I_was_sitting_on_the_footpath_right_outside_my_hostel_building_with_all_my
bags_packed, waiting_for_the_golf_cart_which_had_to_drop_me_till_the_gate
of_the_Infosys_campus_in_Mysore. Infosys_Technologies_ltd. is_the_most
prestigious_software_company_in_India_and_its_campus_in_Mysore, where_all
the_fresh_entrants_are_trained_is_considered_to_be_the_best_in_India. I
looked_at_the_surroundings. Road_was_empty_and_there_was_no_one_around.
All_the_trainees_were_attending_classes_as_it_was_around_eleven_in_the
morning. A_lovely_breeze_was_blowing_and_I_could_see_some_birds_frisking,
frolicking_and_playing_pranks_with_each_other_but_I_was_alone. I_was_alone
when_all_my_friends_were_in_the_class. Now_even_the_birds, the_wind_and
the_trees_had_started_teasing_me.
I_couldn’t_resist_myself_from_shedding_another_drop_of_tear_although_I’d
been_doing_the_same_the_whole_last_night. Of_course, I_was_checking_out
but_that_was_not_the_only_reason_for_the_tears. It_was_something_much
bigger_than_that_and_very_much_contemptible. I_was_not_leaving_the_campus
after_completing_my_training_but_I’d_been_expelled_from_the_company. Or_I
can_say, I_was_being_thrown_out. I_felt_like_dying.
Then_appeared_the_white_colored_cart_coming_from_the_road_adjoining_Food
Court_2. The_cart_reminded_me_of_my_first_day_in_the_campus_and_took_me
into_the_past_for_sometime.
What_a_lovely_evening_that_was?_How_excited_I_was_when_I_put_my_first_step
into_the_heaven_called_as_Mysore_campus_of_Infosys_and_was_completely
engrossed_with_the_thoughts_of_future_that_what_I_will_do_and_how_I’ll
enjoy_in_the_campus. First_thing_that_came_to_my_mind_that_day_was_to
explore_the_campus_and_locate_all_those_places_I’d_seen_in_those_lovely
photographs. I_sat_into_the_golf_cart_which_took_me_through_some_long_and
winding_but_neat_and_clean_roads. The_first_building_I_noticed_was_that
football_shaped_spherical_building_which_appeared_behind_the_lush_green
cricket_ground_on_the_right_side_of_the_road. In_fact_that_was_the_only
building_I’d_seen_before_coming_here_but_I_was_amazed_to_see_a_building_on
the_left_which_was_under_construction. It_was_absolutely_phenomenal_and
resembled_the_Colosseum_of_Rome. There_was_another_one_which_resembled_the
White_House_but_wasn’t_white_in_color. Some_guy_in_the_Cart_told_that_it
is_GEC_or_the_Global_Education_Centre_where_we’ll_go_through_our_training.
The_cart_stopped_at_a_small_building_inside_which_there_was_a_kind_of_a
reception. We_got_our_luggage_checked_and_room_was_allotted_to_me. The_guy
sitting_next_to_me_in_the_cab_was_to_be_my_room_mate. His_name_was_Varun
and_was_a_tall_but_slim_guy_from_Punjab_with_a_lot_of_beard_on_his_face
looked_as_if_he’s_not_shaved_since_ages_but_that_really_gave_him_a_typical
Punjabi_looks. I_was_just_thinking_how_someone_like_me_from_Gujrat_will
stay_with_such_a_guy_who_doesn’t_even_bother_to_shave_his_face. Then_we
were_sent_to_our_hostel_in_another_cart. We_just_found_out_that_our_hostel
is_nearest_to_FC2_and_moreover, the_hostel_right_next_to_us_was_a_girl
hostel. That_Punjabi_straight_away_planned_to_buy_a_new_binocular_so_that
he_could_easily_peep_into_girls_rooms_during_night.
I_opened_the_door_of_my_room_and_could_not_believe_my_eyes. It_was_the
best_room_I’d_ever_seen_with_my_own_eyes_and_was_just_exhilarated_with_the
thought_that_I’d_be_staying_here_for_next_few_months_though_with_some_one
who_looked_to_be_very_unhygienic. But_that_was_not_a_problem_at_all_coz
like_all_the_Punjabis_Varun_was_quite_nice_at_heart. We_just_kept_our_bags
and_explored_the_whole_campus. We_saw_the_lovely_swimming_pool, Gymnasium,
Bowling_alley, Market_and_Habib’s_haircutting_saloon_from_where_Varun_got
his_beard_trimmed.
