What Happened Next? Excerpt 3

A couple of days went by. Everyone was staying in the guesthouse and would come to work by 9.00 a.m. There was nothing to do. They would spend time checking emails, visiting malls and lunching at food courts. One day, Niranjan called Suraj, Nimesh, and Ganga to his cabin. “We do not have any new assignments at the moment. As you have worked with us for so long, we would like to make a deal with you. We can offer you positions in our development office in Bombay. You will be transferred to the payroll of our Bombay office.” Ganga felt someone had pulled the rug out from under his feet. He saw his world tumbling in front of his eyes.

There was utter silence when they came out of Niranjan’s office. The inevitable had happened. Ganga was in deep thought. How would he be able to manage now? He had arranged for everything back home assuming his job in Singapore was for good. His sister was staying in a small apartment and studying in Delhi. Earlier, she had stayed with him. With his Indian salary, how would he be able to manage his own living expenses in Bombay and his sister’s studies in Delhi? He could not find a solution.

Ganga knocked on the door to Niranjan’s office. “May I come in?”

“Yes, Ganga.” Niranjan nodded.

“Niranjan, I am not sure if you are aware that before I signed the offer letter with Apar, I was assured that my stay in Singapore would be on a long term basis. In India, I cannot stay in any place other than Delhi, as I would not be able to afford to maintain two households in India with my Indian salary.” He briefly explained his situation and the understanding he was given by human resources at the time of his recruitment.

Niranjan heard him out patiently. “Unfortunately, this is all that I can offer to you. Go to Mumbai first, and then we will see how things turn out.”