1338 written, ―Aggressive salesman needed urgently‖. I planned to attend one of 1339 them after attending this interview. 1340 I went back to the interview venue as almost 2 hours was over. Now my turn 1341 will come. Yes, I was almost there; only after three candidates, my turn will 1342 come. I managed my hair and dress to look a little smarter. I forgot to wear the 1343 tie. I took it out of the bag and wore it. Mentally, I was ready to face the 1344 interview. My turn came and I went inside. One gentleman was sitting in the 1345 middle and two ladies were by his side. 1346 ―Please come and sit down‖. 1347 I sat on the chair kept there. 1348 ―So tell us something about you‖. 1349 I started giving a self-introduction. 1350 ―What are your strengths?‖ 1351 ―My strengths are positive will power and hard-working nature‖. 1352 ―What are your weak points? 1353 I thought a while but could not find any weak point in me. So I said: 1354 ―I don‘t know‖. 1355 ―You don‘t know. It means you don‘t have any weak points. Am I right?‖ 1356 I remain silent for a while. 1357 ―Why should we recruit you? How will you be beneficial for us?‖ 1358 ―I can do any work for you. I have good communication skills. I am good in 1359 computer operating and in managing all office-related works. I can also do 1360 administrative work. I will work for you with commitment and dedication‖. 1361 Meantime, a servant came with water and gave me a glass of water. The man 1362 told me to drink the water. I drank and kept the glass on the table. 1363 ―Can you break that glass?‖ 1364 I looked at him with surprise. 1365 ―Please break that glass‖. 51
1366 I was surprised. I thought he is joking. He told me to go near dustbin kept in 1367 the corner. I went there. He told me to see what is inside. 1368 ―Can you see broken glasses?‖ 1369 ―Yes‖. 1370 ―We want employees who only follow our orders blindly without judging 1371 whether it is true or false. Can you follow our orders blindly?‖ 1372 ―I cannot follow everything blindly. But I will execute each and every order 1373 given by you‖. 1374 ―Can you tell me how many pieces of glass you will get if you break this 1375 glass‖. 1376 I thought that the man who was conducting the interview lost his mind. I felt 1377 awkward at his questions and way of asking questions. 1378 ―Yes, tell us how many pieces of glass will be there if this glass is broken‖. 1379 I stood up, broke the glass on the floor and started counting the pieces of 1380 glasses. Immediately, the peon came and started cleaning the floor. 1381 ―OK Mr. Sohail, no need to count. Wait for our call. We will inform you the 1382 interview result within a couple of days‖. 1383 ―OK, Sir. Thank you‖. 1384 My interview was over. I came to the reception counter. Many candidates 1385 were waiting outside for their turn. 1386 ―Anything else do I need to do?‖ 1387 ―No, sir. You may go home. We will inform you interview result within a 1388 couple of days‖. 1389 I left the hotel. I was feeling relaxed but uncertain. I started moving towards 1390 the venue of another walk-in-interview advertised in the newspaper. On the 1391 way, I saw a street food vendor who was selling rajma rice. I had one plate. It 1392 was nice. 52
1393 Around 3 o‘clock, I reached that walk-in-interview venue. Here also, there 1394 was a long queue of people waiting for interview, but it was not that much. I 1395 went to the reception counter. 1396 ―I have come for the interview‖. 1397 ―Is your registration done, sir?‖ 1398 ―Registration? No, it is not done‖. 1399 She gave me a job application form. 1400 ―Sir, fill this form and submit it with Rs. 200 registration fees. After eight 1401 candidates, you can attend the interview‖. 1402 ―OK, madam. I will do that‖. 1403 I checked my purse; there was only Rs. 240 left. Without thinking anything, I 1404 filled the form and submitted with Rs. 200‖. 1405 I was waiting for my turn. After 1 hour, my turn came. I was called inside for 1406 the interview: 1407 ―May I come in, sir?‖ 1408 ―Yes, please‖. 1409 I went inside. One man along with his assistant was sitting. I was offered a 1410 seat. 1411 ―Have you brought your resume?‖ 1412 ―Yes, sir‖. 1413 I took out my resume from the file and handed it over to him. 1414 ―Introduce yourself‖. 1415 I started giving my introduction. 1416 ―OK, Mr. Sohail. We are searching aggressive sales person for selling 1417 financial products like insurance, loan, etc. Are you comfortable in marketing 1418 job?‖ 1419 ―Yes … yes, sir. I am comfortable‖. 53
1420 ―But you don‘t have any experience in this field. We will provide some 1421 training. But you have to attend the training at your own cost for 1 week. Can 1422 you afford one-week training cost?‖ 1423 ―How much, sir?‖ 1424 ―It depends on you—what type of accommodation you prefer to stay and your 1425 food choice. It may be around Rs. 7,000–10,000‖. 1426 ―Yes, sir. I can afford‖. 1427 ―How will you attract customer if you have to sell a new product?‖ 1428 ―It depends on the situation, the products quality and demand, what type of 1429 customer I am going to deal with and what I am going to sell‖. 1430 ―Are you comfortable to visit customers door to door for selling your 1431 products?‖ 1432 ―Yes, I can do that‖. 1433 ―Sometimes, you have to work under pressure and you have to fulfil the 1434 target‖. 1435 ―I can work under pressure, sir‖. 1436 ―If you fail to meet the target, you may lose your job also‖. 1437 ―I will try my best to achieve the target‖. 1438 ―If you can deposit the training amount now, you can join us after finishing 1439 the training. The job offer will be given as soon as you deposit the training 1440 amount‖. 1441 ―I need one-week time, sir‖. 1442 ―OK, no problem. Be in touch with us‖. 1443 He gave me a visiting card. My interview was over. 1444 I was going towards the station. The sun was about to set, and the day was 1445 going to over. Very soon, the darkness of black night was going to cover the 1446 city. I was feeling tired. The road was full of traffic, the streets and markets 1447 were full of people and the buses were also full of people. I felt as if I was 1448 drowned in the ocean of people. All are in hurry. All are restless. I came to the 54
