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VIVEK
Vivek sat on the couch and sipped the hot evening coffee, thinking about his first day at the institution. A few students had enquired about the subjects offered. A few more enrolled for the C++, Java and .net subjects. He needed to hire an additional instructor.
He was surprised nobody had called him or applied for the faculty vacancies via email even when he’d advertised in a local daily. He hoped he would get the response in a few days and would hire additional personnel.
Arjun had said he would ask one of his friends who worked as a receptionist. Vivek needed to know if he communicated with her. Vivek took the phone from the table and swiped on Arjun’s name. The phone rang.
“Hello, Vivek. How are you?” Arjun answered.
“I’m doing well.” Vivek straightened in his seat. “I haven’t heard from you in two days.”
“I had to attend an event of my wife’s friend, Snehal. She works as a faculty member of a teaching center.”
“I remember you mentioning her.”
“I asked Snehal if she is interested in changing the job,” Arjun said.
“What did she say?” Vivek asked, sounding eager.
“She is looking for someone who pays more.”
“How many years of experience does she have?” Vivek asked.
“I think she has been working for two years.”
“Okay, that works for me. What computer languages is she teaching?”
“C and C++,” Arjun said.
Vivek inhaled a heavy breath. These basic languages he can also teach. He wanted someone to take classes in Java and .net. He hoped Snehal would be willing to learn new technologies.
“Can we arrange an interview with her?” Vivek asked.
“Sure, why not? Please give me a couple of days. I’ll let her know you’re interested in talking to her.”
“The earlier, the better. And if you give me her number, I’ll call her after you speak with her.”
Arjun gave him the telephone number.
“Thank you, Arjun,” Vivek said, smiling.
“It’s all right. I’m happy to help you.”
“By the way,” Vivek said. “Where does she live?”
“Just two kilometers from your institution,” Arjun said. “It will be an advantage for Snehal to commute to your workplace. Currently, she travels about seven kilometers which she wants to avoid.”
“Vivek,” Arjun said. “You need helpdesk personnel also, right?”
“Yes. But nobody has responded to our advertisement.”
“Don’t worry. I know a girl who works in a private financial institution. Her name is Pooja and she is looking for a change. You can consider recruiting her.”
“Sure,” Vivek said. “Please send them to my center. I’ll conduct the interviews.”
“Okay. I’ll tell them about your interest.”
Vivek admired Arjun for helping him. Without his support, he wouldn’t have come this far. Right from surveying the current education centers to finding a suitable place, he had been helpful. Now, he was arranging to hire people whom he knew. I’m lucky to have a friend like Arjun.
Later that night, he wished to speak with his uncle.
“Hello, Vivek.” His uncle answered. “You called at this time?”
“Yes, uncle. I wanted to talk about my business.”
“Yes, tell me.”
“Arjun called me this evening,” Vivek said and paused. “He has an instructor and a receptionist who is known to him. We can interview and hire them if they do well. Both of them have two years of experience. Arjun suggested them for our venture.”
“It sounds good, and I don’t have any objections,” Pankaj said. “Because they are known to Arjun, he can influence them and address their problems. When are you planning to hire?”
“I’m looking forward to hearing from Arjun. I want you to join me during the interview.”
“Do you need me?” His uncle sounded anxious.
“You’ve more work experience than me,” Vivek said. “Also, I feel more confident with you around.”
“I know,” Pankaj said. “But I’m not aware of any technical aspects. Do you think I’ll be still helpful?”
Vivek needed his Uncle’s presence. “Yes, Uncle. I need your moral support.”
“Okay,” Pankaj said. “Let me know when you’ll conduct the interview. I’ll make myself available.”
Vivek’s phone rang and the screen lit with Arjun’s name. Vivek grabbed his phone and answered, “Hi, Arjun.”
“Vivek, I’ve told both Snehal and Pooja to go and meet you at your institution. They’ll be at your place around noon.”
“Are they prepared to attend the interviews?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. I’ve told my uncle to join us.” Vivek paused for a moment. “Why don’t you also join us?” Vivek said, his voice high. “It’ll be good if all three of us interview them.”
There was an unusual silence hung in the air. “Go ahead and interview,” Arjun said. “I’ll meet you sometime later.”
Guilt ran through Vivek’s mind. Did I make a mistake by asking Arjun to join me? Snehal and Pooja were his wife’s friends. How could Arjun interview them? I shouldn’t have asked Arjun to become part of the interview panel.
He went to his wardrobe and chose a white mixed blue striped shirt and navy blue pants. He put on a blue coat to appear more formal. His face - clean-shaven and neatly cut mustache – made him look handsome. After applying a cream, he combed his hair. They shone in the fluorescent lights. He appeared even smarter.
Vivek came to the living room; his mother was sitting on the sofa. He went and put his hands around her shoulders. “Good morning, Mum.”
Her eyes bulged out because she’d overslept. Vivek had tried to wake her up early but had controlled his urge. His mother was under medication and usually dozed until late morning.
“Good morning, Beta.” Prabha muted the TV volume. “Where are you going?”
“To my institution.”
“But you’re wearing a coat today.”
“Yes.” Vivek widened his eyes. “I told you yesterday I’m going to hire an instructor and receptionist. Arjun called me in the morning. He said both the candidates are interested to have an interview.”
