First of all thanks everyone for your valuable comments, and we did not expect this much response from you all. We are glad that you all liked our story. And keep commenting! Here is the Chapter-3.. Enjoy!!!😊😊😊
CHAPTER 3
"THE INTERVIEW"
Nandini was so much tensed. She didn't know what to do. She have never been late anywhere. But today is the most important day of her life, she is late. She rushed to the office in a taxi. Meanwhile Manik reached the office. He rushed into his cabin and called the receptionist,
Manik: Hello Swapna, Send the girl inside.
Swapna: Sorry Sir, Which girl?
Manik: The girl who has to come for the interview today, who has been selected from Mangalore in the Campus Interview.
Swapna: But Sir, no one has come till now.
Manik: (in an angry tone) Fine. If she comes after now, just say her to go back to Mangalore and no job is available here for her.
Swapna: Okay Sir.
Manik's P.O.V:
What the hell! I thought of asking sorry to her for being late, but she herself didn't turn up till now. I will handle this all alone. I don't want such irresponsible girl to handle this project.
The project was very important to Manik. So only he himself wanted to interview the girl. She actually attended the campus interview held in Mangalore so brilliantly, the staffs who went to interview her were appreciating her to the core. They only suggested her for this project to Manik. But he was damn irritated as she was late for the interview itself. Meanwhile, Nandini reached the office. She went to the receptionist and introduced herself.
Nandini: Excuse me, I am Nandini Murthy. I am here for an interview.
Swapna: Sorry mam. The interview is cancelled, as you are late.
Nandini: What do you mean by the interview is cancelled? Please, can I talk to him once?
Swapna: Sorry mam, but our sir is very strict and I can't do anything.
Nandini was totally shocked. She didn't understand what to do. She came all the way from Mangalore to Mumbai for this interview. She slowly started to walk out from there. Meanwhile Manik was going through the files in his table. He came across Nandini's resume, he was surprised to see the name Nandini Murthy. A smile appeared on his face and he called the reception immediately.
Manik: Hello Swapna, If the girl comes, don't send her back, send her in for the interview.
Swapna: But sir, she came and as you said I told her to leave. She left just now.
Manik: What! She left? I don't know what you will do, I want her in my cabin in 5mins.
Swapna: But sir???
Manik hangs up. Swapna runs out to see whether Nandini is there. Luckily she was standing outside waiting for a taxi. Swapna rushes to Nandini.
Swapna: Mam, please don't leave. Sir is calling you inside.
Nandini (angrily): What is your sir thinking? He said me to leave, now he is saying me to come again.
Swapna: Yeah mam. But can you please come inside?
Nandini: Yeah ok. Actually the fault is mine, I came late. So I don't want to argue, I am coming.
Both of them went inside the office. Meanwhile Manik gets out of his cabin for some work. Nandini goes towards Manik's room and knocks the door, but no response. So she gets inside and finds no one there. When she was about to leave the cabin, Manik entered inside. She was surprised to see him there.
Nandini: Hey, hi! What are you doing here?
Manik: Well, I am... (She again interrupted him)
Nandini: You are also working here. Wow! That's great. But how are you working here, I mean your boss is so kadoos, he didn't even give me a chance to explain why I am late. But suddenly he called me again, I don't know why. And, you also came late na, didn't he scold you? Is he very strict?
Manik was lost in her cuteness and just smiled. He went towards the table and leaned against it, crossing his arms across his chest he looked at her and continued.
Manik: (trying hard to hide his smile) Well, he is not that strict. He will understand your situation or else I will talk to him.
Nandini: That's okay, I will manage myself. By the way, where is your punctual CEO? (Looking around the cabin). I have heard girls saying he is so handsome and cute all, Is he really that handsome?
Manik: (smiled) That you see it by yourself.
Nandini: Okay. And you did not introduce yourself till now, you left in a hurry from the hospital. So if you are free now you can say your name atleast. (she said smilingly)
Manik: Yeah ofcourse, why not? I am Manik, Manik Malhotra.
