Payal

"Breathe in. Breathe out." I chanted as I took a long deep breath, a smile forming on my face. I tried my best to keep my nervousness undercover.

"So tell me about you."

I looked up straight and repeated the words that I had practised. "Good morning everyone present. Myself Payal Bhansali and..." I took a glance at the piece of paper in my hand.

I looked up at the mirror once again to rehearse the lines. The interview day came so suddenly that it came as a big shock for me.

I fixed my hair and put on a blue saree just like my brother-in-law suggested. You might argue that your dress doesn't define your character. Of course, it doesn't. I can write a whole article on this issue but right now, dress style didn't matter as long as it helped me get the job.

"Payal! Come for breakfast!" I looked at the mirror for the last time, silently praying to every deity so that I can happily win this job. I checked my phone to check my mail.

There it was- my online marriage certificate looking as real as possible.

I could have never imagined getting my marriage certificate before marrying. Well, maybe it was my fate, who knows?

"Why did the interview dates get preponed? I thought it was on the 14th." My sister asked my brother-in-law who just picked up the bread as he complained about how amazing it would have been to have mango in this season.

After noticing Anvita Di staring at him, he realised what she had been asking him. "I don't know. I just heard from Sandeep Ji that the interview will take place today because someone important will be coming to the market." He looked at me and said, "Remember all the things he told you."

I nodded at him, feeling a sudden surge of confidence inside. As I stuffed the bread in my mouth, I heard my phone ring from my room. "Be sure to take everything." I heard my sister when I went to take my phone.

"Hey, did you die or something? I had been calling you for so long!" As Shruti shouted from the other end, I blinked, confused at what she was saying.

"Did you?" I checked the call logs to notice that she called me two times already.

I heard her sigh. "Leave it. Today is the interview, right? Do it well. What about Siddharth?"

I picked up my bag and dashed out of the room while talking over the phone. "I will tell him. Everything is ready though. He will not go today. Let's see what happens." I rested the phone on my shoulder and placed my ear next to it.

"Why? Call him and tell him. What's wrong?"

"Today is just my interview. What will he do there? And he seems to be busy today. Anyway, I don't want to overdo it." I put on my shoes and waved goodbye to my sister and Jiju.

I took the lift and straight ran to take an auto. As every auto was hell-bent on rejecting me, I shook my head, frustrated at this early morning bad luck. "Don't worry. I will inform him about today's interview."

I sighed after hanging up. That's when I noticed an auto and walked in front of it as it pulled over near me. I jumped on the seat while hearing the driver complain about how youngsters these days must be relaxed and how it's dangerous on the road.

After settling on my seat, I called up Siddharth but strangely he didn't pick up. He must be busy.

I ended up texting him as the auto took up speed.

★★★

Siddharth

"Oh gosh! It's late!" I picked up a green T-shirt and denim jeans from the pile of clothes bunked up in my cupboard. I wonder when I am going to have the time to put them in the washing machine.

"Why are you still in your room? I told you today is important!" I could hear my dad screaming outside.

As I was hurrying downstairs, I saw my two brothers waving at me with a look as if they were amused. I could see Gourabh giving me the look of being totally happy to see me fall into that Pegasus Plaza business.

If only I had an option, I would have run out of this trouble. But in front of my father, I didn't dare to protest. I have tried a lot. Like too many times.

It never helped.

Of course, it will not be anything different today. "Dad, I am leaving." I picked up a bag and was about to leave with my car when he called me back inside.

"Why are you taking the car?" I looked at him, not knowing what to reply.

As I thought of something to say, my father interrupted, "Do you know the cost of petrol? Can't you walk and go?"

"Dad, walking is a little-" I was stopped by him as he shouted, "Pegasus Plaza is a fifteen-minute walk from here. Just walk and go!"

And I ran out of my home.

In the next fifteen minutes, after walking and sweating in the hot summer, I finally reached in front of Pegasus Plaza. The market is huge for sure and well, no one can deny that this market has been making the most profits among all the markets in this area.

I looked around to see construction happening right next to the market. I ignored the constant drilling noises and fixed my suit, ready to conquer the world. Well, whatever.

I took long strides as I walked through the door. Everyone's glances fell upon me making me feel more confident. As I pulled my collar up high and took off my glasses in style. Like a hero.

But as soon as I was about to walk towards the manager's room, I was stopped at the entrance by a female worker.

"Sir, no one is allowed inside without a prior appointment." I had almost forgotten that they didn't know me yet.

"Did the interviews begin?" I asked when I didn't see anyone standing outside. I surely heard from Dad that today is the interview day for recruits. What is this?

"Yes. Are you an applicant perhaps?" The woman asked to which I smirked. These are a few of the many times when I am greatly satisfied with my position.

I was about to pull out the letter from my dad, the CEO of the Star Group when I saw a short-height middle-aged man coming out of the room. I realised he might be the popular manager about whom I heard so much.

"You should wait here," she said, before running to the manager. Just then, I noticed him with Payal and two others as they were all laughing and talking about something.

I couldn't believe my eyes. My breath stopped and it choked me. I dashed away as fast as I could but I couldn't get out of there. My mind raced fast as I thought of every possibility of her being here. But it seemed like my mind was jammed.

Hunching over a corner behind a table, I tried calling her. I clearly remembered that she had an interview today as she messaged me but why was she here?

"Hey, Siddharth. What happened?" She asked, after picking up my call a couple of rings later.

"Payal, w...where are you?" I was totally frightened, my heart pumping loudly.

"Oh, I just finished my interview." My heart sank as the only possible thought flashed through my mind.

"That job... Did you mean Pegasus Plaza?" My voice got low as I felt tears forming in my eyes. I always knew I had bad luck but why does it always have to be me?

"Yeah! How would you know that? Maybe it was easy to guess. People here already know that this place hires only the married ones." And there my hope was lost. I almost fell down at that.

"Payal, did you show them our pictures?" I had to find a solution to this quickly and fast.

She sounded baffled at my obvious question. "Yeah, I did. They asked such weird questions. I am glad we rehearsed about ourselves and our marriage thing." I heard her sigh.

I closed my eyes and hung up the call when I saw that same woman from before hovering over me. She stared at me weirdly before looking at the manager. "Sir, here he is."

As the manager walked right up to the desk behind which I had been hiding. I stood up as I thought there was no way I could escape now. "Why were you sitting there? Who are you?"

I don't know why I have to be in this situation. Why?

I was scared that he might recognize me by my shirt colour. I clearly remember telling him that I was going to wear a green T-shirt so he might know me then. As I thought of something to say, my eyes met Payal's as she exclaimed, "Siddharth!"

I was ruined, wasn't I?

~•~

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