A decade had passed and Meera Sharma had grown into a confident, skilled woman who had fought hard for the life she built. Aarini, now nine years old, was her pride and joy. Their modest home was filled with laughter, love, and a sense of determination.
One evening, as Meera sifted through job listings on her laptop, Aarini sat beside her with crayons scattered across the table.
"Mama, look!" Aarini held up a bright drawing of a family picnic.
Meera smiled and kissed her forehead. "That's beautiful, sweetheart. I'll keep this one in my bag for good luck."
Raghav walked into the room,"What's going on here?"
"Mama's looking for a new job!" Aarini exclaimed excitedly.
Raghav's eyebrows shot up. "Really?"
Meera nodded. "It's time, Raghav. Aarini is growing up, and I want to secure a better future for her. "
Raghav pulled up a chair beside her. "So, found anything interesting?"
Meera clicked on a listing. "This one looks promising - senior project manager at a major firm. MA Enterprises."
Raghav's eyes widened. "That's one of the top companies in the country! You should definitely apply."
"I already did," Meera said with a grin. "Let's see if they call me back."
At the headquarters of MA Enterprises previously known as Malhotra Enterprise, Arjun sat in his expansive corner office. The past ten years had transformed him into a man driven solely by ambition. His company had grown into a global empire, but beneath the surface, a void lingered.
"Sir." Raj said as he entered the office with a folder. "These are the resumes shortlisted for the senior project manager position."
Arjun took the folder without much interest. "Anything worth my time?"
Raj hesitated. "There's one candidate that stood out—Meera Sharma. Her credentials are exceptional."
Arjun froze, the name hitting him like a lightning bolt. His grip on the folder tightened as he processed the words.
"Meera Sharma?" he repeated, his voice dangerously calm.
"Yes, sir. She's worked with top firms, led several successful projects, and has excellent reviews. HR flagged her as a priority candidate," Raj explained.
Arjun stared at the folder, his heart racing. After all these years, she had reappeared, unknowingly stepping into his world once again.
"Schedule an interview." Arjun said quietly.
Raj nodded. "Should I inform her that you'll be involved?"
Arjun's jaw tightened. "No. She doesn't need to know."
A few days later, Meera walked into the gleaming lobby of Malhotra Enterprises. She adjusted her blazer and took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves.
"This is it, Meera." she whispered to herself.
The receptionist directed her to the 25th floor, where Priya, the head of HR, greeted her warmly.
"Ms. Sharma, it's a pleasure to meet you," Priya said, shaking her hand. "Let's head to the conference room."
Meera followed, impressed by the professionalism and scale of the company. She sat across from Priya and another manager, Mr. Kapoor, as they began the interview.
The questions were thorough but fair, and Meera answered with confidence. She spoke about her past experiences, her leadership style, and her vision for the role.
"You have an impressive track record." Priya said, smiling. "We're looking for someone who can lead major projects, and you seem like a perfect fit."
"Thank you," Meera replied. "I believe in taking challenges head-on and finding innovative solutions."
As the interview concluded, Kapoor leaned forward. "Do you have any questions for us, Ms. Sharma?"
"Just one," Meera said. "What's the company culture like? I value a collaborative and supportive environment."
Priya nodded approvingly. "You'll find that here. We believe in empowering our employees to reach their full potential."
Meera left the building feeling optimistic. She had no idea that the company's CEO, the man who had once been the center of her world, was watching her closely.
Back in his office, Arjun sat in silence, staring at the footage of the interview on his screen. The conference room was equipped with cameras for review purposes, and he had watched every moment of Meera's interaction with Priya and Kapoor.
She looked different—more confident, more self-assured—but her voice, her mannerisms, were the same.
"She hasn't changed." Arjun murmured to himself.
Raj entered the room. "The HR team is recommending her for the position, sir. Shall I move forward with the offer?"
Arjun's eyes narrowed. "Fine.Make a move. ."
Raj hesitated. "Should I inform her..."
"No," Arjun interrupted. "She doesn't need to know about me. "
As Raj left, Arjun leaned back in his chair, a mix of anticipation and dread swirling inside him. Meera was back in his world, but this time, he wouldn't let her slip away so easily.
Unaware of the storm brewing, Meera returned home, excitedly telling Raghav about her successful interview.
"I think it went really well." she said, her eyes bright. "They said they'd get back to me soon."
Raghav hugged her. "I'm proud of you, Meera. You're going to do great things."
As Aarini ran to her with another drawing, Meera felt content and hopeful, unaware of the looming shadows from her past.
.
To be continue...