Chapter 18: The Interview, Part 2

Arjun was in an untidy outfit and had not even shaved his chin, but it was not his interview after all. He appeared really shabby and was also drunk, so Saniya thought that it was better not to take him inside the office premises; she asked him to wait outside.

She said to him politely, "thanks for dropping me on time. I will come back as soon my interview is over, till then you please keep waiting outside here in the parking."

"Why dear? What's wrong if I come inside with you?" he asked.

"Oops, try to understand Arjun, you are drunk now and you are not at all properly dressed. The security people will not allow you to enter the office premises,"

Arjun said, "Don't worry; no such thing will happen, okay. Let's go inside, let me see who stops me from getting in there."

Saniya was left with no option but to take him along. She got tensed about what would happen at the security check-point but Arjun was not ready to listen to her at all. They had now reached the entrance gate of the office.

It was a big astonishment for Saniya that contrary to what she had feared, the security guard saluted Arjun instead of stopping him! They were allowed inside, without any queries at all.

Saniya was puzzled and therefore said, "Sir, I have come for an interview; are there any formalities to be done before going inside, or do I need to sign in the register?"

The security guard smiled and answered very politely, "Yes there are formalities, but madam, not for you. You can please go inside and meet our HR directly."

Saniya said to Arjun, "looks strange, anyways let's move inside. I was thinking that the security will throw us out, looking at your state. It's all the effect of my beautiful face, just see that he saluted you instead, and I have the privilege of meeting the HR directly.

Arjun was laughing, "Yes, all credit goes to you, madam".

She asked for the HR room at the reception and they headed that way. Saniya then told him, "Arjun, you wait here now, outside the HR room. I will attend the interview and come back."

Arjun said, "Sure."

Saniya then opened the cabin; the HR manager saw Arjun standing outside and got up instantly. He went out of his cabin and told Saniya to speak to his assistant till he was back. The assistant, in turn, asked her to take a seat, and then she too excused herself. Saniya was sitting alone in the room, waiting nervously and praying to God that she should get selected. Meanwhile, Arjun was in a conversation with the HR manager and his assistant, outside and Saniya was not aware of this.

The manager then came inside and took her resume from her. "So Ms. Saniya how soon you can join our organization?" he asked her.

"If I get selected, I can join within 15 to 20 days," she told him.

"I think you didn't get my question properly. I asked you for the convenient date when you will join so that I can get that date typed on your appointment letter," the manager said this with a warm smile. "You are selected already, congratulations!"

Saniya couldn't believe this. "Actually sir, you haven't asked me any questions yet, I was thinking there will be tough interview as this is the final round, so I got confused. I guess you have selected me from my profile itself."

"After I know who you are, I don't need to take any interview now, so leave aside all the confusions and tell me how much CTC you expect?" the manager asked Saniya.

"Anything which your company will offer," she said, "I am very happy on getting this job and whatever salary the company decides is acceptable to me."

The manager replied, "Very fine Ms. Saniya, you can join the company as soon as possible. Salary details shall be informed to you by today evening by my assistant, and when you get the call, you can inform her about your joining date."

"Thank you very much sir" Saniya was thrilled with joy!

"It's my pleasure, welcome to the organization," the HR manager said and Saniya thanked him and she took his leave.