Story : The “Headhunter”

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The “HEADHUNTER”

Story By Vikram Karve

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THE JOB INTERVIEW

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MUMBAI

Circa 2000

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“Well — the professional part of the interview is over…” the CEO said to me, “now we will hand you over to Ms. Nina who will ask you some questions.”

I looked at the persons sitting across the table — the interview panel.

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There were 3 persons in the interview panel :

1. The CEO — who sat in the centre — opposite me.

2. The ‘Head of HR’ — who sat to the CEO’s right

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(Both the CEO and ‘Head of HR’ were elderly gentlemen in their 50’s)

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I told you that there were three person in the interview panel.

Yes — in the interview panel — there was a third person too:

3. Yes — the third person in the interview panel was a smart looking woman — around my age — maybe slightly older — in her late 30’s — or maybe early 40’s — who sat to the left of the CEO.

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Out of these 3 persons — for the last one hour — it was the CEO who had asked me most of the questions.

The ‘Head of HR’ just asked me about my qualifications and experience.

The ‘Mysterious Woman’ had remained silent so far — but she seemed to be observing me carefully during the interview — as I answered the questions put to me by the CEO and ‘Head of HR’.

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At the beginning of the interview — the CEO had introduced himself and the ‘Head of HR’ — but he had not introduced the mysterious woman.

I had thought that she was ‘sitting in’ as a ‘woman observer’ — just because I was a woman — and — the CEO and ‘Head of HR’ were both men.

But now — after one hour — the CEO had introduced the woman her as their ‘Recruitment Consultant’.

Yes — the CEO just mentioned her first name — Ms. Nina — and — he said that she was their ‘Recruitment Consultant’.

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Ms. Nina smiled at me — and she spoke to me in a soft voice.

“Well — as you know — this is a very senior position…” she said to me.

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“Ah — I must interrupt here…” the CEO said to Ms. Nina.

Then — the CEO looked at me — and he spoke to me with a slight smile.

“Let me tell you one thing — young lady — if you are sitting here before us today — it is only because of Ms. Nina. Frankly — we did not want someone so young for this key senior position — but Ms. Nina insisted on you — and seeing the way you have answered our questions — I feel that she was right…” the CEO said to me.

“Thank you, Sir…” I said looking at the CEO.

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Then — I turned my glance and looked at Ms. Nina — and I smiled at her.

“Thank you, Ma’am…” I said to Ms. Nina.

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Ms. Nina smiled at me.

Then — Ms. Nina looked at the CEO and smiled at him.

“Shall I begin…” she asked the CEO

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“Oh, Yes…” the CEO said to Ms. Nina.

The CEO looked at me and he spoke to me while rising from his chair.

“Thank you for your time, young lady — I think we will now leave you two — Ms. Nina and you — to talk to each other — and we will get on with our work…” he said to me.

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The CEO gestured to the ‘Head of HR’ — and both the CEO and ‘HR Head’ left the room — leaving me alone with Ms. Nina.

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Ms. Nina looked into the laptop in front of her.

Then — she looked at me — and she started the conversation.

“Well — as you know — you are being considered for a very senior post — a key appointment in the organisation — a position of great trust…” she said to me.

“Yes — Ma’am…” I said.

“The ‘Ma’am’ is unnecessary — just call me Nina…” she said.

“Yes…” I said.

“You did not apply for this position — the company invited you for an interview — am I right…?” she said.

“Yes…” I said.

“Well — let me introduce myself — I am a ‘headhunter’ — and it was I who ‘headhunted’ you for this top level job…” she said.

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Oh — so this Mysterious Woman was the “Headhunter” who had “Headhunted” me for this job.

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I smiled at her with an expression of gratitude.

“Thank you…” I said to her.

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“I hope you don’t mind if I ask you a few questions of a personal nature…?” she said.

“Personal questions…?” I asked, hesitant.

“Well — you may feel that it is none of our business to probe into your personal life — but — as I said — this is a position of trust — you will have access to sensitive information — company secrets — so to speak — and since I am the person who ‘headhunted’ you — I feel all the more responsible…” she said.

I remained silent — I felt a bit confused in my mind.

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Ms. Nina looked at me and she spoke to me in a measured tone of voice.

“Please feel free not to answer any question that you do not wish to answer — if you don’t want to answer a question — you need not answer that question. Or if you want — we can finish the interview right here…” she said to me — in a matter-of-fact tone.

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Ms. Nina spoke these words softly — with a smile on her face.

But the caveat was clear — if I wanted this job — I had to answer all her questions about my personal life.

And — I desperately wanted this job — which would catapult me into the top bracket.

“It’s okay…” I said — feeling a bit self-conscious.

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Ms. Nina looked at me and she said to me in a questioning tone.

“I can see that you are feeling a bit shy — so I will keep my questions to the bare minimum — okay — I will ask you just one thing — tell me — why are you unmarried…?” she asked me.

