Romance amidst serious banking (short story)

Manish was upset with the weather. What a nuisense he thought.The rains were creating havoc outside,but that did not deter his enthusiasm for work.He was a banker by profession,30years old and single.He was recently transferred from his home town where he had a very happy home with loving parents and a house full of relatives. He was much loved but here in the city he felt quite lonely.

It was love at first sight for Manish. He was the manager of the bank where the pretty 25 year old Divya joined recently. She was very bubbly and smart, and soon became the apple of everyone's eye, with her zeal for work and helping tendency.Naturally her popularity with customers and staff reached the ears of the manager also.

The staff of the branch, about 9 in numbers were an interesting lot.
The senior supervisor Mr.Wadhwa was a bald and short fellow who was interested more in chewing pan parag than his own work. As a result whenever he opened his mouth to speak he would shower the listener with pan parag lazed saliva.Every one preferred to talk to him over the intercom,although he was not aware of the reason. Wadhwa also had a weakness for women. He would approach the computer operators, Latha and Sudha for giving them the work sheet every morning. The girls were so smart they used to open the drawers of their table open so that he couldn't get close. They shared the secret with the new recruit Divya and thus saved her from the hunter Wadhwa.

The other interesting character in the branch was the peon Sharma. He was a quiet person glued to the despatch table where his job was to write addresses on the covers before despatch. On the last day of the month when the salary was credited to the account there was a rush near his table. First the staff were not aware of the reason for the rush. Later through the grapewine they heard that the quiet Sharma had two wives and the crowd around his table on the salary day,were none other than his wives and their respective children. The staff nick named him Stud Sharma.

Since the recruitment started in banks, there were two more new recruits who joined the Bank, along with Divya. They were Nikhil and Pravin. Both were financial executives who had done their MBA recently and got placed through the campus placement. The boys were handling lot of customers, but were in trouble most of the time as they didnt know the work and were not trained. Sudha and Latha used to help them. Thus the new recruits and the old staff became good friends in no time.

The cashier of the branch was Mr Prasanna. He was a senior clerk, but a jolly good fellow and used to enjoy the jokes and pranks the others played on him. Mr Prasanna was a bachelor and had a secret crush on Sudha who was a happily married lady. She was friendly and helpful and used to bring lunch for Prasanna most of the days. This kindness made her special for Prasanna who used to enjoy the lip smacking dishes that Sudha shared with him.He also had the pictures of the picnic that the staff went to, on his PC and used to secretly watch them in his spare time. This was known to all the staff and all of them used to tease him about his hobby.

The customers of the branch were quite demanding. They refused to stand in the queue for getting cash and demanded immediate attention. However much the staff tried, they would always have some complaint from customers. This was going on till the arrival of Divya. She had a way with the customers. She would smile and welcome the customers, everytime she saw one in front of her. Her smile would warm the angry customer in no time. Also she was very attentive to their banking needs.

It was in the midst of all this, that a new love story would emerge in the coming days.

Manish pressed the bell for calling the peon. He wanted to see the new recruit Ms Divya. Divya entered the cabin very happily as was her disposition at all times. Manish couldnt help but smile looking at her.
He asked her to sit. As soon as she sat, Manish didnt waste any time in praising her about her work. She was quite taken aback at the direct praise from the big boss.

Divya came out of the cabin blushing and happy. Sudha and Latha exchanged glances with Nikhil and Pravin. All four of them saw red seeing her radiant face. They teased her about Manish all the afternoon. Divya tried to escape but couldn't do anything about it.

Manish on the other hand was not aware of what was going on, and felt let down by himself as he couldn't do much to tell Divya about his feelings for her. He thought he would play the waiting game for some time. Mean while he would try and send some other signals to her.

The branch office had a music system, which played instrumental music at all times during the banking hours. Manish suddenly had an idea. He got some romantic hindi songs cd from home and kept it with him for use later.

It was saturday, a half day for the staff of the bank.The ladies of the branch,used to leave a bit earlier than the men. Divya finished the work for the day and locked her things in the drawer and was just leaving, when suddenly she heard the song...Abhi na jao chodke, ke dil abhi bhara nahi, Abhi abhi tho aayi ho, Bahar banke chaayi ho...she was startled for it was the first time the music system in the office played hindi song. She knew that the controls were at the manager's cabin, and her eyes went to the cabin and met Manish's waiting eyes. He smiled then, and she blushed.Sudha and Latha who were following her couldnt help but notice the exchange, and couldnt wait to tell the rest of the gang.

Meanwhile Divya was angry with herself for blushing in front of everyone. But she couldn't help it. She left the branch hurridly, but she didnt miss the laughter that followed her exit from the other collegues.

