Chapter 1
“After 12th Grade… What Next?”
“12th grade is over… What should I do now?”
This was the question that kept running through Divya’s mind every day.
Although her school life had come to an end, she still had a few months before joining college. She didn’t want to waste that time. Instead of staying at home, she decided to find a job where she could gain some experience and learn new things.
First, she approached a nearby medical shop to ask for a job.
“Sir, I’m looking for a job for three months before I join college. After college starts, I’ll only be able to come in the evenings,” she explained.
But the shop owner replied, “Sorry, dear. We can’t hire someone who’s going to work for only three months.”
Disappointed, Divya tried her luck at a clothing store as well. Unfortunately, she couldn’t find a job there either.
A few days later, she heard that a job was available at a fancy jewellery shop. Without wasting any time, she went there to enquire about the opportunity.
One of the shop’s six partners, Sharath, was present that day. He asked her a few questions.
“Give me your phone number.”
“What’s your home address?”
He noted down her details and then said, “Okay. Come to the shop tomorrow. You can join us then.”
Hearing those words, Divya felt a wave of happiness wash over her. After searching for so many days, she had finally found a job!
The next morning, she arrived at the shop, feeling a little nervous about the new place but excited to begin.
The shop was just being opened for the day.
A few people inside were busy cleaning and arranging things. Divya stood quietly near the entrance.
One of them noticed her and warmly invited her in.
“Come in, dear! Please, have a seat.”
Another person asked, “What are you looking for? A jewellery set or earrings?”
Divya couldn’t help smiling. They had mistaken her for a customer!
She had expected them to think that way, too, so she simply stood there without saying anything.
After a little while, she spoke softly.
“Anna… I’m not a customer. I’ve come to join here as an employee.”
“Oh… is that so?” they asked in surprise.
“We thought you were a customer!” they said with a laugh.
Soon, everyone began preparing for the morning pooja. As it was her first day in a new place, Divya quietly watched everything around her while the shop’s usual prayer ritual took place.
After the pooja, everyone got busy with their work.
Just then, Praveen, another partner in the shop, arrived.
When he noticed Divya, he asked, “Welcome! Are you the new person who’s joining us today?”
“Yes, sir.”
“What have you studied?”
“I’ve completed my 12th grade, sir.”
“What are you planning to study next?”
“I’m going to join college, sir.”
“Are you interested in learning the work here?”
“Yes, sir. I am.”
Praveen smiled and reassured her.
“Okay. Don’t be afraid. Everyone here will help you. You can learn everything slowly, step by step.”
His words gave Divya the confidence she needed.
Days began to pass.
The shop had six partners, and one of them was Surya. He was quieter than the others and took care of most of the shop’s responsibilities.
Even when speaking to the oldest person working there, he was always respectful.
“Anna, I’ll take care of this.”
“Anna, do you need any help?”
He spoke politely not only to the older employees but also to everyone else in the shop.
No one had ever seen him speak angrily to anyone.
Once Divya started learning the job, Surya was the one who patiently taught her many things.
“You need to attach the tag like this.”
“When you enter the stock details, this code is important.”
“When you do the billing, make sure you check everything twice.”
He explained each task to her one by one.
At first, Divya had been nervous, but gradually, she began to understand the work.
One day, Surya casually remarked, “You’re learning pretty well.”
There wasn’t much happiness on his face when he said it. He spoke so casually that it seemed as though he had said it simply because he felt he should.
Even so, his little compliment made Divya happy.
The days passed quickly.
She learned something new every day. Without even realising it, the fancy jewellery shop had become a place she genuinely enjoyed being in.
One evening, after finishing work, Divya returned home.
A little later, she opened WhatsApp.
There was a new message.
She looked at the screen in surprise.
It was from Surya.
Just one word.
“Hi…”
For a moment, Divya’s heart began to beat faster.
Until then, Surya had spoken to her only about work. Now, out of nowhere, he had sent her a personal message.
Why has he messaged me?
Is it about work?
Or is there some other reason?
Questions raced through her mind.
After thinking for a few minutes, she replied,
“Hi, sir.”
Within seconds, he came online.
Then his reply arrived.
Just one word.
“Nothing.”
Divya stared at the message for a few moments, unable to understand why he had messaged her in the first place.
She was left feeling confused, wondering why he had sent her a “Hi” if he had nothing to say.
Little did she know that this tiny conversation was the beginning of a brand-new chapter in her life…
In the days to come, what kind of change would Surya’s simple “Hi” bring into Divya’s life? Would their relationship develop into nothing more than friendship, or would it grow into something deeper?
To find out what happens next, stay tuned for the upcoming chapters!