“It’s good to know. You must carefully interview them before selecting one. You’re paying them and shouldn’t hasten to hire.”
“I’m taking uncle’s help.” Vivek looked into her eyes. “He is joining me today.”
Vivek left for his uncle’s home to have him in the interview panel.
Vivek unlocked the door of his education center and entered his institution. He went to his office and sat. His uncle made himself comfortable beside him.
Arjun had told him Snehal had been engaged. And she had two years of work experience. She taught basic C and C++ languages. Even though Vivek looked forward to hiring someone who can teach Java and .NET, he would ask Snehal if she would be interested in learning new subjects. He also wanted an additional mentor to teach C and C++.
A girl, wearing a purple sari, stood outside the glass door. Is She Snehal? Or Pooja? He went and opened the door.
“May I help you?” Vivek asked.
“I am here to see Mr. Vivek.” Her voice trembled a bit.
“I am Vivek.” He smiled.
She extended her hand - long fingers with red nails. “I am Snehal.” The gold bangles clinked.
Vivek shook hands. “Please come in. We have been waiting for you.” He stepped back and let Snehal enter. He ushered her to his office and waved her to a seat.
“Uncle, this is Snehal,” Vivek said, his voice low.
Snehal smiled at Pankaj and looked back at Vivek. Vivek’s chest lightened as he stared at her for a few moments. Her elongated face was fair, and her large black eyes glistened in the daylight. Her full and open lips stood out on her face. Snehal appeared beautiful in her purple sari and her matching gold-bordered blouse.
”Snehal, can you introduce yourself?” Vivek asked.
Snehal briefly told him about her profession, degree and her years of experience in teaching computer subjects.
Vivek’s uncle asked her about her high school pass percentage. She told him she had passed with distinction grades.
Vivek cleared his throat. “Can you teach advanced courses, like Java and .net?”
“Well, I haven’t taught them before.” Snehal pressed her lips. “But given an opportunity, I can.”
Vivek heaved a sigh of relief. He liked Snehal’s attitude and her interest in learning new technologies.
“That’s good,” he said.
Snehal was confident in answering their questions. Her voice wasn’t shaky and her breathing was normal. She smiled often when she answered and remained friendly.
“So, how much salary are you drawing now?”
“I earn based on the number of students I teach,” Snehal avoided his gaze. “I don’t work on a monthly salary.”
“What percentage are you working for?”
“Forty.”
Her earnings were quite reasonable. Anything more than that would be too high for Vivek.
“Are you interested in joining us?”
“I’m looking for someone who pays well and has a good number of students.”
“Is the student turnout less in your current workplace?” Pankaj asked.
“Yes,” Snehal said.
“I can increase the pay percentage by five.”
“Your center is newly started,” Snehal shrugged. “I don’t think it will work out.”
“But my institution is located in the prime location, you know.”
“Whatever, I still feel the percentage is less to me.”
Vivek sighed. Snehal was asking for more than half of the student’s fees. If he paid her more, would he have enough money to pay the rent and electricity bills? But he didn’t want to lose her.
“I’ll offer you fifty percent for the basic courses and fifty-five percent for the advanced subjects. And that’s final.”
Snehal nodded, smiling.
“And you will not leave us for at least a couple of semesters and will not make the students stranded.”
“No, I won’t.”
Later in the afternoon, after Snehal left, the candidate for the receptionist position, Pooja, arrived. Vivek was pleased to have her at the front desk. She was petite and fair. Her fair complexion contrasted with her orange-red mini dress.
After Vivek exchanged a few informal talks, he asked, “What’s your work experience?”
“Two years.”
“And the reason for changing your current job?” Vivek tried not to sound too harsh.
“Well, I’m not paid much.” Pooja lowered her head. “And I’ve been bored with my employer.”
“How much are you paid?”
“Fifteen thousand. And no rise for two years.”
“What are your expectations?” Pankaj asked.
“About twenty-five thousand,” Pooja said.
“It’s too high,” Vivek said. “We can pay you the same fifteen thousand and raise it next year.”
“That doesn’t make any difference,” Pooja said.
Vivek looked at his uncle.
Pankaj heaved sigh with a questioning look.
Vivek needed to make a wise decision. He didn’t want to lose her, but she demanded more money. He would go cashless if he paid so much. And her monthly pay wasn’t dependent on the student’s enrollment, unlike Snehal’s.
“All right, Pooja.” Vivek sighed in relief. “I can pay you twenty thousand and no higher than that. And you’ll be given a raise after two years.”
“That makes sense,” Pankaj said.
Pooja’s brows knotted and she seemed to be contemplating whether to accept the offer or not. She paused for a few moments then said, “All right, I’ll accept your offer.”
Vivek stopped his car at the red light. “Uncle, what do you think about the candidates?”
“Snehal appeared confident. And Pooja is suitable for the post.”
“Snehal doesn’t know the advanced courses.” Vivek paused. “But she is interested in learning about and teaching new technologies.”
“Yes, that’s the advantage for you,” Pankaj said.
“Do you think Pooja will join us? She has more experience and she seemed to be disinterested in our offer.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll talk about the matter with Arjun. He’ll make Snehal and Pooja come to work for us.”
Vivek nodded. “Let’s hope for the best.” He pressed the gas pedal when the signal turned green.
He needed to work on marketing to attract the students. He hoped Snehal and Pooja would share their experience on that matter.