Monday, saw Divya entering the branch cautiously. She was quite nervous, for she felt the aftermath of saturday's foolish episode. She quietly sat at her table and started her work.Today she was not her usual smiling self. She was quite nervous, lest everyone teased her. She was quite shy to look at her collegues faces.Manish on the other hand had reached the branch earlier than usual and was waiting for Divya. He saw Divya entering the branch reluctantly and instantly knew that his ploy had worked. He was quite excited. The day went by pretty soon and the work load kept the staff on their toes. Divya didnt leave her seat, even during lunch time, and was not seen by many that day. Manish missed seeing her flying form, which was a usual treat which he waited to see.
Mr. Wadhwa was wondering about the quiet branch and decided to enquire with Divya the reason for her silence. As soon as he reached Divya immediatly opened the drawers and stood up. Divya quitely explained that she had a head ache. Mr Wadhwa left, but the fearsome foursome wouldnt take her excuse seriously. They started teasing her about the previous evening's meaningful song.Even Mr. Sharma had a word of praise for the choice of song that Manish played. All of them were waiting secretly for the song of the day,but wouldnt open their mouth lest the entertainment stopped.

At 5 PM the banking hours were over and the staff were more relaxed,when suddenly the music system started playing ''Thoo chupi hai kahan...Main tadapta yehan. There bin feeka feeka hai mera jaahan..Thoo chupi hai kahan main tadapta yahan....."There was a roar of laughter at some counters.The staff were happy today as Manish had chosen an apt song for the mood of the day, which was "melancholy".Divya was shocked to hear the song.but quietly put her head down.She finished her work for the day and left the branch. She had just reached the bus stop, when she heard the sound of a horn and looked back. It was Manish. She immediatly stood back and was quite afraid and tensed. Manish got out of the car and headed towards Divya. He asked her if he could give her a lift. She declined. He quitely went back and drove away. She was happy that he didnt insist.

Divya actually liked Manish for various reasons. First of all, she felt he was a good manager, an upwardly mobile officer of the Bank who had the best interest of the Bank in his heart. He was good with the staff and respected each one of them, young and old, without bothering at what level they were working. He was liked by one and all and Divya almost everyday used to hear the staff complimenting that by far he was the best manager of the branch.
She was secretly enjoying the attention, she was getting from Manish. and also liked the songs that he was playing.

Next day saw Divya and the other staff of the branch waiting for 5 PM to know what song Manish would play that day.

Any guesses???

Well! it was..Mere Dil mein aaj kya hai...tu kahe to main bata doo..Tere zulf phir sawaroo, Theri maang phir sajadoo..Upon hearing the song, the staff decided that things were more serious than they thought. So they let DIvya go scot free, and decided to wait and see the reaction quietly.Divya blushed at that instant. She secretly looked at the cabin while leaving the office, and saw Manish looking at her intently. She left the branch hurridly.At the bus stop, today she was not waiting for the bus, but for the one person, whom she wanted to meet.Before long, she heard the sound of the horn and at once saw Manish walking towards her. She looked at him and smiled. This time, when Manish offered to drop her, she didnt decline. She went with him and he opened the passenger door for her. She got in and he closed the door for her. Only then did he go to his seat and started the car.Divya was at a loss for words and kept quiet. Manish also was tongue tied. Atlast he broke the silence and asked her where she lived. She gave him the directions. Shyly Manish asked if she liked the songs that he played for her. She answered in the affirmative.He was overjoyed to hear her answer.

In two weeks time, Manish's parents approached Divya's parents and put forth the proposal of marriage of their son with Divya. There was no resistance, as Manish was considered a good catch by Divya's parents. As both were working in the same bank, and would be transferred together wherever they went. More than anything, Manish was very handsome and a successful banker.

Divya was very scared to enter the branch that day as she was supposed to disclose the news about her wedding to the staff. Manish and Divya both had managed to keep the progress in their relation ship a secret till date. Although the staff were suspicious of their friendliness, they didn't think things would develop so fast. They didnt know what a smooth operator Manish was. He didnt want to waste anytime in hooking the best looking girl, lest the other guys had any idea.

There was a thunderous applause as the news reached the ears of the staff like wildfire. The staff and customers both were happy for the lovely couple. Manish heard the sound of clapping and came out of the cabin to enquire the reason for the celebration. Just then, Mr Wadhwa went to him and congratulated him for the wedding announcement,followed by the foursome,Mr Prasad and Sharma.Divya was quietly enjoying all the attention and praise.

Manish and Divya were married in a few days. All the members of the staff and most of the customers graced the occasion and shared in their happiness. They even danced in the barat as they felt they belonged to both the bride and groom's side.After the last guest left,Manish and Divya heaved a sigh of relief. Atlast they were one and alone.
The newly weds soon left for their honeymoon.

Mr. Wadhwa the acting manager of the branch, was eating pan parag and sloppily doing his job. The excitement was over, and the foursome and the rest of the staff, quitely went about doing their work.
Nikhil and Pravin were day dreaming that, soon they would also meet the girl of their dreams.Prasanna was as usual dreaming about his Madam Sudha.

There was a melancholic turn in this story.

Alas! as per the bank rules, both husband and wife cannot work in the same branch. So one of them, either Divya or Manish was sure to be transferred out of the branch. Either way, the branch staff are at a loss, as they cannot hear the romantic songs of yester years in the branch after work.