She awoke with a gasp. That restlessness would not leave her no matter how hard she tried. She tried adjusting her position on the bed but she always found that she was too cold or was too uncomfortable. Finally, she sat up as she was used to doing and looked out the window at the gray dawn. Outside, it was serene. Outside, it was chilly. Dew drops had collected on the window and painted it frosty and hazy. The quiet morning and the sleeping town instilled a sort of courage in her. She was to start her job today. Ella got up restlessly out of bed and went to look at herself in the mirror. Her mascara had created black streaks on her cheek, her lips were slightly swollen and she looked a wreck. She rocked herself from side to side as if trying to comfort a baby. She had resolved she wouldn't let the loneliness get to her but now, she found herself unable to do it. Right now, she needed her sister with her. Her high spirited sister cackling away and making fun of her whenever she cried. She was a foster child and her sister was all the relation she'd had in the entire world but two weeks ago, Jeannie had passed away due to a stroke. Ella had found her passed out on the floor beneath the dresser of their hostel. Doctors had always warned them that as their mother had had heart problems, they both might have inherited and that they needed to be careful. When Ella had cried, Jeannie, two years younger was always to one to comfort her. Jeannie had taught Ella to look at guys, she had taught Ella to flirt or have fun but now, alone, unwanted, she felt helpless starting the very first job of her life. What made things worse was that the last word the two of them had shared was about Ella's boss and how much she'd liked him. He had been wearing a ring so Ella knew he was married but she'd been infatuated by him and the two of them had joked about it the day Jean died. Ella felt despicable as she remembered it and broke down as torrents of tears rolled out of her eyes. Ella finally calmed herself and then hugging herself, stole to the bed where she curled up like a ball, watching the silent dawn bloom into morning.
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"Hello Miss" he paused staring into her eyes with a smile that was quite unlike any other. His eyes were a rich, warm brown. He was extremely fair so that whenever he smiled, the tips of his ears turned a slight pink.
"Miss Ella Hill" she completed for him.
"Yes, of course. Please enter" he said motioning her to the chair. He had pretty, generous, wavy hair that defiantly fell in patterns though they'd been gelled. He had broad shoulders. He looked a perfect, dapper gentleman.
He got up to greet her and take her hand in his. He sat down as she did so too. He took her files and laying them atop the table, began examining them. His thick, dark eyebrows scrunched together as he did so. He did have a very sharp nose and thin, pink lips. He looked intimidating at that particular angle. He was clean shaven and was wearing a strong cologne.
When he looked up, she gave an involuntary gasp.
"So, you're a fresher" he asked.
She nodded. He looked keenly at her, tilting his head to one side and placing his jaw on his hands.
"Did you see that the advertisement preferred experienced candidates?" he put to her gently, staring deeply into her eyes as he did so, no doubt, meaning to look apologetic but the movement sent a shudder through her.
"Oh yes, sir. But you see, I am new to Chennai. I am just starting out and since I somehow got the idea that freshers could also apply, I thought I'd try my luck here too" she answered, with more confidence than she felt.
"A wise decision. So how many jobs have you applied for so far?" he asked with a sudden smile. She was amused by him and smiled back too.
"As a matter of fact, this is my first one".
"Ooh, that's a lot of pressure, my child" he said apologetically and at once, she felt indignant as he'd called her 'my child'. She immediately tried to look mature and with a stiff toss of her head, said that she'd accept his decision as final without any resentment.
He gave a quick nod and launched into questions about the reasons behind choosing the course to her abilities and qualifications. She alarmed herself by her smooth replied. Somehow, he made her feel uneasy and comfortable all at once. From time to time, she reflected shamefacedly on how he'd addressed her. Why, he was barely above thirty himself. She couldn't understand why he spoke in such a high handed way to her but decided that trait came with his position and his superior post in the job chain. In a few more minutes, she warmed up to him and started sharing some of her fondest memories and making fantastic vows with as much dignity as she could summon when he started asking about her liking for the job.
He'd smiled and put on steel glasses and looking at her sharply, had told her she'd been selected.
--------------
She woke up from the dream that had recurred several time during the past month and with a pang of panic saw the time on the clock. It was seven, if she didn't hustle, she would be late for the first day of work. She flung her arms around her teddy bear and cried a last sob for Jeannie then with a courage and composure that only comes after spending a life time of misery, she flashed a confident look in the mirror at herself and left for work, her slippers thudding on the cold, bare floor.
-------------
"Hello Miss" he paused staring into her eyes with a smile that was quite unlike any other. His eyes were a rich, warm brown. He was extremely fair so that whenever he smiled, the tips of his ears turned a slight pink.
"Miss Ella Hill" she completed for him.
"Yes, of course. Please enter" he said motioning her to the chair. He had pretty, generous, wavy hair that defiantly fell in patterns though they'd been gelled. He had broad shoulders. He looked a perfect, dapper gentleman.
He got up to greet her and take her hand in his. He sat down as she did so too. He took her files and laying them atop the table, began examining them. His thick, dark eyebrows scrunched together as he did so. He did have a very sharp nose and thin, pink lips. He looked intimidating at that particular angle. He was clean shaven and was wearing a strong cologne.
When he looked up, she gave an involuntary gasp.
"So, you're a fresher" he asked.
She nodded. He looked keenly at her, tilting his head to one side and placing his jaw on his hands.
"Did you see that the advertisement preferred experienced candidates?" he put to her gently, staring deeply into her eyes as he did so, no doubt, meaning to look apologetic but the movement sent a shudder through her.
"Oh yes, sir. But you see, I am new to Chennai. I am just starting out and since I somehow got the idea that freshers could also apply, I thought I'd try my luck here too" she answered, with more confidence than she felt.
"A wise decision. So how many jobs have you applied for so far?" he asked with a sudden smile. She was amused by him and smiled back too.
"As a matter of fact, this is my first one".
"Ooh, that's a lot of pressure, my child" he said apologetically and at once, she felt indignant as he'd called her 'my child'. She immediately tried to look mature and with a stiff toss of her head, said that she'd accept his decision as final without any resentment.
He gave a quick nod and launched into questions about the reasons behind choosing the course to her abilities and qualifications. She alarmed herself by her smooth replied. Somehow, he made her feel uneasy and comfortable all at once. From time to time, she reflected shamefacedly on how he'd addressed her. Why, he was barely above thirty himself. She couldn't understand why he spoke in such a high handed way to her but decided that trait came with his position and his superior post in the job chain. In a few more minutes, she warmed up to him and started sharing some of her fondest memories and making fantastic vows with as much dignity as she could summon when he started asking about her liking for the job.
He'd smiled and put on steel glasses and looking at her sharply, had told her she'd been selected.
--------------
She woke up from the dream that had recurred several time during the past month and with a pang of panic saw the time on the clock. It was seven, if she didn't hustle, she would be late for the first day of work. She flung her arms around her teddy bear and cried a last sob for Jeannie then with a courage and composure that only comes after spending a life time of misery, she flashed a confident look in the mirror at herself and left for work, her slippers thudding on the cold, bare floor.
