Chapter 12
"Geet, don't you know me?" question the girl as Geet looked at her in confusion. "It's me, Pinky! Pinky Manchanda."
"Don't you remember, Geet? When we were five, you came with your Papa to Mukerian. There used to be a swing in your yard and we used to play on it."
Geet's eyes brightened as she remembered. "Yes, and then the swing broke."
"I was a lot fatter then," confessed Pinky, owning up to the destruction she had caused the long forgotten swing. "I've lost a lot of weight now, though."
"But Pinky, how did you recognize me?" asked Geet. "We were so young then."
"Well, after we shifted to Delhi, your Papa kept sending Dad photos. That's who I was just talking to, my Dad. I was sure it was you, but I just wanted to confirm it with him. Anyway, what are you doing in Delhi?"
Before Geet could say anything, they both heard a nervous laughter and someone calling, "Ms. Geet." As she turned around, Geet saw the man named Adi walking up to her.
"Congratulations, Ms. Geet," he said, thrusting a piece of paper towards her. "Here is your appointment letter."
"Appointment letter?"
Adi assumed that Geet was unfamiliar with the phrase, so he explained, "This is the official paper offering you the job of MK's secretary. It has basic details of the job, including your starting salary for the month trial period, as well as other information you may need."
"Geet, are you going to be MK's secretary?" squealed Pinky happily, even as Geet tried to protest. "This is so great!"
"Sir, you are under a misunderstanding. How can I be given the secretary job?" Geet asked, not knowing how this happened.
"I assure you, there is no mistake. I realize that it is not the general practice to hire people right after a first interview, but it is important that we fill this position, and I feel that you are the right person for the job."
"But..."
"You can come to work starting tomorrow. The office opens at nine in the morning. Pinky, make sure you contact HR, so that they can get all the paper work ready. You won't need to stay for that today, Ms. Geet, but it would be best if you came a little early and stopped by HR tomorrow before you start. Again, congratulations."
"Geet, I can't believe that you are going to be working here! I am so glad, not only so that we can renew our friendship, but also because MK really needs a secretary. I've been having to handle his calls and appointments, as well as the rest of my work, and it hasn't been easy. There the phone goes again! We'll talk more tomorrow, okay?"
Geet again tried to get Pinky's attention to tell her that there was a big mistake, but Pinky was too busy. She didn't know who else to talk to, or what to do, so she just opened the letter and began reading. When she saw the Rs. 10,000 written as the salary, she almost dropped the paper. For someone who had never been allowed more than 50 rupees in pocket money, that was a massive amount of money.
Suddenly, it didn't seem like such a mistake that she had been offered this job. It seemed more like Babaji's blessing. If she started working, then she would have enough money to pay for a private investigator. Geet wasn't that sure about working in the same company as Maan, but it wasn't like she really had a choice. As long as she didn't run into him, it should be okay. Savitri was Geet's real worry. The lady had been very nice to her, and Geet didn't want to do anything that would upset her.
Sasha watch the stupid behenji type girl walk out of the office and felt her temper rise. "I can't believe that MK actually hired that girl!"
"I know what you mean, Sasha," added the thin woman who stood next to her as she smoothed her hair. When Sasha glared at her, the woman quickly said, "I mean Ma'am. Silly me! Who comes for an interview in a company like KC dressed like she came straight from a farm? I just can't believe that someone like her has been hired to work here."
"Believe it, Tasha," said Adi as he came up behind them. "MK personally signed her appointment letter, and it would be better for everyone if they got used to that fact."
Sasha turned angrily to Adi and said, "MK might have hired her, but he isn't in the office that much. I'm the one who's going to have to deal with her on a daily basis. There's just no way!"
"Sasha, the boss has decided, and when MK decides something, no one can go against him." Adi would have said more, but Maan's irritated call came bellowing down the hall, forcing him to leave the two gossipy women alone.
"I don't care what Adi says, that girl is not suitable to work in this office. In fact, I've never met someone less suitable. She has no qualifications or education, no dressing sense at all, and I doubt she can even speak English. She's absolutely the worst secretary candidate we have ever had."
"But, at least she is married, right Ma'am? I mean, that is good, isn't? MK will never look at a married woman, so you don't have to worry about office romance." When Sasha just glared at Tasha, the woman hurried to appease her. "I mean, it doesn't matter anyway, because why would he look at another woman when you are here? I just mean that she won't get any ideas like those other girls."
Sasha pursed her lips, then said, "I don't care what is going on in that girl's personal life. I only care about her professional life, and that professional life is not going to be lived in Khurana Constructions. I will make sure of that!"
When Geet arrived back at the mansion it was late afternoon. Her arrival caused a slight stir, as the servants scrambled to inform Savitri that she had come. Savitri came out to the main room with an expression of concern on her face. She carefully looked the young woman over for any signs of distress. Not seeing anything but a slight concern in Geet's eyes, Savitri relaxed slightly, but still had some questions.
"Geet, what happened? You were gone so long that I was worried. When I called Mohan, he told me you were inside KC for more than an hour. There isn't any problem, is there?"
Geet bit her lip nervously, before replying, "No, Dadima, no problem. Um, there is something that I wanted to speak to you about." Geet handed Savitri the appointment letter and explained, "I've been offered a secretary job, Dadima."
Savitri was a bit shocked to learn that Geet had been offered a job in KC. As Geet explained what had happened, and how she had been mistaken as a potential candidate, Savitri couldn't help but laugh at the situation. It was a scenario right out of the comedy serials she was such a fan of, but never something that had happened in her own company before.
"And who is it that you are going to be a secretary for?" asked Savitri, hoping that she didn't say that very irritating Sasha's name.
"Someone named MK," replied Geet. "He has an office on the fourth floor."
Savitri almost spit out the tea she was swallowing when she heard Geet say MK. That was the most unexpected answer, and she didn't know but that it would have been better if she had said Sasha. As she sputtered and coughed, Geet rushed to her side and patted her back anxiously.
"I'm okay, Beti," assured Savitri, gaining her breath back. "Do you happen to know what work this MK does?"
"You know, Dadima, I don't. I guess I will find out tomorrow when I start my first day. That is, if you allow me to go. Is it alright with you if I take this job at the office, Dadima?"
Savitri looked at Geet's earnest face and thought back to the conversation she had had with the Singhs while Geet was gone. Though the Singhs were good friends, Savitri had only invited them for Geet's sake. Ajeet was a well known psychologist, while Jaspreet was the head physician at one of Delhi's most respected hospitals. Savitri had wanted to consult them on their opinion of Geet's mental and physical health. Though neither was able to give any specific advice without a formal examination, they had both agreed that Geet did not seem as healthy as they would expect the typical girl her age to be.
Jaspreet suggested that Savitri try to see that Geet got good, nutritious food and gained some weight. Ajeet was more interested in her social life and personal goals. He suggested that Savitri find her a good college where she could make friends and encourage her to pursue her dreams. It seemed to Savitri that Geet was very interested in this job, but she wasn't sure if it was the best thing for her.
"Geet, I have no problem with you working in the office. After all, I worked in KC for almost forty years myself. But, Beti, what about college?"
Precap
"Geet, that file is not here, it's in MK's office."
"Oh," replied Geet, feeling foolish. Then she smiled and said, "Thank you, Adi sir."
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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