It is a night of 12th of January, 2011. Outside temperature is around 5 degree Celsius but I am dripping with sweat because of various thoughts coming in my mind. My mood is swinging like a roller coaster ride, for some moments I am feeling happy and then feeling low. Today is my last night at home. My mind is saying that you are going to start a new phase of life but my heart is not feeling well. May be these are the symptoms of home sickness or may be I am worried about the new phase of my life.
My random playlist plays a song: “ibn battuta…bagal me jutta…”
And I’m lost in sweet memories of a girl who was singing this song with her cousin. The sound was so melodious and I fall in love with that voice of an unknown girl.
At that time I was at home on vacations. I was keen to know about that voice or you can say about that unknown girl. Her name was Sujata (imaginary name), innocent, pretty girl. We became friends, exchanged mobile numbers, and then started texting each other. Sharing our views, secrets, some gossips. There is something in Sujata which is attracting me. I like her nature. She is very pure from heart, just like holy river Ganga.
My vacations are over and I went to jaipur. But we were in touch through mobile (thanks to the inventor of mobile), sometimes more than an hour. This is my last semester of graduation. I was worried about placements and semester exams. But when I talk to her, I forget all my worries. Don’t know why?
In hostel, I was enjoying last days of college life with some good friends (Kasera, Ajay, Mishra, Sharma, Bhanu, Girish). “Yaro dosti badi he haseen h…” from my playlist, shows the meaning of friendship. In mid night we make tea on heater which is illegal in hostel, and the ingredients are taken from hostel mess, after all my friend BANNA is Hostel Representative.
“What are you doing bro?” said my brother.
“Nothing!” I replied and came to present.
“Please turn off lights, I am unable to sleep.”
“Just a minute.” I said and turned off the lights.
After that I am on my bed, trying to sleep but failed.
“FAIL”, this word again took me in my past when I was trying for placements. My every attempt is going waste….I’m even not able to crack first round of any company. My confidence level was decreasing after every attempt. Even the persons who have less grades than mine got the job. That was a very tough time for me. Sometimes I think that I am useless, I don’t have anything good in me.
Thanks to Sujata and my friends for encouraging me, for being with me in my tough time. Semester exams were on head and due to job searching I haven’t prepared for exams. Shanu and Arpit boosted up my confidence and I prepared hard for exams and gave my best shot. Finally exams are over but the main thing i.e. JOB is still far from me. In that situation I was ready to give money for getting job. Totally screwed…
Finally my college life was over. On 27th of June, 2010, my Maa-Papa and brother came to hostel for taking me back to home. I was feeling like a defeated person, who completed his graduation without job. What’s the use of such degree?
But what could I do at that time, so came back to home with heavy heart. This is true that I am failed every time but still my parents trust on me, they encouraged me. Sujata and my friends used to say that one day you will get a very good job but I do not believe them.
It was 4 p.m and the date was 10th of august when Mishra told me that our final semester result is out…and guess what I got 82.6%. I was very happy; after all I got some good news. This percentage was enough to boost my confidence level.
Just after 6 days, I got one more good news, my best friend Arpit urf Aryabhatt got selected in India’s No.1 IT Company, TCS (Tata Consultancy Services). I was very happy, bought sweets and went to temple for giving thanks to almighty.
Now I was feeling some positive energy in myself. On 18th August, I got Hall Ticket of TCS which is coming to G.L.Bajaj Inst. of Engg. & Tech, Greater Noida for off-campus drive. Arpit encouraged me a lot to prepare for it; he gave me guidance so that I can crack it. I was preparing for first round that is Aptiude test. On 21st August, I went to the venue and gave the test. I was not sure about the selection because I attempted only 23 questions out of 35.
I was waiting for the result…after 3 hours of waiting finally the result came. It was beyond my expectations. Yesssss I cracked it, my all attempted questions were correct J
It was very pleasant moment for me as I cracked first round of a reputed company. I called Arpit and told him about the result of first round. He was happy for me and told me that I am also in greater noida. I met him and then we both went to my home. Next day was my interview at TCS office, Sector 63, noida.
Whole night Arpit helped me to prepare for it very well. I was getting nervous. Next morning Arpit went to gurgaon and I left for noida with my Father. First round was technical interview, I was quite comfortable in that, and as per my expectation I cleared that round. Then they called me for HR + MR interview. It was approx 35 minutes round…HR said please wait out side we will tell you the result shortly.
