Anushka stood outside the towering gates of the Bendilani Group of Companies headquarters, her breath catching in her throat. "Wow," she whispered, her voice tinged with disbelief. Could this really be happening? Her dream, nurtured throughout her teenage years, was finally within reach. For as long as she could remember, she had idolized Alice Bendilani—the woman who had transformed a struggling company into a multi-billion-shilling empire. Alice wasn't just a role model; she was the reason Anushka had pursued business administration, though she later regretted the choice. What she truly needed to thrive wasn't a business degree but her unyielding passion for information technology.
Anushka's eyes widened as she took in the gleaming three-story glass building ahead of her. It was a testament to everything Alice Bendilani stood for—vision, resilience, and success. She stood frozen for a moment, pinching her cheek to make sure she wasn't dreaming. "Ouch!" she winced, the sharp sting confirming her reality.
Dressed in baggy blue jeans, an oversized white shirt, and a baggy gray hoodie, Anushka cut a striking yet understated figure. Her long-neck black Prada boots added a touch of edge to her casual ensemble, and she clutched her backpack tightly as she approached the main gate.
"Name, please," the security guard at the gate said, his voice brisk but professional.
"Anushka Ruhi Shah," she replied, trying to mask her nerves. The guard tapped on his tablet, his eyes scanning the list of expected visitors before nodding and signaling her to proceed.
She carefully placed her belongings in a plastic box and walked through the metal detector. After her bag was thoroughly inspected and returned to her, she moved on to the second gate, where the process repeated.
The vast parking lot beyond the second gate stretched endlessly before her, capable of accommodating hundreds of vehicles. It felt like an eternity as she walked toward the third and final checkpoint, each step drawing her closer to her dream. By the time she passed the final security inspection and stood before the building's main entrance, a wave of relief washed over her.
A smile tugged at her lips as she muttered to herself, "It's a dream come true."
The grandeur of the building's interior matched its impressive exterior. The ground floor was a bustling hub, featuring a sleek reception area, state-of-the-art showrooms for electronic products, cozy convenience stores, and inviting cafeterias. Above, the second floor was the nerve center of the company, housing offices for the CEO, CFO, human resources, and other executives, alongside numerous boardrooms. But it was the third floor that truly made her heart race.
The third floor was the domain of Cyber Genesis, dedicated entirely to cutting-edge technology. It housed sprawling server rooms and a select few offices, the heart of the company's cyber security division. This was where she wanted to belong. Standing there, Anushka felt a mix of awe, determination, and gratitude. She had made it this far—and she wasn't about to stop now.
Anushka sauntered up to the reception desk, her confidence veiling the flutter of nerves she felt inside. "Good morning, miss," she greeted warmly.
The receptionist, a middle-aged woman with a kind smile, returned the energy. "Good morning to you, dear. Name, please?"
"Anushka Ruhi Shah," she replied promptly.
The receptionist scanned her monitor before looking up. "Ah, Miss Shah. How can I assist you today?"
"I'm here to start the Cyber Genesis intern trainee program," Anushka said with a polite nod.
The receptionist tilted her head thoughtfully. "Oh, Mr. Bendilani isn't here yet. He usually arrives around nine. Would you care to wait?"
"I've got all the time in the world," Anushka responded with a smile.
"Perfect. Take the elevator to the top floor. When you get out, you'll see three hallways. Ignore the ones to your left and right. Just go straight to the end, and you'll find an office with two couches outside. Sit there and wait for him."
"Thanks a lot," Anushka said gratefully as she made her way to the elevator.
As the elevator doors slid closed, her eyes wandered, taking in the state-of-the-art displays of electronic products showcased behind the glass walls. Every detail spoke of precision and innovation, reinforcing her dream to be part of this iconic company.
The ride to the top floor was smooth and quick, and as the elevator doors opened, Anushka stepped out onto the serene floor. Ahead, the two couches flanking the hallway came into view. She glanced left and right at the other hallways but quickly followed the receptionist's instructions, heading straight ahead.
The silence was almost eerie, the quiet hum of the air conditioning the only sound. It seemed she was the only person on the floor. Approaching the door at the end of the hallway, she read the label clearly engraved in sleek, black letters: Mark Bendilani, Head of Cyber Genesis.
She settled into one of the couches, her backpack resting by her feet. Time seemed to drag as she waited, the stillness amplifying her impatience. Pulling out her phone, she checked the time. 8:30 AM.
"I think I came too early," she muttered under her breath, leaning back against the couch. Despite the wait, a quiet thrill coursed through her. She was here—at the doorstep of her dream—and that thought alone was enough to keep her spirits high.
After about 20 minutes of waiting, the elevator doors opened. To her surprise, it wasn't the person she expected. Instead, a confident female figure stepped out, smartly dressed in a short skirt suit, carrying a file.
"Hi," the woman greeted with a small wave.
"Hello," Anushka returned the gesture, slightly startled by the interruption.
The woman opened the door to the office, entered briefly, and came out almost immediately, file now absent from her hand.
"Guess you're waiting for Mr. Bendilani?" she asked, her tone casual and professional.
Anushka, caught off guard, nodded. "Oh, yeah."
"He'll be up in about five minutes," the woman said before giving Anushka a reassuring smile.
"Thanks," Anushka sighed in relief, grateful for the update.
The woman gave her a quick nod and left, heading for the elevator once more. Anushka was left alone, but the slight tension in her shoulders eased, knowing the wait wouldn't be much longer.
About seven minutes later, the elevator doors opened again. This time, Mark Bendilani stepped out.
Mark was dressed in a tailored navy blue suit, the sharp cut highlighting his lean frame. His crisp white shirt peeked from beneath the suit jacket, and a dark tie completed his polished appearance. His hair was dark and neatly afro styled, his posture commanding yet relaxed. He walked with an air of confidence, his focused eyes scanning the hallway as he approached the office door.
"Good morning, sir," Anushka greeted, her voice carrying a sense of anticipation.
Mark didn't reply immediately. He heard her, of course, but he didn't break his stride. His expression remained unreadable, his gaze forward as he passed her by without so much as a glance.
"How cold," Anushka muttered under her breath, a small frown tugging at her lips. She had expected more, but the brief encounter left her feeling unsettled.