𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧: 𝐀𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐎𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢 (𝟏𝟖+) ✅

23

6 months later

Rishya

"I'm sorry, Mr. Agnihotri, I'll make sure to do better," I murmured, feeling a pang of disappointment as I exited his cabin.

"Rishya, can you please pick up the phone right now? I'm swamped," Shikha Ma'am's urgent voice pierced through the office noise. Shikha was the Marketing head of Ishka, a startup aiming to revolutionize the makeup industry with eco-friendly, natural products sourced from India.

I landed this job just two weeks ago after tirelessly applying for positions. Currently, I am working as an intern, barely scraping by with a small stipend. I hoped that if I worked hard enough, I could secure a permanent position here. My official hours were from 9 to 6, but I often found myself staying late to handle extra tasks. I knew I had to prove myself capable of juggling multiple responsibilities if I wanted to succeed.

Hurrying to the ringing phone, I answered in my most professional tone, "Hello, Department of Advertising." It was a call on the landline, likely from another department within the company.

"Could you get Shikha on the line, please?" a hurried voice requested.

"She's occupied at the moment. Can I take a message?" I asked, poised with notepad and pen in hand.

"Um... no, forget it. Just tell her we need to finalize the presentation today. The sponsors are coming, and we need this deal," the voice replied with palpable desperation before abruptly ending the call.

Taking a deep breath, I made my way to Shikha's office to deliver the urgent message.

"Shikha ma'am, someone called about expediting the presentation. The sponsors are coming today," I informed her.

"Damn it!" Shikha cursed; frustration evident in her voice as she gripped her hair in exasperation.

"Can I assist in any way, ma'am?" I offered, hoping to ease her burden.

"Do you understand the gravity of this situation? Just get to your desk and start working, your good for nothing degree is of no use" she snapped, her words stinging like a slap.

I flinched, my hand tightening on the doorknob. Swallowing back tears, I reminded myself that I couldn't afford to be the same weak Riya who cried at the slightest provocation. My name was Rishya, and I needed to be strong.

"Sorry, ma'am," I mumbled, my voice catching in my throat as I swiftly retreated from her office.

As I walked away, I overheard a faint voice through the speaker, presumably the same person who had called earlier. It seemed that someone important was visiting the company today, explaining the heightened tension surrounding the impending presentation. Sponsors were crucial for startups, especially fledgling ones like Ishka.

§

"Yes, maa, I'll be there soon, it's almost 7," I reassured her over the crackling phone line. Scanning the chaotic street for an auto-rickshaw, I finally managed to flag one down.

"Bhaiya, Sikhdee Chawl," I instructed the driver.

As the auto rickshaw jolted forward, I absentmindedly unlocked my phone, greeted by the wallpaper that always stirred a whirlwind of emotions within me. With a heavy heart, I gazed at the cherished image, feeling the weight of memories flood back, threatening to overwhelm me.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I let myself be momentarily lost in the bittersweet nostalgia. But the noisy hustle and bustle of the street quickly drew my attention back to the present. The congested road stretched endlessly ahead, clogged with a cacophony of honking vehicles and weaving pedestrians.