Me – "But I…"
Rajat, cutting me off – "Enough, the discussion is over. You should've properly verified everything before issuing the refund, which you clearly didn't. That's why this high-level client is filing complaints one after another. We want a written statement from you accepting that all this happened due to your negligence, and that you will not repeat such mistakes again. Also, I suggest you to start looking for another job and submit your resignation here. I don't want any negative impact on my team or my career."
Me, flustered – "But Rajat, I had told you these weren't my bookings. I had requested you to check the transaction file and tell me who took the commission for these bookings, but you all called it a waste of time…"
Rajat, interrupting – "Madam, we've already discussed this. Downloading the transaction file takes a day—do you think we have that kind of time? The bookings show your ID. Either you've breached security or committed fraud."
Rajeev's words echoed in my ears. I knew no one here would listen to me. I lowered my head and tried to hold back my tears.
Rajat, placing a feedback form in front of me – "Please sign this."
I picked up the paper. It said that I had been given feedback for my mistakes. Each mistake was listed—wrong bookings, refunds to incorrect cards, and an apology was included, along with a pledge to not repeat such errors. Signing it meant accepting blame for something I hadn't done. It meant I wouldn't be eligible for promotion for a year, no pay raise for six months, and I could be terminated without compensation. I did not want to sign this paper at all.
Rajat – "Please sign quickly. We've been dealing with your mistakes since morning—we're exhausted."
Sanket Sir, signaling Rajat to pause – "Avni, don't overthink. Please sign. What had to happen has happened."
Me, with a choked voice – "Sir, please give me some time."
Rajat – "Why do you need time now? Everything's already been discussed."
The cabin felt suffocating—I couldn't stay there anymore. I had already decided to quit, so I signed the paper and handed it over to them.
Rajat and Sanket both hurriedly reached for the paper at once. After checking it, Sanket Sir handed me another document.
I looked at it—it was my suspension letter. I looked at both of them.
Sanket Sir – "Orders from above. Nothing can be done. Since this involves financial discrepancies, action has to be immediate."
I quietly walked out of the cabin. I didn't know why, but I couldn't even cry. Pratibha slid close to me – "What were they talking about for so long?" She snatched the paper from my hand and, waving it, asked, "What is this?" I began packing my things. After reading the entire paper, Pratibha said, "How? Why? You were going to resign—how did it come to this?"
Before I could reply, HR arrived at my desk and asked me to come with them to the cabin. I went inside with them.
HR – "We've been informed that you committed serious fraud in refund transactions, which you have admitted to, and therefore you are being terminated."
They placed the signed paper in front of me.
HR – "We want to inform you that you will not receive any salary or dues from the company. You are permanently barred from working here again. The fraud department will now investigate, and if any legal action is taken, you will receive a court summons."
I couldn't believe they had gone this far. What if I hadn't signed? But I had no proof of what Rajeev told me, and he didn't even show up today. Pratibha tried calling him, but he didn't answer. I closed my eyes in fear and told HR everything—how those bookings weren't mine, someone else took the commission, and how I was pressured into signing.
HR – "If that was the case, you should've come to me directly. But what can be done now? You signed it, and all proceedings are complete. Nothing can be done now."
I didn't say anything. HR continued speaking, but I just listened silently. In the end, they asked me to return my office ID. I removed it from around my neck and handed it to them.
Outside, I saw Pratibha standing with both our bags. My eyes welled up on seeing her. She walked out with me.
We sat at a nearby café—I told her everything that happened in the cabin, what HR said, and then I told her what Rajeev had said. Hearing all this, Pratibha turned red with anger.
Pratibha – "Avni, you shouldn't have signed it. If you hadn't, we could've challenged their decision. This was all part of their plan. Who knows how many others they've trapped like this? Rajeev didn't even show up today and isn't answering his phone. Don't worry—I'll talk to my brother-in-law. He'll definitely find a way."
Pratibha had submitted her resignation. She was getting calls from the office, but she didn't answer them. After leaving the café, she went home, reassuring me not to worry and to go home and rest.
After all these years of working like an ox, what did I get? Betrayal? Someone else's crime pinned on me, without even giving me a chance to speak. How will I send money to Papa now? I have to find another job as soon as possible. Why did this happen to me? Why? Why am I even alive? Why doesn't my heart just torn apart, this pain is unbearable ?
Lost in these thoughts, I didn't realize where I was going. Suddenly, a bright light flashed, a loud noise rang out, and a sharp pain surged through me—and I slowly started sinking into a sea of darkness. Deeper and deeper I sank silently.