Chapter 1
Round One
It will be fine. Just big smiles and polite expressions.
Should I google “top things to say during your first day at your job” too?
I mean, I have already googled what to wear on your first day, what colours are best. Anything to increase my chances of having the best first day at work.
I have been hustling for so long, trying for a stable job. This is it...I could feel it. This job is going to be the best thing that happened to me. New job, new friends, new memories. Can't wait!
I did a last-minute check of my overall look in the mirror and headed out.
As the lift doors opened, my yellow and blue painted office came into view. For a corporate office this wasn't bad, not bad at all. Had a comfy feel to it.
I slowly made my way forward, taking it all in. Equal parts fear and equal parts excitement.
Okay, so I should let my boss know I'm here first. Which way was her office? Maybe I should just ask someone instead of walking around like a lost puppy.
“Oh hey…here here.”
I was trying to locate the source of the sudden voice.
“To your right”
I look to the right end to see a head crouching over a desk, his fingers beckoning me towards him.
I was still trying to decide if he meant me or was calling someone else.
“Hey Curls…what are you still waiting for?”
Curls!...Was that supposed to be me? Well he definitely doesn't get points for originality.
I made my way towards him.
That's when he straightens up. Whoops! He was tall.
“Uhm hi.”
“This is your first day, right?”
“Yes…but…”
“Great. So I am one of the Marketing Specialists. And I need you to organize these desks for me. They are so cluttered I can't seem to find anything here…”
He wanted me to do what?
“...and then you can type out some documents and stuff…you will learn on the way…”
Did he…did he think I was an…
“...being an intern here is a complete learning experience because we make you do basically everything, which will be helpful for your future.”
He thought I was an intern. How rude! Was it the dress? Was it internish??
“Curls, you need to listen to what I 'm saying if you want to keep your job”
That was it.
“Curls. You think that's my name?”
“Hey hey hey…I am sorry.I didn’t mean to offend you.”
At least he looked apologetic. Maybe he isn't so bad.
“...Curls is a great name for you though. Nothing to be mad about.”
..And there goes that thought.
“Well it's not. I don't like it”
He grinned, “You are pretty gutsy for an intern. Usually none of them even look me in the eyes on their first day”
“I am not an intern.” I was pretty much fuming by then. I am sure if he looked closely he could see smoke coming out of my ears and nose.
“Oh…then ?”
“She is our new business analyst. Did he start annoying you already?”, a voice said from behind me.
Finally, “Oh hi Mrs Basu. I was looking for you.”
She made a face, “Please don't call me that. Ankita is fine.”
I smiled, liking her already. Him on the other hand…
“So she will be getting that new desk? The desk I have been begging to have for months, Ankita?”
Ha this is great. Suddenly my day just got better. I could feel a smirk forming on my face.
“Yes Christine gets the new desk.”
“Oh please call me Christie…I go by Christie.”
To which I was met with a sudden laugh from beside me.
“I go by Christy here. My name’s Christopher and I have been Christy for the whole time I have been here”, he said, looking like he was enjoying this way too much.
I am sure my dismay was evident on my face. It’s bad enough that I have to share space with this guy, but my name too!
“Aww don't look so sad. It’s good that I already found a new nickname for you. Curls suits you better than Christie.”
I was now doing a karate chop to his liver, in my head of course.
“You want to punch me, don’t you?”
“Okay, okay now children, that's enough of fighting for the day. Christine, I‘ll introduce you to the more professional people working here. And Christy, behave.”
I fake smiled at my new nemesis, “Well it was very nice to meet you.”
“Likewise” he replied with a wink.
Why do I feel like he won the first round?
