—Interview—

So, do you ever think you can do something, you are so confident about it. You are sure you will ace it but then there comes the time to actually do it and you get all paralyzed and numb? You feel like the dumbest person ever and can't get a grip on yourself? You ever felt like that? Because it was happening to me and let me tell you, it is not a nice feeling.

I can't even think straight. The moment I entered the building of "Jenkins Enterprise" I could feel the air of discomfort around me, for reasons unknown. I was very nervous all of a sudden. Nothing really made sense to me.

You can do it! You can do It! You can do it! You can do it!

Was all I was reciting in my mind. I was sitting in the reception area on the 7th floor of the building. There were only a few candidates, but they all looked confident, unlike me. A wet cat would've looked better than me right now.

I am just not having a good feeling about this. I am sure I am going to mess up. I was dressed in my favorite baby pink shirt and black pants with my hair tied in a high ponytail.

Am I looking professional enough? I've nailed some interviews before in this outfit. But, is this outfit okay for here? Yes? No? What?

Shit! Why the hell am I even having thoughts like this? I can do it easily. I've done this before. I've done it excellently before, there should be no reason why I should be worrying about anything right now. I am getting insecure for nothing. I decided to take a deep breath and relax a bit.

When I finally got my nerves under my control, I noticed that I was left alone, when did this happen? Did they already dismiss everyone? Is the position already filled? Did I lose the job before even trying for it?

Was I so busy worrying I missed my call? Horrible!

"Ms. Shah please, go in for your interview." A female voice broke my train of thoughts. I stood up abruptly and made my way towards the door behind which waited my fate.

It is now or never!

I gently knocked on the door with shaking hands.

"Come in" Came a very deep male voice. It was kind of friendly and sort of familiar. All HR people sound the same anyway. The same patronising tone and politeness they are trained to fake.

I opened the door and I couldn't believe myself, out of everyone that I could have expected to be sitting there. There he was sitting in a biscuit-colour sort of suit, behind the wooden desk, leaning on his leather chair and somewhat mirroring my expressions.

I can't believe it! How can he be here? He is the last person I was expecting to meet in a place like this. The person going to take my interview was none other than but...AXEL!

"Oh..look who we have here" He smiled and my heart skipped a beat. No, it was not out of some overflow of love for him. I was shell shocked.

Thrice is never a charm.

"Good morning Mr...." I trailed off not being able to read his full name from the nameplate on his desk. But duh, Eyesight problems!

"Axel Anderson" He smiled again "Take a seat, Ms. Shah."

It was a great struggle to walk towards the chair, but I managed it.
I sat opposite to him, facing him with all the confidence I have and could muster at the moment.

"Looks like you didn't expect me to be here." He said in a matter-of-fact voice.

"I will be honest, I didn't." I tried to smile, failing miserably.

What happened to Miss-I-don't-care and Ms-I-Don't-give-a-shit?

They died, obviously. Just when you need them.

"I guess, you didn't expect me to be the head of the HR department at a multi-billion company like this, but well life is all about the unexpected." Ha! You bet!

He started reaching for my file on his table, when he paused, gave me a sly smile and then finally took my file and started to read it.

I never thought he would be handling such a senior position at a company like this! He is like 28 or 30! At first, when I met him I could not even imagine him doing a white-collar job, then I got to know that he indeed has a good job but now this? Totally unexpected!

He read my file and then asked, "Why should we hire you out of everyone?"

"Because my experience and education are suitable for your requirement and I am ready to take new challenges to achieve an organizational goal." I gave the most typical answer in the history of the most typical answers.

"What else?" His face was blank, was he buying my answers or not? Probably not. Almost everyone uses the same lines over and over in every interview.

"I have the ability to stay focused in stressful situations." I managed to answer confidently. I am finally managing to go with the flow!

"Why do you want to work for this company?" He asked and many more similar questions that are mostly asked at interviews and I think that I answered them all with sufficient confidence.

Suddenly even without my realization, the interview became a candid chat. I don't know how the discourse of the interview changed so suddenly and subtly.
Talk about digressions.

"Why did you leave India?" He asked the question I dreaded the most.

"For better opportunities, don't act like you don't know it." I smiled, I've told him the same reason when we were on the flight.

"Very well..do you think you will be able to work under me? I mean, it is not a hidden fact that I could be a distraction." He gave me a satisfied smirk and I just laughed.

