Chapter 4

Arpit's POV

Having my dinner, I checked my email from 'The Exquisite'.

Hello

We are delighted to inform you that you have passed the interview with the HR Department of the company. There is the last interview with the company's MD who will be directly handling your project. The interview is scheduled on Monday, the 29th of July, 2019 at 11:00 A.M in the 'The Exquisite House', 12th floor. Kindly acknowledge your presence.

Regards

The Exquisite Team

I was utterly surprised at the third round of screening in a way as if they are hiring freshers. I doubt who the fool is the MD. By the way, an interview for the post of Scientist by a Managing Director sounds unique. I wish I were abroad and my resume could speak for me. Unfortunately, I have lost all hopes.

Life has other plans or else my mother would have shifted with me in Australia peacefully.

Anyway, I wrote an acknowledging email and planned to reach the office on Monday.

*****

29th July, 2019

I got ready for the interview wearing a navy blue business suit, mentally preparing myself to keep my head calm. I made myself realize that I am desperately in need of this job because I simply can't sit idle.

I reached 'The Exquisite' House and parked my car in the parking lot. The receptionist was a smart lady with a sweet voice. She politely asked me to go to the 12th floor and even wished me luck.

I was taken aback in the elevator when I saw an old man in his sixties. I found his face to be familiar as if I knew this man but as my luck would have it, I couldn't recognize the man. However, I was getting a strong feeling that I had met this guy earlier.

On the 12th floor, the man came out of the elevator followed by me. As I could not find anyone so I asked him about the office of the so-called Managing Director.

He too wished me luck and escorted me to the office. He asked me to wait outside and went inside perhaps to inform the MD about me.

Immediately I was called inside.

******

I entered inside and was surprised to see another familiar face. I immediately recognized her. She was my Niharika, my best friend during college whom I lost due to my stupidity. I was astonished seeing the dusky beauty in a navy blue business suit, her hair tied in a bun. She was looking like a beautiful angel. I was just amazed at her alluring charisma. I was happy for her. It was then, I realized that her parents owned a cosmetic business and she must have made it reached the zenith such that I am standing for a job in front of her.

Her authoritative voice asking me to take the seat startled me, taking me out of the trance.

"Dr. Khandelwal, kindly take your seat", I sat on the chair taken aback at her professionalism. Her voice had pain which made me guilty. I felt as if she was angry at me even after so many years.

"So Dr. Khandelwal, you seem to have a great profile."

I was offended at her 'seem to have' phrase.

"Madam, I beg to differ but I don't seem to have a great profile, I actually have an appreciable profile. I have a PhD from the University of Cambridge and my specialization involves the analysis of genes of plants for treatment of skin ailments."

Cutting me off in the middle, she said, "Well! I can see that. Kindly stop talking about your education and experience. It's already in your resume. I believe in results instead of talks. Will you be able to deliver good results on the project? "

"Madam, what is the project about?", I enquired.

"Dr. Khandelwal, we are planning to launch a range of anti-aging cosmetics. So, you will work for the production of these cosmetics using phytochemicals organically. They should pass all the lab tests.", she concluded.

"Yes, I can try my best." I had genuinely as I remembered once she told me that it's her mother's dream project.

"If I want you to try, why should I pay you? If only trials are needed, I can try by myself Mr. Khandelwal. I myself hold a PhD and enough research aptitude", she said quite rudely.

I was startled. I said, "Madam, I think you should hire me and pay me because it is your mother's dream project and I am the one who could deliver the best results in less time than you."

She was angry and vulnerable. I could feel her pain and then I realized that I should have not used her emotions by bringing her mother. She had told me this thing years ago and I should not have come up with this.

"Dr. Khandelwal, please keep your insider information to yourself if you want to work here", she said in a monotone. She had literally learnt to hide her emotions.

To make her mood a bit lighter, I said with a smirk, "So, I am selected."

"Not yet, Mr. Khandelwal", she said in a playful tone, "Why should I hire you? "

"Madam, I beg to differ but I am of great help. I was working over the phytochemicals extracted from Aloe Vera and Fox Nuts. I have those patented under my name. So, I could use that to fulfill our friendship and your mother's dream", I smirked again hoping to get back friends again.

"Dr. Khandelwal, I think you are mistaken and as far as I remember we are strangers. We will have a relationship of employee and employer. I am not friends with any of the employees. Well! Let's talk about your expectations", she said in a monotone again.

I was shocked. I was compelled to apologize. She remembered the 'Stranger' remark still. She was hurt till now. I said, "Madam, we graduated from the same college in the same course at the same time. Anyway, talking about my expectations, I desire 4 lakhs per month and I will finish the project within six months. 24 lakhs is not a bad bet."

"Okay but just a question. Why are you planning to work here? ", she asked.

"Personal reasons", I answered.

"Report with your proposal within two days", she said, asking me to leave.

I left the office and 'The Exquisite House' immediately. I went back home.