“Excuse me…?” I said, surprised.

“You are unmarried — aren’t you — it says so in your CV…”

“Yes…” I said to her.

“You are 36 years old. You never married…? Or were you…?” she asked me.

“I never got married…” I said to her.

“Why didn’t you get married…?” she asked me.

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I remained silent — wondering what to say.

I wondered why was she harping on my marital status.

I felt a bit uncomfortable.

I think Ms. Nina sensed my feelings — so looked at me — straight into my eyes and spoke to me.

“Don’t answer if you don’t want to…” she said to me.

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I wanted this job.

I knew that it would be best for me to answer.

So — I decided to be candid with Ms. Nina.

“No — it is okay — I will tell why I never got married till now. Well — after my studies — for the first few years — I wanted to focus on my career — and then — when I felt like getting married — all the eligible boys had got married — and there were no suitable bachelors left for me to marry — so — I remained unmarried…” I told her frankly.

“Is it so…? But now — it seems that you have found a “Suitable Boy”. Tell me — you have finally found a “suitable boy” to marry — haven’t you…?” Ms. Nina said.

“Suitable Boy…?” I said, taken aback.

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Ms. Nina pressed some keys on her laptop — and then — she turned her laptop around — with the laptop screen facing me.

On the screen — there was a picture of Arun — my lover.

I was surprised to see Arun’s picture on her laptop — but I tried to hide my emotions — because I noticed that Ms. Nina was closely observing me.

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Then — Ms. Nina spoke in a firm questioning tone.

“We did some background checks on you — the customary vetting we do before hiring top level executives — and — it seems that you are in a serious relationship with this man — “Arun” — that’s his name — isn’t it …” Ms. Nina asked me.

“Yes — his name is Arun — we are dating each other…” I said.

“Just “dating” each other…? The report says that you are “cohabiting” together with each other. Aren’t you two in a “live-in” relationship…?” she asked.

“Yes — we live together — whenever possible…” I said.

“Whenever possible…? What do you exactly mean by that…?” she asked.

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I was getting annoyed.

This was getting a bit too much.

But — I knew — that — if I wanted the job — I had to come clean and tell her everything.

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So — I decided to tell Ms. Nina the truth.

“Let me tell you everything — he is an airline pilot — we met 3 years ago at a party in Delhi — we started seeing each other — and — last year — he moved in with me…” I said to her.

“He moved in with you…?” she asked me.

“Oh — it is not exactly like that — he lives with me whenever he is in Delhi on layovers — which he manages quite often — but actually he is based in Mumbai…” I said.

“So — that is the real reason you want this job — so that you can relocate from Delhi to Mumbai — and — you can “move in” with your “Boyfriend” permanently — and — you can convert your “weekend relationship” into a full-fledged permanent “live-in relationship”…” she said.

“Yes — I am keen on relocating to Mumbai — that is the main reason is that I want this job — yes — once I am in Mumbai I intend to “move in” with Arun…” I said.

“So — once you ‘move in’ with him permanently — do you intend to get married to him…?” she said.

“Yes — that is the future plan…” I said.

“Future plan…? Tell me — what are you waiting for — isn’t 3 years of dating including one year of intimate “live-in relationship” enough for you two lovers to get to know each other well enough to get married…?” she said.

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I was getting exasperated by her line of questioning — but I kept my cool — and spoke in a measured tone.

“Even if I get married to him — there is no conflict of interest — I will be working here in an FMCG company — and — he is an Airline Pilot…” I said to her.

“That’s true — so you are living with him right now in Mumbai…” she said.

“No — I flew down from Delhi by the morning flight — and I came straight over here — he is not in Mumbai right now — he is flying on a long trip on overseas flights — and he will be back next week…” I said.

“Oh — but he must be happy about this interview — if you get this job — you two will be in Mumbai together…” she said.

“He doesn’t know about this interview…” I said.

“Really…? You didn’t tell your “Boyfriend” that you were coming to Mumbai for this interview. That is very surprising. So — you keep secrets from each other — do you…?” she asked me.

“Frankly — I did not want raise “false hopes” — and then disappoint him — if I didn’t get this job…” I said.

“I see…” she said, “but it seems like you are going to get this job. So your “Boyfriend” is going to be very happy…”

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This conversation was getting more and more exasperating — and I wanted to end it quickly — so I looked at Ms. Nina — straight into her eyes — and spoke in a firm voice.

“I think you have asked me enough questions about my personal life — and — I am sure that you are convinced that there is no conflict of interest if I am in a relationship with an Airline Pilot…” I said to her in a firm voice.

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“Just one last question…” Ms. Nina said.

“Okay…” I said.

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Ms. Nina looked at me — straight into my eyes — and — in an imperative tone of voice — she said to me:

“Outwardly — this FMCG company may appear very “modern”.

