'Where is the medical fitness certificate? ', asked a man, possessing a mild to heavy paunch and his eyes enclosed within a tiny spectacle. His face wasn't stern for Stana but his designation was.
'As Sunday was a holiday, I couldn't get it done, sir. I'm certain that I will submit by tomorrow', replied Stana expecting for a weird answer.
'Yes, you have to provide it by tomorrow. Be sure', told the officer and walked out of his room. His 5.7 feet tallness and his grey coat proves him as a Principal Scientist (PI) of a reputed Central Government Institute.
Surrounded by papers, registers, penholders and notebooks, Stana never expected of herself being a employee in some random Institute. Unknowing about the next step and her next breath, she felt awkward being seated at a chair just at the opposite end of the PI's. A laptop at her table and a desktop at her PI's and a lot of medals and trophies placed at a steel stand besides the PI's chair made Stana remember her PG days.
With no great expectations and high interest, she took her blue ballpoint and started her work on overthinking. Suddenly, a voice interrupted with a loud notch,'Hyeeee', and on turning her neck, she observed a guy as young as her and tall as her husband. His eyes and fingers were the only uncovered thing that Stana could see. With masks, sweaters and shoes, he resembled a studious character and a less talkative being.
Replying with a mild greeting, he moved forward, removed his bag and sat next to Stana, unfolding and stretching his hand horizontally and shouting, 'Conggrattulationss on the new role'. Curving her lips with a thanks and shaking her hands, she never knew what this congratulations perfectly meant for. Was it for her ability to move into an office she wasn't meant for or for her passion to recede, she didn't know exactly.
Assuring him as the Project Associate, she felt happy to associate with a jovial personality throughout. 'Let me introduce you to the office mates', informing Stana, he took his position and took her to each staff moving up and down and to and fro.
Stana found people with chudidhars and sarees, coat and tie, necklace and bracelets, smile and stubborn, fair and ferocious, lunchbox and spoons but none to match her way.
'Stana, what's your aim? ', asked a scientist quite young and charm with mild grey hairs and lengthy curved lips. Stana froze for a minute. She had an answer that was inappropriate at the second. With loud voice she replied, 'ARS (Agricultural Research Scientist), and pinned a fake smile.
'Very good', the scientist told lifting his eyebrows up.
Reaching the room, the Project Associate explained Stana about her salary and HRA. Hearing his speech, she felt proud of herself being financially independent from then onwards. She had her smile and high pride from within.
'Mrs. Future ARS', the Associate nicknamed.
Smiling and awing, Stana took her mobile and started typing her first novel.
Good one.