Bhargav could not hold it in anymore and rushed towards the washroom to wash his face. Even when he returned Bhargav couldn't get the courage to look at her. He commented about her to Arjun saying she might have a bad character.
If she was not qualified to become a personal assistant probably no one in this world was. Where could they find someone with such a kind heart but filled with determination to go against anything life threw at her. He was looking at Arjun wondering when he would offer her the job but Arjun kept staring at her not saying anything.
Lalitha hurriedly got up seeing it was already nine fifty. When she offered to pay her share Arjun declined pointing at Bhargav and saying he'd probably kick his a** if he let her pay. Noticing the guy who just returned but still tears rolling down his eyes she did not know what to say and thanked them again and again before hurrying towards the agency.
Bhargav kept on staring Arjun once she left, Arjun noticing the stares laughed out loud saying "spit it out if you have anything to say Anna".
"Why didn't you hire her Arjun? even i might not be as good as her when it comes to loyalty, isn't that what you're looking for?"
"Yes she does have it"
"Then why?"
"Would she believe us if we tried hiring her right away in the coffee shop just across her agency?"
It then hit Bhargav, yes a women who had been through so much, how would she believe them if they suddenly expressed they wanted to hire her. She might even suspect they were sent by that guy. After all no matter how positive one looks towards at life they'd still be careful when they met new people.
"Okay shall we go now?" Bhargav was starting to feel anxious by now. He was afraid she might slip away if they were late.
"It's okay anna finish your coffee and settle the bill first" Arjun spoke calmly sipping his coffee.
Bhargav drowned all of his remaining coffee at once ran to the bill counter paying the bill he returned saying let's go. It did not even take a single minute for him to all this.
Arjun could understand his feelings though, he too had been in a similar situation in the past. They left the shop and headed towards the agency once Arjun was done with his coffee.
When they entered the building it was the receptionist who invited them into interview room but Lalitha was nowhere to be seen. They had waited for over five minutes but she was yet to come, Bhargav started getting cold feet and began debating with Arjun that perhaps they should have hired her in the coffee place itself.
As they were busy bickering Lalitha entered the room and was stunned to find the people whom she had just spoken with sitting in the interview seats. She double checked outside to confirm if this was the right room and upon confirming it was the one where her interview was going to take place she gathered her courage to give it her all and took her seat. She had questions but wondered if it was her place to ask them especially in a interview.
"Surprised Akka?"
"You why are here you here kiddo? are you the interviewer? But you're only ten twelve years old?" She shut up as she felt she had spoken out of line.
"I'm sorry for my rude words sir" She slowly whispered.
"Hahaha it's okay young miss you can call me whatever you prefer, am i not calling you Akka?"
Lalitha was relieved he had not taken it to heart and handed her documents to Arjun.
Arjun took the documents put them aside.
"You don't need some papers to convince me Akka you already did. You're hired."
"What do you mean?"
"just what i said, you're hired. shall we discuss your salary details?"
"i am hired?"
"discuss salary?"
"I am fine with five hundred rupees a month sir" she blurted out
"What do you mean five hundred?" It was Bhargav who got angry this time, he could not understand why this lady couldn't just sit still and wait for Arjun to make his offer.
"Is that too high sir? but it's the same amount i receive now"
"Okay let's do it as you suggested" Arjun cut in just as Bhargav was about to speak his mind making him silenced as well.
"This will be your salary for the first three months, We'll re-visit the Salary issue if you get through this trial period. But let me remind you beforehand you will need to relocate to our village which is quite a distance from here" Arjun spoke in a firm tone.
"Yes sir, i can do that immediately, when should i report?"
Settle down Akka, also don't keep calling me sir it feels too distant. Let us go ahead and prepare a housing first and you have something else to do in the mean time said Arjun handing her a couple of five hundred rupee notes.
"What do you mean sir?"
"Of course housing is included in the job offer, did you not properly hear the details? As for the money it's for you to get a proper make over and buy some proper clothing. I can't have my assistant run around looking like this can i?"
Lalitha was surprised, she had never heard of bosses providing lodging for their employees unless if it was a huge factory or a government facility. Then she looked at herself and realized what Arjun said was right and gave an embarrassed smile but was already on the verge of breaking down. She never imagined her new boss to be so kind.
"I will sir" She whispered trying to control her tears.
"How many times do i have to say Akka please stop addressing me as sir, i am over ten years younger to you for god's sake. I have a name too it's Arjun" He introduced himself. He realized they never had the chance to introduce themselves as they were already a bit too emotional to follow proper procedures.
"Okay Ar....Arjun sir"
He did not know what to say anymore and tried to change the topic, also Akka please don't skimp on clothes buy appropriate ones fitting for a personal assistant.
Okay we need to leave right now, come to our village Manginapudi two days later and meet with Bhargav he'll take you to settle down he said introducing Bhargav to her.
Bhargav who was thrown into the middle without intimation felt like sitting on pins and needles. He stutteringly uttered "H..Hi...Hello" and gave a shy smile before turning away.
Lalitha was confused. Was she so scary to look at? but looking at the callouses on her hands and her worn down face she felt she needed a proper make over too.
Arjun and Bhargav left to visit the printing district but this time with a different purpose. Lalitha meanwhile just sat there taking it all in. She was finally hired and it felt too surreal. She did not even have a proper interview but was still hired.
Lalitha wondered if it was all a dream but the crisp notes in her hand told it was not so. She wiped her face after realizing she had not even properly thanked the people but they were no where to be seen when she ran outside. Disappointed but still filled with anticipation about the future she went to the nearby boutique to get a makeover as Arjun suggested.
Bhargav who was driving the jeep meanwhile questioned Arjun, Why did you give her the cash without any agreement Arjun, what if she runs away wouldn't we be treated as fools then?
Well i am certain i am not but haven't you already become one? Arjun kidded.
Bhargav was too shy to counter and instead asked in a firm but shy tone answer my question kiddo.
Well if she really did run away for just thousand rupees either she's the greatest story teller in the world or we're those fools who fall for simp stories. But i am sure she would no do so, face and stories can lie but eyes cannot. Arjun replied.
Bhargav felt it was not a very convincing argument but did not comment further.
They reached the printing section of industrial district in no time and parked their jeep outside to avoid traffic and went inside by foot.
Arjun was shocked to find from Bhargav that there were no comic studios during these times, There were at most some small studios that worked on news paper comics and children's drawing books. Arjun had to make do and decided to visit a popular newspaper house to check out their resources and see if anyone was worth poaching.