Part 6
Credit: Neha
Priya toyed with her phone still debating with herself. Her mind refused to believe that she had actually agreed to talk to Ram. She still could not figure out what was it that had got her dad all impressed. He spoke as if Ram was the solution to everything. Priya let out a deep breath and calmed herself...its just a phone call..just a small communication between them..who knows he really might help. Priya flipped the pages of the telephone diary and stared at the digits that could connect her to Ram. Finally she dialed his number..An uneasy 2 minutes passed before the call was picked up..
Ram: Hello
Priya could not help but like the voice..it was smooth yet had a rough edge to it.
Ram: Helooo...Ram's voice boomed again to startle Priya..
Priya: Hii...umnn actually..i mean I am Priya..
Ram immediately recognized her but decided to play along..
Ram: Priya? Who?
Priya: Sudhir Sharma's daughter...
Ram: Ohh..Priya..Hii.Sorry i could not place you..
Priya rolled her eyes..
Priya: Its Ok..just wanted to discuss a few things if you have the time..
Ram: Sure ..go ahead..
Priya: I am looking for a Job, here in India and i have a few options in hand. Just that i have been away from the country and do not know much about these companies..
Ram: So basically you want a company review from me?
Priya: Nope..i have already studied the companies and even made an excel sheet on that..Priya's voice reflected a sense of pride as she said that..
Ram: So you want me to convert your Excel into a pie diagram or something? Ram knew he was really pushing it here but he could not help himself..
Priya: Puhlease..i need no such thing..Its just that i am a little confused on which offer should i take up..
Ram: Alright..let me know what offers you have got..
Priya: One is a Travel company..specializing in treks..ITrek and the other is a banking company..Revons..Back in USA the job that i was offered was related to finance only so i am more inclined towards Revons..
Ram: There you go..you have your answer right in front of you..Revons is a good company..
Priya: Ya but..I trek looks kind of interesting..i mean its a completely different profile.
Ram: What are you looking for in your job? If you want a routine desk job with the mundane work then Revons is your thing..
Priya: What about I trek?
Ram: I trek is a relatively new company..but doing good for itself. Serves a kind of niche market. Are you a heart person or a mind person?
Priya: What kind of question is that?
Ram: Well if you are a heart person..you would enjoy I trek as its more of a personal touch. If you do what your mind says than Revons will be great for you. Heart will help you develop a relationship...mind will only allow a formal partnership..
Priya: I think Revons is a safe bet..well thanks for taking time out for me..
Ram: Always my pleasure...Priya...there was a slight hesitation in his tone..
Priya: Yaa
Ram: Nothing ..all the best for your job..
Priya: Thanks..
Ram disconnected the call and found Apu staring at him.
Apu: What was that all about?
Ram: Just of my skills..i am a consultant too..i give excellent advice...
Apu: Yeah..i just heard..
Ram: Impressive right?
Apu: What?
Ram: My consultancy skills dumbo..
Apu: Well..that will only be know at the right time..isnt it...
Apu gave Ram a wide grin..Ram smiled back.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Priya shut the door of her room and switched her laptop. She had always hated that Jay woke up so early in the morning but right now it seemed like a blessing..
She quickly put on her headphones and logged on to Skype.. It had been 2 days since she had last spoken to Jay and she was eagerly waiting for him..As soon as she saw him online she called him..
Within a few minutes the video came alive and there was Jay sitting across her waving out to her.
Jay: Hey..how are you?
Priya: I am fine hows you?
Jay: Just woke up..so whats up with you? Have you gained weight? Please don't tell me you have started hogging since i am not around...
Priya: Gosh Jay...can you hold your diet speech for later..We are talking to each other after almost 2 days..
Jay: I am sorry honey..so how are things?
Priya: things are ok..i might get a job here..but i miss our life back there..
Jay: I miss you too..What is the kind of Job that you are taking up?
Priya: Well one is a financial institute and one is a travel company specializing in Treks..i have to make up my mind on which one to take..
Jay: Obviously the financial one..what would you do in a trekking company..you don't even wake up early in the mornings..Jay chuckled as he said that..
Priya's mind immediately went back to the conversation she and Ram had..he had been so understanding in terms of helping to make her decide and Jay had just said what she should do..not asked as what was her dilemma..
Jay: Ahmeds' wedding is next month end..you know i might come to India..
Priya's eyes perked up at that..
Priya: Are you serious ? Will you really come?
Jay: Thinking of it...
Priya: Will you meet my parents?
jay: I thought it Ahmed's wedding..why would your parents come there?
Priya: No you silly..i mean do you think if i tell mom-dad about us, you will come to meet them?
Jay: I don't know
Priya: What answer is that?
Jay: Priya..we are not in that sort of relationship yet where the parents should be involved.
Priya: Jay..i already told you what my parents think about me. They want me to settle down and
Jay: Priya..can we discuss this later..the guys are calling me for basketball..Catch up with you later babes..Bye
Before Priya could react Jay had already logged out. Priya removed her headphones and stared at the screen of her laptop..
Somebody's home and not met me yet? Priya turned to find Suhani at her door...
Priya immediately got up and flung her arms around Suhani..After some time both sat down to talk..
Suhani: So how does it feel to be back home?
Priya: Feels great..so much has changed..
Suhani: When are you doing the Hiroshima nagasaki on Uncle and aunty?
Priya: Hiroshima?
Suhani: Dropping the J Bomb?