The_classes_started_and_we_were_made_to_sit_in_a_big_room_having_a_huge
white_board_with_a_couple_of_projector_screens_in_the_front_and_opposite
to_that_were_numerous_seats_each_having_a_separate_computer_system. I_was
made_to_sit_in_the_third_row_and_luckily_between_a_couple_of_girls_though
both_of_them_had_just_ordinary_looks. Later_I_came_to_know_that_we_were
made_to_sit_alphabetically_when_I_got_introduced_with_both_those_gals. One
was_Ganmeet_from_Punjab_and_the_other_was_Geetha_from_Mangalore_and
sandwiched_between_them_was_me, Gaurav_Keswani_from_Vadodra.
Both_those_gals_were_quite_antithetical_in_their_behavior, style,
knowledge_and_everything_they_did. Where_Ganmeet_was_quite_simple, Geetha
was_stylish_like_all_ultra-mod_and_hap_Bangalore_gals. Ganmeet_was_calm,
composed_and_reserve_but_Geetha_was_dynamic_and_extrovert. And_most
importantly, Ganmeet_was_good_in_her_logics_and_a_very_strong_programmer
and_Geetha_was_a_contrast_in_this_matter_too. This_I_realized_when_she
asked_me_to_debug_her_first_C-language_assignment. I_was_shocked_to_see
the_code. She_had_put_the_include_statement_within_main. God, she_was_a
B.Tech_in_comp. science. But_her_cute_and_embarrassed_smile_was_clearly
accepting_her_weakness. I_helped_her_and_this_became_a_routine. Within_in
no_time_we_grew_very_close_to_each_other. We_used_to_have_the_meals
together, we_used_to_study_together, we_used_to_watch_the_movies_together
and_we_used_to_go_out_together. Our_friendship_grew_more_intense_when_she
flunked_in_the_first_module_test_of_C_language_but_I_got_an_‘A’_and_so_did
Ganmeet. But_my_roomy, Varun_had_also_flunked. So_Geetha_and_Varun_they
both_had_to_appear_for_the_re-test. Everyday_I_used_to_teach_them_and_make
them_practice_more_and_more. Now_we_were_like_a_group. Four_of_us_started
staying_together_as_Varun_and_Ganmeet, both_being_punjabi’s_grew_very
close_to_each_other. Now_instead_of_me, it_was_Ganmeet_who_taught_him.
Then_came_the_retest. I_and_Ganmeet_were_waiting_for_both_of_them_outside
the_hall. Varun_came_out_happily_clearly_showing_that_he’d_cleared_and_he
did. Many_came_out_but_she_was_still_in. I_was_getting_worried_as_only_I
knew_that_the_hopes_were_less. It_was_the_last_minute_when_she_came_out
jumping_and_without_speaking_a_word_threw_her_self_on_me_and_kissed_on_my
cheeks. Many_had_seen_but_all_knew_what_had_happened. I_was_stunned_and_so
were_Varun_and_Ganmeet. It_was_obvious_for_a_guy_who_never_had_any_gal_in
his_life_and_was_kissed_by_a_hot_south_Indian_gal_in_front_of_whole_batch.
But_she_took_it_as_a_very_normal_thing_and_I_pretended_the_same.
“Its_all_because_of_you_Gaurav, that_I’ve_cleared_it. Hats_off_to_you
sweetheart”, she_said.
We_were_not_into_any_sort_of_relationship_but_that’s_how_she_used_to_call
me_and_in_fact_all_her_close_friends. But_there_was_nothing_wrong_in_it
and_I_enjoyed_it. We_grew_more_and_more_close_to_each_other. She_took_care
of_me_in_every_sense:_my_dressing, my_eating_and_what_ever_I_did. She_told
me_many_things_about_gals_which_I’d_never_known. We_now_freely_shared_our
body_secrets_to_each_other.
On_the_next_weekend_she_took_me_to_Bangalore_where_she’d_done_her
engineering_degree. We_met_many_of_her_friends, my_friends_and_went_to
famous_markets_and_malls_of_the_city. One_thing_I_could_say, she’d_a_very
happening_friend_circle. In_the_evening_we_went_to_a_pub_where_both_of_us
danced_after_gulping_a_couple_of_beer_mugs. The_dance_grew_more_and_more
passionate_with_time. It_was_my_first_time_in_a_pub_but_she_was_quite_used
to_it. Next_evening_we_left_for_Mysore_which_is_a_three_hour_journey_from
Bangalore. But_there_I’d_spent_the_best_weekend_of_my_life.
On_the_way, we_talked_about_everything_on_the_earth. Then_she_kept_her
head_on_my_shoulder_and_held_me_which_I_could_say_was_half_a_hug. I_just
responded. I’d_never_sat_like_this_with_a_gal_ever_in_my_life. Everything
was_so_nice_and_tender. Time_seemed_like_flying. I_wished_I_could’ve_been
like_this_forever. I’d_fallen_in_love_with_her.
