The Nothing Gang

Interview for a Friend

"May I come in, ma'am?"

Preethi was more to be excited rather than be strict. Because that person was someone she already knew.

"Srija, is that you? Did mum send you in here?"

""I knew you'd ask this. Your mum sent a recommendation letter with me, too."

"No, I'm gonna call mum now!"

Tring, tring.

"Mum, mum! This is Preethi! You just can't send in a candidate here and don't you think........ sorry ma'am........ my fault, ma'am.......... I'll do as you say, umm, umm......*cut*"

"Awww, come on, okay you're appointed! The interview is over!"

Preethi carried a long face with her throughout the day. Meanwhile.......

"Aw, heck. This stupid car doesn't work only when I need to leave immediately! Anjana, can you drop me?"

"Sorry, dude. Got a date! Hehe."

"Uff, okay! I'm leaving the car here. And I'm taking the bus!"

Nightmare starts.

Preethi's office. Preethi was trying her best not to allow Srija to stay in her house. For the first time, she was praying.

"Hello, Preethi. Boss is calling you!"

"Boss, can I come in?"

"Oho, Preethi! So glad that you didn't take much time to select your assistant. That's why you're a genius. And by the way genius, it is Jan-you-ary! Yoohoo, I'm proud to have a genius in my company!"

"Thank you, madam! But a kid is enough to clarify this doubt! About the accommodation for my assistant......."

"Ah, yes I remembered! But all our officers' quarters are full. Sorry!"

"Aaaarrrrggggghhhh!"*mind voice*

Preethi took permission from her boss to leave early. She dragged Srija along.

"Secretary, you will now drop me at home. And yeah, you'll stay with me." A halfhearted one this was.

"Ohh, but I don't have a vehicle. Come! Let's go in the bus! Come! Come!"

"No, I wouldn't want to go in Germista Express! No!"

"What Germista nonsense? Just come, or else I'll tell mum!"

The duo climbed up on a bus and managed to find a seat.

Meanwhile, Priya too found a bus, but without free seats.

"Uff, it's okay! Let's manage."

The conductor came towards Preethi.

"Ticket, ticket!"

"Two tickets to T. Nagar, please! Do you accept GPay?"

"GPay? What is that?"

"Notes carry germs. I am ready to GPay. Please tell me fast!"

"GPay nonsense! Gimme cash fast! I have to give tickets to others too!"

"It's not fair. They accept online payments in ration shops too! Why not you all?"

"Hello, I have to time to listen to your political speech! Now, please give me the exact change!"

"No cash! Only GPay!"

"Madam, I am decent now! If you won't give me cash, I can very well throw you out!"

Srija confronted, "Okay sir, sorry! Here you go!"

"Srija sanitise your hands and then touch me!"

Preethi knew Srija and the bus conductor were going to replace test tubes and beakers in her nightmares.

Meanwhile, Priya successfully found a place to stand.

"Conductor! A ticket to T. Nagar!" She had the exact change by god's grace.

As she managed to stand, the bus suddenly stopped.

Worst day ever.

"Any idea when the bus will run again?"

"Madam, this bus has been in the road for 15 years. So, I think it has probably reached its end!" The conductor chuckled.

Srija began narrating her life stories to Preethi. Stories, according to Preethi, were written by those who technically had no work other than poison others' minds. So, she pretended to listen, something new for her.

"You see....." Srija began.

"Yes, I see the trees and bushes in your village!" Preethi replied.

"No, I was talking about accounting books!"

"Interesting!"

Priya was standing as the bus took off. A huge sigh of relief. She then smelled something. Her train of thought started chooing.

"Ugh, what's that? Is it from some man who worked in a construction site? Ohhh, what if it's from me? Ohh no, people won't come to me! Ohh no even worse, they'll think I'm a sportsperson. I use the best soaps and perfumes and this is what happens to me? Ugh! I'm gonna sue them!"

"What if it's from that man? What if, it's that fatso sitting in the window seat? Oh, how is that woman even sitting next to her? Okay, what if it's from this man behind me? Ohhh wait, I see someone I know! Is that Preethi? And who is that chatterbox beside her? Ohh, the odour is causing me to imagine stuff. Ewwww! I'm pretty sure it's not her. Ohh, I totally forgot, if my car is in the office, then how would Preethi have come home? Huh, she'd have hired a cab! Thank god! Wait a minute, did I inform her? Oh no, I totally forgot!"

The bus reached the destination. Priya got down and dialled Preethi's number. Just then, she saw someone familiar getting down.

"Preethi?"

Preethi too happened to see Priya.

"Priya, is that you? You were travelling with me all along?"

"Oh, Preethi, how did you even come in this horrid bus? It was a nightmare for me!"

"Ohh, her stories helped me! Wait a minute, your stories are helpful after all!"

"Okay, enough! Who's this useful chatterbox of yours?"

"She's my new secretary, Srija! And she's our new roommate too!"

Wow!