1449 station. The station was also overcrowded. Long queues were there in front of 1450 the ticket counters. I had no intention to stand in a long queue for getting the 1451 ticket. I heard the announcement of the arrival of a train that was going 1452 towards my destination. But it was a superfast train, and it won‘t stop at that 1453 station where I need to get down. I went to the enquiry counter to get 1454 information about trains bound to my destination. I came to know that a train 1455 that will go to my destination was scheduled to arrive after 3 hours. I 1456 remember that I don‘t have enough cash to buy a ticket. I started searching for 1457 an ATM. I saw two ATMs near the station and went there. I wanted to 1458 withdraw Rs. 300 but the ATM was not able to dispense Rs. 300. The security 1459 guard of the ATM told me that the ATM will dispense only Rs. 500 or Rs. 1460 1,000 notes. But I was having less than Rs. 500 in my bank account. So I went 1461 to find other ATMs. After trying with four ATMs, I was able to withdraw Rs. 1462 300 from an SBI Bank ATM near the crossing. 1463 I came back to the station and sat down in the waiting room. All of sudden, I 1464 remembered that I had to meet that Nepali girl whom I saved last night. But I 1465 was too tired. I had limited cash. I ignored it. A man was sitting near me. He 1466 also seemed to be tired. I asked him: 1467 ―Where are you going?‖ 1468 ―I am going to Etawah and you?‖ 1469 ―I am going to Morena‖. 1470 ―What is your name?‖ 1471 ―My name is Sohail Shekh. And your name?‖ 1472 ―I am Ankit Dixit. I am working here‖. 1473 ―I am in search of a job. I came to attend interview here‖. 1474 ―How was your interview?‖ 1475 ―It was fine. I got selected as a salesman‖. 1476 ―In which company?‖ 55
1477 ―I am selected by a recruitment agency. They are recruiting for HDFC, ICICI, 1478 MAX, BAJAJ and AXIS. I have to take a short training. After that, I will get 1479 the job‖. 1480 ―Are they asking for any money?‖ 1481 ―Yes, I have to bear the training cost around Rs. 7,000–10,000‖. 1482 ―Brother be careful! Already I lost Rs. 20,000 as I was cheated by a job 1483 consultancy. It is a well-planned drama. They will take Rs. 100–1,000 for 1484 registration, and after that, they will ask you to pay Rs. 10,000–20,000 as a 1485 security deposit or training fees. Once the money is deposited, you will never 1486 find there address. I became a victim of this. Please check properly before 1487 making any payment‖. 1488 ―Yes. I will check. I also had doubt as the interview interaction was peculiar‖. 1489 ―If you are interested in sales job, I can help you to get a job in my company‖. 1490 ―It will be a great help brother if you assist me to get a job. I am interested to 1491 do any job: sales, administration, accounts, clerical and so on‖. 1492 ―You please note down my number. I will come back to Delhi after 5 days. 1493 You can come next week. I will tell the details‖. 1494 I noted down his number. 1495 ―What is your qualification? You must be at least high school passed‖. 1496 ―I have completed graduation‖. 1497 ―Good! Then easily you will be selected‖. 1498 ―How much salary can I get?‖ 1499 ―Salary depends on your performance in the interview. Around Rs. 4,500– 1500 6,000 will be your fixed salary, and the incentives are based on your sales 1501 performance. The more you will sell, the more you will earn. If you perform 1502 well, you can become area sale manager. If you work hard, you can earn well. 1503 But it is not so easy. I am planning to quit this job‖. 1504 ―Why?‖ 56
1505 ―I am facing family problems. Whatever I am earning, its major part is spent 1506 on paying rent, electricity bill, water charges, food cost, etc. Already you 1507 know that living cost in Delhi is very high. I am not able to save more. It is 1508 not beneficial anymore for me. I am not able to take care of my family. Rather 1509 I am planning to start farming work in my father‘s farm. Here, I am working 1510 hard and generating revenue for others. If I do that hard work systematically 1511 in my own farm, I will get the full benefit and stability‖. 1512 ―But now, farming is not at all profitable. Farmers are committing suicide. Its 1513 future is uncertain‖. 1514 ―That‘s a fact. But if done with a proper system, I am sure I can earn more 1515 than two times what I am earning by doing this job‖. 1516 There was an announcement in the station about the train‘s arrival. 1517 ―My train is coming. OK, see you next week‖. 1518 ―OK, I will call you‖. 1519 I was in a dubious situation. I cannot ignore whatever he told. I cannot give 1520 money to job consultancy agent. They may cheat me. I was feeling hungry. I 1521 came outside in search of a street food vendor but I did not find any. So I went 1522 to a cheap hotel to have my dinner. As I sat for dinner in that hotel, I saw the 1523 TV. It was showing news. After 2 minutes, it was showing the news that, 1524 ―Delhi police special team has caught a group of flesh mongers with the help 1525 of a Nepali girl. After raiding three different places, the police have rescued 1526 35 girls. Most of them are from Nepal, Assam, West Bengal and Bangladesh. 1527 Two powerful political leaders are closely associated with the flesh mongers. 1528 Delhi gang-raped victim Nirbhaya‘s condition is very critical‖. I had a simple 1529 dinner with chapatti and vegetables but had to pay two times more than street 1530 food price. I came back to the station as my train was about to come. I saw 1531 that the ticket counters were not so crowd. I stood in a queue and got a ticket 1532 for my destination. Soon, an announcement was made about the arrival of the 1533 train on platform no. 3, and I reached there. I managed a berth in sleeper 57
1534 coach by paying Rs. 150 to the TTE. I reached home happily, as I was almost 1535 assured that I will get a job in Delhi with the help of that man. 1536 58
