Forbidden Desire, Ritesh Prasad [chrysanthemum read aloud .TXT] 📗

the same office building and this time there were double the candidates than last time. I had to go through all the rounds again as before. Finally there were 5 candidates left for the final round and it was almost 9 pm. I saw a girl in simple salwar kurta sitting opposite of my side. She was of medium height and had a round face. I noticed she was looking more tensed then me. I hope she noticed me that I was looking at her and she smiled. I responded back with a smile too.

 

All the candidates had their final round of interview and finally we two were only left. Anurag came in and said it’s too late. The interviewer has asked you two to come again tomorrow for the final round.

 

“What??? How can I come tomorrow again? It’s not possible for me.” I said panicking.

“Sorry I can’t help you need to come tomorrow if you want this job.” He replied straight.

I noticed the girl had no problem with this and was standing there quietly listening to our discussion.

 

“Anurag ..please try to understand. You can’t imagine how difficult it was for me to get for this interview today, and now you say I need to come tomorrow again. It’s next to impossible for me to take a leave tomorrow. My current boss would fire me anyhow if he doesn’t find me there in the office tomorrow.”

He said, “You don’t need to come in the morning. You take a half day leave and come in the evening it’s only for the final round.”

 

“Anurag you are not getting me…it’s not like your corporate culture and we are not entertained with such flexibility. I work in a private firm and there everything depends upon the boss. I took a risk and skipped office today. My boss must be already hyper on me for my today’s act. If I miss my office tomorrow again, I am sure he will fire me and if I am not selected here, then I am ruined completely.” I said trying to make him understand my situation.

 

“Anurag please ask him to take my interview today itself.” I begged him this time.

I think my over nagging pissed him off and finally he said in straight tone “Look Rohit I don’t care how you manage but if you want this job then be present here in the evening sharp by 4 pm. You may leave now.”

 

I understood there is no use of saying anything else. So I came out quietly. While I was waiting for the elevator. I saw the same girl coming out from the reception area.

The lift was empty and we two entered. During conversation I came to know her name was Arpita. She looked pretty simple from her appearance. She enquired me where I was currently working and why I was insisting Anurag so badly to conduct the interview today itself. While coming out of the building I explained her about my situation in details. She said that I had already taken a risk and should not leave it half way. I should come for the interview tomorrow. Better risk than regret, who knows you might get selected. I took her advice in positive manner and we both parted our respective ways.

 

While returning home I called Shewta and asked her about the situation. She said MD is out of town and I felt a bit relief but Mr. Roy is heated like anything and is been trying to call you since morning. I gave damn care about Roy and explained whatever happened today in the interview and asked for her advice. She said I should better go for the interview tomorrow and should keep my mobile off as i did today.

 

She said, “Mr. Roy is continuously trying to call you and if by any chance he catches you over phone then Rohit you are finished. So be careful.

 

Are you sure Shewta should I go for this interview?? I enquired her again.

 

“Rohit if you are asking for my opinion then I would suggest, you please go with the interview. Rest we will see what happens in office day after tomorrow.”

 

I was still in dilemma what shall I do. With so many thoughts playing drums in my head I reached home. I called Nisha and then explained her everything, she also advised me to go for the interview and thereafter I called my home and got the same response.

 

I stood and went near Lord Krishna and closed my eyes and I asked him the same question. And this time also I got the same answer. Though it was a tough decision to make and above all it was a big risk, a risk that could even cost my current job and would ruined my life. So finally I thought if so many people are saying that I should go for the interview then I should... If my interview clicks then there is nothing to worry. If it doesn’t, then I should be well prepared for the battle against the wicked Roy to save my current job. As said “No Risk No Gain”.

 

So I took this risk and went ahead with the interview next day. I reached there exactly at 4 pm and while entering office I met Sapna the same girl on the way.

 

“Oh so you came? I thought you wouldn’t” She said and smiled.

 

“Yeah I too believe I will not come but finally I had too as I had no choice. You also advised me the same.” I replied while entering the lift.

 

“True… you did the right thing. I am sure you will not regret your decision.”

I thanked her as we both entered the reception area.

 

After waiting for around half an hour in the reception lobby, I was the one who was the first to face the interviewer. This time there was another gentlemen and I greeted him and entered the room. He smiled and asked me to take seat.

 

“Are you feeling nervous???” Was his first question.

 

I smiled and said, “Yes a bit Sir.”

 

He asked me about my family, education and prior work experiences. I noticed he was very cool while asking me questions. I didn’t feel like I was in interrogation room like my previous experience in same office.

 

Everything was going fine. Then he came to the real round to test my accounting and finance knowledge. First few questions went all well. He was impressed with my knowledge but suddenly he changed his pattern of questions.