I was waiting desperately for the results…One of the employee was calling my name, I said Yes Mam… she said “Congrats Virendra! You are selected. Welcome to TCS..”
Wow…I can’t tell you my feelings in words. I wanted to shout, I wanted to cry, I wanted to dance but controlled my emotions as I was in the office.
My father was standing outside from 5 hours, praying for me. I went outside happily and told my father that I am selected…He was very happy, he hugged me..wow what a great feeling it was.
Then I called Arpit and Shanu, they were too happy. Now I want to reach home as soon as possible, to give this good news to my mom. When I reached at home and told my result she hugged me tightly. Now, my good time is back.
Meanwhile, I talked to Bhabhi ji (Arpit’s gf), for planning his birthday surprise. Arpit is lucky to have her in life or you can say vice-versa J God bless them. Everything is going super good.
I got confirmation letter on 28th August. I informed each and every friend, relatives about my selection on 28th August. But first I called to Sujata, don’t know why?
I was very happy those days. After 5 days that is on 3rd September, I was receiving birthday wishes from everyone. But I was waiting for Sujata’s call desperately, don’t know why?
Finally, she gave me miss call. I called her happily, wanted to hear birthday greetings from her, wanted to tell her about my feelings for her. But it was like a nightmare for me. She even don’t know that today is my Birthday.
“Hello! Sasria Kaal Ji.” I said.
“Hey Vicky! I want to tell you something.” Sujata replied.
“Yes, shoot it.”
“First promise me that it will be a secret in between both of us.”
“Promise sweety”.
“A guy named, Yash proposed me…I haven’t gave response to him yet. What do you say should I say yes to him??”
I was shocked…my eyes were filled with salty water. For a moment I felt that I am dead, my heart stopped beating..
“Vicky!!” She said.
“Yes, I am listening…” I said, controlling my tears.
“Tell me should I say yes or no?”
“If you love him then you should say yes…” said with heavy heart. After all I want to see her happy, it doesn’t matter whether I am with her or not.
“I think I love her.”
I felt like someone attacked on my head with hammer.
I want to burst into tears, I want to cry…
Suddenly my other mobile rang, Nishtha calling.
I said to Sujata, please hold for a moment and picked up Nishtha’s call.
“Hello Bhaiya! Happy B’day…” Nishtha said.
I was thinking what’s good in that, after all it was my worst day. But I’d to control my feelings.
“Thanks sis.” I replied
“Where is my party?”
“Its due, I’ll give you soon. Ok, I’ll call you later, right now I am busy.” And then hung up.
I said to Sujata, “Sorry !”.
“Today is your birthday?” She asked.
“Yes.”
“ohh.. Sry! Happy Birthday Vicky.”
“Thanks!” actually I wanted to say her thanks for giving me worst b’day gift in form of YASH.
I managed myself, guided her and wished her happy life and cut the phone by saying lie that I’hv insufficient balance.
From that day She only talks about him and I always supported her as a good friend.
After a month, she called me and told me that he ditched me, and started crying. This was another shock for me. I can tolerate my tears but I can’t tolerate tears in her eyes. I tried to convince her, that he is a good guy, I think there is some misunderstanding, so just talk to him and clear it. But finally they broke up.
I was very sad, not because she loves someone else. I was sad because she is not happy. I tried a lot to make her happy by cracking stupid jokes. After few days, things were getting normal. We have to live our life whether it is good or bad, that is the protocol of life.
Then her semester exams came, I helped her as much as I can only on phone, no face to face meetings. She done well in exam and was happy. Now I felt relaxed that she is happy. Don’t know why?
The time is 4 am, few hours left to leave Faridabad. I have a very good reason to be happy because I am joining TCS, but still something is missing, and this something name is Sujata.
I am again thinking about her. When she is happy, she calls me, in any problem she calls me, for sharing new experience she calls me…but for love…
I think I should not think about her, I have to make my heart strong.
Veeru you are a warrior…this is a life you have to move on to fulfill your dreams and to fulfill your parents expectations. And I am always there for your problems Sujata. Will miss you a lot.
My random playlist plays a song, “Ghungaroo ki tarah bajta he rha hu me….”
Veeru urf Vicky!
[Filled with tears]