1537 Chapter VII 1538 My mother made breakfast for me as early as possible with the help of my 1539 sisters as she was not sure what I had eaten last night. I remembered that I had 1540 forgotten to buy glass bangles for my sisters. I told them: 1541 ―Sorry sisters I didn‘t get time to buy glass bangles for you‖. 1542 ―OK brother, no problem‖ said elder sister. 1543 ―I knew that you will forget‖ said younger sister. 1544 ―Please keep quiet. Let him first have some food‖ said my mother. 1545 ―Believe me, sisters, I really forgot all about it‖. 1546 ―No problem, brother. It‘s OK. Bring it next time‖. 1547 ―Yes, I am going to Delhi next week. I will bring it‖. 1548 ―Next week you are going to Delhi again. Have you got a job there?‖ 1549 ―Not got yet, but going to get very soon. 99% chances are there‖. 1550 ―Alhamdulillah! Thank you Allah!‖ said my mother. 1551 I also said ―Alhamdulillah‖ silently by heart. I felt inner happiness. I got 1552 refreshed. Breakfast was ready. I enjoyed it. My father was gone to his farm 1553 for work, as it is his daily habit. My mother came and sat beside me: 1554 ―One bad news is there?‖ 1555 ―Bad news! What?‖ 1556 ―Sana had jumped from the second floor of the hospital‖. 1557 ―What?‖ 1558 ―Yes, she jumped. She is seriously injured. She may become paralysed. I 1559 heard like that‖. 1560 ―Very bad! Maybe her father and brothers have forced her to go again to her 1561 husband‘s house‖. 1562 ―Yes that his elder brother did. So she tried to commit suicide‖. 1563 ―What a heartless brother!‖ 59
1564 ―May Allah bless her and give her patient. Allah will never forgive those who 1565 commit suicide. It is haram (forbidden)‖. 1566 ―No one wants to kill himself or herself. Now she thinks very difficult to live 1567 with her husband. She finds committing suicide is easier than living with 1568 him‖. 1569 ―Very bad luck! May Allah guide her on the right path‖. 1570 I had the desire to eat one more paratha but I was not able to eat after hearing 1571 the sad incident of Sana. A sad wave shocked my heart and soul. My face 1572 became gloomy. I went to my small room. Tears rolled down from my eyes. I 1573 felt very sorry for her. I don‘t know why I still feel so much for her. I went 1574 outside to meet my friends. I came back home after 2 hours. I was feeling 1575 tired. I planned to sleep. I got a phone call and I attended it. 1576 ―Good morning, sir. This is Shruti from Sigma Job Consultancy‖. 1577 ―Yes, madam‖. 1578 ―Congratulations, sir, you are selected for Aviva Life Insurance as sales 1579 executive cum advisor‖. 1580 ―Thank you, madam. When will I get joining letter?‖ 1581 ―We will email you soon. But one offer letter is emailed to you. As you are 1582 not having experience in this field, you need to undertake training before 1583 joining. We will provide you training‖. 1584 ―OK, I am ready to undertake the training‖. 1585 ―Seats are limited for this training. If you are really interested, tomorrow you 1586 have to come for this training with Rs. 15,000 cash, as you have to bear the 1587 training cost. This fee is including the cost of your food and accommodation 1588 during the training‖. 1589 ―By tomorrow I cannot manage that much money. I need 1 week time‖. 1590 ―It is up to you, sir. We have limited seats. It is first-come-first-serve basis. 1591 You may lose a great opportunity as the salary package is very good with a 1592 host of facilities‖. 60
1593 ―I will try as soon as possible‖. 1594 ―Try, sir, latest by tomorrow or else we may not do anything‖. 1595 ―Yes, madam, I will try my best‖. 1596 I was in a dubious position. Her offer was alluring me. But I didn‘t forget the 1597 warning given by that gentleman Mr. Ankit Dixit. I was not able to sleep. I 1598 was sitting in my room lost in an unknown world. My father called me. I went 1599 to him. 1600 ―Assalamualaikum, papa‖. 1601 ―Walekum salaam. How was the interview?‖ 1602 ―It was good. I will go to Delhi next week. 99% chances are there to get a 1603 job‖. 1604 ―Alhamdulillah! May Allah fulfil your honest desire and guide you in right 1605 path‖. 1606 ―Get ready … we will go for noon prayer. Be thankful to Allah. He will 1607 definitely show you right path of peace and prosperity‖. 1608 I didn‘t dare to deny. I got ready for prayer. I went to the village mosque. It 1609 was almost empty. Very few people were there for prayer. Every Friday, it 1610 remains crowd. After doing wudu (cleaning before prayer), I entered the 1611 mosque. It was totally quiet. I felt some difference. I offered prayer and asked 1612 for Allah‘s blessing. I came back home. As I entered home, very nice smell of 1613 food was coming. Lunch was ready! We all had lunch together. I was feeling 1614 relaxed. I went to have a nap. My father woke me up as he was calling me for 1615 afternoon prayer. I went for prayer with him. The condition was the same. 1616 Mosque was almost empty; very few people were there for prayer. After 1617 prayer, I went to meet my friends and to enjoy smoking a cigarette with them. 1618 I received a call from Juber: 1619 ―Assalamualaikum, brother Sohail‖. 1620 ―Walekum salaam, brother Juber‖. 1621 ―I need to talk to you‖. 61
1622 ―Yes, please tell‖. 1623 ―I am in the hospital with Sana‖. 1624 ―How is she?‖ 1625 ―She is not so fine. Doctor doubts she may become paralysed‖. 1626 Ohh! Ho!‖ 1627 ―She jumped from the second floor of the hospital‖. 1628 ―But why?‖ 1629 ―Her husband forced her to go home and so did her elder brother. But she was 1630 not ready to go. Her father and Aslam were busy with their business. She tried 1631 to commit suicide‖. 1632 ―Why don‘t you inform the police?‖ 1633 ―Her elder brother is very powerful. He is a politician. I cannot take risk‖. 1634 ―Should I inform the police?‖ 1635 ―Nothing will happen. Can you come to meet her? Actually, she is uttering 1636 your name in her sleep. None of her family members is here. They don‘t have 1637 time; they are very busy. Her mother is also ill and her sister is with her 1638 mother. Her father told me to take care of her and an aunty is with her‖. 1639 ―What will I do there?‖ 1640 ―I think if you come and meet her, she may feel good. Now she needs 1641 someone who is close to her heart‖. 1642 ―I was close to her but later she ignored me. She started keeping a distance 1643 from me. She stopped talking to me; she broke the relationship with me‖. 1644 ―She did this only to save you as her brothers and father threatened her that if 1645 they trace her relationship with you anymore, they will kill you. Whatever she 1646 did was only to save you. Maybe she misbehaved with you but she did that 1647 only for your well-being. Aunty also told me that how much she missed you. 1648 She didn‘t dare to risk your life. She loved you so much. That‘s why she did 1649 this. Please come and meet her once‖. 62
