A Few Days Later...
In the lecture room, the professor is conducting a lecture while Navya and Shriya remain focused on the white screen projecting the presentation. The room is silent except for the professor's voice, and most students are either taking notes or lost in their own thoughts.
As the lecture concludes, the professor begins taking attendance and then moves on to discussing the upcoming project, which is crucial for our internal assessment.
Professor: "As always, we will be conducting an in-depth interview with a well-known businessman or politician."
Upon hearing this, we all nodded. It was a familiar project in our field, something we had done before. However, the real challenge was always dealing with the person we had to interview.
Shriya let out a quiet sigh, leaning slightly towards Navya. "I really hope we don't get assigned to someone too intimidating this time. Remember last semester? That CEO barely gave us ten minutes and kept checking his phone the entire time."
Navya chuckled, shaking her head. "Yeah, and don't forget how you panicked and forgot your questions halfway through."
Shriya rolled her eyes playfully. "That was because he was so unbothered! I mean, why agree to an interview if you don't even care?"
Navya smirked. "True. But at least we learned how to handle difficult interviews. This time, we'll be more prepared."
Shriya exhaled dramatically. "Well, let's just pray we don't get someone worse."
Just then, the professor's voice brought their attention back to the front. "Alright, I'll be announcing the interview assignments in your class group. Be prepared. All The Best guys because it's your last semester." saying this, Professor left from the classroom.
Navya and Shriya exchanged glances. This was going to be interesting.
In the Canteen
The group sat together in the canteen, enjoying their lunch and chatting about random things, including their personal lives.
"Oh wow! You teach students?" Diya asked, surprised. Shriya chuckled at her reaction.
Curious, Diya leaned forward. "Anyway, we'll be finishing our master's degrees soon. What's next for you guys?" she asked with a playful wink.
Navya smiled. "Well, after graduation, I plan to apply for a good job as a journalist. That's always been my dream."
She then turned to Shriya and added, "And she's going abroad for further studies! She has received offers from some really good universities."
Shriya shook her head with a small smile and held Navya's hand. "Oh, don't make it a big deal. It was just luck," she said modestly.
Ranveer's smile faltered for a split second, his fingers tightening briefly around his coffee cup before he masked it with a casual sip.
Then, looking at Diya, she asked, "What about you?"
Diya chuckled, then glanced at Varun with a teasing smile. Without saying a word, she raised her left hand, showing a ring on her finger.
Ranveer, who had been quietly listening, raised his eyebrows in surprise. Meanwhile, Varun, who had just taken a sip of his cold coffee, choked and quickly got up to excuse himself.
"You didn't tell us!" Navya and Shriya said in shock.
Diya grinned. "Well, he proposed to me on the night of Veer's birthday. At first, I thought of keeping it a secret, but then I realized-why should I hide it from you guys?" She smirked. "Besides, I'm glad I finally have some girls in this group. I was getting tired of being surrounded by these silly boys all the time."
Ranveer smirked. "Well, congratulations! Though I must say, I expected Varun to handle this better."
Everyone burst into laughter while Varun, still flustered, tried to regain his composure.
"By the way, I heard that your projects are usually based on interviews. Have you guys found out who you'll be interviewing this time?" Ranveer asked, his curiosity evident.
"Actually, we haven't received the details yet," Navya replied.
"You know , Rudraksh Bhaiya is going to be include in their list. Also he is one of the trustee of our college. So they are definitely going to add him to their list"
Ranveer leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "You should consider interviewing Rudraksh. He's great at handling interviews and has a really professional approach."
The group looked at him curiously.
Ranveer continued, his tone more serious now. "Last time, I had an interview where a girl misbehaved during the session. She got way too personal and rude, which created a really uncomfortable situation. In the end, she lost her job because of it. I guess some people forget that professionalism is key in these interviews."
There was a brief silence as the group processed his words, and then Shriya nodded. "That sounds intense. Good thing Rudraksh knows how to handle such situations."
Ranveer nodded after hearing this
While Navya gave her awkward smile
"Don't tell me she forgot that he shot a girl too because she misbehaved during the interview" Thought in her mind
"Well, everything is up to our HOD and how they choose to allot us. So, our preferences don't really matter," he nodded after hearing Navya.
After Ranveer and the others left to grab their next class materials, Navya and Shriya stayed behind, the clatter of the canteen fading in the background.
Navya took a deep breath, glancing around at the almost empty tables. "Do you ever feel like everything is happening so fast? One minute, we're finishing our degrees, and the next, we're thinking about jobs and new chapters."
Shriya smiled, pushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "I do. It feels surreal sometimes, but we've worked so hard for this. The future will be what we make of it."
Navya nodded slowly, her gaze drifting to the window. "And you, Shriya... leaving for abroad, it feels like the right decision for you, doesn't it?"
