MG SS - HP Express Epilogue - 25.01.13- Page 2

Chapter 2: Miss Handa

A week later, Yash, Adi and Sasha Tiwari were interviewing potential candidates. It seemed to them that they were wasting their time and after showing the 25^th one the door, Sasha voiced her displeasure.

"Adi, what got into you that you took this task upon yourself? Did you see those women? They have nothing in their head apart from MK. 'Oh, MSK is so charming'... 'I just want to meet him personally once'... 'I wish he would be my boyfriend'!" Sasha mimicked them and Yash burst into fits of laughter. Yes, this was precisely the reason why Maan decided not to hire any secretary in the past. The ones that he had at the start of his career have always shown more interest in him rather than their work. And carelessness was something he didn't tolerate.

"I agree, Sasha but with this new project Maan sir can surely need the help. The biggest problem is that..." But Sasha interrupted him.

"Yash sir, why don't you help him? After all you hardly do anything in office."

"Are you out of your mind, Sasha? I have no interest in becoming a second MSK. I truly value my freedom." This was leading nowhere, all three knew. And since they had started the impossible task, they had to finish it.

At 18.3o the large crowd of interviewees had reduced to only one person. After seeing the last candidate come out with a dejected face, she went to try her luck. She knocked.

"May I come in?" Her eyes fell upon the three tired looking interviewers who signalled her to come in. After giving her CV a quick glance, Sasha shot the first question.

"So Miss Handa, why exactly do you want to work in KC?" The young lady, who was wearing a black salwaar kameez and had braided hair, looked calm.

"I am in need of a job. I have rent to pay and I need to feed myself." This was not something they were used to hear. Sasha continued, now with a little more enthusiasm.

"Where have you worked before?"

"I was originally working as a nanny for the Sharmas for two years, where I also tutored the children. Later I helped Mr Sharma in his office after his wife's death. Now that he moved, I had to find a new position." So far so good, thought Adi.

"What is your opinion about MSK?, he asked directly.

"Who?" came the hesitant reply. Adi adjusted his glasses.

"I mean Maan Singh Khurana, the MD of this company and the person you will work for." The lady nodded with an understanding expression.

"Oh, him, well I don't know much about him. I understand he has been titled the best businessman of the year but apart from that I couldn't give an opinion as I have never met him before." How many have, all three thought. They asked Ms Handa to wait outside.

"She is perfect", Adi said.

"Who doesn't know MSK?", Yash asked confused.

"Maybe she is just pretending", Sasha suggested.

"I doubt it." After a few minutes further discussion they decided to give her a try. Adi personally took her to the MD's cabin.

Maan had been deeply engrossed in his work, when Adi disturbed him. He uttered him in but his gaze was stuck on the person that followed him. She was rather petite but well-built and with a fair skin. Her hair was chestnut brown, braided with a few lose strands that danced a little with the light breeze that came from the open window. But the most captivating things were her hazel eyes that looked straight back at him.

"Maan sir, we have finalised Ms Handa as your secretary." Maan nodded and indicated her to sit while Adi went out again. He saved himself the effort of reading her CV.

"Ms Handa, I would like to be honest with you", Maan said while leaning back on his chair.

"I did not want to have a secretary as I have had pretty bad experience in the past."

"I know, some of the other candidates made me understand what 'sort' of problems you had to deal with." Her face was straight and she said it matter-of-factly, still Maan couldn't prevent a small blush creep up his cheeks.

"Let me tell you that I have no intentions of wooing you or using my position to any personal benefit. I have enough to do in life then to waste my time drooling over my boss." Her honesty stunned Maan. Since his teen years, he was used to much female attention and though he always pretended that it annoyed him, somewhere he did like it.

"I see that you are the perfect person for this job. I will ask Adi to type up your contract. I see forward to seeing you tomorrow." When she had left, Maan pondered over his last words. What made him say that?