1650 ―OK, I will come. But if her brothers or father see me there, then what will 1651 happen‖. 1652 ―They don‘t have time even to ask over the phone how she is. We will manage 1653 that‖. 1654 ―OK, I will come as soon as possible‖. 1655 I came home and told the matter to my mother. She told me to forget her and 1656 not to fall in unwanted problems. My father overheard this and called me, 1657 ―Do you still love her?‖ 1658 I remained silent. 1659 ―You go and meet her. She may feel good. Saving a life is a noble task‖. 1660 I remained silent. He gave me Rs. 300 and told to go and meet her after 1661 evening prayer. I went to the mosque for evening prayer well in advance and 1662 asked for help from Allah to save Sana. After finishing prayer, I secretly went 1663 to meet her in the hospital. As I was going inside the hospital, her father was 1664 coming out from the hospital. We looked at each other by chance. He stopped. 1665 ―Asalam-o-alikum, uncle‖. 1666 ―You came to meet Sana‖. 1667 I remained silent. He held my hand and took me to her. 1668 ―Sana, see who has come to meet you‖, he said to her. 1669 ―Sana, see Sohail has come to meet you‖. 1670 She didn‘t respond. I went to her and called her: 1671 ―Sana … Sana I am here‖. 1672 She opened her eyes and tears rolled down from her eyes. Her right hand was 1673 fractured and so was her right leg. The left side was not in her control. Doctor 1674 doubts she may become paralysed. I went more close to her and said: 1675 ―Sana … Sana…‖. 1676 Tears fall on her from my eyes. I was not able to stop crying. I wanted to hug 1677 her but it was not possible. She was also crying. 1678 Her father, with eyes full of tears, came close to her: 63
1679 ―Forgive me, Sana … forgive me…‖ 1680 He left the room crying. Juber followed him. 1681 The aunty told me: 1682 ―Sana madam used to talk about you. Whenever she remembered you, she felt 1683 very happy. She missed you a lot. She was not ready to marry that animal. But 1684 she was bound to do so. Her elder brother is heartless. He threatened her to 1685 kill you. That‘s why she agreed to marry that man. To save your life, she 1686 sacrificed her love‖. 1687 I hold her left hand but she was not able to feel that. I hold her left hand 1688 tightly. 1689 ―Ahhhh‖ she felt pain. 1690 ―Oh! Sorry dear‖. 1691 ―It‘s OK‖ her tearful eyes wanted to say so. 1692 The nurse came and was happy to see her as she opened her eyes and was 1693 crying. She will improve soon. The nurse called the doctor. The doctor 1694 examined her. He felt faint flow of blood in her left hand and leg. He was 1695 happy. He instructed the nurse to do some massage. The doctor told that her 1696 pulse rate was improving. I saw the most happy face of the aunty as the nurse 1697 said to her that Sana was improving. She started asking for blessing from God 1698 for her. 1699 Juber came running and told me to hide in any other room as her elder brother 1700 was coming to see her. I thought to face him. But aunty told that he has no 1701 humane feelings. He can do anything. So I hid in another room. He came and 1702 stayed there for 5 minutes and went back. I stayed with Sana for the whole 1703 night. 1704 Next morning, the doctor came to see her. 1705 ―She is improving a lot. Now her left leg and left hand are better than before. 1706 She will improve soon‖. 1707 We were very happy to hear this. I went to Sana: 64
1708 ―How are you now feeling?‖ 1709 ―Fine‖ she said silently with tears in her eyes. 1710 ―Don‘t be afraid. I am with you. You can come to my home forever‖. 1711 Tears rolled down from her eyes. 1712 ―Don‘t cry. Have patient. Everything will be fine soon‖. 1713 I kissed on her forehead. My parents also arrived to see her. 1714 She was very happy and felt good. 1715 My parents talked to her. She listened to everything silently. 1716 ―I will come to see you in the afternoon‖, I said to Sana and started for home 1717 with my parents. We reached home. 1718 After that, every morning and evening I used to visit her and stayed with her 1719 for hours. After 2 days, she started speaking normally. She was improving 1720 fast. After 5 days, her condition was fine. On the sixth day, she was 1721 discharged from the hospital and came home. She was in complete bed rest 1722 due to her fractured leg and hand. I used to meet her at her home whenever 1723 she called me. We started having our old happy days again. She used to feel 1724 very happy. But she cannot walk for the next 3 months. She has to remain in 1725 bed rest for the next 3 months. 1726 I called that man who assured me in the station to assist to get a job in his 1727 company. He told me to meet him in Delhi. He gave the address and told me 1728 the route to reach there. He also told me to pack my bags as if I was going to 1729 join. I met Sana and informed her that I am going to join a company. She was 1730 happy and told me to be in touch with her over the phone. My father gave me 1731 Rs. 2,000 as pocket money. I planned for an overnight train journey. My 1732 mother made a nice dinner and we all had dinner together. After that, I left for 1733 the station. I came to the station to catch a train bound to Delhi. Next morning, 1734 I reached Delhi and meet Mr. Ankit Dixit at the address given by him. It was 1735 the sales office address of the company that he was working for. The company 1736 had five offices in different parts of Delhi. It sells electronic products through 65
