Chaired-work’ was what bugged me most, be it homework, office work or even classwork! Placing myself in one place was a great deal of hard work for me. For me, as an intern, sitting on a chair was more like staying in a prison. By which, I don’t mean that I skip work; it’s just that I loved going to places. Well, I was in my chair that sticky, hot, lazy day.

“Open the window, Zenith.” Poonam didi, my mentor, a sweet lady of 28, said as I hastily woke up from my day-dream. When slothful, walking two feet to the window was a big deal. As I slowly pressed the knob, yanked it to the other side I found two little white balls. My lethargy had attracted didi here as well. Just as I was about to pick the ‘balls,’ didi yelled in whispers, “Eggs!”

Eggs...

 EGGS! How on earth did they manage to slip in through that hole? There was a big large AC right out of our large window and was only about a foot’s distance away from the wall. The space, too, was messed up with big, fat, heavy wires. It was clear that the mother didn’t lay them there on purpose. But the deed was done.

I let out a shudder and hastily stepped back. My drowsiness at once went away. I was now alarmed and jumbled. After all, it is not every day one finds fresh, unattended eggs on their office’s window sill! The more I watched, the more I felt queasy. Didi first delicately touched the eggs, and then picked them up. The AC wire had recently been iced and was melting. The cold ice-turned water consistently ripped from the vent on the eggs. Every drop would poke our spines. A flock of pigeons was en masse above our heads, who, I believe were the guardians of the two little to-be chicks.

We stared at each other, hopelessly, unable to do anything for the little eggs. It was a difficult task! To provide enough warmth for the eggs was a great deal for humans. Even if they hatched, how were we supposed to rear them? Okay, fine, if they hatch, if they can digest, I could place some tidbits in their mouths.  Then, how were we supposed to train them to fly? Oh, forget flying! In our hands, the eggs wouldn’t even hatch.

I hastily picked out a paper or two. With them in hands, I regretted not remembering my junior origami classes. Why, I could have created at least one neat paper box! Yet, a small crumpled box was managed and placed. We did what we could—saved it from the bitter water. Placing them under sun would be a grave danger, both of heat and predators. All we could do now was to wait and pray that the mother would come.

We returned to our chairs and for the next two hours, no one mentioned the eggs.

“May I leave?” I grinned and asked Poonam didi. She nodded and permitted. As I packed my bags, I could see a fat pigeon, uncomfortably, yet, confidently sitting over the tiny little eggs.

Shah is an A-levels student at St Xavier’s College, Maitighar