📓 MNC Diary — Episode 1

Stories of Code, Chai & Corporate Drama


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Bench Life

Dear Diary,

I’m Raj, a full-stack developer in my 30s. When I joined this MNC, I was placed on the bench.

For those who don’t know, bench is IT slang for being employed but not assigned to any project. You still get paid, but you’re basically… waiting. Sounds cool? Trust me, it’s not. Sitting idle, uncertain about the future, and treated like a liability—it’s its own kind of stress.

So yeah, my bench life wasn’t a vacation.


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The Old Framework Dilemma

One morning, my manager Manish pinged me on Teams.
“Hi Raj, we have a project requirement. It’s in an old framework.”

I hesitated. “But Manish, my interview was for modern tech. I’d prefer that.”

As always, he had the classic manager line ready:
“Yes, yes, I understand your concern. But right now, this is the requirement.”

Which basically meant: take it or leave it.

Frustration boiled inside me. After 2.5 months of waiting, this was what I got? I typed out a resignation mail, meant to just save it… but my finger betrayed me. Send.

Manish called immediately.
“Raj, are you resigning? Why?”

I told him the truth: “You hired me for the latest stack. If you’re assigning me to outdated work after months, sorry—but I already have better opportunities.”

He asked for a day. And the next morning, boom—I was on a new tech project.

Relief. Victory. Maybe a little happiness too.


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Meeting the Team

My new TL wasn’t like the typical boss. He was more like a friend—genuine, approachable, someone who actually cared. For six months, I thrived under his guidance.

Then came the twist.

Our team had five girls. I wasn’t close to any of them. People thought I was shy, though I was chatty outside the team.

One senior girl especially stood out—not in a good way. She had a bossy attitude, and everyone felt it.

One day, she came to my desk.
“Raj, do you have a minute?”

She pointed to a file.
“Did you change this code?”

“Yes.”

“You should ask before changing my code. Next time, I’ll escalate.”

Inside, I was boiling. I went to my TL and requested not to be paired with her again.

That sealed it. She was impossible. Or so I thought.


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Chai, Sarees & Surprises

Nine months later, during a team break, she smirked:
“Yeah, his other group must be waiting.”

Annoyed, I joined anyway. To my surprise, she sat across from me. I avoided her eyes like a failed exam. But later, she even helped me carry tea back. Odd.

Then came Cultural Day. Dress code: kurta for men, saree for women. I went casual. But when she walked in…

Green silk saree. Earrings. Bangles. Bindi. Light makeup.

For the first time, she didn’t look bossy. She looked… nice. Too nice. I shook my head — Raj, stop.

But when I looked at her again, our eyes met. Just for a few seconds. Enough to plant a thought I didn’t expect.


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The Exit

A year passed. I even got recognition for R&D work. Then increments came. Disappointing, as usual. Excuses, layoffs, and “be happy with what you get.”

I quietly resigned.

WFH was in full swing. On my last day, I went to return my laptop. Out of 25 team members, guess who was there?

Yes. The “bossy” girl.

We talked. She wished me well, even referred me to a few companies.

Funny how stories change.


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A New Chapter: Delhi

Soon, I joined a new company in Delhi. Virtual onboarding, laptop delivered, Slack channels, and WFH life resumed.

The vibe was different. New people, new culture. And within the first month—I met the infamous office politics. Somehow, I managed.

Six months later, just when I felt settled, came the news:
“You’ll need to work from office in Delhi for one week.”

Which meant stepping out of my comfort zone — my first flight ever, my first solo travel.

Delhi. Dil walon ki Dilli.

Crowded streets, towering buildings, endless traffic. I reached my hotel, freshened up, and took the metro toward the office. After the ride, I had to walk ten minutes.

I rushed—didn’t want to be late on my first office day. That’s when I realized Delhiites call walking the 11-number bus. 😂

And then, in the middle of the crowd, I heard it.

“Raj…”

At first, I ignored it. Probably some random voice.

But then, louder:
“Hey Raj, wait!”

I turned toward the sound, curiosity rising.

And to my surprise…


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✨ Coming Soon: MNC Diary — Episode 2

 Raj takes his first steps into Delhi office life — new people, new chaos, and unexpected reunions. But whose voice did he hear in that crowded street? An old colleague? A forgotten friend? Or someone he never expected to see again?
 Stay tuned. The story’s just getting started.