26. THE INTERVIEW
Aarvi paused at the main entrance of the Singhania Industries, her heart thudding against her ribs. She inhaled slowly.
She straightened her shoulders and stepped inside.
As she entered inside, she clutched her file tighter, hoping her she will pass this interview.
“Excuse me, ma’am,” the receptionist said kindly. “Are you here for an appointment?”
“Yes I’m here for an interview,” Aarvi replied, forcing a smile.
“Name?”
“Aarvi… Sisodiya.”
The receptionist typed for a few seconds, then smiled. “Yes, your slot is at ten. Mr. Singhania will personally take your interview. Please wait in the lounge.”
Aarvi froze slightly at the mention of his name, her throat drying up. Of course he would. He has to pretend like I’m a stranger.
She nodded, thanking the receptionist before moving to the waiting area.
Inside the boardroom, Vivan sat with his assistant, reviewing a few files.
When the door opened and Aarvi walked in. He looked up from the file.
His assistant greeted her politely and gestured to the seat across from him.
“Sit,” Vivan said evenly, again dropping his gaze on the papers, pretending like a stranger.
She sat, her heart hammering. He flipped through a file, her resume and spoke in his usual professional tone, like she was any other candidate.
“So, Miss Sisodiya, you want to work here,” he said flatly.
“Yes, sir.”
Her voice was soft but firm.
He looked up at her now, meeting her eyes. But for the briefest moment, his gaze softened. There was something in the way she looked at him, nervous, yet stubbornly composed.
He cleared his throat. “Any experience?”
“No, sir. But I’ve studied management and finance during college, and I’m willing to learn,” she replied.
His brows lifted faintly not bad.
The assistant, unaware of the tension between them, smiled encouragingly. “That’s good confidence.”
Vivan leaned back in his chair, watching her for a moment. “You do realize this company doesn’t tolerate carelessness or excuses?”
Aarvi met his gaze and replied quietly, “I don’t make excuses, sir.”
Something about the firmness in her voice made him blink. He wasn’t expecting that, not from her.
For a second, silence filled the room.
Then Vivan nodded, breaking the tension. “Fine. It was nice meeting you, Aarvi. We’ll be in touch soon.”
She stood up, relief washing through her. “Thank you, sir.”
He only gave a brief nod, pretending to check another file, though his eyes flicked up once as she turned to leave catching one last glimpse of her walking away.
And that’s when it hit him she hadn’t once looked at him like a wife. No complaint, no expectation, no emotion. Just professionalism.
As soon as the interview ended, Aarvi gathered her files, bowed slightly to Vivan, and turned to leave the room. Her palms were still sweaty, her heartbeat still loud in her ears.
She stepped out into the wide, hallway of Singhania Industries, breathing in relief. But before she could even reach the elevator “Excuse me, ma’am.” A male staff member hurried toward her, slightly out of breath. “Mr. Vinod Singhania has asked to see you. Please come with me.”
Aarvi froze mid-step. “M-Mr. Vinod Singhania?” she repeated, unsure if she’d heard correctly.
The man nodded politely. “Yes, ma’am. He personally asked for you.”
All eyes turned toward her. People sitting nearby stopped working, whispers began to spread across the floor.
“Wait, what? Mr. Vinod called her?”
“First Vivan Sir takes her interview personally, and now the chairman himself?”
“Who is she? Must be someone important…”
The whispers grew like wildfire. Aarvi could feel dozens of curious eyes following her as she walked behind the staff member. She hated attention and this was exactly the kind of attention she didn’t want.
Inside the elevator, she clutched her file nervously against her chest.
Vinod looked up from his desk, a faint smile forming as Aarvi appeared on the screen. He gestured for her to sit.
“I heard about your interview,” he said, voice calm yet warm. “Vivan is… not easy to impress.”
Aarvi lowered her gaze. “He just asked what I knew, sir. I didn’t expect to even pass.”
Vinod’s brows lifted slightly. “Well, you did.”
He signed a few documents before looking back at her. “Welcome to Singhania Industries, Aarvi. You’re officially selected.”
Her eyes widened in disbelief. “R-really? Thank you so much, sir.”
Vinod chuckled softly. “Remember this, beta people will talk. It’s their full time job. But your work…” He paused meaningfully. “Your work will speak louder than any rumor.”
Aarvi’s eyes brightened with a mix of gratitude and relief. “I’ll do my best always.”
“Good.” His voice softened further. “Now go. And don’t be nervous you’ve already made one Singhania proud today.”
For a second, she just blinked at the screen, unsure how to respond to that warmth. Then she smiled genuinely & left.
Unaware of the next turmoil waiting for her.