"Ramaiah have you given the draft for advertising?"

"Yes Sir." said Ramaiah in a cool tone.

"Then why isn't anyone coming?"

"Sir, I think not many people prefer archaeology... they prefer going to science or commerce. Also many people prefer government job. Ours is a private firm."

Rudra was about to say when they heard a knock.

"Come in," said Rudra.

Durga opened the door. She came inside and looked at him and Ramaiah nervously. Her long slender fingers were fidgeting. Few strands of her jet black hair escaped her braid. She tucked in the strands of hair behind her ear.

She looked at Rudra and said, "Good morning Sir, I am Durga Rao. I have come here for the interview."

Rudra stood up slowly. Ramaiah knitted his eyebrows. He had never seen his friend getting up to greet someone.

Rudra cleared his throat and said, "I am Rudra Shetty, owner of this company."

Durga smiled slightly.

Company? It is a small office... so Durga you might be working under an ambitious man...

Rudra signalled Ramaiah to go out of the room. Ramaiah went out of the room. Meanwhile, Durga scanned the room. It was a small room. A huge bookshelf was placed in front of the door. It had many historical books which reminded Durga about her father's room. To the right of the bookshelf, was a big wooden table. There were many books, papers and pens on the table. It was scattered which was exact opposite of Akshad's table. It would be neatly placed. Durga looked at Rudra who was now looking at her, with his narrow eyes.

Indrajeet would look at me in the similar manner... whenever I disobeyed him... why is he looking at me like that...

Durga gulped. Rudra spoke, "Have you checked the room properly? Do you think there is any problem?"

Durga said, "No, no, I was just looking at the room. Nice room Sir. If you would keep your work space clean then it would be the best room."

Durga looked at him. She knitted her eyebrows and pressed her lips to a thin line. Devi Shakti what have I done... Durga you lost your job.

Rudra looked at her and smiled. Durga heaved a sigh of relief. A string of words came in Rudra's mind.

Durga can sometimes be direct... very direct... but she is never rude... nor she wants to insult anyone... it is her nature... Rudra if she comes here for job then do give her.

"I have been told this by many people. But old habits die hard, isn't it?" joked Rudra.

Durga smiled. "I am sorry Sir. I am sometimes too direct."

"That's perfectly fine. So Durga Rao can we see your qualification."

"Yes Sir." said Durga handing over a file. After scrutinising the file, Rudra was lost in some thought.

Durga has studied till 17 years. She has completed her basic education. But she has immense knowledge of history... he had told me this... before that let me test her confidence

"Durga you have studied till twelfth standard. You are not an archaeologist. Still you want the job?"

"I had some personal reasons for not pursuing further studies. I think people should be given jobs on the basis of knowledge and not merely qualifications."

"Do you think I am a fool to give others job on basis of qualifications?" asked Rudra. He was trying to frighten her with his fake anger, which he had succeeded to do so. Durga started breathing heavily.

"Durga you applied for higher studies even without asking for my permission? You are my wife now. You will listen to what I say. Is that okay?" asked Indrajeet, hoping for a positive reply.

"But Indrajeet you said that you wanted me to excel when my Appa asked you if I could continue my studies." asked Durga. She was unable to understand why he was doing this. She had heard him telling in front of his friends too that she could study further.

"That was just an assurance. Otherwise your father wouldn't have let me live in peace," stated Indrajeet, irritated. He hated when Durga would cross question him.

"It was a lie?" Durga asked. She felt her trust for him shattering. Once again. Like it had happened before.

"Yes," replied Indrajeet, coldly.

"Excuse me Durga." said Rudra. He was waving his hand in front of her eyes.

"I am sorry, Sir, I didn't listen to your question. Could you please repeat it?"

If it would have been someone else, Rudra would have given them a lecture of how careless they were. But he was sort of aware that Durga had some bad memories. He had no idea what the memories were. He wanted to know about it. That was the reason he had hired a detective. It was difficult to find about Durga because she would seldom go out of the house and talk to others. She practically had no friends.

"I repeat the question: Do you think I am a fool to give others job on basis of qualifications?"

"No, Sir. You are thinking in a different way," reasoned Durga.

"Different way? Could you please elaborate?"

"What I am trying to say is that everyone's life is different. Some have the opportunity to complete the education. Some don't have. When you couldn't complete your education can you think of some different way to employ people?"

"You mean to say that if something like this happens I should test their knowledge before rejecting them?" asked Rudra. He noticed that her confidence was good. Unlike what he had been told.

Rudra, Durga is a girl who has lost her self confidence. I don't know how to help her regain her confidence. Rudra please help her.

"Exactly Sir."

"But do you think people like me will have time to take tests, assess and appoint?" asked Rudra. He was trying to check her intellect.

Durga is smart and intelligent, Rudra.
I hope she comes out of the ugly situation with her intelligence.

"I don't about various fields Sir. All I know in India, less people opt for this branch; very less people opt for working in a private company. So I don't think there should be a problem with this scheme," explained Durga.

Rudra was thinking for a while. He had promised someone to give her the job. But he couldn't just give her the job. It would be unfair for his other employees. Taking a test seemed a better option.

"Okay, so Durga Rao I have decided to take a test," said Rudra. Durga got tensed. Lines appeared on her brow.

"What test Sir?" Durga asked, hoping for simple test. Though she had immense knowledge, she had started revising her books a few days back. Somewhere in the corner of her heart she wanted to thank Rudra for listening to her. Unlike Indrajeet.

"You have to submit a writing."

"A writing? On what topic Sir?" asked Durga. She hoped for a topic which she knew.

Rudra smirked. He said, "You don't have to write about ten avatars of Vishnu. But you will have to write about the ten avatars of Vishnu."

Durga smiled and looked at him, confused. She wasn't this confused about her wedding when she had found that Indrajeet used to drink. She thought this man was joking.

"Sir, I am sorry to ask but are you serious? I mean whenever people have stress they talk nonsense," said Durga. She was feeling very annoyed.

"Durga Rao! I know you said you were direct. But that doesn't mean you will talk in this way. It was your suggestion to keep a test. Now you are backing off," warned Rudra. He loved throwing weird challenges.

"I am not backing off, Sir. I am ready to accept the challenge provided you give me a where you aren't confused. Will you please decide whether I have to write or not?" Durga asked. She thought that this man was getting on her nerves.

"I have already given you the topic. It is upto you whether you accept the test. You will have to submit the report by tomorrow exactly at noon. You will do this if you really want the job."

The last word had an effect on Durga. She was annoyed yet she wanted a job. It would be the first step to stand up on her own feet. She left the room without any answer, leaving Rudra confused for the reason of her annoyance.

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Durga went straight to her father's room. She opened the upper door of the bookshelf and started searching for the book which had ten avatars of Vishnu. After ten minutes of searching, she found the book in the middle rack. It was underneath two humongous books. She pulled the book. But the book didn't budge a bit. She started pulling the book with all her might, she successfully removed the book. She was reading the title of the book when a medium book, from top rack, fell on top of her head. She rubbed her head and looked at the book which had now fallen on the floor.

She picked up the book and saw the cover. It had a picture. A picture which could be the solution of her problem. She was lost in the book for few moments when she realised that she had actually found her answer. She closed her eyes thanking Goddess Shakti.

Thank you Devi Shakti for helping me... I knew you that you won't disappoint me.

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So the advertisement lead Durga to Rudra. What do you think whose voice was it that constantly echoed in Rudra's mind? What do you think could be the answer?

Sorry for the cliffhanger... I would like you to hear your views...

Thank you for reading.