📓 MNC Diary — Episode 2

The Streets of Delhi & An Unexpected Face


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A Familiar Voice in an Unfamiliar City

Dear Diary,

Delhi was overwhelming — my first flight, first solo trip, first time stepping into this chaos of traffic, metro rush, and 11-number bus (a.k.a. walking 😅). I was already running late for my first day in the Delhi office when it happened.

I heard someone call my name.
“Raj…”

At first, I ignored it. New city, new office — no one even knew my face here. My colleagues had only ever seen me on Zoom calls.

But then, louder this time:
“Hey Raj, wait!”

I turned around, confused.

And what I saw left me frozen for a second.


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The Unexpected Reunion

It was Kajal.

Yes, the same bossy senior from my old team. The one who once threatened to escalate my code changes. The one who smirked during tea breaks. The one who wore that green silk saree on Cultural Day and, for the first time, didn’t seem bossy anymore.

Kajal. Here. In Delhi.

She ran toward me with a big smile.
“What a surprise, Raj! You’re here in Delhi?”

“Yeah,” I said, still a little shocked. “I joined here recently and visiting the office for a week. And you?”

She replied casually, “Ohh, you didn’t know? I’m from Delhi. I was just in Pune for work.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Ohh, I didn’t know that. I always thought you were from Pune. Anyway, it’s nice to see someone familiar in such a big city. Of course, we don’t know each other that well, but still… it feels better.”

Then I glanced at my watch. “Okay Kajal, I’m running a bit late. Need to rush to office.”


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First Day, First Impressions

I ran toward the office building, nervous and excited at the same time.

Finally — I was about to meet those Zoom call faces in real life.

And oh boy, what a difference!

People who looked so small on screen were actually 6 ft tall giants.
The girls, who always looked so formal and composed on camera, seemed completely different in person.
And those so-called “healthy-looking mugshot guys”? Yeah… in real life, they looked far from healthy. Pale, tired, and nothing like their Zoom profile pictures.

And here’s the funny part — I wasn’t the only one surprised. They were just as shocked to see me. 😂

On calls, my voice sounds a bit heavy, and my expressions always look serious. So, everyone assumed I must be this tall, intimidating guy.

But in reality?
I’m just 5’4 — short, simple, and nowhere close to the image they had built in their minds.

The look on their faces was priceless.


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Back to Routine

So finally, we greeted each other properly. The first day was mostly about meeting the team, clicking a few snaps for profile DPs, and settling in.

After two years of work-from-home, sitting in a buzzing office felt refreshing. I was excited to see new faces, observing every little detail about how people behaved outside of the Zoom window.

And amidst all this new energy, one thing remained the same — my routine work.
Ctrl + C, Ctrl + V.

Some things never change.


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Night in Delhi

The day passed smoothly, and before I realized, it was already 10:30 PM.

I started packing up my things. A few teammates, who lived near the office, suggested I shift closer the next day. It made sense — would save time, and maybe help me blend in better.

Stepping outside, I paused for a moment.

Wow. What a view.

The streets were alive, the city buzzing even at night. Lights everywhere, traffic still moving, people walking, chatting, eating at roadside stalls.

I looked up at the tall buildings glowing with colorful lights. Normally, I don’t take pictures. But sometimes, I feel like capturing a moment just for myself.

So I pulled out my phone, clicked a few shots of the skyline, and slipped it back into my pocket.

Then I stretched my arms wide, closed my eyes, and just stood there, letting the cool breeze wash over me.

For a moment, my inner self felt lighter, calmer… almost at peace.

And then I heard it.

“Raj??”

My eyes snapped open.

The breeze still touched me, the city still glowed — but now, everything felt different.

Someone was calling my name. Again.



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✨ Next Episode 3

What happens when the mysterious voice turns out to be… no one? Raj’s first night in Delhi takes an unexpected turn — from quiet reflections under the city lights to another awkward encounter with Kajal. And this time, it’s not just a hello… it’s a cab ride at midnight.