Nandini excitedly extends her hand saying "Hi, Manik!" but she suddenly realised to whom she is talking. She took back her hand in a hurry. She closed her eyes tightly thinking of what she has done. She thought to herself "Aiyappa, not again". She slowly opened her eyes and faced Manik.
Nandini: I am sorry sir.
Manik: (smiled and continued) It's ok Ms.Murthy. Your apology is accepted again. Now let's be professional. Shall we start the interview?
Nandini: Yes sir.
Manik: So say about yourself Ms.Murthy.
Nandini: I am Nandini Murthy. I am from Mangalore. I have completed my MBA in Mangalore. I lost my parents when I was little and I started to live with my chacha, chachi and amms in Mangalore. I have world's best three friends and currently I am staying with them.
Hearing the word three friends' Manik remembered the airport scene.
Manik: (eagerly) When you came from Mangalore?
Nandini: Last night sir.
Manik realised that she is the girl and was very much happy that finally he saw the "Perfect girl".
And then Nandini gave her certificates, Manik went through it and asked her some professional questions. She answered everything in a smart way. Manik was really impressed.
Manik: Brilliant, Ms.Murthy. But now a general question, to test how far you can think. The question is A boy is blind, deaf, dumb and uneducated. A girl loves him. How will she propose him without touching him?
Nandini: Simple. She will propose him by donating her eyes.
Manik: (surprisingly) It's not possible. How could she donate her own eyes for the sake of love?
Nandini: "When you willingly give up your happiness for someone else, that is the sign of true love. That is you care for another person's happiness more than your own, no matter how painful the choices you face might be." If her love is true, then she will consider his happiness than hers.
Manik was totally dumbstruck by her answer. He was looking at her as if he was seeing an angel. He couldn't take his eyes of her. He came to his senses only after Nandini called him for three times.
Nandini: Sir, Were my answers correct? Am I selected?
Manik: Yeah, ofcourse you are selected. Who will let such a girl go out of the hand?
Nandini: Sir???
Manik: I mean who can let leave of such a talent. And you can join the office officially from tomorrow and now you are a part of this company.
Nandini: Thank you sir. And I promise to give my best.
He smiled. When she got up and was about to leave, she hit her hand in the chair. She winced in pain "Ouch". Manik got worried and went to her. Manik took her hand in his.
Manik: (in a caring tone) Is it paining a lot?
Nandini: No sir, I am fine.
Manik: Did you take your medicines?
Nandini: No sir, I'll take it as soon as I go home.
Ignoring her talks completely, he took the wallet from her hand and took the medicines from it. Then he went near the table and took the glass of water placed there. He came near her and gestured her to have the medicines.
Nandini: But sir, I'll have it later.
Manik: It's an order Ms.Murthy.
Nandini has no other option than taking her tablets. She took the tablets in her hand and gave a terrific expression.
Manik: Go ahead. Why are you staring at it like this?
Nandini: Actually sir, I am afraid of tablets too.
Manik: Tablets too? Well, the injections I can understand it's because of the pain, all are scared. But what is the problem with the tablets?
Nandini: (widening her eyes) Sir, what if they get stuck in the throat and suffocates me? So I always dissolve in water and drink it. But I can't do this here because these are capsules.
She made a sad face. Manik once again got a chance to admire her cute tantrums.
Manik: (holding her shoulders) Nothing will happen until I am with you, so have it.
She closed her eyes and after taking a long breath, she ate the tablets one by one.
Manik: See I told you na nothing will happen.
They both smiled looking at each other. Then Nandini turned to leave, but Manik caught her hand and moved her closer to him. He went closer to her ear and said,
Manik: (in a husky voice) One last personal question Ms.Murthy, Am I really handsome? What do you think?
Nandini was terribly shaking not only because of his question but also due to the closeness of Manik. She couldn't say anything.
Nandini: (stammers) Sir... Actually sir...
Suddenly Nandini's phone rang and it was Navya. She looked at the phone and then Manik.
