Chapter 15: chapter 15

"What's wrong with you?", Ayu yelled."What?", I shifted my sights away from the laptop screen to him."When are you planning to sleep?", he crossed his arms against his chest. "A few more minutes, Ayu", I glued my view to the laptop screen again. "Minutes? I am coming here for the freaking fifth time", he was irate. I was busy preparing for the interview, so I just nodded."Didn't you check the timer? It's striking 4 AM!", he gave a shout.I ignored!Wait! What?4 AM?I snatched my phone which was resting beneath my books.It reads 4 AM!Crap! I didn't sleep the entire night! "Good morning dumbo!", he said sarcastically.*face palm*"Why are you so stressed? You have already cleared the first round online. It's time for the technical round and it's proven that you are an ace at it", he pacified. "I don't know! I just want to procure that intern position at Oberoi's no matter what", I  looked at him. "Sure, but not at the cost of your health", he sounded worried."Sorry", I apologized."Please don't, just sleep for now. I will wake you up on time", with a peck on my forehead, he left.*huff*Can't believe we are about to conclude our final year.We will be addressed as Engineers officially in a couple of months. We didn't even realise how days went by, being busy with internals, assignments, externals, practicals, seminars and last but not the least a team project.I wholly agree with the phrase "Time flew like an arrow and you are the navigator".Who doesn't?After all, it's the universal truth!Our externals are scheduled next week. But, today I am about to deal with an interview with my dream Multinational "Oberoi's Group".I couldn't sleep even after trying hard.Eventually, I got ready before Ayu could come.I wore a white full-sleeved shirt, paired it with a black knee-length pencil skirt and styled my hair in a neat high ponytail.*Knock Knock*"Aashi, wake up", Ayu came in all ready."I am", I replied.After noticing me this way, he understood that I skipped my sleep ignoring his advice."You are impossible", he frowned.I tittered."Breakfast?", he asked."Will have lunch directly", I answered organizing my papers."But", he was about to finish.Meanwhile, we heard Yash's car horn. I grabbed his hand and paced likewise.The interview process was to be held in our college premises. I was waiting outside the chamber after enrolling for the permit.Ayu and I were checking my documents."Hold this! You are next", Yash handed me the entry permit."Permit No.105"A voice reached us. I checked. It was mine."Good luck", Yash and Ayu wished in unison.I nodded and entered the chamber.There were six individuals seated in the Recruiting Panel. All seemed to be stringent.Obviously! After all, they were from the Oberoi's. *Emotionally brittle* We shared a formal smile followed by their approbation for me to be seated.Aashi, You can do this!I introduced myself and answered all the technical questions they asked.Then they went on with Brainteaser, Competency, Behavioural, skill-based, situational queries and what not!About next to an hour, they wrapped up the session. Phew!I was asked to leave with a single phrase "Will get back to you shortly".Shortly?Here they go!Why can't they say on the spot?Argh! A few days went by.I was preparing for my next day's theory. I got an ISD call from a private number.I swiped the green icon.Unknown- Miss. Aashika Rao?Me- Yes. Unknown- Greetings from The Oberoi's Group! Emiley here from Oberoi's Group, London!Me- Hello Emiley!Emiley- As our Recruiting Panel is done with conducting your interview a couple of days ago in India, we are delighted to inform you that we have determined you as the best candidate to work with us as an intern.Me- Really? I..I..mean..thank you very much!Emiley- Our pleasure! Your workplace will be our Head office in London. Rest all the info regarding Stipend, Joining Date, accommodation and documents, you will be getting through an E-mail from our team.Me- Sure!Emiley- Welcome to the Oberoi's! Have a great day!Beep..Beep...I was not sure how to react. It was my dream come true. I called home and asked everyone to join on video call.Then, I dialled Yash. Ring..Ring...Me- Idiot? Be here in five!Yash- What? Why?Me- In five!Beep..Beep..I descended the stairs shouting "Ayu..Ayu..".In the next couple of minutes, everybody was staring at me silently confused."What's the matter?", dad came in breaking the silence.I took a deep breath. "I am joining the Oberoi's in London", I hopped excitedly."YEAH!", came in a chorus.I saw a twinkle in everybody's eyes. They all seemed to jump out of the screen in exhilaration. Their happiness had no boundaries.There started the series of blessings and  virtual kisses accompanied by suggestions through video call."Proud of you Scholar", unisoned Ayu and Yash and here comes our iconic group hug."Thank you all for supporting me in all the ways possible", I expressed.They all smiled."Chalo, you all have exams tomorrow. Do well and good luck", said dadu and hung up.My Family❤️*Buzz*I got a notification on my phone. It was an E-mail from Oberoi's Group!"OMHG! I received an email", I almost screamed.I ran towards my laptop and they both followed me.Yash grabbed my laptop and opened the mail.It had a formal offer letter followed by all the required information."Wow! This opportunity is worth a pick", Ayu was impressed. "I know", I smug. "Well, who is the CEO of Oberoi's?", Yash was in search of the name."NEIL OBEROI", Ayu said."What do you know about him, Aashi?", Yash queried. "Nothing", I replied glancing at my notes.They both looked at me as if I had turned the world upside down."Oh, please. He is Neil Oberoi and he is the CEO, that's sufficient", I shrugged. "You are going to work with him, girl", Yash gave a surprised look."So? That has nothing to do with his personal stuff", I was least bothered in the CEO's personal life. They disregarded my phrase and started surfing his page. I looked at them with a question mark."What? Our Aashi is going to work with him. We have all the rights to know every stint about him", Ayu grinned.Whatever! *rolling eyes*"What do you think his age might be?", Ayu asked."I don't care", I snubbed."He is just 24 and the most eligible bachelorette", Yash replied.I didn't respond."Ignore her! Proceed", Ayu guided Yash. "He is the only son to Mr and Mrs. Sujeet Oberoi. After graduation, he joined his father's company as CEO to take up his family's legacy", finished Yash."Amazing! This info will help us to clear our externals tomorrow", I threw sarcasm."Shut up!", both roared."But..", Yash frowned."What?", Ayu was curious. "There is not even a single picture of Neil Oberoi on any site", Yash sounded disappointed. I beamed."His search numbers are increasing only because of jobless people like you", I was so irritated. They threw a cushion on my face.I threw it back but, he caught it.Ugh!"Well, the first thing you need to do is send me his family picture", Yash winked and got up to leave.He thoroughly knows I'm never gonna do that."As if I will", I grinned."Chalo, I will leave. I need to prepare a lot for tomorrow's theory", Yash said pacing towards the exit.I gave him a "Get Lost" look and threw a fake smile.Ayu followed him.Finally, I can concentrate now.*sigh**************************************Alright! A new of her life. I am so excited. Are you? See you in the next chapter!Till then stay tuned and miss me. 😉#KeepReading #KeepLoving❤️❤️