College Days

Trisha ran towards the cab that was waiting for her. She was already late for work.

"Bhaiyya please thoda tez chalaliye. Bahot late hu (Bhaiyya please ride fast. I am already late)", she said to the cab driver. Trisha had a very important meeting today that would decide her fate in the company. She had worked on the project for 6 months but the project hardly showed any signs of profit. Sitting in the back seat of the car, she thought about her life. All she did these days was just jumping from one deadline to next. "When did my life get so monotonous?", she thought to herself. "I put everything I had into that project and yet I am in this situation. What could I have done differently?" the thought of the meeting made her shiver. She had a bump in her stomach and her body kept on shaking. This situation took her back in time.

It was during the fourth year of engineering. Trisha had her complete focus on a finance company. She was preparing for it since 3rd year of her engineering. Everyone who interacted with her would bet their kidneys that she will get into the company. It was the first company to visit her engineering campus and Trisha cleared all the rounds and gave the final interview. It was about time when the results would be announced. She had a group of five closest friends. Everyone was as excited about her as she was. She had nailed the interview. The company officials seemed excited about her as well. All that was needed was final confirmation and Trisha was through. All her friends had already planned how they would celebrate Trisha's success. Trisha had Samira, Abhilash, Manan with her. Arnav was studying in his room for his interview. It was scheduled in an hour and yet after every five minutes, he would call to check if the results were announced. Such was their friendship. Never would you see any one of them walking alone. They were always together. Pandavas everyone called them.

Their excitement faded away when the results were announced. The company hired only one candidate. Unfortunately, it wasn't Trisha. She felt heartbroken. Never in her life had she felt this terrible. She had a bump in her stomach and her body started shaking. Every single plan revolved around her getting into the company. "Hard luck", everyone around her kept on saying. She didn't know how to react. Tears started flowing from her eyes. Knowing Trisha and the fact that she never opens up whenever she gets sad, Samira, Abhilash and Manan kept mum. No one had anticipated this. But they knew they had to do something. Samira ran and got water for Trisha. Meanwhile, Abhilash called Arnav and told him the result. Manan took his bike and set out. Samira and Abhilash took Trisha to Arnav's room. In the middle of the room was laptop set with chips and vanilla ice cream kept on the table. Arnav had arranged for all Harry Potter films. The introduction of the first part Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was already playing. Manan came back with tandoori chicken and chicken biryani for everyone. Arnav left for his interview but everyone else stayed. They all kept watching the movies. Arnav came back with tea and vada pav. Every single thing was Trisha's favourite. She was amazed to know how well her friends knew her. None of them said a word. They were just with her giving her exactly what she wanted the most – their company. She wanted to thank them but didn't know how. She always struggled with expressing her feelings.

The fact that she didn't make it into her dream company wasn't bothering her as much. With every passing second and every next movie, her pain seemed to fade away. It wasn't until 4th movie that she talked. Arnav picked a tandoori piece and Trisha said, "That's mine" in a soft voice. Arnav couldn't hear. Everyone kept looking at her. They were pretty sure she would end up crying. "That piece is mine", she said louder. Arnav looked surprised and handed over the piece to her. Everyone kept looking at both of them. After a few seconds, everyone burst out laughing. That included Trisha too. No one said a word as they continued to laugh. And then they just hugged each other. It was as if everyone's dream was shattered. And together they overcame that pain.

Later they criticised the company, hurled abuses at it. Surprisingly, Trisha joined them as well. They created a dart with the company's name on it. Everyone started throwing arrows aiming it. Later they shifted to a pillow fight. It was one crazy night. It was the night that taught Trisha to not obsess over her goals. It was the night she realized that having a goal is must, but making that goal your life is not. There is more to life than one shattered dream and it's completely fine to fail. She could realize this only because of her selfless FRIENDS. She got to know the next day that Arnav's result was out and that he had cleared the interview. But he didn't tell anyone. Trisha hugged Arnav knowing that. (And that was the beginning of another story ;) But that's for next time)

The cab driver braked the car suddenly and cut Trisha's journey down the memory lane. The driver abused the motorcycle rider and continued driving. Trisha realized that her COLLEGE DAYS were over. She missed having Pandavas around. She knew they couldn't be present physically but the lesson they taught her was still with her. She needed the ride back in her past to remember it.

‘Never obsess with a goal Trisha. It's not your life, it's a part of your life. It's okay to fail', she said to herself.

And with rejuvenated ambitions, Trisha walked out of the cab.