Manik: "Life doesn't come with choices; it comes with responsibilities. You live it on your terms or get buried under someone else's."
Nandini: "Love is a word people use too lightly, a hollow promise made to be broken. I've never believed in it, an...
Sometimes, the biggest victories aren't the ones everyone sees-they're the quiet ones, the personal ones, when you realize just how far you've come.
Nandini stepped into the expansive conference room, her heels clicking softly on the polished floor. The room was filled with an air of formality, a fitting backdrop of sleek furniture, neutral tones, and walls lined with framed accolades and accolades-a reflection of the company's towering reputation. She took a moment to center herself before focusing on the three people seated at the long mahogany table, each wearing expressions that ranged from polite interest to professional scrutiny.
To her right sat a young woman with neatly styled hair, a sharp blazer, and a poised expression. On the left was a man in his late 40s, whose demeanor spoke of years of experience and authority. And at the center, sitting confidently with an aura of quiet power, was a man around her age. His eyes, sharp and focused, held a silent intensity as he observed her with a subtle, assessing look. Nandini's heartbeat quickened slightly, her mind racing to conclude that this must be the CEO-Manik Malhotra himself.
Clearing her throat softly, she asked, "May I come in?"
The young woman gave her a quick nod. "Yes, please, have a seat."
Nandini approached the table and seated herself, maintaining a calm yet professional demeanor as she faced them. She took a moment to steady her breathing, mentally bracing herself for the interview ahead.
The woman to her right began, her voice confident and formal. "Good morning, Ms. Murthy. Let me introduce ourselves. On your left is Mr. Sharma, the HR head of Malhotra Industries. I'm Tanya, Mr. Malhotra's current secretary, and in the middle..." She glanced briefly to her left. "Is our CEO, Mr. Manik Malhotra."
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Nandini felt her heart skip slightly as she registered the introduction. She had been right about him being the CEO, but hearing his name aloud added a layer of reality to the moment. She quickly gathered herself, looking at each person in turn and greeting them with a polite nod.
"Good morning, Mr. Malhotra, Mr. Sharma, Ms. Tanya," she said, her tone polite and calm. "Thank you for the opportunity to interview today."
Manik gave her a barely perceptible nod, his expression remaining neutral yet observant. Mr. Sharma leaned forward, flipping through a stack of papers that she recognized as her resume. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he scanned the document, and Nandini felt a slight surge of confidence, sensing that her qualifications had already left a positive impression.
"Ms. Murthy," Mr. Sharma began, his voice warm yet professional. "I must say, your resume is impressive. You've had quite an academic journey."
Nandini inclined her head with a modest smile. "Thank you, sir. I've worked hard to prepare myself for opportunities like this."
Mr. Sharma nodded, acknowledging her response before moving on. "Well, let's get to it. Tell us about a challenging project or responsibility you've handled in the past."
