Abhi hun Pareshan, Jald karunga hairaan

Year 2010
Jia sarai,Delhi

It was 3 am in night but Gaurav was still unable to sleep.
Unlike anytime before this had been a restless night for him in past 4years.And it was quite obvious too.He would pick up a magazine,turn few pages and drop it,he would pick up his mouth organ but didnot feel like playing it,would go on roof to take a leisure walk but would soon come back; altogether he couldnot concentrate at one place.

Something strike him and he opened his cupboard and starting looking through old college pics and other mementos.Suddenly he found his offer letter of Infosys technologies dated his final year of college and he went in flashback.

June,2006
Nizammudin Station

It was late evening ,but the station was abuzz with people who had come to see off their near and dear ones and the ones who were about to travel.
But I could see half of the platform filled by my college mates who had come to see off our friends who were about to board Mysore express.
They all were excited,happy and also a bit sad at the same time as college life was ending,were going away from parents and friends but also entering the most awaited phase of life i.e. Corporate world.That too in Infosys Technologies in Mysore.
As usual parents were giving last minute instructions to children,friends were hugging and cuddling,camera flashes were everywhere to capture these moments but each one of us had same question in our minds “Why the heck is Gaurav not joining Infosys ?”.Some termed his decision as one of foolishness,other said he was overambitious whereas those who knew him closely respected his decision.
Though everyone,right from HOD, classmates to Head of placement committee tried their best to change his mind,but nothing could change his mood;he had already decided what he wanted to do.

Gaurav was topper of his branch, but when he said that he doesn’t want to appear  for any of the campus interviews people  couldnot believe his words.Some even went to the extent of saying he was not capable enough to crack an interview terming him a bookworm.
Simply to prove them wrong he appeared for Infosys test and cleared it and later astonished everyone by saying that he will not join this company;he had a more important mission in life and he cannot waste his life sitting in front of a monitor working as a cheap labour for a “Gora” sitting in US.

As the train left off so did all the friends and parents.What seemed to be enjoyable corporate world sooned turned out to be a nightmare for all.The vicious cycle of office to home and home to office in various parts of the country kept all of us occupied.Many lost contact with each other but few still kept in touch with scraps, sms and calls.

Very few heard about Gaurav all these years,he was almost forgotten like a dry rose kept in a book somewhwere in storeroom.

Then one day while I was talking with one of my friends he mentioned that Gaurav has cleared prelims of Civil services exam and is perparing for Mains.

Jia Sarai,
Delhi 2010
Gaurav was lost in his world when his dream was interrupted by the sound of loudspeaker from nearby mosque.
He gave a smile as he turned those pages of offer letter.He looked around his room which was more like a library than a typical bachelor’s room.It had only books,magazines,newspapers,a study table,a bed,a small temple and a small FM radio which has been his only source of entertainment and access to news all these years.
It has been tough 4 years with life shuffling between coaching institute and his room.He had seen his friends growing professionally as they climbed corporate ladder.They got flashy cars,new flats,handsome salaries,foreign tours et al.Some even tried to lure him but nothing could shake his resolution.Infact he kept aloof from them.

It had been the longest night for him since 4 years,previously 2 times also he was excited about the results of mains exam which turned out negative each time but this time it was something special & crucial too.
It was his last attempt, though he was a confident guy but times like these does give goose bumps… he had a feeling “What If I didn’t….”
but the very next moment he punched his hand in the air and said”I WILL definitely this time…”.

He took a quick shower,lighted an incence stick in the small temple he had in room,made a small prayer to God and went outside.
The city had come to life though it was early morning.The chaiwallas,rickshawallas all had begun for their daily toil.Amidst all this Gaurav was marching ahead with each step full of confidence and a feeling that a magical moment was about to begin.
He bought Employment News from newspaper vendor and started matching his roll number holding his breath,one number at a time.His heartbeat had already increased and was increasing as the numbers matched and he moved to next value.
As the last value of the number matched with his rollnumber,he yelled with joy “Yeappieeeeeee I made it finally….” as he jumped few feets in the air.
He ran to nearby PCO to make call to his mom”Mummy aapka beta aakhir Officer ban hi gaya” as his eyes filled with tears.

Finally the battle had been won,the dream had been fulfilled, the challenge to outdo onself had been conquered,the critics were made silent.Someone has rightly said “Nothing is impossible for an indomitable will”.One can prove and achieve anything if one decides to do so.