Priya: I have to be sure of the J Bomb first..
Suhani: Means..you are not sure of him or you are not sure of him?
Priya: Whats the difference?
Suhani: You are not sure that you want to be married to him or you are not sure that he would be ready?
Priya: I don't know Suhani...just about one month back life was all set and now suddenly..its taken a complete U turn..Right now when i asked him if he would meet Mom - Dad he was like why? do i have to meet types...
Suhani: Well to give him the benefit of doubt..the basic culture difference speaks for itself..
Priya: I so wish i was back there..
Suhani: Well what has happened has happened..for now i need to know when can we party?
Priya: Party? Why?
Suhani: Whats wrong with you? You are back? That is reason enough for a party...we are going out today evening. Get ready quickly...
Priya: Not today..can we do it tomorrow..Even Krutika is not there today..
Suhani: Sure..suits me..I ll catch up with Uncle and Aunty..see you around...
Priya picked up her cell phone as it beeped announcing the arrival of a new message..It was from I Trek asking her to come tomorrow for the final interview..
Priya immediately sent her approval..there was no harm in checking out the company.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Priya checked herself out in the mirror. The formal attire suited her completely. Although she loved to keep her hair open right now it was tied in a bun. Subtleness is the key..she remembered her professor's words..Priya walked into the hall where Sudhir was waiting for her. He was driving her to the company, inspite of her protests. Finally she had agreed on the condition that she will return all by herself.
Sudhir: Lets go beta..it will take us nearly 20 mins in this traffic.
Priya: Yeah Papa..just one minute. Priya furiously typed the message on her cell phone. She hadn't been able to speak to Jay after their last conversation..She informed him about her interview..
Sudhir: Who are you messaging so early in the day?
Priya: My friends back in USA
Shipra: Priya..don't be nervous haan..do well..you will get the job. I have prayed to God.
Priya: Mom...please relax..its just an interview..
Shipra: So what?
Priya: Whatever..i ll go to Suhani's house after that so please don't worry..
In the car Sudhir was smiling and in a good mood.
Priya: Whats the matter Papa?
Sudhir: I am just happy for you ..this will be a good opportunity..
Priya: Opportunity?
Sudhir: Yaa.. its a good company
Priya raised one eyebrow at him..
sudhir: I did my research..what you think only your Mom can use the laptop?
Priya: No, i did not mean that..just that you are more excited than me for this job.
Sudhir just smiled at her if only she knew what his excitement was all about.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Priya waited at the reception to meet the HR head. So far she had been impressed by what she had seen. It seemed a busy place and there was lots of hustling bustling around. The reception had a huge India Map with all the states outlined in an interesting fashion.
Ms Sharma?
Priya turned to the door from where the sound came.
Can you come in please..
Priya stood up and disappeared inside the door. She found herself sitting across beautiful woman. The woman was going through her CV.
Hi, my name is Sunita and i head the HR division.
Priya extended her hand.
Sunita: Basically Priya..we are very impressed with your CV and this is not actually an interview, i am infact offering you the position. Sunita slid forward the offer letter towards Priya.
Priya read the letter, the terms and conditions were as per routine norms. They had all saturdays and sundays off and worked 5 days a week.
Priya: When can i let you know?
Sunita: I was rather hoping that you say when can i start?
Priya: Well to be honest i have another job offer that i am considering..and to be fair i need to have a look at that as well.
Sunita: I appreciate your honesty Priya, in fact i would also like to be honest and tell you upfront that we are really looking to get some one for this position. You were our first choice and i know its a bit daunting but if you can advise your decision right away it would help a lot.
For some strange reasons Priya remembered Ram's conversation of being a Heart or a Mind person..
Priya: If you can show me around i can start work right away...
Priya watched as Sunita's face went from disappointment to surprise to finally happy all a matter of a few seconds..
Sunita: Sure..just come with me..ill introduce you to the team.
Priya followed Sunita through a maze of workstations to finally reach the concerned department.
Sunita: I would formally introduce you to all the staff insome time but foremost your key team members.
Apurva and Vidyut stood up as Sunita and Priya approached them.
Sunita: This is Apurva, product development manager, this is Vidyut, Contracting and Ground services..and guys this is our marketing head, Priya Sharma..
Apurva: Hii..great to have you on board..
Priya : Thanks
Vidyut immediately joined his hands together in a Namaste...Priya returned his gesture..
Vidyut: Welcome Bhabhiji
Priya was taken aback and she looked at Vidyut perplexed..Before she could ask Priya heard Sunita take her name..she turned back and just froze.
Sunita: And Priya..i would like to introduce you to one of our brightest talents ...Mr. Ram Kapoor...you two will be working very closely..
Ram sheepishly extended his hand towards Priya...
Ram: Welcome aboard Priya
Priya: You work here?
Ram: As of this very moment yes...
Sunita: You guys know each other ?
Ram: We are family friends..
Sunita: Ohh..great..well then ..all the best ..i am sure you will rock..
Rock my foot..thought Priya as she settled into the chair..Why the hell did he not tell her he worked for this company..no wonder her father was so excited about it..Things were messing up one by one..Working with Ram meant that her dad would be after her life to think about the marriage proposal..She desperately needed to speak to Jay. As she fished out her cell phone and typed the message to Jaiyshe saw Vidyut looking at her with awe...Priya hit the send button and sat motionless..praying that this all would be a dream and she would wake up back in her cozy little bed in America.
To be Continued.
Vanshaj
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
