AN EVERLASTING BOND

After a month-long anxious waiting period, Tarun, a mechanical engineer, receives an interview-call mail from a reputed company. He cannot believe that he has successfully crossed the selection hurdle – a brainstorming group discussion. He has a family comprised of four members to share the joy- his parents and a sister. They all have been hopeful for his bright future and thus congratulate him with their best wishes. 

After acquiring an engineering degree, he has been in search of a high-salaried job. Many of his classmates are recruited from respected companies during campus selection as they have the favour of Lady luck. He has never invested his time to learn any other skills because of the tedious vast curriculum, mini- projects, practical sessions, and the university exams in the engineering college. 

His lack of extracurricular activities and no engagement in social welfare activities weaken his chances of getting the desired job. So, to give strength to his resume, he later joins an NGO to teach the orphanage, learns a few Indian and foreign languages, and voluntarily participated in various mechanical field-related workshops to gain some experience, and his personal grooming.

The news of the interview call is a welcoming one, so his family members help him to practice the questionnaire session. He revises some of the technical topics, goes through his resume thoroughly to answer the questions based on the details he has provided and has updated his knowledge about the company and its future projects.

It’s a nice sunny morning. In his formal attire and a well -polished shoes, he looks handsome as well as confident. He carries a leather - folder and reaches the corporate office in Marine Line an hour before his interview time. Sitting patiently in the reception hall, he recalls his college days. 

During the theoretical sessions of professional communication, all the employment skills-related topics are practically done by the professor Mrs. Agarwal in the classroom whether it is mock official meetings, presentation skills, mock interviews, and group - discussions. She explains every minute detail of the office interview. He is now recollecting those sessions.

The atmosphere of the classroom remains intense because of her seriousness. The students genuinely prepare for their mock interview. The questions she asks in a way as if it is a real interview. The students arrive in formals, for she judges all of them on the basis of overall personality. The first-time nervousness all the students have overcome during her sessions.

He is thus not nervous as many -a- times he has rehearsed. He looks around and spots many worried faces. He smiles when his name is announced. He knocks at the door. A male voice gives him permission to get inside. He opens the glass door gently and enters. He appears before the panel of three members - two males and a female. He greets them and waits for their permission to take his seat. After their permission, he gently passes his documents to the person sitting in front of him. 

One of the interviewers asks, “A doubt always creates confusion in my mind about why the legends go through suffering, pain, and mental agony when they are selfless and think of only the world’s welfare. Can you resolve it?

Tarun with a gentle smile replies, “Sir when someone thinks out of the box and strives to give a real touch to that idea, people around the person criticize, humiliate, and sometimes boycott out of disbelief. But when the legends prove their worth, the same people admire them and make them their idols.”

He answers all the questions politely by maintaining a genuine smile on his face. His overall personality impresses the panel. He just recalls how Mrs. Agarwal teaches the boys to behave with the lady interviewer in a decent manner. At the end of the interview, he shakes his hand with both males but folds his hands when finds the lady has not stretched her hand to shake with him. He asks permission to leave and by gently pushing the door goes out. 

Half an hour he spends in the Marine Drive quietly watching the sea waves and enjoys Mumbai’s famous chana jor garam. What a relief! He dials a number without being assured if it is working or not. The phone is picked up by a lady. He asks if he can talk to Mrs. Agarwal. The reply is, ‘Why not?’ 

His heartbeat increases rapidly, “what if ma’am will not recognize him?” 

The sweet voice of the professor rings in his ear like a bell of a temple after a long time. Without giving any self – introduction, he begins like an excited small child, ‘Ma’am the way you have explained to us how to appear for an office- interview, I have followed everything. My look, knowledge, and etiquette help me to wear confidence and a positive attitude; I am extremely happy that my first interview has been done so perfectly.” 

Who is it?

Ma’am Tarun.

How are you, beta?

I am very much fine. Thank you, ma’am.

May you get the job!

Yes, Ma’am. You have trained us so well. I will definitely get the job.”

Ok. All the best. Be in touch.

Sure, ma’am. 

The conversation ends. He is on cloud nine not for the successful interview but to reconnect with ma’am after many months.

Tarun, a tall, strong muscled clumsy personality! Mrs. Agarwal still remembers her student Tarun. 

How different he looked in the classroom! A bearded face, unfitted dress, uncombed hair, and sleepless eyes all made him look horrible. One day she gave a task in the practical session of selling tickets for a Bollywood event in the college. She chose Tarun and Samir for the task. Samir was a decent student very charming and well-spoken guy. She asked in the classroom who could sell more tickets. All pointed to Samir. 

Tarun was upset. She explained to him that the tickets were for a Bollywood event that was appealing to the girls. But Tarun’s outer personality would never allow girls to approach him for the tickets. If he paid attention to his appearance, he could be successful in his field. After a week in the mock interview session, all were amazed to see Tarun. He was clean shaved, in white and black formal attire he looked very smart and very impressive. She even praised him and wished he would always maintain his stunning personality. 

Today the same Tarun has called her to show gratitude. She wipes tears of joy rolling down her cheeks and waits for his next call.