CHAPTER 5 NO KIRA, IT’S YOUR OFFICE

 "It's nothing much, Maya. Since you are supposed to resign with two weeks notice per our company policy, we asked that you finalize your presentation within three days and submit it to Mr. Snowman's Executive Assistant. That way, he will arrange for you to have your presentation with other investers." He ended thoughtfully.

              The way he said it, made me feel sorry for him. But why should I even feel sorry for him? If the rumours are correct, he mixed business with pleasure and now he has to face the consquence. If he had not been blinded by lust and given my deserved position to someone else, I wouldn't have even thought of applying for a new job. But in a way, I am glad he did because I eventually got something better.

             How can you have a manager who cannot out together a simple report to present before your investers? Anyway, I still have an obligation to do whatever is related to my work within two weeks so I don't think I have the right to object.

            Ofcourse, I will do so, I said with confidence. 

           "Okay," he said with relief. 

            "If nobody has anything else to say, then I suggest we review our HR policies together with our budget and prepare for a final meeting". He said, dispersing us. "And one more thing," he said when we were about to leave. We will have another staff promoted to Manager role." There were mumurings as we left the conference room.

           After the meeting, I went to sit on my old desk, thus, where I used to sit before the transfer. Just when I was about to turn on my laptop, someone tapped me on the shoulder. Kira, how...

          "Hey Maya, good to see you again," she interupted. This is my desk now, so you have to move to the office there," she said, pointing to her office or should I say, her undeserved office.

         No Kira, that's your office, I tried to reason with her.

         "Not anymore, Maya, I got demoted last week Friday. That office is all yours now."

         Well, I also resigned so it's not mine, I said. She looked at me indifferently.

         "But you will still be here for two weeks so you have to work in that office." She replied with an expression that I could not understand. 

         I really felt sorry for Kira because she used to be the talk of the whole company. She could talk her way out of every situation and she usually had a very bossy and egocentric attitude but today, I am seeing a different person. She has suddenly become so humble which makes it easier to be around her but one thing we could not decide was who to be in the Manager's office. 

         Luckily, Sally the HR Manager stepped in and enquired what the problem was. I gave her a reasonable explanation from my end and so did Kira. Then she concluded that, I should move to the Manager's office to enable me get the quiet and serenity I needed to complete my report for the presentation. I couldn't help but notice that sad look on Kira's face.

            That is when I realized that, even though she kept pushing me to move to the Manager's office, deep down, she wanted otherwise. So I started working on my report. I was very disappointed in the fact that, for just a few months that I have been transferred, things were messed up on the server and the files I had arranged for easy access were completely scattered.

         This made it twice difficult for me to finish my work load so I had to work overtime. I called the driver to arrange for a late pick up and focussed on work. Realizing that I was atleast able to put things together, I assured myself that I might be able to even beat the timeline. I got startled when someone pushed the door open without a knock.

          It's past lunch time, Maya, was a very familiar voice. The only voice that could  bring calmness in the mist of every storm and I wondered what she was doing here.

         Tracy! I exclaimed with surprise. What are you doing here?

         "Ohhhh, so you want to be the only one promoted, ha? Came her usual teasing voice."

           "Well, sorry to disappoint you but I got promoted too."

            No way....

            "Yes way and let's talk over lunch."

           Oh my God, I didn't realize that I was so hungry. I was actually starving. Ofcourse, I responded forgetting the urgency of this report. But I needed to eat too right?

          Tracy was very excited when we got to the office canteen. Like her usual self, she kept talking and talking even when we ordered our food and sat to eat. Then only did I realize the efficacy of this meeting.

          "So, why didn't you tell me you were going to resign when I saw you this morning?" She said staring playfully at me.

          How could I tell you when wouldn't stop talking and besides, everything happened so fast, I couldn't even catch a breath, I said apolegtically, which made her giggle like a little girl.

        "Well, don't bother, she continued. Since they are going for the final presentation, I was also needed. So they had no choice than to give me exactly what I deserve. I wish I had also got another job and turn down the offer the way you did." She said with a frown. Then she continued..

        "But I was very happy when I heard about what you did. They surely deserve it. But you haven't told me where you are going."

         I will tell you if you also tell me where you got all this info, I said with curiosity.

        "That's simple, Sally gives me every info I request. You know she is getting married to my elder brother next month so we got close." She ended.

         That surely makes sense. Sally is always in all the meetings so there is no doubt about that.

         "So where are you going," she said, interrupting my thoughts.

         GMAN, I replied excitedly...

         "It's a lie, she said surprised.

Want to see my contract? I asked showing her a snap shot of my contract. He eyes widened in bewilderment.

           " How did that happen"?

           Let's just say, that favour located me, I said happily. 

             "Congratulations, Maya, I am Soo proud of you, she said hugging me Soo tightly."

            Thank you, I said, pulling away gently to catch my breath.

           "You know what, this calls for celebration so I am taking you out this weekend and all the bill is on me." She said admist her tear filled eyes. It was actually tears of joy as she never stopped laughing.

          "I am really going to miss you. I don't know how I will be able to work here without you."

         Come on, Tracy, we will always be together, especially during weekends. Don't forget we still have a date this Saturday. So tell me, where are we going?

          "You'll know on Saturday", she said teasingly. Anyway, I can't wait for this meeting to be over with Mark Snowman. I heard he is a very difficult person.

           Really?

           "Yes, my boss says it wasn't easy in the previous meeting, which is why I have been added to the team this time around. Mr. Snowman wants value for his money so he will leave no stones unturned until he is certain that what he is venturing into is the best. I don't blame him anyway. I will do same if I were in his shoes, she completed.

          Who is this Mr. Snowman, we should Google him right? I said, bringing out my phone. OMG, I exclaimed. We have spent almost 2 hours here. We have to get going now.

       "Yes, I have to work on my report as well. Call me when you are done." She said as we went to our various offices.

        It's good I decided to work overtime because I really needed time to complete the report. I was so engrossed in my work to notice who had walked in.