Story start-Interview Day Disaster

Shanaya adjusted the strap of her bag as she rushed down the road, her heart pounding faster than her scooty engine. Today wasn’t just another day. It was the day. After graduating in Business Studies with excellent marks and completing a one-year internship as an assistant manager, she had only one goal—get a job and support her family. “बस आज सब ठीक हो जाए…” she whispered to herself. But fate had other plans. Traffic. Endless, suffocating traffic. And right behind her— HONK. HONK. HONK. Shanaya clenched her jaw. The sound kept hitting her ears like a hammer. She looked into her side mirror and saw a sleek black luxury car practically glued to her scooty. “Seriously?!” she muttered. The horn blasted again—longer this time. Her patience snapped. She slowed down slightly and turned her head, shouting back— “Can you stop honking?! The road isn’t empty!” The car swerved slightly and stopped beside her. The window rolled down. A sharply dressed man, probably in his late twenties, stared at her with cold irritation. “Then maybe,” he said calmly, but with a sharp edge, “you should learn to drive before blocking people who actually have somewhere important to be.” Shanaya’s eyes widened. “Oh wow. And maybe you should learn basic patience instead of acting like you own the road!” His lips curved—not into a smile, but something close to mockery. “People who run late usually blame traffic,” he said, glancing at her watch, “not their poor time management.” That hit. Hard. Shanaya straightened, anger rising. “You don’t even know me.” “I don’t need to,” he replied coolly. “First impressions are usually accurate.” For a second, there was silence between them—thick, tense. Then— “Move,” he said flatly. “Gladly,” she shot back. She sped ahead, her heart racing—not just from fear of being late anymore, but from pure frustration. “Arrogant idiot,” she muttered. Behind her, the man watched her leave, his expression unreadable. “Unprofessional,” he murmured.