Chapter
– 2
Third semester had started and I became a senior
student. College life stories too had begun piling up, and every new day
brought a new story. Along with felicities some perturbation came and the most
horrible one was the subject of Digital
Electronics. It was almost a nightmare. I remembered my first year’s days
where I had been continuously hunted by Physics
and now this electronics, I thought, would certainly take my life away. And,
while the most happening semester was on run, in the back of my head I was
looking for it to end, since it would bring one more chance to see her for six
days. Until end of semester, electronics succeeded in breaking up almost all
digital connection to my brain and when I read the exam schedule at college
notice board it felt like a final assault. All connection to brain felt numb
and at the center of my chest a pain oozed out. University had decided on
changing examination center for our college. Certainly, I wasn’t going to see
her this time, however reminisce of her face still felt fresh in my eyes. This
separation mattered to me, but not much since I knew that this would happen
someday. And, the privilege that destiny showered at me would be stopped some
days as nowhere we were meant for each other, we had no match.
With time dust began to accumulate on my memories
but she remained there, under it as though secured a place for herself. Third
semester gone, fourth semester gone, fifth semester gone without seeing her,
and I convinced myself that it was just an attraction which had reached its end
and nothing more remained, not even a thought worth thinking. At the start of
sixth semester life was playing a different music. All good times slowly began
to vanish and tension about future decided to replace it. I had very little
options in my hand hence I began looking for job in Call centers despite being
good in technical. But there, I got no luck since my English speaking was as
broken as heart of any lover on this mighty earth. Soon from a friend of mine I
got to know that for the first time TCS was conducting campus recruitment drive
for science and computer graduates. For what profile, I asked. Technology
profile, he replied. I felt god has listened to my plea. I went to that drive
but in second round of selection they showed me door - I was rejected. With
dashed hopes I went back to my hostel. Three more big companies conducted
campus drive and every time I was shown door. Hopes were at all time low and
then the news about Infosys coming for campus recruitment drive reached my
ears. I collected myself and started preparing for it. Within I had a strange
hope that this time I would see my name in the final selection’s list.
On the day of written test, I got into argument
with an HR executive. He had accused me of not being eligible to sit for
technology written test since I was student of Commerce subject in 12th
Std. As I argued more soon one of his mate or perhaps a senior, not sure,
appeared in hall and asked about the fuss. He explained him the matter, in
return this new guy asked me to present my all original mark sheets and
certificate. I opened my folder and presented him each and every certificate.
For a couple of minutes he went through them and then said, “let this guy fight
the exam, if he doesn’t have what it takes then automatically he would be out
and please start the examination. Don’t delay it any further, we are running
short on time.” I thanked him and appeared for written test. An hour after the written
test was over the same HR appeared in hall with shortlist in hand. He announced
names of all candidates who had been selected for interview. Watchfully, I
listened to every name he announced, and waited impatiently for my name. With
every name being proclaimed my heart went towards dark deep bottom of despair
and occasionally came to surface to get besieged gasp of hope. List attained
almost its end, I closed my eyes in disappointment and then suddenly I heard my
name being announced by HR while folding the list and keeping in the pocket of
his shirt. Mine was last name in it. At once, my eyes had gone wide open, and
soul felt as though swimming at the surface of ocean of hope and contentment.
Two days later was the scheduled date of interview.
After two days of incessant preparation I was at
the interview venue around 8 O’clock. It was month mid January and winter was
at its peak. I wore my worst jacket along with a borrowed tie that dangled
around the neck. All the aspirants were asked to sit in a hall and wait for
their turn. Sitting at the back bench I looked around. Everyone who were present
in the hall were trying to converse in English with each other as though
practicing for interview. Their hand and facial gesture seemed as though they
were not the people I knew. Their behavior felt so weird. Sometimes I laughed
at them and other times felt a surge of awe from inside. They were at least
trying their best, I understood this very fact, but simultaneously seemed that
it’s fake and artificial.
While I wondered about others someone called my
name, I looked into its direction. At the door someone stood there and his eyes
seeking me everywhere in the hall. I raised my right hand and stood up. He
asked me to follow him. When we reached in corridor at first floor, he asked me
to sit on a bench placed by the wall and wait for a candidate to walk out from
a cabin that was almost 10 yards away, vertically. After he left me alone, I
sat down and began drawing heavy breathes to control the prevailed anxiety in
me. My left leg held a ceaseless slight motion showing my level of nervousness.
Soon someone caught my attention who was sitting on a similar bench at the
opposite side in corridor. Her eyes were grounded, however I still recognized
the face. She was the same girl whom I used to watch in first and second
semester exams. My anxiety vanished and ceaseless motion held by my left leg too
departed. I felt relieved and amazed but soon the tension of interview came
over and I draw my sight from her to my resume and certificate folder. In those
moments, interview was much more important than anything in this world. When I
was satisfied with the arrangement of my certificates and resume I looked up in
her direction but she was not there. She disappeared. For an instance, it all
felt like an illusion. I shook my head and looked in the direction of cabin,
someone just walked out. I knew it was my turn. I stood up and walked towards
cabin while counting each step I took.
An hour later, I found myself standing at the
entrance of waiting hall. I looked for and found her sitting somewhere in the
middle row. Quickly I moved and grabbed a seat in a row behind and watched her
from the close distance for the first time. I watched her every move. I watched
her golden hairs and displaced locks. She wore a jacket, Patiala suit and her enticing face had a touch of pink. We all were
waiting for the final shortlist which was going to decide the fate of our
future. Somewhere in the noon, a team of HR entered the waiting hall indicated
that wait was eventually over and they had sealed the fate of few lucky ones.
Like written test, they started calling names of who all had got the job. I
might get to know her name here, I thought, if in case she had her name in the
list. At every female name, they called out, I closely watched her for reaction
but it didn’t come. Soon I realized that lot of names had already been called
out and along with her name mine was also missing. This compelled my focus to
take a shift and now I paid attention so that I wouldn’t miss at least my name.
List again almost reached its end, my name was still missing and the same story
got repeated. My name was again last in the list. Moment the name reached my
ears, a rush of rejoices swept over me. I felt as though I achieved something
extraordinary in my ordinary life. I plunged at a friend who stood beside me to
hug. After post-recruitment talk was over, where they asked us to have all the
subjects clear at the end of final year and in case if we flunked in any of subjects
then the job offer would be held void, I moved out from the hall and called my
mom to give her the good news. Now while I was talking to my mom I suddenly
remembered her and this very thought of her made me to hang up the phone. I ran
towards parking lot with the hope to see her since I knew which Activa she drove. Unfortunately she
wasn’t there; she had vanished like dew vanishes from soft green grass in any winter
morning.
That
day our path again crossed after so long, and got separated like complete
strangers. Destiny staged a chance to know indeed a chance to see her from this
close. I couldn’t share a word with her but that day my heart had gone a long
way in her search. Had no glimmer, if she was the one for me but surely she was the one
of her kind. That day, if angels would have seen her from my eyes then beyond doubt
they had desperately urged for human life instead of being angel.
To Be Continued....(Chapter -3...Coming Soon)
1. Read Preface
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