I WAS ALWAYS YOURS

FOUR

I am currently sitting in a spacious corridor in an office, which is designed to accommodate a significant number of staff and visitors. The area is thoughtfully arranged with comfortable couches, where both men and women are seated, reflecting a harmonious and professional atmosphere. The corridor is bustling with activity, highlighting how dynamic and cooperative the work environment is. 

As I survey the room, I can't help but notice that I appear to be the youngest candidate present. This observation, combined with the fact that this is my third interview for the position, is making me anxious about my chances of securing the job. Despite the impressive and experienced professionals around me, I remain hopeful and determined to present my best self.

In my previous two interviews, I had the opportunity to engage with the receptionist, who deemed me eligible based on my results, and subsequently with the manager. Today, if all goes well, I will have the chance to meet with the CEO. With a bit of luck, this meeting could be the final step towards securing the position. 

I have been pursuing this position for the past three months, and the extended duration of the process has left me feeling somewhat disheartened. Despite my continued efforts and enthusiasm, the lengthy timeline has been challenging.

Having completed my finals, I am currently enjoying a three-month break before starting college. During this period, my mother believed that securing a job would provide me with valuable stability and experience. Although my parents are successful entrepreneurs with significant holdings, including two patent companies in the United Kingdom and numerous branches throughout India.

According to my mother, women ought to be independent rather than dependent on their families. So here I am, using the time frame before college to explore and prove her point and establish my own route.

I didn't want to take on entry-level positions at places like KFC or McDonald's because I'm looking for roles that offer more responsibility with my long-term career goals. That's why I decided to submit my CV directly to higher-level executives in several companies. 

But, I only received a callback from this office. It's understandable—who would hire a 20-year-old for a position in their highly prestigious company? I just turned 20 last week, so I guess it makes sense why I'm finding it challenging to break into those higher-level roles right away.

A young woman, dressed in high heels and a form-fitting outfit, called out, "Ms. Murthy?" I raised my hand in response, mirroring the actions of the other candidates present. She informed me, "It's your turn, so please proceed inside before our boss becomes impatient." With that, she turned on her heels and returned to her desk.

I took a deep breath, then rose from the couch and made my way down the corridor. I approached the large silver doors on the left-hand side and knocked gently. A voice from behind the door called out, "Come in."

I wished myself luck before gently pushing open the door with one hand and stepping inside. After closing the door behind me, I turned to face the CEO and offered a polite greeting.

"Good morning, Sir," I said, holding my file, which contained my CV and certificates. I took a deep breath, gathered my composure, and looked up in the direction of the CEO's desk. To my astonishment, I realized that Mr. Malhotra —Manik—Nav's father—sitting right there before me. My eyes widened in disbelief as the familiar face I knew appeared at such an unexpected place.

"Good morning to you too, Ms. Murthy," he responded with a smile, which soon turned into a gentle chuckle as he observed my astonished and bewildered expression.

"Is it really you?" I ask in nervousness. I immediately felt foolish for asking such a question. Great, there goes my chance at this job. I'd heard from Nav that her dad is pretty strict about work.