1737 direct sales and online channel all over Delhi. He took me to his manager who 1738 was a middle-aged man with a light dark complexion. He was very talkative 1739 and calculative. He made a lot of fun but became serious in a moment. It was 1740 very difficult to guess his mood. Mr. Ankit Dixit introduced me to him: 1741 ―Have sold anything in life?‖ 1742 ―No. I haven‘t sold anything till now‖. 1743 ―Then how will you sell without prior experience?‖ he said seriously. 1744 ―I will try, sir. I will learn the art of selling‖. 1745 He laughs. 1746 ―You are no more a boy that you can learn. Your learning age is over. It is 1747 your earning age‖. 1748 I remained silent for a moment. 1749 ―What happened, Mr. Sohail? You are not saying anything. By the way, you 1750 look very handsome. How many girlfriends do you have?‖ 1751 ―I don‘t have girlfriend, sir‖. 1752 ―Then you are useless for my company. If cannot attract girls in this age, then 1753 how will you attract customers‖. 1754 ―That is different sir. Nowadays, only those boys who have money are having 1755 girlfriends—whether handsome or not that doesn‘t matter‖. 1756 ―Well experienced. So someone broke your heart‖. 1757 ―No, sir. I have a true lover. She is married to someone but still, she loves 1758 me‖. 1759 ―Vegetable love!! It is useless love. Forget her. I have a very hot collection in 1760 my office, if you want I will set for you‖. 1761 I remained silent. My expression changed and he felt it. 1762 ―Dear don‘t take it other way I am trying to be frank. We need a frank 1763 talkative person who can talk to anyone for the sake of selling‖. 1764 ―I will do that, sir‖. 66
1765 ―I have heard this dialogue from unnumbered candidates but they didn‘t do; 1766 they were not able to sell. You will get salary if you can sell. Remember, no 1767 sale means no salary‖. 1768 I remained silent. 1769 ―Is this condition fine for you?‖ 1770 ―Yes, it is fine for me‖. 1771 ―But we are not so heartless. We will give you a fixed salary for the first 3 1772 months whether you can sell or not. During this time, you will be on 1773 probation. After that, if you cannot sell I will kick you out. Any doubt?‖ 1774 ―No doubt, sir‖. 1775 ―Apart from your fixed salary, you will get incentives based on your sales 1776 performance. I hope everything is clear to you. Any question?‖ 1777 ―Yes, sir…‖ 1778 ―What is your question? 1779 ―No question, sir. Everything is clear‖. 1780 ―Good. Now it is time to meet your boss. Remember I am your big boss‖. 1781 ―Yes, sir‖. 1782 ―What a man you are! Smile little. I am talking like a joker and you are so 1783 serious. Be serious only with customers—be serious only when you are selling 1784 a product, rests of the time you can remain cheerful. Tomorrow never 1785 knows—today is the best day in our life always‖. 1786 ―No, sir. Actually, I am very tired because of the overnight train journey…‖. 1787 ―No excuse. It is a very bad habit. I don‘t like excuse. Did you understand?‖ 1788 ―Yes, sir‖. 1789 ―We have a canteen. You can have burger, pizza, noodles and drinks; you can 1790 watch cricket matches, news; or you can play carom or chess also. Forget your 1791 past and start with us a new life—a happy cheerful life‖. 1792 ―Yes, sir‖. 1793 ―But you have to pay for this from your salary. It is not free‖. 67
1794 ―OK. No problem, sir‖. 1795 ―So it is time to meet your boss. Come with me‖. 1796 I followed him. He went to the room. Many people were busy with packing 1797 different things. He went to a lady who was hardly 25 years old and was busy 1798 in instructing others: 1799 ―Hi, Sonali! We have a new handsome cock today. You can make nice biryani 1800 of this cock‖, he said pointing to me. 1801 ―Sohail, this is Sonali, your boss. She will tell you everything; what you have 1802 to do, where you have to do and how you have to do. Get blessing from her 1803 and learn from her the magic of success in sale‖. 1804 ―Hi, Sohail!‖ She said to me in a very sweet voice. She was in a short but 1805 attractive attire, and she looked different from other girls and ladies present 1806 there. She was looking extremely beautiful and smart. 1807 ―Good morning, madam‖. 1808 ―Where are you from?‖ 1809 ―I am from MP, Madhya Pradesh‖. 1810 ―We have many employees from MP and UP. You will enjoy your job. Just be 1811 smart‖. 1812 ―I will try my best, madam‖. 1813 ―Come I will brief you everything and you can start selling today onwards. I 1814 will be with you‖. 1815 I followed her to her small cabin. I was not able to keep eye-to-eye contact 1816 with her as she was very smart and I felt ashamed. 1817 ―Sohail, always keep eye-to-eye contact with your customers and do practise 1818 with me. It will show your confidence, and customer will listen to you and 1819 believe you. Then only, your product will be sold. Understood?‖ 1820 ―Yes, madam‖. 1821 ―So I will…‖. 1822 ―Madam, when I will get joining letter?‖ 68
1823 ―Don‘t worry about that; we will give you today. That is not a big matter. 1824 Your job and salary will depend on how much you are able to sell‖. 1825 ―If you are able to sell, you will have everything here; if you cannot sell, you 1826 will have nothing here. Set your mind accordingly and focus on sale only‖. 1827 She explained different rules and regulations and other aspects of the job. She 1828 was very friendly. I was a little introvert but she made me a good friend of 1829 her. After 1 hour of interaction with her, I was able to remove all my 1830 hesitation. We went to the canteen for the breakfast. After that, we will go for 1831 field selling. The canteen was having only fast food that I don‘t like. But 1832 anyway, I had a burger with her. As we don‘t need to pay cash immediately, it 1833 was noted down by the canteen boy. It will be deducted from our salary. She 1834 packed her bag with the assigned products and so did for me in another bag. 1835 We had to sell tabs for kids. We were assigned an area. Different salesmen 1836 went to different areas. For the whole day, we went door to door to sell it. 1837 Some customers will listen with smile, some will say no without listening to 1838 anything, and some will close the door as soon as they see a salesman. Some 1839 houses‘ gate was having a notice written boldly—―NO SALESMEN ARE 1840 ALLOWED‖. 