Maneet FF: You are always on my mind. AN on P 150 - Page 54

Geeta and Radha left for the Khurana house at 2pm, they inquired from the taxi driver how long it would take to get to the address they had given him and from what they heard it was looking good. Their destination was only 20 minutes away. They talked about what they would find when they got to the house as Dadaji had spoken very highly about Savitri Dadi. However, what they saw when they were reached the house, they weren't prepared for. Through the gates they saw a huge mansion within a high fenced compound. They walked over to the guard and informed them that they were here to see Savitriji, the guard called the main house and informed the butler about the guests and soon Geeta and Radha were let into the compound.

The walked to the house through the beautiful gardens and Geeta turned to Radha and teasingly said, "Wow, Radha your relatives are so rich."

Radha, "They are really distant relatives, don't worry I have no claim to all this fortune. I am not getting mega rich anytime soon, so you can stop" She laughed

Both girls were still laughing as they reached the main door; they were invited in by the butler and asked to sit in the living room. He asked them if they wanted anything to drink and both girls asked for some water. Just then they heard a male voice.

"Mohan, don't get the girls water, get them some juice, Delhi heat can easily dehydrate anyone, and they need to replenish their electrolytes."

Mohan, "Ji, Vicky bhaiya."

The girls turned to look at the person whom the voice belonged to and saw a gentleman in his late 30s making is way towards them. He looked familiar Geeta thought, he reminded her of someone but whom. She quickly got out of her thoughts and focused on the man walking towards them.

As he approached them, he extended his hand and as he shook their hands he introduced himself. "Hi, I am Vikram Khurana, sorry to disappoint you both but Dadi had to leave suddenly to go see a sick friend so you have the misfortune of meeting with me," he laughed, "she also asked me say that she was sorry that she missed you and that she hopes that you will come back to visit her."

Radha, "Hi, I am Radha, and I guess you are my cousin. "

Vikram, "Yes, I am. How is Preet?"

Radha, "She is well, enjoying having me out of the house."

Vicky than turned to Geeta, and waited for her to introduce herself.

Geeta, "Hi, I am Geeta and I am Radha's friend, "she smiled.

Vicky realized that they were all still standing and gestured to the sofa for the girls to sit down as he sat down on the chair next to the sofa. Mohan brought the drink and left.

Vicky, "So Dadi told me you girls are here to study architecture through a study abroad program."

Radha, "Yes, we had the option to study in various places but we thought that India would be the best option for us, since our parents are from here, but we never visited. This way we could study as well as visit India."

Vicky, "That actually sounds like a very logical way of tricking your parents, going on a trip while using study as an excuse, good idea."

Geeta, "No, no, it's nothing like that, my mom never falls for any of my tricks, I don't think I can lie to her without her catching me."

Vicky, "What about your dad, he too is as sensible as your mom?"

Geeta, "I don't know. I have never known my dad; my mom raised me as a single parent."

Vicky, "Oh! I am sorry, didn't know. "

Geeta, "No problem, my mom did a really good job; she never let me feel that I didn't have a dad."

Vicky, "So Dadi told me that you girls were looking for an internship. Why do you both think you would make ideal candidates for an internship?"

Radha, "Because we are dedicated and we are not afraid to do any job, no matter how small. We just want to learn."

Geeta, "We brought our school transcripts and our CVs, there isn't much on the CVs but we were hoping if nothing else, at least you can take a look at them."

Radha, "Yeah! Look at our stuff and then you can decide; we won't be disappointed if you decide that we are not fit for the internship, we just wanted an opportunity."

Vicky took the folders from the girls and was impressed that they both were really good students, their grades reflected their commitment as it was no easy feat getting really good grades at Harvard. As he looked at the transcripts he noticed that Geeta's last name was Khurana. He was a little curious. Not many people had this last name. He decided to ask, maybe he knew her mother. After all it seemed all Khurana's were somehow related to each other.

Vicky, "Geeta you are a Khurana. Know many Khuranas?"

Geeta, "Yeah! I am a Khurana." She said it with much pride, "but I don't know many Khurana's actually before today I have only met two other people who are Khuranas. My mom and a business associate of hers."

Vicky, "I thought I would ask, after all the world is so small, I thought maybe I would have known your mom."

Geeta, "I don't think so, we have lived in America for 19 years and my mom really hasn't told me about any relatives here in India."

Vicky, "No harm in trying right, well that brings us back to the internship. Girls I have to commend you for preparing for this meeting, when Dadi told me to meet with you, I wasn't sure, but after seeing your dedication, I think maybe I can give you a chance."

The girls were really pleased to hear that and in unison said, "Thank you, so much"

Vicky, "Not so fast, I can only recommend you both for two of the five architectural internship positions we have at the company but in the end, the decision is in the hands of the head architect. "

Radha, "That is not a problem; we will not give you a chance to regret recommending us. What do we need to do next?"

Vicky, "You are just like your mother, patience is not a virtue, it is. Tomorrow get to the office at 10am; tell the receptionist that I have sent the two of you to be interviewed by Sasha. I will hold on to these folders and will pass them onto her. "

Geeta, "Any advice would be appreciated."

Vicky, "Sasha is really good at her job, she has been working at the company for 24 years so when you give your answers make sure you think twice before you speak."

Radha, "Thank you for everything."

