Arohi, now off-camera, sits in a shaded area of the set, sipping water and munching quietly on dry fruits. She watches the shoot from a distance.
But soon she was called for her next scene.
🎬 Shooting Scene: Arohi's Interview for Mr. Arjun Punj's Assistant
INT. CORPORATE OFFICE BUILDING – LOBBY – MORNING
Camera opens with a slow zoom-in on Arohi (played by Bani) walking into the grand lobby of Punj Industries. She's wearing a neatly pressed simple salwar suit, her hair tied back, and holding a modest brown file.
There's hustle in the air. The environment is sharp, modern, intimidating.
RECEPTIONIST
(to Arohi, checking list)
Arohi Sharma? You've been shortlisted for Mr. Arjun Punj's assistant position. Please proceed to Room 3 for Round One.
Arohi nods politely and walks with slight nervousness but composed grace.
---
🎬 SCENE 1: FIRST ROUND INTERVIEW
INT. INTERVIEW ROOM – DAY
Arohi enters a conference room. Two interviewers are seated — Ms. Chitra (HR head) and Mr. Nikhil (Admin Manager).
MS. CHITRA
Have a seat, Arohi.
Arohi sits.
MR. NIKHIL
You've worked in an academic setup so far. How do you think you'll adjust to a corporate structure?
AROHI
I've worked in a school environment where discipline, documentation, and people management are part of daily life. The only thing I haven't faced is air conditioning and cubicles.
Ms. Chitra smiles faintly at the honesty.
MS. CHITRA
Tell us something about how you handle pressure?
AROHI
When my father's school didn't have staff for months, I balanced three jobs — filing, teaching juniors, and coordinating meetings. Pressure teaches you patience, not panic.
They make notes. Mr. Nikhil nods.
MR. NIKHIL
Alright. We'll get back to you if you're shortlisted for Round Two.
---
🎬 SCENE 2: SECOND ROUND INTERVIEW
INT. BOARDROOM – SAME DAY, LATER
Arohi is seated in a room with Ms. Sanya, the Executive Secretary of the Chairman (Mr. Arjun Punj). She's elegant, sharp-eyed, and speaks in measured tones.
MS. SANYA
You know the position you're applying for is directly under Mr. Punj. He is punctual, highly private, and extremely detail-oriented.
Arohi listens attentively.
MS. SANYA (cont'd)
He doesn't conduct interviews. I'm trusted with choosing his assistant. If you get this job, it means I trust you on his behalf.
Arohi nods respectfully.
MS. SANYA
Tell me… can you read silence?
AROHI
(slightly confused)
I beg your pardon?
MS. SANYA
Can you understand when someone says nothing—but expects everything?
Arohi thinks carefully, then replies:
AROHI
If someone doesn't speak, you listen harder—to their body, their eyes, their timing. My father never scolded, but I always knew when I was wrong.
Sanya studies her quietly. She slowly closes the file.
MS. SANYA
Congratulations, Arohi. You're selected. Report at 8:45 AM tomorrow. Never be late. Never guess what Mr. Punj wants. Know it.
Arohi smiles in disbelief but stands up composedly.
AROHI
Thank you, ma'am. I won't let you—or him—down.
---
🎬 SCENE 3: EXIT SHOT
Arohi walks out of the building, appointment letter in hand. She steps into the sunlight, a gust of wind lifting a strand of her hair. She looks up at the massive building behind her.
The boardroom is polished and formal. Sunlight filters through tall glass panels. A long table is set for a strategy meeting. Executives begin to enter. Laptops open, files are laid out. Tea and water are served.
Arjun Punj walks in—confident, sharply dressed, speaking quietly to his legal advisor. The room adjusts as soon as he enters. All eyes turn. Calm authority surrounds him.
At the far end of the table, Arohi is already seated. Dressed simply but professionally, she's reviewing documents with quiet concentration. No one introduces her to Arjun. She is just another assistant in the system. A name on a list.
*Arjun's eyes scan the room methodically. His gaze lands on her for a brief second—a flicker of recognition.
A memory flashes: that firm, fearless voice from the police station.
But he doesn't break stride.
He walks to his chair, sits, and begins.
ARJUN (to the team)
Let's begin with the cost audit and Q3 performance analysis.
Meeting proceeds. Arohi doesn't look at him either. She listens attentively, takes notes, and occasionally passes data sheets to senior staff when requested. Smooth, efficient, quiet.
At one point, the tech analyst stumbles during a presentation. Numbers don't match on the screen.
There's a murmur in the room. Arjun leans back slightly, unimpressed. But he says nothing.
Arohi quietly checks the documents and slips a corrected file forward. The analyst recovers. The meeting flows on.
---
🎬 INT. BOARDROOM – LATER
The meeting wraps. Executives start packing up. Arjun rises first and speaks while still looking at his tablet.
ARJUN
You're the new assistant?
AROHI (standing up)
Yes, sir. Arohi Sharma.
ARJUN (still flipping through the tablet)
Stay prepared. We don't slow down for new staff.
AROHI (with composure)
Understood, sir.
Arjun nods once — neither warm nor cold. Just standard acknowledgment. He exits without another word.
---
🎬 INT. OUTSIDE BOARDROOM – MOMENTS LATER
Arjun walks past his personal assistant.
ARJUN (quietly)
Who assigned her?
PA
HR shortlisted her. She cleared both rounds easily.
And he walks away. The memory of the police station incident still locked behind his eyes — but not spoken of.
The assistant director claps his hands loudly.
AD: "That's a wrap for the day, everyone!"
The set slowly begins to empty. Lights are dimmed. Equipment gets packed. Bani, still in her simple kurta as Arohi, quietly removes her mic and returns her costume accessories.
She signs the pack-up register, gives a soft smile to the makeup didi, and walks out without drawing attention.
No chatter. No selfies. No starry airs. Just quiet focus.
---
EXT. MUMBAI ROAD – NIGHT
The city buzzes as usual, but Bani sits silently in an auto. She stares outside the window, watching the glow of passing traffic.
The rickshaw drops her at the same narrow lane she now calls home.
---
INT. BANI'S RENTED ROOM – NIGHT
She unlocks the door and steps in. The room is small but neat:
A single bed with a cotton bedsheet
A small desk with her diary and highlighters
One window with a view of distant streetlights
A small shelf with a few books and framed childhood photo with her mother
She locks the door and changes into her soft nightwear — a faded t-shirt and pyjamas.
Her stomach rumbles slightly. She walks to the kitchen counter.