday.” The tears she has suppressed started to roll down her cheeks.

 

“Come, come Nishu. Every thing is alright.” He hugged her and wiped her cheeks.

 

When she returned after wiping her face she saw he was sitting in the drawing room sofa talking with someone, “I have emailed you all the details. Please check if the guy is alright. Nishu is crying her heads off.” He said semi-lightly. Being a man he was not much worried. He thought his brother in law has messed up a little and will call or contact soon.

 

The phone rang next morning. His face became serious. “Okay, can you arrange his return ASAP?”

 

“Nishu, your fear was right. That employment agent who took Pratap to Muscat left him waiting in the airport and vanished with every thing. Including his passport and visa.”

 

“Pratap has been wandering in the streets, my friend contacted the local police with his photo and they have been able to find him out and have lodged him in the Indian embassy. They are now busy finding out the authenticity of his words. I have arranged for his copies of passport and visa to be sent from here.”

 

“We will have to arrange for the passage money.” He said.

 

They were planning to get married next year, suddenly the factory in which Pratap worked closed down.

 

One of his colleagues offered him a job in Muscat, every one asked him to not go but he kept insisting, and finally they gave in. he arranged for three lakh rupee,  handed it over to the agent for formalities. Left for Muscat with dreams in his eyes a week ago.

 

 

“Why doesn’t the government does something concrete against these agents?” Nisha asked with tear filled eyes.

 

All her brother could do in response was shrug resignedly.