"You wish!" I grinned. I wonder why boys think being cocky is sexy. Can't someone give them a reality check?

"You didn't call me..it hurts, you know". He suddenly faked a pained expression and I couldn't help but feel a little blush creeping in at that moment.

How the hell someone can be so insanely cute? It should be a crime!

"Well, if I get this job, I am sure I will have many reasons to call you, almost every day," I smirked.

He and I just clicked, like an instant connection! These kind of connections are amazing and I was really enjoying this conversation.

"Haha nice try, Ruchi. But, we have to consider other factors before giving you this job too." He said getting serious.

"I am sure I am eligible for this job." I smiled confidently towards him.

"I like your confidence, you will receive a call in the next two days. Thank you." And with that, he shifted all his attention towards some file.

"Thank you," I said and left the room with a smile on my face. I am seriously hoping that the fact that I know Axel already will increase my chances of getting this job. And no, I am not an opportunist, just like to benefit from my connections.

~*~

I took the bus and went home. I've come to realise that buses everywhere are more convenient than metros, precisely because they are cheap.
The first thing I did after reaching home was to call Amber.

"How was your interview? Tell me you nailed it," Came Amber's voice before I could even say hello.

"It went okay, I guess..." I trailed off, because even though the interview went well. My connection with Axel may work against me too. Anything is possible.

"What happened, sweetie?" Sometimes, she is more caring than my mother, and I love it.

"I told you about Axel, right? He was the head of HR there and he was the one who took my interview." I said with a sigh.

"Oh..so how did it go?" She asked, her voice overflowing with concern.

"It went well, maybe I will get the job." It was more to assure myself than her.

" I am sure you will get it, and oh don't forget about the wedding. I'll have your dress delivered to you in 2-3 days." I smiled to myself and then thanked her. We talked more about her upcoming wedding and then I hung up.

My thoughts swirled back to my own wedding from which I ran away...What could have happened there? How my parents would have reacted? How my ex-in-laws took everything? And most importantly how my pathetic excuse of an ex-fiance took the news?

Does Mummy-Papa hate me now? Obviously, you stupid genius! They wouldn't be welcoming you with flowers at their doorsteps anymore.

What should I do?

Should I contact them to tell that I'm fine..Are they even worried about me? I am sure they hate me and will never ever forgive me.

What have I done? I've ruined my relationship with my parents for forever. But, this is for all my own good. I would get settled and they will forgive me eventually...I will ask for their forgiveness even if I have to beg for it.

I am their only child they won't deny my right to be forgiven...right? Damn it! I'm losing my mind, I decided to take a short nap.

I laid on the bed, which I couldn't yet call mine. As I drifted into slumber, the memories of my happy, carefree childhood took over me in my dreams.

~*~

~~~~~2 Days Later~~~~~~

I woke up to my phone ringing. I groaned and picked it up almost grudgingly phone.

"Hello?" My voice was so harsh, I couldn't even recognize it myself.

"Ms. Shah, I am speaking from Jenkins Enterprise." There was a long pause and I was awake all of a sudden, with a start.

I managed to give a coherent response, at least what I thought was coherent.

"Congratulations, you've got the job. We expect to see you here today at 9 a.m. Don't be late. Have a nice day." I just stared at my phone and then jumped from my bed and started dancing like crazy.

Yes! I got the job! I was the happiest being alive. Wait..what's the time? It's 8 shit! It will take me 45 minutes to reach my new workplace. I took a shower and got ready in record time, and took a cab to save some time. The money I knew I'll be earning soon.

In cab, I assessed myself. Black pants, white shirt, hair in a nice, high ponytail and all my essentials in my bag.

I am ready for the new work, new life and new challenges!

___________________________________________________

I was thinking if you all would like Vivaan Kapoor's P.O.V. ? Should I do that or should I continue in Ruchi's P.O.V. ?

what do you all say?

And this book is having 100 reads! I am so happy! Thank you everyone :D

I hope you are liking the book, I know this chapter is not having the action I thought I would add..but I am very tired due to school.

I am having a 3-day holiday soon so I will update a better chapter in a few days.

The song for this chapter is "Miss Independent" by Kelly Clarkson. I think it just suited Ruchi's character or will in future..who knows?

If you guys can please vote and comment? It would mean a lot! Thank you!!

Love you all :D