Shriya paused, her eyes thoughtful. "It does. But it's also scary. There's so much uncertainty. But then again, what's life without taking a risk?"
The ping of a new message broke the quiet atmosphere between Navya and Shriya. They both glanced at their phones as the notification popped up in their class group.
Class Group
Professor Mehta: "Dear all, the interview list for the upcoming project has been finalized. Please check the list to see your assigned interviewees. You can find the list in the shared folder."
Navya quickly opened the folder link, her fingers trembling slightly. Shriya leaned over to peek at her screen.
"Let's see who we're interviewing," Shriya said, her voice tinged with curiosity.
Shriya scanned the document, her eyes narrowing as she looked for her name. "Okay... looks like I'm interviewing Mr. Arjun Singhania. He's a senior journalist at The Times."
Navya smiled. "That sounds interesting! You've got this, yaar."
Shriya's fingers scrolled down the list until she found Navya's name. Her eyes widened as she read the next entry.
"And you're interviewing..." She paused, glancing at Navya before continuing in shock, "Rudraksh Rathod? The CEO of RR Group and Enterprises?"
Navya's expression turned to one of pure horror. "Oh, wow. I wasn't expecting someone like him!" she said sarcastically. "Come on, stop joking and tell me properly."
Shriya shook her head and turned her phone screen toward Navya. "I'm serious. This isn't a joke."
Both of them stood in silence for a few moments, their minds racing. What were they supposed to do now? If it had been a regular businessman, it wouldn't have been so daunting. But Rudraksh Rathod was no ordinary executive-his name frequently appeared in criminal reports. His reputation was already tarnished, especially because of the way he treated interviewers in the past.
With a shared look of determination, Navya and Shriya walked together toward the HOD's office, their steps quick and purposeful. They had to complete the formalities for their interview assignments and finalize everything. However, the weight of what lay ahead loomed over them like a storm cloud.
Navya knocked hesitantly on the HOD's office door while Shriya stayed outside the office waiting for her. After a firm "Come in," she stepped inside to find Professor Mehta reviewing some documents.
"Good morning, sir," Navya began, forcing a smile. "I wanted to request something related to our interview assignment."
Professor Mehta glanced up, adjusting his glasses. "Yes? What about it?"
Navya took a deep breath. "I've been assigned to interview Rudraksh Rathod. I don't feel comfortable because of his past behavior. Can you change my assignment?"
The professor sighed and shook his head. "I understand your concern, but I'm afraid it's too late. The list has already been sent to RR Group and Enterprises. They've confirmed your interview slot."
Navya's stomach sank. "Sir, isn't there any way to change it? Maybe assign someone else from our batch?"
Professor Mehta gave them a sympathetic look. "If I could, I would. But backing out now would reflect poorly on the department. You are capable student-I believe you can handle this professionally."
Professor Mehta exhaled sigh. "Look, if anything inappropriate happens, you can report it. But for now, you have to proceed as planned."
Navya clenched her fists, frustration bubbling inside her. She had no choice but to go through with it.
"Okay Sir! I understand" she said.
"Good! Now you can go! Don't worry, this project is only for one week. We've made some changes this semester. Just be prepared with your questions and finish the interview session within two to three days," Professor Mehta said, making Navya sigh in relief-at least for now.
"Okay, sir! I'll try to wrap this up as soon as possible," Navya replied before taking her leave.
Outside the office, Shriya was waiting anxiously. As soon as Navya stepped out, Shriya immediately asked, "What happened? Did he change the name?"
Navya shook her head. "No, it's final. The list has already been sent. I have no choice but to do this."
Shriya exhaled sharply. "Great. So now you have to face Rudraksh Rathod. This is going to be a nightmare."
Navya and Shriya walked down the hallway, their minds racing.
"You need to be careful," Shriya muttered. "He's known for his temper."
Navya nodded. "You should prepare tough but neutral questions. You can't afford to provoke him. He seems very quiet like we saw him last time at Ranveer's birthday party night. But who knows about his other self?"
Shriya smirked. "Or you can make the interview so boring that he ends it himself."
Navya chuckled. "Very bad idea. War if he shoots me there to make it interesting."
Hearing her , Shriya gasped
'No! No! You can't die early! Tujhe toh meri shaadi mein bhi naachna hai!
(You still have to dance at my wedding!)
Bechara tera future husband! Shaadi hone se pehle hi vidwa ho jaega!
(Poor guy, your future husband! He'll become a widower even before the wedding!)'" Shriya said earning a slap on her shoulder from Navya.
As they exited the building, Shriya's phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and froze.
"Navya..." she whispered, turning the screen toward her.
It was an email from RR Group, confirming the interview slot with Rudraksh Rathod-scheduled for tomorrow.
Navya's stomach dropped. "I don't even have time to prepare properly."
Shriya gulped. "You need to pull an all-nighter."
With a mix of dread and determination, they rushed to their home.
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