Mr. And Mrs. Bhalla

22

Author's POV

The office buzzed with activity as the new day began. Shagun, now a project coordinator, moved through the corridors with a sense of purpose. Her interactions with her colleagues were polite, but her eyes betrayed an underlying agenda. She had successfully secured a position at Raman's company, but this was only the first step of her plan.

In the accounts department, Ishita was absorbed in her work when Shagun knocked on the door, a warm smile on her face. "Hi, Ishita. Is this a good time?"

Ishita looked up, a bit surprised but friendly. "Sure, come in. How can I help you?"

Shagun entered, taking a seat across from Ishita. "I wanted to introduce myself. I'm Shagun Arora. I'm new here in the project coordination team."

Ishita smiled back, intrigued. "Nice to meet you, Shagun. I'm Ishita Bhalla. I handle the accounts here. How are you finding things so far?"

Shagun's smile widened. "It's been quite a whirlwind. I was hoping to get some tips about the office environment, especially about how things work around here."

Ishita was happy to help. "Of course! If you need any guidance or have any questions, feel free to ask. I've been here for a while, so I know quite a bit about how things run."

The conversation continued amicably, with Ishita giving Shagun a brief overview of the office dynamics and tips for navigating the workplace. As they chatted, Mihir walked into the accounts department, looking tense.

"Ishita, I need you to come with me for a moment. There's an urgent matter with the supervisor," Mihir said, his tone brooking no argument.

Ishita glanced at Shagun, offering a polite smile. "Excuse me, Shagun. I'll be right back."

As Ishita left with Mihir, Shagun's expression shifted subtly. She watched them go, her mind already working on her next steps.

In the hallway, Mihir led Ishita to a quiet corner. "Ishita, I need to give you a quick update. Shagun's been asking for assistance quite a bit today. I want you to be cautious around her. We're not sure what her true intentions are yet."

Ishita frowned. "You think there's something off about her?"

Mihir nodded. "Possibly. Just be aware of her. I'll keep you posted if I learn more."

Ishita's concern was evident, but she nodded in agreement. "Thanks for letting me know. I'll be careful."

Mihir and Ishita returned to their respective duties, while Shagun remained at her desk, her demeanor calm but calculating. She knew she had to tread carefully, especially around Ishita. Building a seemingly friendly relationship with her would be crucial for her plans.

Later in the day, Raman was deep in thought in his office, reviewing some documents. His door was slightly ajar when Shagun knocked and entered.

"Raman, could you help me with this report?" Shagun asked, holding up a document.

Raman looked up, his face showing a mix of irritation and resignation. "Shagun, I'm in the middle of something. This isn't urgent, is it?"

Shagun's smile was steady. "I just want to make sure everything's correct. It's important for the project's progress."

Raman sighed and gestured for her to come in. "Alright, let's see it."

As Shagun leaned over his desk, Raman tried to focus on the report, but the interruptions were becoming increasingly frequent. Every time he thought he was done, Shagun would find another question or issue to bring up.