But — the inner “core culture” is quite conservative — and — some of the Directors have rather old-fashioned views.

So — I have been told to specifically ask you this question:

“Do you intend getting married to this man with whom you are in a “live-in relationship” — Arun — and — if so — when are you two planning to get married…?”…”

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I looked at Ms. Nina and said firmly:

“Yes — we intend getting married — Arun and Me — we are going to get married very soon…”

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Ms. Nina smiled at me — a rather mischievous smile.

Then — Ms. Nina spoke to me in a rather sardonic tone of voice.

“You can’t get married to this man — Arun…” she said to me.

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I was taken aback by her impertinence.

So — I spoke to her in a questioning voice.

“What are you saying…? Why can’t I marry him…?” I asked her.

“Well — I am sorry — but — you cannot marry your “boyfriend” Arun — it is not possible for you to get married to him…” Ms. Nina said to me.

“But why…?” I said, getting a but miffed at her.

“Because your “lover-boy” Mr. Arun is already married…” Ms. Nina said.

“What…?” I said, stunned.

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Ms. Nina looked at me.

Yes — Ms. Nina looked directly into my eyes.

Then — she delivered her coup-de-grâce.

Ms. Nina spoke to me in a triumphant voice.

She said to me:

“Yes — your “lover-boy” Arun is a married man.

Your “lover-boy” Arun is married to Me.

I am Arun’s “legally wedded wife”…

Do you understand…?

And — let me tell you very clearly.

As of now — I have no intention of divorcing my husband Arun.

Do you understand — I have absolutely no intention of divorcing my husband Arun…”

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After saying this — Ms. Nina looked straight into my eyes.

I cannot describe the emotions I felt — when I heard these words which Ms. Nina had so emphatically said to me.

Arun had never told me that he was married.

My world had collapsed — I was shattered — betrayed by the man I loved most.

I felt as if I was going to break-down.

But — I composed myself — holding back my tears.

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Ms. Nina was looking at me intently — she had a cruel smile on her face.

She looked more like a “hunter” than a “headhunter”

Yes — Ms. Nina had the triumphant look of a hunter who had mercilessly hunted down her prey.

I was so devastated — that — my throat was choked — and — I could barely speak.

I looked at Ms. Nina — the woman who was Arun’s “legally wedded wife” — and — with great difficulty trying to control my emotions — I spoke to her.

“Please may I have my CV back…?” I said to her.

“Why…? Don’t you want this job…?” she asked me — with an expression of fake surprise.

“No — I don’t want this job. Under the changed circumstances — I have decided not to relocate to Mumbai…” I said — trying to put on a formal tone in my voice.

“Okay. The choice is yours…” she said.

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Ms. Nina handed me my CV — she stood up — and — she extended her hand.

I did not shake her hand.

I walked out of the room — I went straight to the washroom — and — I broke down into tears.

I let my emotions flow out of me.

After some time — I composed myself — I washed my face — I touched up my make-up, my hair — and — I tried to look normal.

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A few minutes later — I sat in a coffee shop — drinking a hot cup of coffee.

I deleted Arun’s contact details from my mobile phone

Yes — I would have to “delete” all traces of Arun from my life — and — move on in life — and look forward to a new life ahead.

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EPILOGUE

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Dear Reader:

There is a couple in a “live-in relationship”.

Many years have passed — but they have not got married.

Their “live-in relationship” has continued for many years.

Whenever someone asks them when they intend getting married — they keep saying that they would be getting married “soon”.

But — the “soon” has never materialised — and it seems that their “live-in relationship” will go on forever.

What could be the reason they have not got married…?

Could the reason for their not getting married be the same as the reason in this story — that one of them is married to someone else…?

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VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve
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© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

This story is a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

Link to my source blog post in my Blog Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve:http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2017/10/headhunting-story.html

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

This is a revised and updated version of my story SLAM DUNK written by me Vikram Karve around 10 years ago in June 2014 and posted online by me in my blog Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve at urls: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/07/slam-dunk.htmland http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/08/blog-fiction-slam-dunk-interview.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/10/the-interview-blog-fiction-short-story.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/12/caveat-slam-dunk-story.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/03/coup-de-grace-love-game-slam-dunk.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/09/love-game-coup-de-grace-neat-slam-dunk.html and https://karve.wordpress.com/2017/08/15/the-headhunter/and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2017/10/headhunting-story.htmland https://karve.wordpress.com/2018/04/10/the-head-hunter/and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/11/live-in-relationship-and-marriage.html and https://karve.wordpress.com/2020/12/24/how-to-headhunt/ and https://karve.wordpress.com/2021/04/30/the-head-hunter-2/ and https://karve.wordpress.com/2023/04/26/the-headhunter-4/ etc

© vi kram karve., all rights reserved.

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