I was rushing my way out of our house. I woke up a little late today so I have to cram with my deliveries before going home to prepare myself to work. Finally, I got a job at PTH.
I swing my backpack on my shoulders and went straight to Mamma's store.
"Mamma, I will go now. I think I'm already late for my first day."
"My Roop will work in an office. I'm so excited for you." Mamma beamed. She's so excited for me. She's the first person who believes that I'll get the spot.
"Mamma..." I throw my arms around her. "Wish me luck. I will tell you how my first day goes as soon as I arrived home tonight."
I kissed my mother on her forehead and there I run, "Bye Mamma! See you!"
I am so excited because at last, I will work at regular working hours. I can finally rest early at night. But I will miss working with Jackjack at the garments shop. That's my favorite job so far mainly because I enjoy Jackjack's company.
Today, PTH will discuss my job description and probably, a contract.
As soon as I unload from the bus, I run at full speed towards the building two blocks from the bus stop. I am nearly late. I keep on glancing at my watch and now, I only have 10 minutes to reach the office.
As soon as I reach the building at the corner of 2nd Street and Hanuman Temple, I barged in straight to the reception area.
I bowed to the female receptionist who looked a little star-struck, "Hi I'm sorry to disturb you but I just want to know what floor is Mr. Ranbir Amarnath's office?"
"Oh! Are you the newly hired clerk?" I nodded, "Please proceed to the last floor, 30th."
I bowed again, "Thank you."
I don't know if I am just mistaken but I really think the receptionist just winked at me. I am in such a hurry that I really don't have time to check if that girl really winked at me. But she's pretty, I have to admit that.
Inside the elevator, I reach into my pocket for my handkerchief. I got sweaty from running just to be here on time. As soon as I heard a bell, I knew that I reached the last floor of the tower.
I walked out of the elevator and saw a glass door with a short hallway. I saw a button and press it. I heard a bell and a click signaling that the door is already open. I pushed it and walked past the hallway. I peek into the cubicle at the end and on the very first face, I saw a tall handsome man.
"Hi! Excuse me but I'm looking for Mr. Amarnath." I bowed.
The tall male looked at me and smiled, "You must be Anant Roop?"
"Yes sir."
Another man sitting beside the wooden door turned in my direction as if he was already informed, that I will arrive today. I just smiled and bowed at him. I saw him waving at me.
The tall guy leaned over and wave his hand as if signaling for me to lean forward, and I obliged. And as I predicted, he wanted to whisper something, "You see that wooden door? That's his office. Just be patient with him, he's naturally sarcastic."
I heard him laugh quietly. I smiled at the tip coming from him. I bowed down again and make my way to another door, this time a wooden one. It's like an office inside an office.
I knocked and again, a faint click. I entered the room and the man wearing a black suit and necktie looked at me. I saw his lips curved into a smirk. I noticed my resume on the top of his table. I also noticed another door on his back with a heavily curtained glass window beside it. I wonder what's behind that door. If it's another office, then there will be three offices on this floor.
"Good morning Sir!" I bowed down.
"Sit down Mr. Roop." He pointed to the cushioned chair in front of his table.
I sat down on that chair and smiled.
"I hope that would be fine if I call you by your first name." He started.
"So... as I review your resume, I can see here that you have a bunch of... of cheap jobs before applying as a clerk. Why so?" I saw him raise one of his eyebrows. Cheap jobs, if you're not my boss, damn who the hell in this new world could disrespect a job? But of course, I can't say that.
I smiled, "Since I am an undergraduate sir, companies usually offered me either a part-time job or 3 months contract. That's why I have a long list of work experience."
"So you call this experience?" Ranbir let out a sarcastic chuckle. That tall guy was right. In my opinion, he really is sarcastic.
"Anyway, since you're the only one, and I honestly don't know how they arrived. In conclusion, if you are the only one capable of the job description, then I guess you need to read and hear the contract first before you sign it."
He handed me a few pages of paper that appears to be my contract from the company.
"So basically, it states there that you will be under probation for 3 months until you have proven your capabilities, then we may hire you as a permanent employee. Second, you will receive an allowance equivalent to half of the starting salary of a newly hired regular employee. Third, you will do clerical work. The big boss might ask you to work for him from time to time. And if I may add, that includes buying him food, giving him a massage, or just carrying his bag. There are dozen else that big boss might ask you to do and I will not enumerate them all but I hope you get what I mean."
I nod, in short, I will be the servant of the big boss. Sounds quite unpleasant to me.
"Fourth, you're not allowed to divulge any confidential information about the big boss and the company since our job on this floor is to handle only his personal businesses and that includes his personal bank accounts, bills, and meetings and we are the first to know everything and anything about the company. Even his personal issues and problems. I hope I made it clear. As soon as you get out of the glass door, all the information about the big boss shall be left confined in this room."
I nodded again.
"And all other else in that contract are just reminders. I just discuss the most important ones. So if you may, here's the pen and sign it below if you are willing to accept the conditions."
I did not falter, I signed the contract right away and handed it back to Mr. Ranbir. He checked if I signed the documents correctly.
"Okay, that's all. You can go outside. Niyon will orient you." Ranbir raised his hand as if asking me to leave right away.
I stood up and bowed once more to the lunatic in front of me. "Thank you, Mr. Amarnath"
I went out of the door and saw the tall guy waving at me. "Here!" So, his name is Niyon.
"Did he say anything sarcastic to you?" Niyon asked in his lowest voice.
I nodded. Everything.
"He's always like that. Don't worry, you'll get used to it. By the way, I'm Niyon Sohum." He offered his hand for a shake and I gladly accepted it. He seemed nice. This is Jackjack's friend, I thought.
"Is he our boss?" I asked Niyon.
Niyon shakes his head to say no, "Mr. Sarcastic is big boss' right hand. He basically does nothing here except be our big boss's confidante. So I'm still not sure why he is so sarcastic well in fact, he has no job description here." Be a lunatic, I thought.
"That guy beside Mr. Sarcastic's office is the secretary, that's Vivek. He handles all the appointments and schedules. He makes sure everything is organized and on time."
"And me, I handle his personal bank accounts and other bank-related transactions. This office is just basically all about the big boss and not really about the company. We have different departments in the whole tower handling their businesses. We don't need to worry about that. And you, you will need to file some documents and just keep them safe. Clerical work and whatever the boss wants you to do. My advice is to have an overflowing cup of patience. Here's your laptop and this is your username and password. You can open it now and I will orient you about it later."
Niyon gave me just enough information about my new officemates. The two outside that wooden door looked nice and very welcoming. And the Ranbir behind that is a lunatic. But I haven't yet seen the man I was genuinely working for, the Big Boss of them all. Where is he? I hope he is a fine and thoughtful man like most of the souls of the new world.