Jayanth's heart thudded louder than the knock on Sarala's office door. At 24, he was scrawny, with an air of youthful uncertainty etched into his demeanor. He knew this summon wasn't a casual chat over office strategies or congratulatory remarks. His trembling hands betrayed the collected facade he attempted to maintain as he stepped into the room. Sarala's stern gaze sliced through the air, meeting his gaze with a powerful intensity.
Sarala, at 27, possessed an arresting attractiveness that demanded attention when she entered a room. Her sleek, professional attire complemented the confident aura she exuded. Beyond her professional facade, however, was an unexpected facet--she was an expert boxer. Her toned physique bore the testament of her rigorous training, a stark contrast to her corporate attire. Jayanth was always intimidated by her and today was no different. He had to admit, however, that she went out of her way to always set him at ease. Still, he simultaneously always feared her and was quite attracted to her. He even started going to the Gym just to surreptitiously ogle at her as she worked out rigorously in a Tank top and shorts way above her knees. Today, however, he had no such thoughts.
"Jayanth, take a seat," Sarala commanded, her voice a cool contrast to the boiling panic within Jayanth.
For what felt like an eternity, Sarala didn't speak. Instead, she slid an audit report across the table, each page a damning indictment of Jayanth's fraudulent activities. Jayanth's eyes darted across the pages, his throat tightened with the realization that his embezzling had been laid bare.
"I...I can explain," he stammered, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
"Save your explanations, Jayanth. The evidence is crystal clear," Sarala interrupted, her tone cutting through his feeble attempt to defend his actions.
The air in the room felt suffocating, each passing second an anchor dragging Jayanth deeper into the abyss of guilt and regret.
Sarala leaned forward, her gaze unwavering. "I won't take this to the Police, but you will face consequences." Jayanth's mind raced, contemplating the severity of his impending punishment."I will give you a one-time offer," Sarala continued, her voice unwavering. "Accept a different role within the company."
"W-What's the role?" Jayanth offered, timidly. Hope flickered within Jayanth, only to be extinguished when Sarala disclosed the alternative--a drastic pay cut and a job as a shoe salesman at one of their women's shoes outlet.
"I won't accept this!" Jayanth exclaimed, his voice tinged with desperation. "I will resign today."
Sarala's eyes bore into his, unwavering. "You've embezzled company funds and gambled them away. You do realise that you need to pay it back, every single penny, right? Or else, we can sort it out legally."
Jayanth gulped. He couldn't pay them back. He stared stupidly at Sarala. Sarala went for the kill.
"All right, here's the deal. I don't show any consideration to people who don't deserve consideration and you are on top of that list now. I will make it simple. Like I said, this is a one-time only offer. You can accept in the next 5 seconds or I will have security escort you out in front of every single employee you have ever worked with. Then, I will start the legal proceedings to drag your pathetic ass into jail."
The words were striking like nails into Jayanth's heart. However, he had no comeback. Sarala continued "The only reason I haven't already done it, even though I want to, is because Corporate is not agreeing. They think it will spoil the company image. However, if you don't agree, I will make them to agree." She slid a contract across the table. "You have 10 seconds to sign the contract. Initial each page as you go and sign at the end."
Sarala smiled wickedly as Jayanth scurried to accept the new offer. He had no idea what he was getting into. She hated embezzlers with a burning passion. She wanted to send him to jail directly but the head guys at Corporate were not willing to go for it. They were worried it would hurt the company image. And so, she had designed this punishment. The contract he was signing had some additional clauses which Corporate was not aware of. Jayanth would regret his decision every second of every day of the rest of his pathetic life. She would see to it.
---
As Jayanth stepped into the women's shoe sales outlet the next day - a Sunday - his ego was a mere shadow of what it used to be. Swarna, the outlet's manager, eyed him with a mixture of skepticism and mild disdain. Jayanth knew his presence here was an unwelcome disruption to the routine. Swarna, aged 36, was a middle-aged woman with traces of fatigue lining her face. Two kids and the responsibilities of managing the outlet seemed to have started adding a few pounds to her frame. Her eyes held a determined glint, a reflection of her disdain for the gender biases prevalent in the corporate world. Her experiences had fueled her aversion to the patriarchal norms that had often hindered her progress.
