“He is a liar.”The man retorts.
The mere mention of the word 'liar' makes me ball my hands.But I take a few deep breaths to calm myself.There is no point in clobbering a client with my lying-laden baggage.
“We can check the records for you.By what name did you register?”I open the app for our client interactions on the laptop.The software costs a bomb but saves our lives in such contentious situations.
“Check for Hemant Banerjee.”
A few clicks and the entire record of Mr Banerjee is before us.
“You registered on 25th February.You should have renewed your subscription on 26th May.Today is 4th June.The record also shows the days you missed.”
I turn the laptop towards him.“The red squares in the calendar indicate the days you did not attend the gym.The record is pulled from the swipe card you use to enter the gym.”
Mr Banerjee squirms in his seat.He begins to speak, but I wave my hand to stop him.“This is what we will do.You are our client, and we respect all our customers.We only allow a week's addition for clients who train with us for six or more months.Sahil went above and beyond this and helped you for an additional week.The total missed days, as per our records, are forty-five.We will give you an additional week's sessions if you pay for the next three months by tomorrow.”
Mr Banerjee takes his time to respond.“Okay.”He stands and walks to the door.
“Mr Banerjee, one more thing.Next time you speak down to any of my trainers for no fault of theirs, you will not be welcome here.”I wait for Mr Banerjee to nod.“And Sir-” I pause, -”we hate liars, whether they are our staff or clients.”
Chapter 3
Col.Wilfred can talk!!
ADITYA
The valley is silent except for the background hum of the Shivaliks.Pristine rays of sunlight flicker, skipping and hopping around the tall pine trees.A brook meanders downstream through rounded boulders, its gurgling interspersed by random bird calls, announcing their arrival for their morning chores of foraging for insects.
The forest trails around a quaint village with ten single-story houses near the Kasar Devi temple in Almora.At 5:30, on a morning run, I'm filled with calm.After the scuffle in my meeting with Shalini, the last seven days have helped me replenish my depleted serenity batteries.
The signal strength is sketchy on this part of the trail, so no humans from beyond this village can disturb me.On cue, the phone chimes, correcting my mistaken belief.
“Oh no, I hexed my peace.”I fumble with the pocket zipper of my track pants and retrieve the buzzing culprit.Urgh, Jatin.
“What the hell are you doing at this hour?Go back to sleep.”I sneer at my friend over the phone.
“Are you sleeping?So why should I?You left me without a running partner, bro.Missing you here.”Jatin adds loud fake sniffles to his whining.
