chapter 50

SerendipityEpisode-50I don’t want to make this trip again, Megha thought. The last time, he asked me to speak freely in his cabin, and I refused. Now, here I am, waiting outside that same cabin, sneezing and stressing. Well, Megha, you’re reaping the consequences of your actions.Picturing Rajiv’s intense nature, Geeta hesitantly picked up the phone and dialed Rajiv’s cabin no. Who is this woman who thinks she can meet the CFO without an appointment? she wondered, a bit flustered. Does Rajiv sir even know her? I talk to him every day—what’s one more call? As Geeta waited for him to answer, her curiosity grew.“Yes, Geeta,” Rajiv’s serious voice sounded on the other end.“Sir, Megha Joshi from SWC & Co. is here to meet you.”Meanwhile, Megha was silently praying to the Ganpati idol in the main lobby: Please, please, even if it’s just five minutes—please let him agree to meet me.Rajiv responded with a slight smile audible in his voice, “Does she have an appointment?”“No, sir… but she says it’s urgent,” Geeta replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty.“Ask her to wait; I’m busy right now,” Rajiv said firmly, adding a note of sternness to his tone.Megha strained to hear their conversation and barely caught Rajiv’s response.Geeta turned back to her, adopting a professional expression. “Ma’am, Rajiv sir has asked you to wait. He’s busy right now.”“Okay… but do you know how long it might take?” Megha asked, though she immediately regretted it. Megha, be grateful he is letting you wait at all, she chastised herself. You came without an appointment; he has every right to say no.“Ma’am, I really can’t say,” Geeta replied, gesturing to the sofa. “Please, have a seat.”“Okay, I’ll wait,” Megha said, managing a small smile. “And please don’t call me ma’am—just Megha.”Geeta nodded with a smile, appreciating Megha’s down-to-earth nature. She watched as Megha took a seat on the sofa, leafing through the contract papers in her hand, obviously rehearsing what she wanted to say to Rajiv. Stay calm, Megha reminded herself. Last time, you spoke too much; this time, listen to him.From a distance, Geeta observed her thoughtfully. Megha Joshi… why does her name sound familiar? She remembered hearing it in the cabin when Sannyal sir and Rajiv sir had discussed the SWC project. Yes, Technosys… they mentioned her name yesterday at the press conference. It hit her—this is Megha Joshi, the Vice President of SWC. And she looks so young, so simple.Impressive, Geeta mused. VP at such a young age… and wearing a saree? It was Holi, after all, and her own mother-in-law had urged her to wear one. How perfectly she’s draped that Irkal saree, Geeta noted with admiration. And that collar-neck blouse with three-quarter sleeves—it’s so elegant, even more suited for the office than a sleeveless style.I should have one made like that.Megha’s smile seemed genuine and warm, a stark contrast to Geeta’s previous experience with Seema Desai, the Accounts General Manager, who never let Geeta forget to address her formally as “ma’am.”*@*@*@*@*The moment Geeta hung up the intercom, Rajiv stood and hesitated. Why did I tell her I’m busy? he asked himself. I know exactly why Miss Joshi is here… maybe I just need time to think.He walked to the door, pulling the blinds aside slightly to glance into the lobby.He could see Megha seated, her face calm but her hands betraying a bit of nervous energy as she flipped through the contract pages. Why am I even doing this? he wondered. This isn’t right, Rajiv. To be continued....© ®️ Meghna_Yadav 2021Special Thanks to friend Gayatri and my loving daughter, my buddy.Hello Readers,Illuminate the five stars of ratings with your gentle touch. Do let me know your thoughts via comments..Thanks and Regards,Meghana Yadav... Â