Hey guys, so here is my next FF. Hope you like it. đ
Background: Astha and Shlok have known each other since high school and (wen to the same school) have always hated each other. This story does not follow the current track in any ways.
Against All Odds - Chapter 1
For the first time in four and a half years, I, Astha Kiloskar, current MBA record holder, was going to be on the job market.
I could practically hear the prospective employers salivating as I handed my letter of resignation over to my current boss Mr.Rajgopal.
I didn't want to. . . not really. But circumstances were beyond my control. The company just wasn't busy anymore. It was only a matter of time before the pink slips started flying, and this was my way of bowing out gracefully.
And, of course there was the fact that one of my best friend Ajay had quit recently as well. It just not the same here without them. So, two very good reasons to leave, I don't even need to think about the other one. . .
"Expected as much," Mr.Rajgopal said, nodding and looking over my letter.
He looked up a moment later, "got something else lined up?"
I contemplated lying to him. He put up a gruff Varant, sometimes, but I knew that he'd be worried if he thought I might end up jobless. I say that I only contemplated lying to him, because we were in his office at the time.
"Not exactly," I sighed in relief, as the air calmed down. "I do have a few leads, and" and I'm sure I blushed here, "the offers haven't exactly stopped coming since I graduated from MBA. I'm confident that I can have something lined up before my two weeks are up."
He gave me a look, one eyebrow cocked, a glint in his eye, "This seems a little impulsive for you, Miss Kiloskar, do you mind if I ask what brought this on?"
Oh? Is that all? What was I worried about? Here was a question that I could answer. I should be able to, after all, I'd been practicing the answer to this question all bloody week. I was so relieved, in fact, that when I opened my mouth, this is what came out: "Er. . . Ajay, Varan. . . Pink slips. . . ."
Eloquently put 'Astha. I cleared my throat, and took a breath and started over again.
"That is to say. . . with and Ajay and Varan gone, and the office terribly overstaffed, I wonder why I'm still here."
"Alright. I can't really stop you. I'm sure you'll land on your feet, anyway."
I exited his office a moment later, and looked out on the office floor, desk after desk in neat rows, with not so neat paperwork piled on top of them, being ignored by the staffs who were apparently not so busy with said paperwork that they couldn't all look up at me upon my entrance. Subtle guys.
My desk was on the other side of a sea of questioning eyes, and false sympathy. It seemed as though my co-workers had nothing better to do than follow the sordid details of Astha Kiloskar's love life. Not that my resignation had anything to do with my love life. It was a valid career decision. At least, that's what I told myself.
A woman I'd only talked to at the water cooler came up behind me and patted me on the back like she was an old friend. "Don't worry, dear, I'm sure you'll find something soon."
I suddenly wanted to scream. Was there any aspect of my life these people didn't know? But of course they did. It was only painfully obvious why I'd gone to see the boss, and now everyone wanted details.
***
What's faster than the speed of light? The answer to this question is apparently the spread of gossip among people. It was only four hours after I'd walked out on a room full of nosy fellow staff, and now I was bent over the table, and maneuvering a letter opener deftly with my right hand, opening letter after letter.
Dear Miss Kiloskar,
It has come to our attention that you are currently seeking employment. . .
Dear Miss Kiloskar,
I am writing in regards to the news that you will shortly be available for employment.
Dear Miss Kiloskar,
It's time to renew your subscription to Women's Weekly. . .
Okay, so they weren't all job offers, but a good many of them were. Enough that I felt confident in my ability to "land on my feet" as Mr.Rajgopal had put it.
Sitting at my kitchen table, my tea cup cradled to my chest with one hand, and a letter in the other, I felt calm for the first time in weeks. And I had to admit, this was one hell of an ego boost. I mean, I'd just quit my job, and already the mail was flying in. The proverbial body wasn't even cold yet.
That is, I was calm, and satisfied, and riding the high of being desirable (I felt like a right 'belle of the ball'), and then I came upon a letter somewhere to the middle of the stack.
It was addressed to Astha Kiloskar, my name printed in curt looking black letters. The return address was conspicuously missing from the envelope. Junk mail. I started to toss it aside, but as I did, the light seemed to hit the letters, causing the ink to flash green, and my palms practically itched to hold it again. A moment later, I was ripping it open, my fingers moving seemingly of their own volition. Someone must have wanted to make sure I read this letter.
There was, of course, only one way to find out who was so desperate to get my attention, so I let my hands work, until they were holding a piece of parchment before me, and I read.
Dear Miss Kiloskar,
I have need of your services. The position of my personal assistant has recently become open again, and while it pains me to admit it, you are the most intelligent women it has ever been my misfortune to meet. Yes, I may detest you, and would rather soak my head in a vat of boiling oil than have a conversation with you, but you are most certainly the best choice for this job.
I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
Shlok Agnigotri
For a moment I was too stunned to formulate a reply. I just sat there, mouth agape, blinking furiously, and hoping each time I closed my eyes I'd open them to find the letter had been a figment of my imagination. No such luck.
Soon, however, I'd worked my way from shock to anger.
Only Shlok Agnigotri would insult someone and offer them a job in the same breath, and still expect them to accept.
I grabbed a pan, and a sheet of paper and began to write my reply.
Dear Mr. Agnigotri,
"I can't believe that even you would be self-centered enough to think that I would ever work for you! Personal assistant? Ha! There's no way I would ever do your dirty work, Agnigotri. "
"I look forward to your painful death."
"Sincerely, "
"Astha Kiloskar"
**
"You didn't!" came Varan's shocked reply. I sat around a table far off in one corner of my favorite restaurant with my two best friends, and had just finished relating my day to them.
"I most certainly did," I replied, sounding quite proud of myself. It wasn't often that I shocked Varan, after all, and every time I managed it, he'd get this cute sort of perplexed look on his face.
"And the stupid git deserved it too. I can't believe he said he'd rather stick his head in boiling oil than carry on a conversation with me."
"I don't know," Ajay chimed in, smiling mischievously, "I can sort of see where he'd coming from."
"Watch it, Ajay" I intoned threateningly, "or you won't see anything but stars for several hours."
Varan snorted, and began chuckling lowly. A moment later, Ajay picked it up too, and before long, even I couldn't keep the mock-serious look on my face. And then the three of us were laughing together.
We talked for a while longer, the subject wandering from reminiscence of our years at college, to how married life was treating Ajay, to questions about why Varan hadn't settled down (to which he replied "God, you two are starting to sound like my mother,") and finally to Varan's recent employment at his brother's company.
Finally, Ajay glanced at his watch, and then gave us both a huge smile. "Listen guys, it's getting late, and Jancy expected me back an hour ago," he stood up, signaling the end of our dinner. He gave each of us a hug and left, leaving Varan and I to stare at each other.
"Well, see you later Varan, next Thursday, with Ajay at the latest." I leaned in to give him a hug, but he stepped backward, looking all too serious.
"'Astha, the reply you sent to Agnigotri, it didn't really say what you said it did. . . did it?"
"Of course, Varan, why would I lie about it?" I said with a grin, but Varan looked dead serious. "Come on, Varan, what's the matter?"
"It's just," he paused, and sighed, "you know how Agnigotri was, I'm just worried that he won't be able to let that sort of an insult slide. He's powerful, and he could make things difficult for you."
Varan was worried for me, it was so sweet, I almost smiled.
"Don't worry about me, Varan, I'm not afraid of the Big Bad Agnigotri." And with that, I embraced my friend, and this time he didn't try to step away. "
I know you aren't."
And I wasn't.
But I should have been.
To be cont..
Jhanak
Udne Ki Aasha
