When Siya got home, she saw her baba (Raj ji) cooking in the kitchen.Ever since her mother had developed severe asthma, she couldn't stand for long or even tolerate light smoke—so her father had taken over cooking duties.
Siya washed her face and hands and went to the kitchen to help him.
Her father gently placed a hand on her head and asked,"How was your day, Siya beta?"
The memories of the day came flooding back, but she forced a fake smile and replied,"Everything was fine, Baba."
After cooking, her father served the food, and the three of them—Siya, Baba, and her mother Yamuna ji—sat down to eat dinner together.
The next morning...
Baba came to wake Siya."Siya beta, it's already 9 o'clock. Don't you have to go to work?"
Siya shot up, flustered."What! Nine already? Oh my God—I'm definitely going to be late today!"
Her father chuckled. "You get ready, I'll make tea."
Siya ran into the bathroom in a panic—but the moment she closed the door, reality hit her.She didn't have a job anymore. Her head dropped in helplessness.
A while later, Siya came out dressed. Baba handed her a cup of tea while Yamuna ji was busy chatting with a neighbor on the phone.
Siya had her breakfast and stepped out of the house "for office."
While walking on the road, Siya kept wondering how to spend the day. She opened the job search app she had signed up for the night before. She had applied to a few places, and surprisingly, two responses had come in. She decided to go for interviews at both places.
She travelled by bus to the interviews, but both companies rejected her—because she had no backup support, no references.
Feeling defeated, Siya sat by the Rishikesh ghats. Her stomach was growling.She opened her tiffin box—it had aloo paratha again. That's what she had been eating for the past two weeks. She searched her pocket—two ₹100 notes. But she also had to buy her mother's medicine.
She took a small bite of the paratha, convincing herself to survive a little longer.
After eating, just as she was about to get up, a little boy handed her a flyer.
She opened it—it was a job vacancy.Excited, Siya called the number right away.They asked her to come in for an interview today itself.
She quickly checked the address and headed toward the office.
When Siya arrived, she was stunned.
The office looked like a palace—a glass building that glittered like gold in the sunlight.She stood staring at it in awe.
"This place looks way out of my league," she whispered."They probably won't hire someone like me... Their standards must be so high..."
She turned around, ready to leave.But then paused."Let me at least try once. Who knows—maybe I'll get lucky."
Taking a deep breath, Siya walked in.She still didn't believe she would be considered for such a prestigious place.
After speaking to the receptionist, she sat in the waiting area.Soon, she was called in for the interview.
Inside sat a young man, around her age—handsome, wheatish complexion, big expressive eyes, and a wide smile.Siya felt like she had seen him before, but shrugged it off.
He glanced through her CV.
"So, Miss Siya, you resigned from your last job just two days ago. Any particular reason?"
The question caught her off guard, but she composed herself."No sir, I just wasn't interested in that company anymore."
"But you worked there for two years?"
Siya started getting nervous. She was getting tangled in her own web of lies.After a moment, she replied,"Yes sir, I did work there... but I never got any increment. And the workplace environment wasn't suitable for me."
The man nodded.
"Alright. Your qualifications are suitable for the job. You can join from tomorrow. Salary and other details will be shared at the reception."
Siya blinked in disbelief."Can you... please repeat that?"
"I said you can join from tomorrow. The rest of the details you can collect from reception."
Siya couldn't believe her ears.She wanted to jump with joy—but controlled herself.She smiled and said thank you, then stepped out.
Inside, the young man made a phone call."I've given her the job—as per your wish. Now the rest is on you."
The response from the other end was a simple "Hmm," before the call was cut.
The man frowned."Selfish guy... got his work done and cut the call."
Outside the office, Siya was overjoyed.She had gotten a well-paying job—with a cab facility!No more worrying about mom's medicine, or struggling in buses... life finally seemed to smile at her.
Siya walked toward home, humming with joy—unaware that someone from the upper floor was watching her quietly...Her faint smile lit up her face like sunlight on a rainy day.
When she reached home early, Baba was startled."Siya, what happened, beta? Everything alright?"
Siya twirled happily and sat on the sofa."Yes, Baba! I got a great job at a new company! And the salary's really good too!"
Raj ji nodded, though concern lingered."That's good, beta. But be careful. Sometimes these fancy places offer high salaries and then work you like a donkey. You didn't sign any contract, did you?"
Siya walked toward the kitchen and laughed."Baba, do I look like a kid to you? I won't sign anything without reading it properly. I did do a Master's in Management, after all!"
Raj ji smiled but sighed."I still worry, beta. Oh, by the way, Aman bhai-saab called today. He's coming here next month."
Siya's face lit up."Really?! Who all are coming, Baba?"
Raj ji hesitated."For now, only Aman bhai-saab is coming. Kabir doesn't want to come here... and Raghav... well, you know his story."
Siya's smile faded.She forced a weak grin and said,"That's okay, Baba. At least Dada is coming..."
Raj ji nodded quietly.
Later, Siya sat in her room and opened Raghav's old social media profile.It hadn't been updated in five years.The last photo—of Raghav with Joy—had gotten millions of likes and comments. But not a single reply.
She had messaged him countless times in these five years—hoping for even a single reply.
But now, even hope had stopped knocking.