Chapter 26: Nabha Gets a New Assignment

Nabha was nervous. People had told her that the new boss was very powerful and strict. There were rumours that he was here to fire everybody. Nabha had recently finished her probation and become a full employee. This was her first real job. She didn’t want to have to go out and start searching again. In this market, having any job was a blessing. She wanted everything to go perfectly. But it wasn’t going so well. She had to type her admin password three times even to get the computer booted up in config mode.

“Listen, Nabha,” Shekhar said, getting out of his chair, Nabha took a deep breath and got ready to be fired “come here.”

She got up from the visitor chair and went to him.

He pointed to his chair “Sit here, pretend you are me, then set it up step by step. Take your time, follow your process. I am going to check my other emails on my phone while you are working on the laptop.”

Then he went to the conference area which had three sofas set up in a loose rectangle and sat down on one of the sofas. Nabha felt weird sitting the top boss’ chair but she sat down and followed his advice. With the boss not looking over her shoulder, the work got done surprisingly easily and quickly. She called him over and showed him the email settings. Then she had him change his system password while she stood nearby.

“Great job. Thank you, Nabha.” He said “You are very good.”

She blushed “Thank you, Sir.”

“You will be taking care of all my needs now,” He looked at her and she blushed even harder “IT needs, I mean. If you have other workload pass it on to a colleague. You will only be working on my stuff from now on.”

“Erm ... Sir, there’s only one other person in IT, I don’t think he can handle all the workload. Even with both of us, we can’t handle it all.”

“Only two IT people, in a company this size?” Shekhar frowned “Hmmm, I will talk to HR. One more person or two?”

“Two, Sir? There’s a lot of work and if you are going to keep me to yourself...”

He nodded “Then one more to replace you?”

“Yes, Sir.” Nabha nodded.

“I will talk to HR and advertise for three new people. If you know someone recommend them.”

Nabha was excited about that, of course, she knew people “Yes, Sir. I will, Sir. To HR or to you, Sir?”

“Send to HR with a copy to me.” Shekhar said “And Nabha?”

“Yes, Sir?”

He looked her over “You are a pretty girl.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“And I like your top.”

She was wearing a nice cotton halter top. She blushed again “Thank you, Sir.”

“But jeans? No. I like miniskirts or short dresses on my girls.” He said “Will you remember that?”

“Umm, yes, Sir. Yes, Sir.” His girl? What was he saying?

“And I like higher heels. At least 4” high, though I prefer 6” high.” He said.

Nabha swallowed. She could not walk in 6” heels. But then, how would she feel going around in her flat shoes with her CV in hand, hunting for a job, going from office to office?

“I will make sure, Sir.” She said quickly.

“Good girl.” He smiled “Tell me when you are available, and I will have you over.”

Nabha took a chance “I am always available for you, Sir.”

He nodded “What about your other workload?”

“I will manage, Sir.” She said “I anyway stay a couple of hours extra in the evening to meet the workload.”

Shekhar frowned “Do you get overtime for that?”

“Ummm, no Sir.”

“Hmm.” He pulled a post-it pad to him and made a note “I will talk to HR. Start invoicing for the extra hours, both you and your colleague. And taxi fare if you are staying in the evening.”

“Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir. But I just take the train.”

“That’s up to you, but you deserve taxi fare, claim it.” Shekhar said “After that take a taxi and be comfortable or take the train and save the money. Up to you.”

Nabha could not help smiling “Thank you so much, Sir.”

“You are welcome.”

“Please call whenever you need me for anything, Sir. Anything at all.” Nabha was liking this boss, she was liking him a lot.

“I will. Your next job is to setup a printer for me. A small deskjet one for confidential stuff that I don’t want to print on the floor printer.”

“Yes, Sir. It’s been ordered. I will bring it and install it myself.”

“Good girl.” Shekhar nodded “Alright, I will see you later then.”

As she walked out of his office, Nabha was calculating how much extra money she would get with all the extra hours she was already putting in. The new boss wasn’t bad. No, he was not bad at all.