Vicky, "No problem." Looking at his watch, "Well girls I need to get back to the office, wish you both luck for tomorrow. See you both sometime soon in the future, hopefully fetching coffee for me."

The next day, the girls woke up super early, the excitement had gotten to them, and neither one of them could sleep past 6am. Each of them was surprised to see the other in the kitchen.

Radha, "What are you doing here, why are you awake?"

Geeta, "I was about to ask you the same question, I can't sleep, I am too anxious or excited, I don't know which."

Radha, "Me too, I am really nervous, I don't know why."

Geeta, "Let's eat something maybe that will make us feel better."

Radha, "Good Idea, what do you want to eat, Chef Radha at your service."

Geeta, "Be careful, you may not be able to deliver."

Radha, "Try me!"

Geeta, "How about some Pancakes?"

Radha "Let me check the pantry to see if all the ingredients are there." She turns around and checks the cupboards, "Yup I have the stuff, and it will take 20 minutes. In the meantime why don't you brew some coffee and set the table."

Geeta, "Ooo! This is exciting, Radha cooking for me."

20 minutes later the girls were at the table enjoying the pancakes and deciding what to wear for the interview. Both girls decided that it would be unwise to wear dress pants in the Delhi heat, so they opted for skirts with stylish yet professional looking tops.

There was still more time for them to waste, they watched the morning show on TV while Radha did some research on Sasha Saxena- the head architect at Khurana Constructions, he passed along all the information to Geeta as she gathered it. Sasha seemed to be very dedicated to the company and had designed some impressive buildings. She had been with the company for 25 years. She came across as a very tough person to please but not going into the interview blind, gave the girls some much needed confidence.

As she sat in her office drinking her morning coffee, she looked at the meeting planned for today, the calendar didn't seem to be overly busy, she was glad since there were a lot of things running through her mind. There were three projects that were to start within a matter of days and she needed to talk to Maan about taking on the project to build an orphanage in Noida. It seemed like a good pro-bono project to handle for the year. Every year for the last 19 years Khurana constructions would provide services to one worthwhile cause free of charge and this year they were looking into building an orphanage for an NGO. She looked at her watch and it was almost 9:30 am, she was scheduled to meet Maan, she got up and made her way towards his office. After knocking twice on his door, she walked in.

Sasha, "Good Morning, Maan."

Maan, "Good Morning, Sasha. Did you decide whether we should take on the project to build the orphanage or did you have another project in mind that could use our help?"

Sasha, "I think the orphanage is the best cause. The need the building desperately, we will be helping a lot of children who need it. I am still working on the design, will let you know as soon as I am completely sure about what I want to achieve with the project."

Maan "Sounds good, also I was thinking about increasing the budget for that project, you can talk to Adi and see what he thinks."

Sasha, "Sounds good, the more money the better things we can do."

Maan, "Great, then that is settled. "

Sasha turns around to leave, when Maan asks her to wait.

Sasha, "Yes."

Maan, "Vicky gave me these folders to pass on to you; he said that Dadi wants you see if these two candidates are qualified to get an internship in your department. Also that they are coming today to interview with you at 10 am"

Sasha, "Do you know who they are?" she asked, since Dadi had never made such a request before.

Maan, "No not really, some distant relative I think and her friend. Just look at the folders, if you don't think they should get the internship don't give it to them."

Sasha took the folders from Maan and left. Then she remembered that Maan mentioned they were coming at 10 am. Why hadn't she known about this interview? She went to her assistant and asked about the interview. The assistant informed her that Vikram Sir had called and made the appointment. Sasha although furious decided to interview the girls and finish the whole stupid charade. One had to work hard to be an intern at Khurana Construction, just because you were a relative didn't mean you would get an internship. She told her assistant to let the girls into her office when they arrived.

She put the folders down deciding she would look at them while she interviewed the girls. Five minutes later they were standing in her office.

She looked up and for a second her brain stopped functioning. She got up put of her chair and started to walk towards them. Radha taking this as a sign decided to introduce herself. Pulling Sasha out of her daze.

Radha, "Good Moring Mrs Saxena. I am Radha Ackermann."

Sasha shook her hand and then went and stood in front of the other girl, she waited in anticipation to hear the girl speak as she did not want to say anything to jinx the moment.

Geeta, "Good Morning, Ma'am. I am Geeta Khurana."

Sasha shook Geeta's hand and said, "Welcome girls to your interview. I haven't had a chance to look at your folders but I am sure you won't mind me going through them as I interview you."

Sasha, "So both of you are students at Harvard, what made you chose India to do your study abroad?"

Geeta, "In the future I hope to build in urban environments and for me there was no better place than India to study urban planning since everything built needs to be built keeping the large population in mind."

Radha, "Every country has its own traditions and ways of accomplishing certain goals, the same goes for designing buildings, the architecture from the west has already been studied and repeated time and again, India to me is an unknown architectural gem, just waiting to be discovered."

Sasha asked a few more questions and was impressed by the answers. She decided to give them the internships after she looked at their grades and the dedication they portrayed.

After thanking her for giving them the opportunity and promising that she wouldn't regret her decision the girls left.

Sasha smiled at herself; she would have probably given the internships to them even if they weren't smart, just to get to know Geeta. Sasha couldn't believe how much like Geet her daughter looked, 19 years ago, her mother worked here and now Geeta too would be working here. She thought to herself, 'Identical I say''

Spoiler

Nothing was going to stop her....

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