“You_know_what_Gaurav”, she_said.
“What?”_I_asked.
“You_remember_that_guy_Raghav, whom_we_met_in_Garuda_mall.”
“Yeah!_Why?”
“We’ve_been_in_love_for_last_3_years_and_yesterday_we_planned_to_marry.”
she_said_shyly.
It_was_all_over_for_me. Ground_escaped_underneath_my_feet. I_just_got_away
from_her_in_a_flash_and_asked, “Why_didn’t_you_tell_me_earlier?”
“I_thought_I’ll_tell_you_after_you_meet_him. I_hope_I_wasn’t_wrong?”
“No.. You_are_right. Anyways_Congrats”_I_said, sounding_very_low.
“thanks.”_she_said.
No_one_spoke_a_word_after_that_for_next_one_hour. She_was_busy_with_her
iPod_and_I_was_with_my_novel_when_suddenly_she_asked,”_What_happened
Gaurav?_Why_are_you_so_quiet?”
“Nothing”, I_said.
She_kept_on_asking_again_and_again_but_I’d_the_same_answer_until_she_got
irritated_and_said,”_you_are_telling_me_or_not?”
“Its_of_no_use_dear. You_can’t_do_anything_about_it.”_I_said_and_rightly
so. I_loved_her_and_she_loved_someone_else_whom_she_was_going_to_marry.
“Well, let_me_make_3_guesses.”_She_said_in_a_very_naughty_tone_and_I_agreed.
“Ok. Hmmmmmmm. You_didn’t_enjoy_with_me_at_Bangalore?”_she_asked.
I_nodded_my_head_straight_away. Both_of_us_knew_that_this_wasn’t_the
reason. I_thought_she_was_just_trying_to_change_my_mood.
“thennnn. U_didn’t_like_Raghav?”
Now_she_was_coming_to_the_point. This_was_somewhat_the_reason_but_not_the
exact_one.
“Hey. He’s_quite_good_yaar_and_both_of_u_make_a_nice_couple. And_it’s_your
life;_I_don’t_have_to_marry_him. So, last_guess_now.”_I_replied.
“Then…_you’ve_a_liking_for_me?”_She_said_smiling.
I_was_caught. In_fact_clean_bowled. She’d_hit_the_bull_eye. I_turned_red.
I_tried_my_level_best_to_control_my_expressions_and_said,”No_way_yaar. I
don’t_like_to_call_engaged_nos.”
“ohhhhh. Mr. Gaurav_keswani_think_about_it_again.”
I_had_to_admit_it_now. And_this_time_she_laughed. I_asked_the_reason_but
again_she_laughed. I_was_perplexed_at_her_enigmatic_laugh. Finally_she
spoke.
“You_know_what_my_stupid.”
“What?”_I_inquired_filled_with_curiosity.
“Raghav_and_I_are_just_friends_you_dumb.”
She_broke_into_chuckles_again. I_was_confused_and_even_I’d_started_smiling
now_and_finally_started_laughing_with_her.
This_time_I_held_her_and_said, “I_love_you_Geetha.”
“I_love_you_too_stupid. And_did_all_this_coz_I_know_that_you_were_not
going_to_propose_me_easily”_She_replied.
We_both_fell_in_each_other’s_arms_and_waited_for_our_destination. Finally
Geetha_was_mine. It_was_the_happiest_day_of_my_life. We_reached_Mysore
campus_and_again_got_busy_into_our_same_daily_routine:_attending_the
classes, completing_assignments, studying_in_the_class_after_dinner, going
for_long_walks_and_kissing_each_other_when_ever_we_got_chance. I_always
used_to_thank_god_for_the_life_he’d_given_me. Modules_tests_came_and_went.
I_kept_on_getting_‘A’_grades_and_she_somehow_managed_to_clear_them. Both
of_us_were_quite_happy. We_made_a_few_trips_with_Varun_and_Ganmeet_to
Ooty, Coorg_and_Mangalore_which_was_Geetha’s_home_town. We_met_her_parents
there_who_were_very_humble_but_her_little_sister_was_naughty_like_her.
Now_we_had_entered_the_last_month_of_our_training. Shortly_we_were_going
to_have_our_comprehensive_exam_which_was_a_mixture_of_all_the_modules
which_we’d_studied_so_far. It_also_included_a_practical_exam_in_which_we’d
to_complete_a_project_within_3_hours_and_it_was_the_toughest_thing
especially_for_someone_like_Geetha. The_day_for_compre_came. All_of_us
cleared_it_but_Geetha. Both_of_us_were_very_depressed. Now_she’d_to_appear
for_it_again. Actually_compre_is_the_most_important_part_of_the_training.
