Her heart thudded hard.
You are here to work.
She signed in, received a badge, and was handed a bright yellow safety helmet.
“Madam, wear this at all times. And the vest.”
She did as instructed and followed the marked path toward the briefing zone.
That’s where she saw Tina Mehta.
Dressed in a crisp blazer that seemed completely unsuited for the heat, her hair in a sleek knot, Tina stood with a clipboard in hand. An assistant stood beside her, looking nervous.
Tina was pointing at a worker who looked like he wanted to disappear.
“Why is this area not cleaned?” Tina snapped. “If the chief minister is sending a team, the least you can do is keep the place presentable.”
The worker opened his mouth, then shut it again. He nodded and hurried away.
Tina turned, scanning the area, and her gaze landed on Yamini.
“Who are you?” Tina demanded.
“I’m the photographer,” Yamini said.
Tina’s eyes narrowed. “The international award-winning photographer?”
Yamini nodded.
Tina looked her up and down as though deciding whether Yamini was worth speaking to. “You don’t look too experienced.” She seemed unimpressed.
“I was hired for PR coverage,” Yamini said.
Tina’s lips curled. “Whatever, listen carefully. You will not photograph anything I don’t approve.”
Yamini held her expression steady. “I’ll follow the PR brief. If you have specific requirements, I can include them.”
Tina’s eyes narrowed, as if annoyed that Yamini dared to reply instead of simply agreeing.
“I don’t ‘have specific requirements,’” Tina said, voice dripping with superiority. “Idecidewhat goes out. I’m leading the environmental compliance report.”
“Understood,” Yamini replied. “I’ll coordinate with the PR lead as well, so we’re aligned.”
A pause followed, brief but charged.
Tina’s jaw tightened. “Do that.”
Then Tina turned away sharply, barking at her assistant. “Get me the latest emission charts. And tell the operations manager I want a walkthrough of the effluent treatment plant first.”
Yamini did not react.
She’d seen people like Tina before. Wanting to throw their weight around and expecting to be obeyed.
But Yamini had seen real authority, and Tina, for all her confidence, did not belong in that category.
She lifted her camera and began working.
The morning passed steadily.