1841 After visiting around 36 houses, we were able to sell only two tabs. I was very 1842 tired but she was not. She offered me tea in a tea stall. We came back to our 1843 sales office in the evening. It was my first day. I was feeling very tired. I 1844 thought we will be free from our duty after that. But still work was there. We 1845 went to the cash counter and deposited the amount we got after sale and 1846 returned unsold items to the storekeeper with proper records. 1847 ―Come to my cabin. I will make the sales report‖. 1848 ―Still how much time we have to stay in office?‖ 1849 ―Just we will go and submit the report to the manager. After that, we can go 1850 home‖. 69
1851 Already others were waiting to submit the sales report to the manager in front 1852 of his office. All were in hurry. We submitted our sales report. Thus, I 1853 completed the first day in my job. I was told to stay in a room temporarily for 1854 that night near the canteen. I managed that night in that room without proper 1855 arrangement. 70
1856 1857 Chapter VIII 1858 I got up early in the morning as I was not able to sleep properly. I saw that the 1859 canteen boy was sleeping soundly on the floor inside the canteen. I got 1860 refreshed. It was very difficult to take bath with cool water, and I managed 1861 with a wet cloth and cleaned my hair with water. Someone came to my room. 1862 I don‘t know him. He came, took some stuffs kept in that room and went 1863 without saying anything. Anyway, I was just passing time sitting in my room. 1864 I heard some noise, and it was coming from the canteen. Other employees 1865 were having tea there in the morning and were talking with each other loudly 1866 and making fun. They were making fun of sharing common toilets, as the 1867 number of toilets was lesser. I also went there, had tea and met with some new 1868 faces. 1869 The canteen boy was busy in serving tea and was preparing noodles for 1870 breakfast. Anyway, time passed at a fast pace. It was 8.35 am, and I had to 1871 report in the office at 9 am. So I started getting ready for office and reached 1872 there earlier. Already Sonali madam reached there and she was busy with 1873 some other works. I went to her: 1874 ―Good morning, madam‖. 1875 ―Good morning, Sohail. So how was your first day? How did you feel 1876 yesterday?‖ 1877 ―Little awkward and tired‖. 1878 ―For the first few days, you may feel little awkward but afterwards, you will 1879 be used to it—you will forget to feel‖. 1880 ―Hope so, madam‖. 1881 ―Are you married?‖ 1882 ―No, madam‖. 1883 ―Then no problem, you can do well. Try your best‖. 71
1884 ―Yes, madam, I will try my best‖. 1885 ―Let‘s go and pack our bag for today‘s work. Today my daughter is not 1886 feeling well. I will try to go home early‖. 1887 ―What happened to your daughter?‖ 1888 ―She is having a fever‖. 1889 ―How old she is?‖ 1890 ―She is only 11 months old‖. 1891 ―The baby must be missing you‖. 1892 ―Yes. I also miss her a lot. But without money, we cannot live‖. 1893 ―Your husband?‖ 1894 ―He had an accident. Now he is not able to work. He is bedridden‖. 1895 ―Ohh! So you may be in financial problem‖. 1896 ―Yes. That‘s why I am bound to do this. I will tell you everything later. We 1897 are getting late for outdoor sale‖. 1898 We took the assigned products in our bags and went for outdoor sales in 1899 another area. We started trying our luck by visiting door to door, talking to the 1900 prospective customers and explaining product features. The day started well 1901 as two units were sold within an hour. Sonali was happy. There was a coffee 1902 shop and we had coffee. 1903 ―So who is taking care of your baby?‖ 1904 ―My mother-in-law‖. 1905 ―Who else are there in your family?‖ 1906 ―Only four members in my family: me, my husband, daughter and mother-in- 1907 law‖. 1908 ―What about your family?‖ 1909 ―My parents, me and my two sisters‖. 1910 ―What does your father do?‖ 1911 ―He is a farmer‖. 1912 ―And your sisters?‖ 72
1913 ―They are studying, and my mother is a housewife‖. 1914 ―So you have a nice family. Isn‘t it?‖ 1915 ―Yes by the grace of God, I have a happy family‖. 1916 Thus, we started sharing our life stories with each other and became a very 1917 close friend. The day's duty was going to over. After selling the first two units, 1918 we did not get any good customer to sell more. For the whole day, we tried 1919 but in vain. By evening, we came back to our office, deposited the cash in the 1920 cash counter and returned the unsold products to the store manager who was 1921 updated the record. 1922 ―Let‘s go to my cabin. We have to prepare the sales report and submit it to the 1923 manager. I have to do it quickly. I have to go home fast. I am missing my 1924 daughter a lot‖. 1925 ―Yeah, let‘s do it fast‖. 1926 She prepared the sales report and said: 1927 ―Let‘s go to the manager‖. 1928 We went to the manager‘s office. We were waiting outside his office, and 1929 others were also waiting for the same. All were ready to go home as soon as 1930 possible. 1931 Our turn came and we went inside. He was being assisted by two girls. 1932 ―How was your day?‖ 1933 ―It was …‖. 1934 ―Sonali, only two sold! It is unexpected from an experienced and smart 1935 employee like you. You meet me after 6.30 pm‖. 1936 ―Sir, I am in a hurry; I have to go home. You know that I have a baby. My 1937 baby is ill. My home is not near. Can I meet you tomorrow? Please sir 1938 tomorrow‖. 1939 ―I don‘t like excuse‖, he replied rudely to Sonali. 73
