Vanity -thy followers are mental  & physical ailments-Chapter 10

Supti , an apparently pleasant tall, high-nosed, especially for those who with those bound to take instructions from her or are in no way of use to her, has not been in the good books of Aesclepius.

" How are you all here together? Aren't you aware of the protocols?" She reprimanded the defaulters.

The maid stood blinking. The teacher - on -duty was not only ignored by her in her round but the minimum courtesey of a soft look or a' good morning ' is perhaps not her cup of tea.

"You have no idea,Ani , how she imposes tasks /assignments on us. Most of the time we are doing most of the work", her immediate colleagues expressed their angst.

Ani recalled an insignificant memory of the willingness she had exhibited more than a decade ago to assist Supti with the Board Coordination work. Ani came to know how Supti chose her trusted one and did not have the politeness to inform Ani about that and Ani's trip to France had to be cancelled because Supti continued suavely to assure her that she would call Ani anytime to assist her.

Aesclepius, however,  showered all sophisticated urban ailments on Supti. She was theoretically well versed with the biological aspects of plant and animal life. She had the quality grease to apply where work-life needed it.

"I am not even going to give a side glance now to recognize her presence in this corridor," Ani told herself. 

" Is she unhappy, frustrated or is it her nature?" Ani asked herself to reanalyze  Supti.

Ani decided to divert her attention and plucked some fresh neem leaves from the tree looking down on the balcony and who but Supti addressed her as she made her way downstairs .

" Are you going to eat them raw?'Supti was curious.

"No .I will cook them with sliced egg plant,grated ginger and green chillies."Ani was quick to respond.

En route home Ani wondered about the enigmatic presence of Supti.