The Escapist

There was a boy named Raju who studied at an MBA college. As a student, he was the worst. He never attended classes regularly, never participated in any crucial seminars and guest lectures organized by his department and was absolutely non serious about his studies. One day a speech competition was organized by his department for the students. The students were allowed to speak on any topic related to management. It was a good opportunity for students to show their talent and impress their professors. So that every student should participate, the professors made this competition, compulsory for all. Raju was in shock. He did not want to participate. Raju's professors made it compulsory thinking that Raju and other students like him will get a good opportunity and it will boost their confidence.But to their shock, Raju did not come on the day of speech contest. Raju's professors were very angry. 

But next day, Raju came to the college with a bandage on his right hand. The professors of raju rushed towards him and said,"Hey Raju, what is this? Very sorry to see you are hurt.How did it happen?" Raju said,"Sir, yesterday I was coming to participate in speech compitition but a truck driver hit me on the way. The passersby took me the hospital and called my parents over there. But don't worry sir, I am OK." Raju's professor blessed him and said, "Dear Raju. You please go back to your home. i am giving you 7 days leave.You just take rest. Come after 7 days. Your safety and health is more important for us. Please go. I am giving keys of my car to your classmate Mohan. He will drop you to your home. Don't worry." Raju heartily thanked his teacher and with Mohan, returned to his home with his classmate Mohan. Reaching hom,e Raju's parents were shocked to see he is hurt. His father said,"How did it happen?" Raju said, "When I was going to college, a car driver hit me dad." Raju's dad said,"what was the number of the car? It's a police case?" Raju said hurriedly,"No no dad. Just take it easy. I will take rest for few days and I will be fine. Police case and other such things are time wasting and irritating. Why to make the matter severe unnecessarily?" Raju's dad agreed and both of them went back to their home.

In the evening, Raju said to his dad that he needs some fresh air and went to see his friends in a hotel. There as he met his friends, they said,"Hey Raju, what is this? You are hurt. You please take rest?" Raju gave a cunning smile and threw out all his plasters. He was perfectly fine. His friends said,"Hey Raju, you are fine. So you are playing a prank on us." Raju said,"No friends, its a trick to stay away from college and enjoy with you people." All of them started laughing. Raju was really a spoilt brat. Good for nothing, he was just finding the ways of escaping studies and other responsibilities. 

It was final year of Raju in his college. Companies had started visiting his college for campus placement. Raju's teachers made compulsory fro all his classmates to participate in placement drive. Raju also participated but halfheartedly. Company liked his confidence but was not much satisfied by his answers. But still on his teacher's recommendation, he was selected when the professor told the trauma which Raju underwent. So finally Raju got the job and started working in a reputed organization. His parents were very happy. The company office was in Delhi. So Raju's parents prepared his luggage and sent him to Delhi. They had pre-booked a beautiful room on rent very near to his office. Raju was very happy that his parents were doing so much for him. Finally Raju was in Delhi and his official schedule had started, 9 to 5 job with Saturday and Sunday fixed off. How lucky Raju was? Did all the useless activities in the college and finally got selected in a reputed firm.

After 20 days from joining, he called his professor. He was very upset,"Sir, there is a very sad news.The comn pany fired me." His professor said,"I knew they will fire you?" Raju asked,"Why sir, why are you saying like this?" The professor said angrily,"Raju I am saying like this because I know you never got hurt from any vehicle.That day when you were showing your fake plaster to your friends, I was right there in the same market. I did not say anything to you thinking that one day you will realize your mistakes. But it never happened. You took the same careless attitude to your organization and as a result you are fired now.

You never participated in any crucial college seminars, placement drive, guest lectures or anything. But your professors never rebuked you. They always talked with you politely. But you never understood their love and care. You are an escapist Raju. You escaped from hard work, you escaped form studies, you escaped form educational seminars and conferences. And just see what happened, now the companies are escaping from you, they are avoiding you, they are not willing to hire you. Raju, life of an escapist is worst than death.

But I am your professor and I always want your happiness. Still the time is not over. Large number of walk-in interview happen on daily basis in Delhi-NCR. Just prepare thoroughly from internet for few days and definitely you will beat any interview. If you need anything, suggestion, help, money whatever, you can call me anytime. All the best for your next job."  

Saying these words, the professor disconnected the call. All past images came live in front of Raju; how he used to escape his lectures, how he never participated in any seminar, how he skipped placement drives, how he never listened to his parent's suggestion. But nothing could be done now. Now, Raju was all alone, no job, no courage to go back home and no courage to ring again on his professor's phone. He was just alone............