Nandini: Sir, I need to go.
Manik smirked and left her hand. She came out as soon as she could and thanked her Aiyappa for saving her at the right time. Her phone rang again and now she attended the call. All the three (Navya, Aryaman and Abi) were in the conference call. All the three shouted in unison saying "Congrats Nandu".
Nandini: Thank you all, but how do you guys all know that I am selected.
Aryaman: What kind of question is that? No company will afford to lose such a talented person like you.
Navya: Okay, now let's celebrate. Let's meet for lunch.
Abi: Yeah, meet you all in half an hour.
Nandini: But you guys are in your office right? How can you all leave like that and come.
Aryaman: Nothing is gonna change in half day leave. So I will message you the address of the hotel, reach there in half an hour.
Nandini agreed to it, because she knows arguing with them is no use.
@The Restaurant:
Everyone reached there before Nandini and was waiting for her. Then after sometime Nandini also came. All the three were shocked to see Nandini with plaster in her hand. Aryaman ran up to her.
Aryaman: What is this Nandu? What happened to you?
Navya and Abi were still in shock and waited for Nandini's answer. Nandini told everyone to take their seats. She then narrated the whole story to them.
Abi: But you could have called us na?
Nandini: Guys, stop worrying. I am fine now. And even Manik was with me, he took me to the hospital and helped me out.
Navya: But you scolded Manik, your boss? (And started to laugh)
Nandini: Yeah, I totally misunderstood him.
Aryaman: Hmm.. Its ok Nandu. If whoever was in your situation they would have done the same.
Navya: Yeah Nandu, stop worrying. And I am so hungry, let's order something.
All the three laughed at Navya's expressions and they ordered their food. All the three had their food and left for their home, as they all know Nandini needs some rest.
At the same time, @Malhotra Mansion:
Manik reached his home for lunch. Arpit had left for London for some conference. So it was only Manik and Anjali on the dining table for their lunch. And Anjali served food to Manik with her own hands, even though there were several servants.
Anjali: So what have you decided Manik?
Manik: About what mom?
Anjali: You really forgot Manik? Don't you remember the conversation we had in the morning about your marriage?
Manik: Mom, not again please.
Anjali: (angrily) Okay, fine!
They completed their lunch and Manik was in the living room, sitting in the couch and seeing some files. Anjali came and sat near him, but she did not utter a single word. Manik knew his mom was angry with him. He kept the files aside and placed his head on her lap and laid down in the couch.
Manik: Mom, I am sorry. I know I shouldn't have talked to you like that.
Anjali: Manik, say me if you like someone, you know na, me and your dad will never say no to your choice.
Manik: Mooom! (He rolled his eyes)
Anjali: So do you ever have an idea to get married or you want to be a bachelor for whole life?
Manik: Mom, ofcourse I want to get married. Who doesn't want to get married?
Anjali: Then why beta you are not accepting any of the proposals?
Manik: Mom, it's not like that just by seeing a photo, I can decide my life partner. I too have some expectations.
Anjali: (smiles) Oh, finally. So what are the qualities you expect in your life partner?
Manik: Mom, She should be a girl whose heart beat for others, a girl who is soothingly sweet in nature but spicy at times, a mischievous angel who lives to make others life better, a colourful girl who speaks her mind, a girl who has atleast one bit of positivity in every negative situation, and also a girl who can be adorably childish at times with her tantrums.
Saying the last sentence, Manik smiles to himself thinking of Nandini's childish acts. Anjali was just in an awe listening to his son's description.
Anjali: (slowly caressing his hair) Who is that girl Manik?
Hearing this Manik comes out of his thoughts, he gets up and sits straight.
Manik: (stammers) Who? No one, I was just saying about my expectations. That's it.
Manik got up from there and left for his office to avoid further questions from Anjali.
Anjali: (to herself) Finally it seems like a girl entered my son's heart. But who is that girl???
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sampoorna
Current Affairs
CID
Hindi TV Shows
