Small Story 212.

Small Story 212. Room No. 212 Chetan arrived at Room No. 212 in a posh office building housing over 250 office suites. At the reception, he informed the receptionist that he had come to meet Mr. Raghuram. She informed him that Mr. Raghuram was delayed due to some work and would arrive in about fifteen minutes. "Would you like some tea while you wait?" she asked politely. "No, thank you," Chetan whispered, settling quietly onto a plush sofa. The reception hall was beautifully decorated, with a calm ambiance and tasteful interiors. Chetan looked around, taking it all in. He was the only son of Ram and Savitha and had recently secured the highest rank in his MBA exams. Raghuram, a close friend of his father Ram, was a well-known lawyer with strong connections in both political and corporate circles. It was Raghuram who had invited Chetan to visit his office, a sleek and stylish place that looked like something out of a TV series. While Chetan was lost in thought, someone called out, "Excuse me, you left your wallet." A beautiful woman handed him his wallet, which he had unknowingly left on the next seat. "Thank you," Chetan said with a nod. "I'm Kavya. I'm here to meet Mr. Raghuram as well," she said with a gentle smile. Chetan, who had met many women during his college days, found himself unexpectedly drawn to her—her presence and melodious voice left a lasting impression. "I’m also here to meet Raghuram," he replied, trying to keep his composure. Ten minutes later, Raghuram arrived—looking sharp in his professional attire. The receptionist sent Kavya in first, which surprised Chetan. Another ten minutes passed before Chetan was called in. He greeted Raghuram, who invited him to sit opposite. To his surprise, Kavya was still in the room, seated beside Raghuram. "Chetan," Raghuram began, "the moment I received your credentials from your father, I forwarded them to one of my clients, a leading corporate house. Kavya here is their HR Manager." Chetan was stunned. He had assumed she was another visitor, like him. Kavya smiled and said, "Chetan, I reviewed your profile and was quite impressed. You are selected for the role of Personnel Officer. We’ll send your appointment details via email, followed by a formal letter by courier." Chetan could barely believe what he was hearing. Kavya continued, "We usually assess both credentials and character before selection. Raghuram is our legal advisor, and his recommendations hold great value for us." Raghuram added, "I’ve known your father for over two decades. He's a man of integrity and never asks for favors. I invited you today on my own accord because of the respect I have for him." "Thank you, sir. Thank you, Madam Kavya," Chetan said with heartfelt gratitude. "You deserve this position," Kavya said warmly. Chetan left Room No. 212 with a beaming smile and a heart full of hope. K.Ragavan 11-4-25