Desperate Measures #2
Rekha removed her sunglasses as the driver pulled into traffic, her expression sympathetic. ‘I looked into what happened,’ she said. ‘The job was indeed given to a friend.’
I knew this, but hearing the confirmation somehow made it worse.
‘I know I promised to fix it, but unfortunately, my son was the one who gave that job to a friend of his. Her name is Krisha. If I meddle in his office affairs, especially after his recent promotion to COO, he will not take it well.’ She pursed her lips.
‘He will look at it as if I don’t trust him. ’
I waited, sensing there was more.
‘But—’ There it is. ‘Even though Suraina is fantastic to work with, she doesn’t accept excuses and has no patience for incompetence. While Krisha is sweet, she isn’t the most qualified or experienced person for the job. You see where I am going with this, don’t you?’
I nodded.
‘So the moment Suraina needs a new assistant, you will be the first person we interview for the job.’
Considering everything, it was the best offer I could get.
But there was a chance that this Krisha girl was good at her job or was a fast learner.
Anyone in her position would give it their all.
It may be a few years before Suraina ma’am needs a new assistant.
There was no way they would even remember who I was at that point.
Something is better than nothing, Ananya. ‘Sounds good.’
‘You don’t look very happy, and I understand that.
I have another proposal for you.’ She paused, weighing her words carefully. ‘My son needs an assistant. It’s a temporary job, only for eight months. But it’s a job. One that I can get you today.’
I chewed on my bottom lip. The image of the girl I’d met in the common area popped into my head. Taking this job would be doing to her exactly what was done to me.
‘It is a very generous offer, thank you.’ My eyes slid shut. I couldn’t believe I was saying this. ‘But I’m sorry, I’ll have to decline.’ This was an opportunity my conscience wouldn’t let me accept.
Rekha blinked, her composure giving way to surprise. She didn’t seem like a woman who often heard ‘no’.
‘It’s no different from doing to someone else what was done to me,’ I added.
‘But it is different.’ She leaned forward. ‘Because the job comes with another … purpose.’
‘What do you mean?’ She knew I was desperate for a job, but what she didn’t know was that I wouldn’t do just anything to get it.
She looked out the window, watching the city pass by.
When she spoke again, her voice was softer, almost hesitant.
‘Jai is brilliant. Truly talented. And he’s finally stepping into the role.
’ She turned back to me. ‘His promotion to COO was recent – just a few months ago. It’s a critical time for him.
For the company. And he needs someone competent to work with him. Someone sharp, organised.’
There was a pause, weighted with something unspoken. ‘Someone who can also keep me informed about what he’s working on.’
There it was. The real ask. One that confused me deeply.
‘What do you mean?’ I asked slowly.
‘Just ... what he’s doing. His meetings, his projects, how he’s spending his time.’ Her expression was earnest. ‘You’d be his assistant anyway – naturally, you’d be managing his calendar and coordinating his schedule. I’m simply asking that you keep me in the loop.’
She looked down at her hands, twisting a ring.
‘Jai won’t talk to me about work. He won’t talk to his father.
He’s very private about what he’s doing.
’ There was something in her tone – not quite worry, but something close to it.
‘This is a big responsibility for him. If I knew what he was working on, who he was meeting with ... it would give me peace of mind. I need to make sure he’s doing well. ’
The way she framed her motives made it sound harmless – a concerned parent wanting updates. But asking a stranger to report on her own son felt like something more just than maternal concern. In fact, the whole thing felt off.
Rekha rubbed her chin, as if debating whether to say more. ‘Between you and me, Ananya, there have been ... small concerns lately.’
‘What kind of concerns?’
She waved a hand, as if dismissing her own words. ‘Little things. Probably nothing. Delays in projects. A few discrepancies in reports – minor, but unusual for HoA.’ She shook her head. ‘I’m probably being paranoid. But when you’ve been part of a company this long, you develop instincts.’
It was so subtle. She wasn’t accusing Jai of anything. Just ... expressing vague unease. ‘You think Jai is involved?’
‘I don’t know what to think. That’s why I need to know what he’s doing.
’ She met my eyes. ‘He’s new to the position.
Perhaps these are just growing pains. Or maybe there’s something I should be aware of.
’ Her voice dropped. ‘I need to know, Ananya. To protect him – even if it is from himself. To step in before small issues snowball into something bigger.’
The temperature in the car remained the same, but I suddenly felt cold.
‘Maybe you should hire a professional. An auditor or a private detective will be more qualified for the job.’
‘I don’t want to involve anyone before I’m certain there is an issue. I need proof. And that’s where you come in. All you have to do is observe and keep me informed.’
The car slowed at a red light. I stared out at the busy intersection, at the sea of people crossing the street, going about their lives. Did any of them enter into deals they weren’t sure about?
‘Why me?’ The question came out before I could stop it. ‘You don’t even know me. Why would you trust me with something like this?’
Rekha smiled, and for the first time, it reached her eyes.
‘Because everyone else at that company has known Jai since he was a boy. They either adore him or answer to him. They won’t be objective.
’ She paused. ‘But you’re an outsider. You have no history there, no loyalty clouding your judgement. You’ll see things clearly.’
She tilted her head slightly. ‘And I heard what you said on that phone call. About people who get everything handed to them. About the system being unfair.’ Her voice softened.
‘You understand what it’s like when things aren’t given to you.
You won’t be easily charmed or fooled. You’ll see the truth – whatever it is. ’
It was a compliment wrapped in manipulation, and it landed exactly as she intended.
‘And if I say no?’ I asked quietly.
Rekha was silent for a moment. Her voice was still polite, but it carried a new edge beneath it – firm and final.
‘Then you say no. I would never force you.’ She looked down, smoothing her sari.
‘But I’m being honest with you, Ananya. I need someone I can trust working closely with Jai right now.
Someone who understands what’s at stake.
If you’re not comfortable with that, I understand.
But then I can’t offer you the position. ’
The reality of the choice I had to make settled heavily on my shoulders. It wasn’t ‘take the job and maybe help me later’. It was both or nothing.
‘So, it’s conditional,’ I said. ‘The job comes with this ... arrangement.’
‘The job comes with my trust,’ she corrected me gently. ‘And trust is something I don’t give away lightly.’
The light turned green. We were almost back at the office.
I picked at my nail. The nagging voice in the back of my head kept telling me this was wrong. But I also knew I was out of options. My savings were almost gone. Papa would ask me to come home. The marriage proposals would start. My freedom would end.
This was my only way out.
The car pulled up in front of the House of Advani.
‘I need an answer, Ananya.’ Rekha’s voice was kind but expectant. ‘This position needs to be filled today.’
Today.
I replayed everything I’d lose if I said no. My independence. My dreams. My freedom.
And maybe Rekha was right. Maybe she just wanted to know what her son was working on. What was so wrong with that? She was his mother.
You’re rationalising. You know this is wrong.
But I also knew I couldn’t walk away.
‘Just information I’d already have access to,’ I said slowly, testing the words. ‘His schedule, his meetings. Nothing more.’
‘That’s all I’m asking. And when the eight months are up, I’ll move you to Suraina’s team. You have my word.’
I exhaled. My gut told me this was going to be more complicated than Rekha was letting on. Bigger. Messier. With much higher stakes.