If_you_don’t_clear_it_your_training_won’t_complete. Now_retest_was_the
only_hope_for_her.
Retest_was_the_very_next_day. We_were_going_to_classroom_after_dinner. And
suddenly_she_started_crying.
“Gaurav. I_really_love_you.”_She_said.
“I_love_you_too_sweetu. Don’t_cry. Everything_would_be_ok. I’m_there_for
you. I_won’t_let_you_flunk_again.”_I_consoled_her.
“No. I_will_because_there’s_no_way_out. And_we’ll_be_separated_forever. ”
“No_dear. It_won’t_ever_happen”_I_said_and_took_her_in_my_arms.
“Gaurav. Can_you_do_something_for_me?”_She_asked.
“Of_course_my_love. My_whole_life_is_yours.”_I_said.
“You’ll_have_to_sit_along_with_me_tomorrow. You_know_every_one_does_it.
Meenal’s_boyfriend_helped_her_out_that’s_why_she_cleared. I_hope_Even_I
can_expect_this_much_from_my_love.”_She_said.
I_was_drowned_into_deep_thinking_because_it_was_really_risky, In_fact_very
risky. We_could’ve_been_thrown_out_of_the_company_if_caught. But_on_the
other_side_was_my_love. What_I_would_do_in_the_company_without_her_because
if_she_fails_she’d_be_out, I_thought. Then_I_just_looked_into_matter
carefully_that_these_people_never_count_the_number_of_candidates_appearing
for_a_test_and_how_many_are_extra. Then_I_thought_that_I’ll_sit_on_another
system_and_complete_the_project_and_submit_on_Geetha’s_employee_id.
The_day_came;_we_all_were_sitting_in_the_class_room. I_was_sitting_a_bit
far_from_her_and_finally_we_got_the_project. It_was_not_at_all_tough_for
me. I_started_working_on_it_and_had_completed_almost_half_when_Srikkanth.M
entered_into_the_classroom. He_was_our_batch_owner, just_like_a_class
teacher_in_schools. Don’t_know_how_but_he’d_got_the_report_that_no. of
candidates_appearing_were_more_than_the_no. in_the_list. I_was_shocked. It
was_a_dead_end_to_my_career. Coming_time_won’t_be_easy_for_me_and_I’ll
have_to_face_a_lot, I_thought. I_look_at_Geetha’s_face. She_was_looking_as
lovely_and_innocent_as_ever. But_she_too_was_badly_shocked. But_don’t_know
why, I_wasn’t_afraid. Love_had_given_me_a_special_courage_and_I_was_doing
it_for_my_love, no_one_else. So_what_if_I’m_caught. Srikkanth_knew_me
quite_well_as_I_was_among_those_who’d_got_100/100_in_his_module, java. He
looked_at_me_straight_away_and_called_me.
Srikkanth_himself_was_shocked_when_he_found_me_as_the_culprit. But_he_was
helpless_as_company_is_very_strict_against_the_cheating_cases. He_asked_me
again_and_again_the_name_of_the_guy_for_whom_I’m_screwing_up_my_career.
But_how_would’ve_I_named_my_love. I_didn’t_speak_a_word. He_insisted_again
and_again_that_Infosys_needed_brains_like_me_but_I_would_not_listen.
Finally_he_gave_up_and_reported_to_HR_department. The_same_question_was
asked_again_and_again_from_me_but_my_love_was_the_most_important_thing_in
the_world_for_me_now. They_then_asked_me_to_write_a_resignation_letter_and
I_did_the_same. I_was_fired.
Someone’s_strange_voice_hit_my_ears_and_came_out_of_the_world_of_my
thoughts. I_was_still_sitting_on_the_footpath_and_looking_at_the_trees_and
the_birds.
“Come_on_sir. Sit_in_the_cart.”_Cart_driver_said.
“Oh_yes. Lets_go.”_I_replied_and_left_the_campus_and_the_company_for_ever.
Now_you_all_must_be_having_one_question_your_mind. That_what_about_Geetha?
Geetha_cleared_the_exam. I_think_I_had_taught_her_enough_and_rest_she
cheated_from_the_guy_who_was_sitting_next_to_her. I_waited_for_her_call
after_the_incident_but_she_didn’t. I_called_her_but_she_didn’t_attend_my
call. And_most_interesting_thing_is_that_it_has_been_8_months_since_that
incident_but_we_never_had_a_talk.
Posted by manojkc