Mysterious Mentor
Rohan was very excited on his first day at the office. He had gotten a job at a famous tech company, which was a big opportunity for him. The office building was huge, with tall glass windows and shiny floors. Everyone seemed busy—some were typing on their keyboards, and others were talking on the phone.
Rohan felt a little nervous. He stared at his computer screen, unsure where to begin. Just then, a kind-looking man with gray hair approached him.
“Hello, I’m Mr. Puri,” the man said. “Are you the new employee?”
“Yes, I’m Rohan,” he replied. “I’m still learning. It’s my first day.”
“Don’t worry,” Mr. Puri said. “I’ll help you. Follow me.”
Mr. Puri showed Rohan around the office. He explained everything clearly—how to use the software, where to find files, and even which coffee machine worked best. Mr. Puri seemed to know every little detail about the company.
“I’m sure you’ll do well,” Mr. Puri said, patting Rohan on the shoulder. “If you need help, just ask me.”
Rohan felt relieved. Having a mentor like Mr. Puri made his work feel much easier.
As Rohan walked and talked with Mr. Puri, he noticed that his new colleagues were watching them closely. Some were even smiling quietly. Rohan didn’t understand why and decided to ignore it since he was new to the office.
Over the next few weeks, Mr. Puri guided Rohan through his tasks. Whenever Rohan made a mistake or had a question, Mr. Puri was always there to help. Rohan noticed that Mr. Puri could spot problems before they even happened, and he admired Mr. Puri’s wisdom.
But Rohan still couldn’t understand the strange behavior of some of his colleagues. He thought maybe they didn’t like Mr. Puri.
One afternoon, Rohan was having lunch with his coworkers. They were chatting and sharing stories about the office.
One of them said, “You’re doing great at your job. How do you manage everything so well?”
“Oh, it’s all because of Mr. Puri,” Rohan said. “He’s been helping me since day one.”
Everyone went silent and looked confused.
“Mr. Puri?” someone asked. “Who’s that?”
Rohan laughed, thinking they were joking. “Mr. Puri—the kind man with gray hair. He’s been working here for years.”
Another colleague said, “No one by that name works here. Are you sure?”
Rohan was puzzled. Maybe they were trying to tease him.
“Let me show you,” he said. “He usually sits by the big window.”
They followed him to the spot where Mr. Puri always sat, but the desk was empty. There was no sign of anyone working there.
“See?” a coworker said. “There’s no one here. Are you okay?”
Rohan was confused. He had just spoken to Mr. Puri that morning. How could no one else know him?
Rohan decided to ask someone who had been at the company for a long time. He went to Mr. Mehta, an older employee on the top floor.
“Mr. Mehta, can I ask you something?” Rohan said.
“Of course,” Mr. Mehta replied.
“Do you know Mr. Puri? He’s been helping me since my first day.”
Mr. Mehta’s face grew serious. “Mr. Puri? Are you sure he’s been helping you?”
“Yes,” Rohan said. “He’s very kind and helpful. But no one else seems to know him.”
Mr. Mehta sighed. “Rohan, there’s something you should know. Mr. Puri was a real person. He worked here for many years, but he passed away a long time ago.”
Rohan’s heart raced. “Passed away? How?”
“There was an accident in the server room,” Mr. Mehta explained. “He was badly injured and later died.”
Rohan felt a chill. “But… I talk to him every day. He’s been helping me so much.”
Mr. Mehta nodded gently. “You’re not the first. Some say Mr. Puri’s spirit still lingers here. He loved this place and cared deeply about his colleagues. Maybe he’s still helping them.”
Back at his desk, Rohan whispered to himself, “Mr. Puri is a ghost?” It all made sense now—his coworkers’ strange looks and why they couldn’t see Mr. Puri. They must have thought he was talking to himself.
That evening, Rohan decided to stay late at the office. He wanted to see Mr. Puri again and thank him.
“Mr. Puri,” Rohan called softly. “Are you here with me?”
The room was silent. For a moment, Rohan thought he was alone. Then, he felt a cool breeze. Turning around, he saw Mr. Puri standing by the window, smiling.
“I believe you’ve learned your work now, Rohan,” Mr. Puri said. “You don’t need me anymore.”
“No, I’ll always need you,” Rohan said. “You’ve taught me so much. Thank you, sir.”
Mr. Puri nodded. “Remember what I told you: take care of others and work hard. That’s all I wanted.”
With that, Mr. Puri’s figure faded away and disappeared.
Years later, when Rohan became a senior employee, he often thought about Mr. Puri. On quiet evenings, whenever he felt a cool breeze, he smiled. He knew Mr. Puri was still watching over him.