The women's shoe sales outlet was a bright, inviting space adorned with rows of shelves showcasing a variety of footwear. The neatly arranged sections for different shoe types--heels, flats, sneakers, and sandals--stood in perfect order. The store exuded an air of sophistication with soft lighting and a pristine ambiance that beckoned customers. While he did not like serving women, especially as a shoe sales assistant with a 90% pay cut from his previous job, this particular outlet was far, far away from home and he would be less likely to meet anyone whom he already knew - like his ex-coworkers and friends - here, which was a small comfort.
"Jayanth, sit," Swarna said tersely, gesturing to the chair opposite her cluttered desk.
He complied, perching on the edge of the seat, his nerves twisting into knots under her scrutinizing gaze. He hated the way she told him to sit but he was in no mental state to stand up for himself. As he sat, she stood up and walked towards him.
"Your responsibilities here are simple, though I doubt they will come as naturally to you as they should," Swarna began, her tone laced with a subtle, disparaging undertone.
"Firstly, this," Swarna added, reaching into a drawer and producing an ID card lanyard, "is yours. Wear it at all times. It's a reminder of your place here."
The lanyard, a stark contrast to the sleek, branded ones worn by other employees, was a plain, nondescript piece of cord with a faded company logo. Swarna handed it to Jayanth with a disdainful look, as if the object itself carried the weight of his transgressions.
"Secondly," Swarna continued, "Let's look at your new job contract."
"What is there to look? It's a simple shoe sales job, right?"
"Ah! Typical corporate thinking that a shoe sales job is simple. However, it is my job to go through the contract one more time with you. Now, don't waste my time."
She went through the contract page by page. When she mentioned the salary, a 90% pay reduction, he visibly sagged. However, he had no idea that the real bloodbath was just about to start. If someone had told him that, 5 minutes later, he would be thinking of this moment, the moment where he heard his 90% reduced salary a good feeling, he would have laughed at them.
Swarna finally got to the additional clauses which Sarala had added.
1. The assistant shall wear the uniform designated by the manager of the sales outlet.
2. The assistant will be evaluated weekly by the store manager. If the assistant does not perform well, as per the metrics set by the store manager, the assistant shall be dismissed forthwith with no lieu or compensation.
A uniform? Jayanth shuddered. What could it be? And when was this added. Looking at the confused look, Swarna enquired. "What happened? You signed this, right?"
Jayanth looked over and indeed, he had initialed and signed them. However, he indicated that he had not read it.
"Oh! You are a corporate employee and you signed something without reading. Are you that dumb?" Jayanth's blood boiled but Swarna piled on. "But then, I guess, you are that dumb. Otherwise, why would you have to go for such cheap things like embezzling, and more importantly, get caught?"
Jayanth knew he had to suffer silently. One wrong move, and he would go to jail.
Swarna finally finished with heavy condescension. "Now, do you understand why it was necessary to go through the contract?"
"Yes." Jayanth replied.
"You want to repeat that?"
Jayanth stared with rage. Did this bitch expect him to call her ma'am or something? And, why was she talking to him like she was talking to a toddler.
"Jayanth, when I ask a question, I expect an immediate, coherent, response. I will send my first evaluation report on Monday. You want to kiss this job goodbye then itself?"
"No, madam. Please, I am sorry. And yes, I understand the importance of going through the contract now."
"Good boy!" Swarna replied condescendingly. "Now, let's go to your uniform. You will start wearing it now itself."
On the foot of her desk, she placed a small box, a very small box. Jayanth stared at it.
"Go ahead and open it." Swarna commanded.
"What is it, a joke?" I replied.
"No silly, it's your uniform." Swarna answered, a touch of annoyance in her voice. "I don't have all day so make it fast."
Jayanth opened the box. Inside was... something. He lifted it up to see what it was. It was a small piece of cloth with some strings hanging from it. His face turned red. He turned to Swarna who remained expressionless.
