‘Blaming others doesn’t help,’ she said, her tone light but laced with judgement. ‘We’re all responsible for our own success.’
I should have kept my mouth shut. I should have apologised and left. But today, I didn’t have it in me. ‘With all due respect, Mrs Advani, I just lost a job today because it was given to your family friend. The interview was just a formality. So forgive me if I’m not feeling responsible for my success right now.’
She studied me for a moment. Her gaze changed in a way I couldn’t quite place. ‘What’s your name?’
‘Ananya Tripathi.’
‘I’ll have a look into it.’
Hope rose, sudden and bright. ‘Really? Thank you.’
‘This is not the reputation I want my company to have, so if what you say is true, I will set it right.’ She paused, considering. ‘But I need to verify a few things first. Meet me near Americano in an hour.
I should have answers for you by then.’
Is this really happening?‘Okay.’
Rekha left with a nod.
I cleaned up my face, fixing my smudged kajal as best I could. In the mirror, I looked like someone who’d just cried in a bathroom – which, fair enough, I had. But there was something else now, too. Hope.
I exited the HoA office and wandered the streets of Kala Ghoda, too restless to sit anywhere. An hour. She’d said an hour. What could she verify in an hour? Maybe she was looking at my application. Talking to Lavisha. Or even speaking to Suraina ma’am about giving me my position back.
Possibilities swarmed in my head as I checked my phone every five minutes, willing time to move faster.
When I reached Americano, I spotted a sleek black BMW waiting outside. The back window rolled down, revealing Rekha in oversized sunglasses. ‘Get in. Let’s go for a drive.’
I slipped into the back seat. The car smelled of perfume and leather, and the air conditioning was a welcome reprieve from the outside heat.
Rekha removed her sunglasses as the driver pulled into traffic, her expression sympathetic. ‘I looked into what happened,’ she said. ‘The job was indeed given to a friend.’
I knew this, but hearing the confirmation somehow made it worse.
‘I know I promised to fix it, but unfortunately, my son was the one who gave that job to a friend of his. Her name is Krisha. If I meddle in his office affairs, especially after his recent promotion to COO, he will not take it well.’ She pursed her lips. ‘He will look at it as if I don’t trust him.’
I waited, sensing there was more.
‘But—’There it is.‘Even though Suraina is fantastic to work with, she doesn’t accept excuses and has no patience for incompetence. While Krisha is sweet, she isn’t the most qualified or experienced person for the job. You see where I am going with this, don’t you?’
I nodded.
‘So the moment Suraina needs a new assistant, you will be the first person we interview for the job.’
Considering everything, it was the best offer I could get. But there was a chance that this Krisha girl was good at her job or was a fast learner. Anyone in her position would give it their all. It may be a few years before Suraina ma’am needs a new assistant. There was no way they would even remember who I was at that point.
Something is better than nothing, Ananya. ‘Sounds good.’
‘You don’t look very happy, and I understand that.
I have another proposal for you.’ She paused, weighing her words carefully. ‘My son needs an assistant. It’s a temporary job, only for eight months. But it’s a job. One that I can get you today.’
I chewed on my bottom lip. The image of the girl I’d met in the common area popped into my head. Taking this job would be doing to her exactly what was done to me.
‘It is a very generous offer, thank you.’ My eyes slid shut. I couldn’t believe I was saying this. ‘But I’m sorry, I’ll have to decline.’ This was an opportunity my conscience wouldn’t let me accept.
Rekha blinked, her composure giving way to surprise. She didn’t seem like a woman who often heard ‘no’.
‘It’s no different from doing to someone else what was done to me,’ I added.
