C7 Chapter 6

Shivansh's POV

Atul left this world and it has been more than a week since the most sorrowful event of our lives occurred. Mom went into a state of depression hardly speaking to anyone and was starving herself to death. If this continues for long, I fear that I may lose my mom along with my brother. I consulted a few psychiatrists about her and now she is on a medication. Dad asked me to stay in their house for the time being, till she recovers and we are doing our best to get her out of the cataclysmic situation.

I made it a point, after I come home from office to spend some time with mom in discussing about her day. It is not that she speaks much but thankful to the heavens and above she still gives me an answer in monosyllables. With the passing time according to the assessment of her physician I am happy to note she is steadily improving on her health.

Dad now frequently takes her out, sometimes to a park, temples and even to watch movies which my parents hadn't done since more than a decade. Yesterday I saw her smiling to dad for one of the stupid jokes he specially created for her. It was a huge sign of improvement and I am glad I could share the glee.

The work in the office continued to be a challenge especially pertaining to the loggerheads of accounts department. Tomorrow is the final interview I am going to take. Mr Balram had been of great help during this challenging period. I very much bank on him for being the trusted employee of our company since more than a decade. He already shortlisted two candidates from his yesterday meeting and I hope I will now breathe a sigh of relief.

****

I tried to find out from the hospital the details of the family that was unfortunately a part of my brother's accident but couldn't get to a fruitful result. The family wasn't willing to share any of their information with us. Through the sources, I came to know that the car which is now reduced to a trash belonged to a middle aged couple. The woman died on the spot and was declared ‘brought dead’ to the hospital. Her spouse suffers serious injuries and is now in coma. The medical team handling the case ascertains the survival chances for him are very bleak.

Guilt once again consumes me as I am indirectly responsible for the family's downfall. The victims survive with a daughter and son. I was most willing to help them but was informed the daughter, older among the two siblings doesn't want any financial help from a stranger. Seems like a tough nut to crack. I wonder what the reason could be?

My life went topsy-turvy within a split of a second. Heavy work in the office, followed by complications in the house makes my head go heavy. My body craves for an immediate release but staying in my dad’s house that was not possible. I couldn't grab a drink nor bring a girl to offload my stress. Dipping my head down over the sink in the washroom I sprinkle water on my tired face and looked at the mirror placed in front me. The person staring was a man much older than my age with eyes red, tired countenance and marked with worried lines on his forehead.

A couple of minutes later there was a knock at the door. She was my receptionist informing me that the short listed candidates from yesterday's interview were waiting for my appointment in the waiting area. I asked her to send the interviewees inside and within few seconds there was a tap at my door. “Good morning sir I am..”

After half an hour of blowing my head with both the applicants, the result was - I wouldn't select either of them. Boiled to the core with the useless drill, I badly required an exit. I told my receptionist I would return shortly and entered the smoking zone. After smoking two cigarettes my mind was finally able to take a break.

I was on my way to return to my office when I found Rita arguing with a young girl. "What's the matter and how does this young lady enter my office without permission?" My voice went commanding to my receptionist. "Sir, this lady is here for the interview of the accountant. I was trying to explain her, the interviews have finished but she wouldn't listen to me." She tells me in a tinge of disappointment but balances her tone swiftly in a professional voice. "Sir, I will find out how she was directed here without giving her initial interview to Mr Balram?"

"Call the front desk and inform the staff they should be in my office within next ten minutes." I shoot my words and looked at the young girl standing besides. Instantly there was something insides which ignited my soul. Before I could speak anything the young girl talks in an apologetic tone. "Sir, your front desk staff was perfect in doing their duty. Actually it is my fault. I tricked them taking the base of a lie. I told them that I was a friend of your deceased brother and would wish to speak to you something important regarding him. That was why they sent me here."

I assess the girl carefully. She appears from a decent family. Why would she indulge to such a huge lie? "Don't you know because of your ignorant mistake many people would have lost their jobs here? My family and the enterprise are mourning the loss of my brother and you try to take an advantage of it to enter this place. Shouldn't you feel sorry for what you have done?" I articulate a hint of my fake annoyance and before I would speak further I notice the girl's eyes trickle tears. She covers them in her dark tresses trying to make them unnoticed and sucks in her breathe attempting to face me bold. "Sir, I apologize for what I had done. I know I am late for the interview but getting this job is very important to me, to support my family."

I could see the genuineness behind the young lady's words and my instincts told me, I was supposed to help her. "Get inside my cabin." I tell her in power and walk to my room.

Long black hair, dark grey eyes beautiful and charming - these are the first words that strike me gazing at her. She has been here for more than ten minutes from now, but this is the first time in my career that no words were falling out of my lips. Stumped

Guarding my reverie I come out of my smitten self. "Take a seat." I tell her in ascendance stretching my hand to take the file out of her hands. "What are your qualifications?" I evaluate her file before she could speak and accentuate. "You are only eighteen and not even a graduate, how could you think you would fit into this post? You are not qualified even for an interview in this company, leave about getting the job.

The minimum qualifications required for applying the post of accountant here is, a post graduation in commerce and accounting along with a minimum of ten years experience." I lean back on my leather chair crossing my fingers and guard her emotions.

She bites her lip looking at her file on my desk and there was thump in my heart. I arrest the stupid feeling and tell her softly like I was speaking to a kid. "Study well, you have got good grades. If you want any financial help here is my number you can call me...." She wouldn't let me complete. "Sir, I am not a charity case. I am here to seek employment.” She tells me assertive. I gaze at her absolutely bemused. I have never seen a girl of her age so poised and self possessed. Feisty and brave another two admirable qualities of her that I record in this short span of time.

She gulps inaudible meeting my eyes trying to show some confidence and mutters. "Sir, please don't judge me by my age and the qualifications I am yet to acquire. As you have noted I have got good grades in my previous classes. You can ask me any number of questions and I am confident, I will be able to answer them well." I raise my brows looking amused about the positive spirit and the confidence the little girl upholds to talk to me, the CEO of Chaturvedi group of Industries. I was clearly inspired by her and decided to not let her spirits die though there was no way, she would be absorbed in my firm.

A little smile plays on my lips and I tell her slipping a file on the table. "I wouldn't be putting any questions to you but considering your positive attitude I wish to give you a chance. This is the monthly statement of one of the branches of our company. The entries here aren't posted in the right manner. You will readjust them, make ledger accounts and prepare the balance sheet. I give you one hour of time. If your entries are accurate, this job will be yours." I tell her tenderly keeping aside all my professionalism and power. "See yourself in the visitor hall outside. Rita will help you with all the necessary stationary required for your work."

There was no use arguing with a kid and I am not a monster to hurt an innocent child.

A few hours later

Mr Balram knocks my door with a huge smile on his face holding a couple of papers in his hands. I ask him to take a seat and lean back on my leather chair giving him my undivided attention. His eyes were directed to the papers in his hands with an unflagging admiration. "Sir, this girl seems to be a genius in her subject. She has the talent which none of our expected candidates had." He tells me in a blithe. "I hope she is absorbed in our concern." I took the file from his hands and studied the papers. A smile tugs my features. My vision about the tot wasn't wrong. The only thing is I hadn't perceived, she would be employed in my company so soon.