Chapter 5

*Kalpana Pov*

“What are you doing?” I let out a small scream before turning around to see Pallavi walking near to me.

“Tell me you have a mother.” I ordered walking near to her.

“What?” she asked, laughing.

“Please tell me you have a mother.” I pleaded her this time.

“Yes! I do have a mother.” She said nodding.

“Ok! Now, your mother is not feeling well because of which you were late to come to the office.” I stated and turned around feeling relief.

At least one lie will not be revealed as a lie before him! I thought  walking near to my desk or which soon going to be my ex-desk.

“What actually happened, Kalpaana?” She asked, reaching near to my desk when I sat down and sat opposite me.

I took a deep breath and explained everything that happened each and everything not hiding my thoughts too.

“So, you are going to accept that your Mom is not feeling well. I don’t want him to think me as an outright liar.” I added at the end.

“You want me to tell him that my Mother is in the hospital?”  she asked and laughed before nodding.

“And wow! Secretary? That is awesome, Kalpana.” She added, grinning at me.

“Yeah! It would have been if not for my stunt. What was I thinking saying those lies? And what was I thinking by thinking him as a client?” I asked her covering my face.

“Maybe you got lost seeing his handsome face.” She said teasing me.

“Please! I just thought him to be not our boss because he seemed too irritated and I had a happy going image for our boss for the help he does.” I explained and she raised her eyebrows at me.

“And how do you know he is handsome?” I added before slapping my forehead.

“Right! So, you do think he is handsome. Anyway,  I never said I didn’t see him, but just said everyone doesn’t have a glimpse of him as he keeps himself away from small works.” She explained.

“Anyway, calm down and try to settle your work here. Then go home early for a new beginning  from tomorrow.” She added standing up.

“New beginning?” I asked her raising my eyebrow.

“Yeah! Being secretary is a big thing in every way and that too for him must be wonderful and that too staring at that handsome face.” She replied grinning and rushed when I was about to stand up.

Oh god! I thought, leaning back in the chair finally the words settling in the head. Secretary? Me? From where did that even happened?

It’s been nearly six years and here I am sitting in a chair thinking about a job which I never thought to even think.

Those seven years back  I was just a housewife and  now I can tell myself that I am something more. It’s not like being a housewife is something wrong when that was a more happy and peaceful thing  to do.

But for being a housewife there should be additional qualities of having a husband who will be there to give respect and love which I thought were there but it proved to be my stupidity.

I shook my head not wishing to dwell again into it for the second time in a single day. Taking a deep breath, I started arranging everything properly for the next person here.

“You didn’t get promoted, right?” Jhanvi asked the moment I reached the school.

“I just asked Sudhir and he said he didn’t get any prize recently.” She added, gesturing to him who is standing beside her along with Harsha.

“I am sorry I was late. I was busy with arranging the work which would not create confusion for the next person. And I even missed the bus.” I said answering her indirectly with a blank expression.

“No way!” Jhanvi said, shaking her head.

“Oh! Meet the new secretary by the way.” I said turning towards her.

“I was always right and thought you will not get the promotion.” She mumbled frowning.

“It’s not that I am not happy for you.” She immediately added.

“I know! And sometimes you can be wrong.” I mumbled hoping she gets this into her head.

She clearly understood regarding what I am talking about and sighed, shaking her head while looking away.

“It’s been so many years, Jhanvi. Until when will you wait for him?” I asked in a whisper, not wishing for Harsha to hear it.

“Please, let’s just not talk about it. This is the time for celebration. What say we go for some park and celebrate?” she asked, changing the topic and I sighed.

“Park?” Harsha asked in an excited tone and I glanced at Sudhir to see him frowning.

“Let’s go!” I mumbled and walked towards the bus stop.

“We will get ready soon and come to your home.” Jhanvi said and walked towards her house.

“What happened, Sudhir?” I asked dressing him.

“I am sorry that I didn’t get a prize.” He replied in a small tone.

“Who said you have to bring one?” I asked brushing his hair.

“Aunty asked me whether I got a prize or not and then said you must be little disappointed today to herself.” He replied.

“Ok! Hear to me carefully.” I mumbled, sitting on his bed and placed him on my lap.

“You never have to win something for others. And it is not the most important thing too. No matter what you are amazing for me.” I said, smiling at him and he smiled back.

“And aunty was talking about something else. She too thinks the same like me. It is not about you.” I added and he slowly nodded.

“If you hear something or feel something, tell me about it and then together we can talk.” I suggested and he nodded grinning.

“So, you are not disappointed?” he asked smiling.

“Are you already that big to learn all these words? My! You sure are growing up.” I said with a surprised look.

“I am a big boy.” He said lifting his hands and I laughed hugging him.

“Yes! You are a big boy and a good one too.” I said, hugging him and then stood up.

“Aunty must be waiting for us. And today you are going to get an ice-cream.” I added and he immediately got excited to go to the park.

“Are you nervous?” Pallavi asked when we both stood inside the elevator.

“Of course! I need to apologize to him for lying.” I replied shaking my head.

“I am sure he must have forgotten about it too. Don’t bring out the topic and just act as if yesterday didn’t happen.” She adviced and I nodded pressing my lips together contemplating her words.

“Good morning, Ms.Kalpana! All the best for the first day.” Mr.Girish said, stepping out of his cabin and I gave him a small nod before looking around to see that no other employee is there in this floor except a single desk.

“Like I said he likes to keep with himself.” Pallavi whispered and I nodded, thinking why didn’t  I observe it yesterday.

She knocked on the door before opening it, saying, “Sir! Ms.Kalpana is here.”

“All the best!” she whispered and walked away while I entered taking a deep breath.

“Is her mother fine, now?” that’s what he said the moment I closed the door and I wished at that moment I can rush out of this room.

“I am sorry for lying about Mr.Girish yesterday, Sir.” I choose the words while he stared at me before nodding.

“So, I hope you understood you really are my secretary from now on.” He said, picking out a file and threw it on my side of the table.

“That file will have whatever your duties are as I am sure you can read them without me wasting my time in explaining them.” He added and I nodded before taking the file.

“Any questions?” he asked, leaning back and I know I should push the question down, but I am sure I can’t let go of it.

“Why was I offered this position, Sir?” I asked and mentally slapped myself when he raised his eyebrow.

“Well, I was told you would be difficult with believing about your promotion, but never thought about it in this level.” He commented before leaning forward and gestured his hand towards the chair.

I nodded, understanding his meaning and sat on the chair before I waited for his lecture regarding how can I question his decision.

“The training you have been taking was very crucial one and many already got postings at different places for different jobs based on their performance and someone even got a managerial post.” He started explaining and I listened to him keenly hearing the new information.

“I was told you would be suitable for the secretary job. However, like you even I was not sure about your credibility. So, I thought of doing an interview because of which I was near your cabin as Ms.Pallavi was supposed to bring you near me which she didn’t while I waited in my cabin.” He added and I nodded understanding that.

“And then I realized that you are thinking about me as some client, which lead me to decide on knowing what you feel about the company. And I was surprised to see the loyalty you had for fellow employees, along with employers and then to the company.” He said and this time he stood up.

“So, I was appointed for that?” I asked in a small tone.

“Yes! I know anyone can learn the work anytime, but loyalty is everything for me. I don’t trust people easily which is the reason for no employees on this floor to secure the secrets of business.” He replied walking towards the window.

“Do you have anything to say?” he asked, not turning towards me.

Yes! You are a very weird guy, Mr.Manohar. However, I kept my mouth shut before standing up.

“No, Sir!” I said and took in a deep breath, looking forward to work when I realized maybe I really deserve this job that too because of his words.