1940 ―Sohail, you can stay in a PG where most of our outstation employees are 1941 staying. You have to stay in twin-share basis. Any problem to stay in twin- 1942 share basis?‖ 1943 ―No problem, sir. I will manage it‖. 1944 ―Good‖. 1945 ―Sonali, inform Mr. Ankit Dixit to show his room‖. 1946 ―OK, sir‖. 1947 We left his office. I felt sorry for Sonali madam. 1948 ―It is his daily drama‖, she said sadly. 1949 ―Why doesn‘t he try to understand your problem‖. 1950 ―You don‘t know him. Keep a safe distance from him. Do your job. That‘s all. 1951 There is a long story I will tell you later‖. 1952 She took me to Ankit Dixit‘s cabin. 1953 ―Ankit sir, here is Mr. Sohail. Sir told to arrange his accommodation‖. 1954 ―OK, I will arrange. You are late again. What about your transfer?‖ 1955 ―Waiting sir, expecting that he will do it soon‖. 1956 ―Hope so. Why is he taking so much time?‖ 1957 ―Don‘t know sir. I am getting late. See you tomorrow‖. 1958 She went. Mr. Dixit took me to another building where outstation employees 1959 were staying. He showed me a room where already one person was living 1960 there. I had to share with him. 1961 ―I hope that you like this room‖. 1962 ―Yes. It‘s OK. What about toilet and bathroom facilities?‖ 1963 ―We don‘t have attached lat-bath. There are three common lat-baths, and we 1964 manage with those‖. 1965 ―I will tell the peon to arrange your bed‖. 1966 ―OK. Thank you, sir‖. 1967 ―OK, see you tomorrow‖. 74
1968 I had a light dinner at the canteen but the food was not good. I was introduced 1969 to my room partner. As I interacted with them, none of them were satisfied 1970 with their present job. Most of them were planning to find a new job. I went to 1971 sleep. In morning time, it was a big problem to get refreshed as someone was 1972 already there. We have to wait for our turn to get refreshed as the number of 1973 toilets was limited and tenants were more. Very soon, I became used to this 1974 life. Now, I don‘t feel tired to roam here and there with Sonali madam for 1975 selling outdoor. We became very close friends and started sharing personal 1976 matters also. Sales performance was going normally—sometimes more, 1977 sometimes less or sometimes nothing. I was getting Rs. 4,500 as fixed salary 1978 and Rs. 1,500–3,000 as incentives. But I had to spend Rs. 4,800 for food and 1979 accommodation and other living cost. So the saving was not so good. 1980 Anyway, I was trying to do my best to earn. Sana was also improving and 1981 used to talk to me often. One day, Sonali madam was looking very sad. She 1982 was totally in a different mood. She always used to be cheerful and helpful but 1983 that day, she was looking gloomy. 1984 ―What happened, madam? Why are you looking so sad?‖ 1985 ―At least, you read my sad face. It is a long story, Sohail. I will tell you later‖. 1986 We were a little late to start for outdoor selling that day. Without taking 1987 breakfast, we hurried with the products to the area assigned for us to visit. She 1988 was not in a mood to sell, and she was not able to deal with the customers 1989 properly in a persuasive manner as she used to do earlier, and she is an expert 1990 in this skill. She has some magic words and a sweet tongue with which she 1991 can sell anything. But I tried my best to deal with the customers so that I can 1992 sell some units of the assigned products. 1993 ―Yes, madam. What was the long story you wanted to tell me?‖ 1994 ―It is a secret matter I cannot share‖. 1995 ―If you share with me, your mental burden will be less. You may feel good or 1996 I may find a solution‖. 75
1997 ―Yes, you are correct. As it is a secret and personal matter, I cannot share. But 1998 I don‘t hesitate to share with you‖. 1999 ―If it is too much personal, better not to share‖. 2000 ―But I think I need to share it to find a solution because I don‘t want to get 2001 exploited anymore. Four months ago, my husband had an accident. We spent 2002 a lot of money to save him. Now he is bedridden. Two years ago, we got 2003 married. My parents spent all their savings on my marriage. Due to his 2004 accident, our financial condition collapsed, and I was in great need of a job. I 2005 searched here and there a lot, but I was not able to find a suitable one. This 2006 company has five branches in Delhi. One branch is near my home. This 2007 branch is far from my home. I requested sir to give me job in that branch but 2008 he told to join here to take one-week training, and later, he would transfer me 2009 to that branch. But 1 month over, 2 months over and now, 4 months is going 2010 to over but still, I haven‘t got transfer. Rather he has started exploiting me 2011 sexually; I am bound to bear this as my financial situation is very bad at 2012 home‖. 2013 She remained silent for a moment. 2014 ―My daughter was seriously ill. I had no money for her treatment. I came to 2015 sir to take some money as advance: 2016 ‗Sir, I need some money as advance. My baby is seriously ill‘. 2017 ‗I can give you advance but what will you give me?‘ 2018 I thought he was joking as he used to say anything. 2019 ‗Whatever you want I will give you, sir‘. 2020 ‗I want you‘. 2021 I was surprised at his demand, as it was not expected even in joking sense. I 2022 left his room without saying anything but he tried to stop me: 2023 ‗Hey Sonali, I am just joking. Listen to me‘. 2024 Without listening to anything, I went home. My baby was seriously ill. The 2025 doctor told me to admit her in the hospital. Government hospital condition 76
