June 2011
Mumbai
She took a look at the long flight of steps and then at the large crowd near the two elevators, on one side of the lobby of this posh building. Surprisingly both elevators were out of service and technical crew were working on them. Along with her, everyone were frustrated and thinking what to do?
The interview was to start in about 20-25 minutes. Which was to take place on the Tenth Floor of this ultra posh building, with apparently, two non-working elevators. Who knows how much it'll take for them to get repaired. Even if they are repaired, with so many people ready to board them, chances of her number coming anytime soon were pretty slim. The only other option left was to use the staircase.
Ten floors, with two flight of steps each. If she takes the stairs and covers one floor in one minute, then she'll reach the Tenth Floor in ten minutes. Which will give her enough time to use the powder room and straighten her appearance.
Taking a deep breath, she decided to take the stairs as she didn't want to miss this interview at any cost. As she stepped on the first step, her eyes fell on the main entrance of the building. That's when she saw him.
He had just walked in the building. Talk and Devilishly Handsome... So handsome that any girl will swoon looking at him.
It was very windy outside, due to which his hair was all ruffled. He stood there with the cutest frown on his face. Frustratingly he looked around and then dusted each sleeves of his perfectly stitched suit. Raking his hand through his thick luscious hair, he muttered a word. She was sure he had sworn under his breath.
Cursing again he looked around. This time his eyes fell on her. She immediately averted her gaze as she was caught looking at him. Something forced her to look back at him. He was still looking at her. She smiled.
He smiled back, then his smile faded away as his eyes lit up as if he recognized her.
He immediately took out his phone from his pocket, checked something in it and then saw her again. He then got busy with his phone for few seconds and then looked at her again. His actions were as if he was confirming something.
Did he know her? She got confused as she was seeing him for the very first time. His expressions changed to one that she couldn't read.
Someone came to him and made him look away but only for a mere second. Once again he frowned and looked in the direction of the elevators. Dismissing her doubts, she assumed that he too must be an job candidate and thus was confused and bemused about everything.
As he looked back at her, she shook her head in amusement and then throwing another smile at him started climbing the stairs.
It took her more than ten minutes to reach the tenth floor. As she stepped on the last step, as was huffing and panting. She needed to catch her breath. She looked for the washroom and went to freshen up. She washed her face. Except for a light shade of lipstick, she never wore any makeup. She replied her lipstick and adjusted her hair.
By the time she came out, the visitors lounge had started to fill. Apparently the elevators had started to work. She climbed those stairs and for what? To find most of the candidates present.
Most of people present in the sitting area, had come for the job interview, for the Graphics Designer Post at the most prestigious Advertising Agency in the whole country, Sindhia's Visions. If rumors were to be believed then this Ad Agency was soon becoming famous in other countries also. They were already famous millionaires. With this growing empire they were soon to become top billionaires.
To work for such an huge company was like a dream come true for any person. This was once in a lifetime opportunity for her to show her talent and skills. If she gets this job then it would change her life forever.
Little did she knew that her life was indeed going to change once she steps inside the chamber of the second son of Suraj Pratap Sindhia, Yash Sindhia.
She heard candidates murmuring that the eldest son of Mr. Sindhia was not interested in the family business as he was interested in Fashion Designing. Now he was one of the famous fashion designers and he had started his own his fashion house few years back which was running successfully.
They whispered that there was one more son, the youngest one about whom one hardly knew or heard of. He was living somewhere abroad.
As the eldest son was in entirely different field, and the youngest one was in another country, the second son, Yash, who too had returned from London just few days back, was the new Managing Director.
She heard that he was a very strict and hardworking person. He can't stand those who are late and not punctual in their work. Working with him, for him would be like working for a machine that never stopped. Yet this job was one of the best job in this field that's why so many candidates had applied and were present.
"Phew... So much information in just five minutes. I wonder how much I'll learn if I spend the whole day here!" She thought when she heard her name being called. She was surprised that she was the first one to be called. Maybe, they are calling alphabetically! With this thought she went and stood outside the door and knocked softly.
