Destined

*02*

Chapter 2

"For your son!" Okay not so bad, Suman thought. Wait didn't she just tell her that for any kind of job she would have to show the original credentials! Then why was she offering this job?

"But mam you just said that without my . . . " cutting in the middle of her sentence Nirmala said, "I am OK if you provide me your marks sheets after three months." Seeing hesitation in Suman's eyes, Nirmala stated, "Your salary will be one lakh per month and of course with that, normal perks, like travel allowances, daily allowances, will be given to you as well."

Suman was shocked. Was it a kind of joke? She had an idea of how much a personal assistant could earn. She was about to ask all her queries, when Nirmala said, as if she could read her mind, "You must be wondering why am I giving you this much of remuneration!" She sighed as Suman didn't answer. "You will get to know me eventually. It's just that, it's not easy to work with my son. You have to be very patient. Yes, patience that's the keyword."

"You know mam your words are quite frightening! But I'll give it a try. So, do I have to give an interview? Which one is his cabin? But what if he rejects me?" Suman asked worriedly. She really needed the job. She was no more capable of being a burden on her grandfather, the only person who loved her unconditionally after her parents.

"No not in this office. Shravan works from home. So you have to come to my home every day!" explained Nirmala. 

Weird.

"So from when are you willing to start?" asked Nirmala. 

"Maybe from tomorrow. I have to ask my Nanu before accepting your job." Suman said as she was still finding the job a bit weird as if she was missing something. 

"Sure. I'll wait for your call. This is my card. Call me when you decide. " Both of them stood up and Suman was about to leave, that very moment Nirmala said "I wish that your decision will be in this job's favour! I'll be waiting." Then she left, leaving Suman more curious.

As expected her grandfather was not very happy, but again he said yes, just because he saw the happiness on Suman's face after a long time. Suman had already called Nirmala, and she was ready to face that not so easy task of working with Mr Shravan Malhotra.

***

"Good Morning, Suman, it's so nice to see you again." beamed Nirmala. 

"Ram, this is Suman, the girl I was talking about last night " 

"Oh yes, it's nice meeting you, Suman! I am Shravan's father  Ramnath Malhotra." Suman shook his hand and said, "Pleasure is all mine sir".

"Nirmala I think you should take her inside," he paused, "and let her meet Shravan."

"Hmm . . ." sighed Nirmala.

"Shravan . . ." Nirmala called when they got near a closed door. "He is getting dressed" a voice came from inside. A woman's voice, his wife, Suman thought. To her astonishment, an aged woman came out of the room. "He is ready now . . . You can go inside." she said, looking at Suman sympathetically, "He is not in a good mood today."

"Hmmm, Shravan, may we come in?" Nirmala asked politely, which made Suman think, how her mother used to barge into her room, and how she never bothered to knock even.

" If I say no, Will you listen to me, Maa? No, right? So why are you even asking?" a deep husky baritone that made Suman almost jump. Irritation in his voice was very much audible.

Hmmm.

She went inside with Nirmala who introduced her to the owner of that baritone. "Shravan, this is Suman Tiwari. From today she will be your assistant and he is Shravan Malhotra, my son and your boss." Nirmala sounded as nervous as Suman. Though Suman couldn't understand for what reason a mother could be so nervous about her son.

"And who gets to decide that, Maa you?"

"Shravan!"

Suman didn't hear a single word after that. The man Shravan Malhotra was something to look at. He was truly handsome. Even when he had dishevelled hair, an unkempt beard that needed to be shaved. And his eyes . . . Those light brown eyes, He just got the killer eyes in the true sense. He was tall even when he was sitting . . . sitting in a . . . in a . . . wheelchair!

"What? Are you checking me out? Or should I lose my shirt, that shall give you a better view!" Shravan smirked. Suman's eyes popped out and blood started pooling to her cheeks. She wanted to say something but couldn't find a word to deliver.

"Shravan, stop it! I'll be happy if you can behave like a gentleman at least with Suman!" Nirmala's voice was an octave higher.

"I am on my best behaviour today, Maa, but is she mute? Can't she talk? And she is standing there like a dumb! Are you sure that she is capable of being an assistant! You know right, how much I despise dumb people! " Shravan said, staring straight at Suman. 

"This is it," Suman mumbled. This Shravan Malhotra was getting on her nerves. "You know Mr Malhotra there is a proverb which I am sure you haven't heard of! 'Empty vessels make more noise'! I am standing here quietly that doesn't imply that I am dumb. Maybe I am much wiser to answer your stupid rants," fumed Suman, "and just because you are in a wheelchair, that doesn't make me sympathetic towards you. So I would request you to behave properly and maintain the decorum of the relationship between a boss and an assistant." 

"You've got a bit of a temper, don't you?" Shravan was clearly amused.

"I don't like people who are such a know it all."

"Hmmm, Follow me then."

***

Another chapter. Enjoy.