2026 was not good so I admitted my baby in a private hospital. But whatever 2027 money I had was not sufficient. I sold some household items but they were 2028 sold at a cheap price. Next day, I didn‘t come to the office as I was with my 2029 baby in the hospital and didn‘t inform in office. My mother-in-law was taking 2030 care of the baby. I was in need of more money for my baby‘s treatment. I got 2031 an SMS that if I don‘t report office tomorrow, I will lose my job. One week 2032 was left to complete the month. If I lose the job, I may lose one-month salary 2033 also. So I went to the office to resume my duty. But he was ready with my 2034 termination letter as I took leave without information. He made it a big issue. I 2035 requested him not to do that. He told me: 2036 ‗No need to go for outdoor selling, you may go home. We won‘t be able to 2037 pay you anything according to the offer letter as it is a termination case‘. 2038 I was hopeless. I control my anger. I forgot my dignity. I requested him like a 2039 beggar. But he was adamantine in his decision. 2040 ‗Sir please don‘t be heartless. Have mercy on me. My family will die if I lose 2041 this job. Please, sir, forgive me‘. 2042 ‗Rule is rule. I cannot help you‘. 2043 ‗You can help, sir. Please, sir, help me. Please forgive me‘. 2044 ‗If I help you, what will you give me?‘ 2045 I understood his actual demand but I was bound by the situation. 2046 ‗What do you want?‘ 2047 ‗Be mature Sonali. Same thing I cannot ask again and again. I want you. I am 2048 not joking now‘. 2049 I was bound to submit my body and soul to that crook‖. 2050 She became silent. She was crying and started saying: 2051 ―After that, many times he has sexually exploited me and still exploiting. I 2052 don‘t want to get exploited anymore. I cannot expect help from others because 2053 all are busy to save his or her job. I didn‘t dare to share with anyone—partly 2054 being ashamed and partly being afraid. Sometimes, I hate myself. I am living 77
2055 only for my little daughter. I don‘t know how long I have to offer my body to 2056 that crook. I am hopeless‖. 2057 ―It is very sad, madam. Why don‘t you inform to the police? If you remain 2058 silent, he will misuse you more. You have to take a daring step‖. 2059 ―He is having money. He is earning a lot of money. Corrupted police will not 2060 do anything. He will save himself with his money and I will be in great 2061 problem. He knows my family situation and my weakness‖. 2062 ―He is misusing your weakness‖. 2063 ―Yesterday, he told me to meet him at 6.30 pm. He does it often. By 6 pm or 2064 maximum by 6.15 pm, all workers leave office. None remains there. Only he 2065 remains alone, and when I go to meet him, he makes me his prey. He mentally 2066 and physically exploits me. It is not a 1 or 2 days matter. He does it again and 2067 again—two–three times in a week‖. 2068 She was feeling very sad and was crying. 2069 I remained silent and I was at a loss. 2070 We were not able to sell a single unit that day. I offered her lunch at a local 2071 hotel. Though the food was delicious, she was not able to enjoy it as she was 2072 missing her old happy days with her husband as they used to go to a restaurant 2073 for fun and food. 2074 ―If I had controlled my desire, I would not have to be in such problem. My 2075 misfortune came due to my foolishness and lavish lifestyle. My uncle was a 2076 very rich man—in fact, he was the richest man in our village. Her daughter 2077 was married to an engineer who was working and getting a very high salary in 2078 Gurgaon. Her marriage was done in a grand way. My mother was always 2079 jealous of my uncle‘s progress. Later the virus of this jealousy affected my 2080 father also. So they also started searching an engineer or doctor for me. 2081 Finally, they got an engineer for me. In my marriage, my parents spent Rs. 25 2082 lakhs. My marriage budget was more than my cousin‘s marriage budget. My 2083 parents just spent this much money as they were comparing and competing 78
2084 with my uncle. Marriage hall rent and decoration cost was 2.5 lakhs, my 2085 marriage dress was 1.5 lakhs, the car that my father gifted my husband was of 2086 7 lakhs, around 500 people were invited and each plate was of Rs. 1,000 2087 which was around Rs. 5 lakhs, my father gave me gold of Rs. 4 lakhs and 2088 gave cash of Rs. 5 lakhs to my husband. Whatever they saved for their old 2089 age, all was spent in my marriage. I was very happy and feeling proud. We 2090 felt very proud. People were appraising my marriage ceremony, as it was a 2091 grand marriage. My husband also spent around Rs. 6 lakhs for the reception 2092 party. My husband is a very nice man whatever I say he listens to me 2093 attentively and never say no. He was having a good house and little land in his 2094 ancestral village. As my cousin was living a luxurious life in Gurgaon with 2095 her husband, I felt jealous. I wanted to live in Delhi. So I insisted my husband 2096 to sell his ancestral house and land in the village and to buy a luxurious flat in 2097 Delhi. He did so according to my instruction. I didn‘t like my mother-in-law 2098 to be with us and I told my husband to keep her in any old age home. He did 2099 everything according to my wish. Money that we got after selling the ancestral 2100 property was not enough to buy a luxurious flat in Delhi. So he took a home 2101 with EMI. Finally, we came and started living a happy modern lavish life. I 2102 used to wear only costly branded garments and often used to visit the 2103 restaurant, shopping malls and movies, and used to spend money 2104 unnecessarily. I gave birth to a daughter. Happiness doubled after her birth. 2105 But our happy life didn‘t last long. In the accident, the car that my father 2106 gifted my husband was totally damaged, and he was critically injured—we 2107 lost hope. I sold all my gold ornaments, and whatever little amount was left 2108 with my father all spent for his treatment. Whatever bank balance was there 2109 all spent to save him. Now he is bedridden. I was not able to afford a maid. It 2110 was very difficult to manage my daughter and my husband who was a patient. 2111 My father got a deep shock at the collapse of my happiness, and he died out of 2112 heart attack. I was bound to bring back my mother-in-law home. I had no way 79
2113 other than doing a job to feed my family. I was madly searching for any job. 2114 For the last 3 months, the home loan EMI is not paid. Bank people are calling 2115 again and again. I don‘t know how I will manage with this little earning‖. 80
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