"Come in". Came a stern voice from the inside. She stepped in and closed the door. She took a look around at the posh office and noticed he was standing by the window, with a file in his hand. "Have a seat...". He said.
Only couple of words yet filled with so much authority that clutching her bag to herself, she sat down.
"Well I have got some good news for you. You are hired". He said without turning.
"What?" Was her first reaction. She thought she didn't hear him properly.
"I think you heard me the first time". He turned and took his seat right in front of her. She couldn't believe her eyes. It was the same man from the lobby. Only this time he was only couple of feet away from her and she could see his face, his eyes clearly.
She saw something in his eyes, that shook her, scared her and confused her. One moment it was there, the next moment his face sobered up and he smiled. "I said you got the job".
"But how is that possible? I mean you didn't even take my interview, didn't ask me a single question and I got the job?"
"Are you questioning my intelligence and challenging it?" His voice was filled with bemused arrogance.
"No I'm not. But don't you think I've a right to know if it's related to me?" She was losing her patience.
"I guess you are right. Well I have the proof right here in my hands that you are the perfect person for this job. Plus I have other proofs also".
She got more confused. He studied her for a second and then pushed the file in front of her, that he had in his hand. She picked up the file and noticed that it was her resume.
"Ms. Aarti Dubey. Age 23". He said. "At such an young age, you not only finished your Masters Degree in Arts, but you also finished a Degree Course in the field of Graphics Designing. And that also you came on the Top in both Fields. Well that's your first criteria for qualifying for this job".
"What's the other?" She couldn't help herself from asking. "You said you have more proof of my intelligence...".
"Do you really think that the all elevators of the most prestigious building of the city, would stop working at the same time? That also during the peak hours?"
She gasped. "You mean to say...".
"Yes those elevators were stopped at my orders. We have CCTV in our lobby. From the monitor room, I wanted to watch the reaction of every candidate and wanted to see what they do. Only I got stuck in the traffic and got late. I swear the traffic in Mumbai city is getting worst day by day". He swore again under his breath.
"Is that why you were sort of angry when you entered the building?" She blurted out and then regretted asking as once again it proved that she was checking him.
He chuckled softly. "Yes that's the reason. And I'm glad I got late or else I would have missed seeing you take the stairs".
She got embarrassed as he knew how she had reached here.
"Don't be embarrassed. Rather you should be proud that you took the wise decision because that decision of yours is one of the main reasons why you got this job!"
"I don't understand..."
"You see Ms. Dubey, this Ad Agency was built by my Grandfather more than Fifty Years back. Then my father took over. We Sindhia's are very protective of the name and image of this company. We only want the best for it. We try to hire only dedicated and hardworking employees. I shut down the elevators as I wanted to test the candidates on how they React and then Act in any given situation. By taking those stairs you proved so many things".
Before she could ask what those things were, he answered.
"Firstly you proved that you have a Brain that knows how to work on time. No one knew when those elevators would start running again. Instead of waiting you took the stairs. Which proved you are hardworking and dedicated. That nothing will stop you from reaching your goal. And that Ms. Dubey is what we were looking for and what we want in our employees. Determination and Dedication and Desire to achieve three goals. We call it DDD, which you have in you. And for that and for your qualifications you are Hired. Welcome to Sindhia's Visions, Ms. Dubey".
He got up from his seat and came on her side. Leaning a little on the table, he extended his hand. A surprised and shocked and still confused Aarti jumped and stood up. Which was a bad move as she was now standing close to him. A little too close for her comfort.
She could smell his musky cologne. She could clearly see his face. His eyes. And then she looked at his extended hand and then at his face again. His assuring smile told her that he meant it and she indeed had got the job.
She slowly put her palm in his. His grip was strong and firm. She shivered at his touch. He withdrew his hand immediately. "Well now that you'll be working for me I think I can call you Aarti?"
