Chapter 4 An Angel In Disguise

• Taking a deep breath, I saw her smiling face and decided to tell her about my qualifications. If she's able to help, it would be beneficial; if she's not, it wouldn’t do any harm.
• Despite the hurtful incident with my parents, my heart still can't lose faith in people around me. I can't even be angry with my parents; they’re fine without me. So leaving them behind seems like the right and reasonable thing to do.
• Taking another deep breath, I began, "Aunty, I have a degree in Business Administration and a postgraduate degree in Business Management. I also completed an internship as a secretary. Currently, I’m jobless," I added with a small chuckle.
• "Impressive. So you’ve worked as an intern, have knowledge of business, and experience as a secretary. Good. I have a job opportunity for you, but you need to pass the test truthfully and based on your knowledge."
• "My grandson needs a personal assistant since his last one got fired after messing up his important project files. He’s currently looking for a new PA. You can give it a try," she said with a genuine smile.
• "Are you sure, Aunty? You don’t even know anything about me, and your grandson—he’s a decision-maker. Will he really give a chance to interview someone his grandmother met on a train?" I asked, voicing my thoughts.
• "Tch, it’s not like the girls coming for the interview are personally known to him either. Don’t be silly; you’re a stranger to him just like the others. I’m only asking him to give you a slot for an interview, nothing more," she said, trying to reassure me and ease my hesitation.
• I nodded, and she happily called her grandson.
• "Hello, Ansh, are you free right now?" she asked. So her grandson’s name is Ansh.
• "Yes, it’s urgent. Listen, I met this girl—" She paused to listen to him, though I couldn’t hear his voice.
• "Oh, listen to me, dear, that’s not what I meant. I met a girl on the train with whom I’m currently traveling. She needs a job and has knowledge in business management. Since you need a PA, I suggested she give it a shot. It would be great if you could give her a slot in your interviews the day after tomorrow," she said, but this time her voice had a strict undertone, as if daring him to refuse.
• "I know the others are strangers to you too, so what’s the harm in adding her to the interview process?" she added, her tone no-nonsense now.
• "Great! I’ll take care of it right away," she said happily before ending the call and turning her attention back to me.
• "Good job, Mishthi! Could you please send me your details and email ID so I can request the HR department to officially send you an email about the interview?" she asked.
• After exchanging WhatsApp numbers, I sent her my details, including certificates and degrees. She forwarded them to someone, probably her grandson.
• "All done. You’ll receive an email within an hour," she said with her sweet, caring voice and charming smile. I didn’t know if I was walking into a trap or if she was genuinely helping me, but my instincts told me to trust her kindness.
• "Thank you, Aunty," I said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.
• "It’s alright. Do you have a place to stay?" she asked with genuine concern, raising questions in my mind about why she would ask this after only knowing me for a few hours.
• "Huh?" I wasn’t sure whether to tell her the truth or lie.
• "Don’t get me wrong, dear. I know this era is filled with lies and insecurities, but I’m asking for your own safety. If you’re new in Mumbai, it’s not safe to stay just anywhere. I can suggest some decent and secure hotels or PGs," she said, understanding my dilemma.
• I decided to be honest.
• "No, Aunty, I haven’t found a place yet. If you can suggest somewhere safe, please do," I said. She smiled warmly in response.
• "Well, there is a place. If you trust me, you can stay with me until you find a job. I live with my two sons, two daughters-in-law, three grandsons, and two granddaughters. It’s a big family, but we have plenty of empty rooms. Plus, I’d have someone to chat with," she offered, sounding like a schoolgirl inviting a friend for a sleepover.
• "But Aunty, how can I? You don’t even know me. How will your family react if you bring a stranger into your home? I don’t feel comfortable with it," I said hesitantly, feeling awkward since she had already helped me so much.
• "If that’s how you feel, I won’t force you and make myself look creepy. There’s a safe hotel near Marine Drive. I’ll show you the address," she said, showing me some nearby hotels and PGs online.
• With our chit-chat, I almost forgot about everything that happened yesterday, and suddenly, I felt hungry.
• "Aunty, do you want to eat pizza?" I asked.
• "Pizza? Here on the train?" she replied, surprised.
• "Yes, Aunty! The next stop is in about 45 minutes, and we can order pizza through an app. They’ll deliver it to the train at the station," I explained. She got excited, nodded enthusiastically like a child, and told me her preferences for toppings.
• I placed an order for two large pizzas with side dips and drinks to be delivered at the next station, about 30 minutes away.
• She insisted on paying, but I ignored her offers. After everything she had done for me, the least I could do was treat her to pizza.
• When we reached the station, the delivery man was waiting with our hot pizzas. We took them and started eating. I secretly took my medicine to numb the pain.
• This time, I fell asleep beside Aunty, only to wake up a few hours later to hear her serious voice...
• "Mumbai is under curfew, and all hotels and PGs are closed," she said with a worried expression.
• I rubbed my eyes and sat up, confused by her tense face. When she ended the call, I asked, "What happened, Aunty? You seem tense."
• "Yes, dear. Mumbai is under curfew because of a terrorist attack. All hotels and PGs are closed to new customers," she said, her tone full of worry.
• "Oh God! Then where will I go?" I whispered to myself, but she heard me.
• "Don’t worry, dear. Maybe it’s fate that we met. The only option left is for you to stay with me. You’re like my granddaughter—how could I leave you behind?" she said, caressing my head.
• Tears welled up in my eyes as I hugged her tightly. She truly is an angel in disguise.
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