 

“What is current version of SAP used now?”

 

I said, “I am not aware.”

 

“Do you know what SAP is?”

 

“Yes Sir!!! It’s ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) tool widely used by the business organization all over the world for recording their day to day business operations. But I have never worked in SAP.”

 

“But here we mostly work in SAP. Will you be able to grasp it?”

 

“Yeah why not, I hope I would be provided with the basic trainings.”

 

“Of course we would provide that.”

“Sure?” He enquired again which made me feel a bit nervous.

 

“Yes Sir”. I replied trying to be poised.

 

“Great!!! I like your confidence”. He complimented.

 

“Thank You Sir!” I responded back.

 

“What is W 09 form used for?

 

I said, “Sorry Sir I am not aware of this term.”

 

“What is SOP?”

 

I said, “I have no idea.”

 

“What is three way invoice matching?”

 

I just nodded my head I don’t know.

 

He kept on asking me such questions and used terms that I had hardly ever heard.

 

“What is AP reconciliation?” He said with a long pause and while stretching back.

 

“I again said, “I don’t know.”

 

He then lean forward and said looking at me, “All of suddenly what happened to you? You were so good in the beginning but now I am only hearing is No, I am not aware, I don’t know etc.”

I kept quiet for sometime

 

“Is everything Ok?” He enquired again.

 

“Sir! The earlier questions that you asked were the things related with accounting and Finance which is my current domain I am working in.” I replied with hesitation.

 

“Young man the questions which I am asking now are also from the same domain. You don’t know what AP is?”

 

“I know Sir, it means Accounts Payable and comes under the head of Current liabilities under Balance Sheet.

 

“Correct. So what is reconciliation?”

 

“Reconciliation is a document analysis done to validate the ending balance of accounts with independent source and explanations of variance if any.”

“Perfect. Then what is AP reconciliations?”

 

I kept silent and thought for a while and just merged the two statements and said,

“AP reconciliation is document analysis done to validate the ending balance of Accounts Payable with independent source and explanations of variance if any.”

 

“See you said it correct and the independent source of document in this can be vendor statement or a third party confirmation which is matched with GL balances. It’s so simple then why earlier said you don’t know.”

 

I kept silence and look downwards and said, “Sir I got nervous as you started using such terms that I have hardly heard. I work in a small Private firm, so these heavy corporate terms are pretty new for me. So instead of faking answer which I know you would easily catch hold of me, I tried to be honest and say I don’t know.”

 

“Hmmmm… Look young man. I know you would not be familiar with these terms but still you could have given a try atleast. I was just testing your patience and wanted to know how well you can handle stress. If you want to be a part of corporate world being hard and honest worker is not enough. You need to be a smart worker. Got it?” He said and stretched back again.

 

“Yes Sir!!!” I replied in quick.

 

“Okay Mr. Rohit anything that you would like to ask me before we conclude this.”

 

“Nothing much Sir but I have one thing to say.

 

“Go ahead young man.” He said smiling at me.

 

“Sir! I am not sure whether I would be selected or not? But anyways it was a wonderful learning & really nice meeting you.”

 

“But what makes you think like that you will be not selected.” He asked.

 

“Sir! I had come here for the interview last time also and I got the most of the answers correct but was shocked to know I was not selected. And this time I could hardly answer any of your further questions. So I thought I might get rejected this time as well.” I said with heavy voice.

 

“Hmmm… look gentlemen it’s not your job to decide whether you will be selected or not. Leave that to us. You just need to have confidence in what you do and give your best….Got my point??” He said and smiled looking at me.

 

I just responded with my head and kept quiet.

 

“Okay you may leave now.”

“Thank you Sir. It was a wonderful experience being interviewed by you. Will keep those things always in mind. Have a great day Sir.” I said and left the room.

 

I was asked to wait in the reception area. I wished Sapna all the best as she entered the room.

 

I was waiting eagerly and was in doubt if I would get selected. But I was more concerned about my day tomorrow in office. Mr. Roy would leave no stone unturned to kick my ass. All those tomorrow’s scenes were revolving around my eyes and that really shivered me but soon was distracted as I saw Sapna coming out red face, she was really upset. I felt like talking to her, but left her on her own. We were sitting quietly.

 

Anurag came after a while with a paper in hand. We both stood up curiously to know what he had to say. He first looked at me said “Congratulations you are selected” I could not believe his word. “Is that true?” I asked him again.

 

“Yes my friend, so when can you join?” He asked me again.

 

“Anytime, any day you say.” I replied in ecstatic.

 

“Good so come next Monday with all the relevant documents and two photocopies of the same and handed me the company broucher with offer letter.”