She nodded. He went and sat back in his chair. "Well you'll be working under me and will directly report to me. I'm a very demanding person and want perfection in everything that my employees do. Sometimes I become so demanding that I make the other person miserable. I sometimes end up working late and expect them to do the same whenever I sit late in office. Do you think you'll be able to handle all this pressure?"
"I'm up for any challenge as I love to work". She replied with full determination.
"I noticed that you are not married. What about your parents? I hope they won't complain when you are late. Are you engaged or do you have a boyfriend? I don't want any issues later on".
"No sir I'm not engaged, neither do I have a boyfriend. Regarding parents, I lost them few years back. I only have a sister. I assure you, you won't hear any complaints from my side".
"In that case, you can start from tomorrow. Meet my secretary, she'll fill you in with the details on your job. Once again congratulations and welcome aboard. We are done here. I'll see you tomorrow and be on time". With that he dismissed her.
She got up and left to meet his secretary. She wanted to dance and scream that she got the job, but she controlled her emotions for a little longer. After signing the papers, she called her sister. "Api I got the job".
She heard her sister screaming on the phone. "Ati, I'm so happy for you. Give me the details".
"I'll give you the details after I come home. And don't you dare tell Shant about it. I want to tell him in person". She warned her sister. Who promised her she won't. "Just come home then all three of us will go out and celebrate".
She reached the lobby and once again looked around. She was so happy. She felt like she was on cloud nine. She couldn't contain her happiness and wanted to share it with the two persons who valued her the most. Her sister Ati...Arpita and their best friend, Prashant, whom they lovingly called as Shant, as he was a very calm, cool and mature person.
She was unaware that her every move was being watched by a pair of eyes on the screen of his laptop in his office. Lost in her own thoughts she left the building. Those eyes still followed her on the outside CCTV, till she hired a rickshaw and board it.
*************************
As soon as she left his office premises, he took out his phone and dialed a number. "First step is accomplished. From tomorrow we will start the second step".
After a minute, he disconnected and then dialed another number. "I met her few minutes back. She has no clue what she has stepped into".
"What are you planning to do?" Came the voice from the other side.
"I haven't planned anything yet. Let her start working from tomorrow and then I'll think of what I've to do with her". He gripped the phone tight as the mere thought of her was making him angry.
"One last time I'm requesting you to think twice before you take any drastic step that you'll end up regretting later". Pleaded the person from the other side.
He shot back angrily. "I know very well what I'm doing".
Disconnecting the call he threw the phone on the table in front of him. "I know very well what I'm doing". He repeated. "Ms. Aarti Dubey, I've waited for you and looked for you for five years. I promise you that from tomorrow your life won't be the same. You have no idea what I'll do with you. By the time I'm finished with you, you won't be able to recognize or face yourself. Cause from tomorrow you'll face The Yash Sindhia who's only goal in his life is to take his Vengeance... From tomorrow will begin The Devil's Vengeance...".
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I know the first chapter doesn't show much on what the story is about, except that Yash wants to take revenge from Aarti, whereas she doesn't even know him.
It also shows that couple of people are aware of his Plan of Vengeance. Who are those people will be revealed as the story progresses...
I have a request to make to all readers of this fiction
Please don't form any opinions for any characters till the story reaches half way through. This story consists of many twists and shocking surprises. Except for Aarti's and Prashant's characters all other main characters will be Grey.
I know people will hate Yash's character and I'm going to get lots of flank for him. Just the way I got for Aarti and Gayatri in the first of my fiction "Meant To Be". My old readers trusted me with those characters in MTB and later they fell in love with these characters.
Same will happen with few characters in this new fiction. That's why I'm requesting to not to form any opinions.
But you are free to express your anger and confusion and criticism also as it'll only help me to work harder and improve my work, like in MTB.
The first chapter is short as its to set base of the story. The second chapter will be a long one as it'll cover so much.
As the story progresses I'll try my best to help you all with the characters of this fiction through my notes.
Hope you'll love this fiction.
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