Since morning, Swapnil had been in a foul mood, frustrated by Meera's absence. Around 11:00 AM, Sameer walked into his cabin.
"You heard what happened?" Sameer asked, voice tight with urgency.
"Not today. I've got a splitting headache and my brain's fried. Please, Sameer, not today," Swapnil replied, rubbing his temple.
"You need to hear this, Swapnil. It's about you and Meera. You didn't even tell me - and now she's been fired!"
Swapnil stared at him in disbelief. "What do you mean Meera's been fired? I've been waiting for her all morning."
"If you didn't do it, then who did?" Sameer asked, genuinely puzzled.
"No one fired her. She's probably just taking a day off to rest. That's why she didn't show up." Swapnil said, more to reassure himself than Sameer.
"I overheard Ajay talking to her on the phone. Right after that, he left the office, clearly upset. They were talking about her being fired. When I checked with HR, they said Meera was officially terminated yesterday evening. No one knows why or how. Since you're her reporting head, I came straight to you. This couldn't have happened without your approval." Sameer explained.
Swapnil, growing increasingly tense, picked up the phone and dialed. "Hello? I need to know everything about Meera Patel right now."
---
Meanwhile, at a restaurant
Meera and Ajay sat in silence, looking dejected as they poked at their breakfast.
"Why so quiet? Say something. You of all people should understand my side." Meera said sharply.
"What can I say? I don't know what to think. On one hand, I understand that uncle is acting out of concern for your safety. But on the other… taking away your freedom like this feels wrong. I'm confused...." Ajay replied honestly.
"There's nothing to be confused about. What happened at the site was an accident. Accidents happen. Do they really think pulling me out of their company will somehow protect me from future mishaps? Why can't you people understand this simple logic?" Meera raised her voice in frustration.
Just then, her phone began to ring. She cut the call. It rang again. She cut it once more.
By the third call, Ajay was irritated. "Just answer it already. Who's calling you again and again?"
Meera reluctantly picked it up. "Look, I don't want to…" She paused. "But you…" Another pause. "You're not even listening…" The caller cut the line.
"He never let anyone speak." she muttered.
"Who was it?" Ajay asked.
"I think we need to go to the office." Meera said simply, grabbing her purse and motioning for Ajay to follow.
---
Back at the office
Swapnil stormed into Mr. Singh's cabin, Meera's file in hand - without knocking.
"Is this how you behave, Swapnil? Barging into my office without permission?" Mr. Singh stood up, annoyed.
"I'd like to know what kind of behavior this is....." Swapnil snapped, placing a document firmly on the table. "You think you can fire someone from my team without informing me, and then have the nerve to complain when I walk into your office unannounced?"
Mr. Singh sighed and sat down. "Fine. Sit. Let's talk calmly."
Swapnil pulled a chair out with a sharp scrape and sat, still fuming.
"Look, I know you're angry. But please try to understand my position. Meera is the daughter of a very influential man. He called me yesterday morning, extremely concerned. Apparently, he knew what happened in Andaman, Meera's phone was off for hours, and he panicked. He believes her job puts her at risk and asked us to push her to resign. When she refused, we had no choice but to terminate her employment. And knowing how attached you've become to working with her, I knew you wouldn't approve. So, I made the decision myself." Mr. Singh explained.
"I am not attached to her. She was an asset in my team. She was handling entire project with me. And you thought I'd just accept that?" Swapnil's tone was cold, defiant.
"This is a family matter. We can't interfere beyond a point."
"No, this is a workplace matter governed by professional rules." Swapnil countered. "Even if someone wants to resign, it requires their written consent. And even after that, the contract demands a minimum three-month notice. If they can't complete their project within that time, we're required to extend their contract. That is the actual policy, not whatever decision you just made. And if you want to terminate her, you have to give a proper reason and as her authority I don't have any issues with her work. Then how can you take the decision of her termination?"
"I know the rules, Swapnil." Mr. Singh said, clearly frustrated. "But try to see it from my side. Her father won't back down. You expect me to defy a man like that for his own daughter? What if she refuses to come back to work tomorrow?"
"She won't refuse." Swapnil replied quietly, yet confidently.
"And how can you be so sure?" Mr. Singh asked, taken aback.
"Just revoke her termination. She'll come back. And as far as her father is concerned - I'll handle him. All I need from you is to stop the termination."