Saawan ka Andhaa...

I had no clue of how depressing the day would be that day. It was December 15, 2006 and the final results for ISB MBA were to be declared.

At 0800 hours, I was busy dressing up to leave for Alibaug where I had to meet a supplier regarding one of my projects. There were 2 other guys going with me, one was a 45 year old IITD graduate and the other was a retired L&T employee (from an unknown college). We were going in an INNOVA. Both of them sat in the front row while I was sitting alone in the second row. To my pleasant surprise, the car stopped after an hour in front of a beautiful lady who must be around 27 years of age. God does listen to honest prayers. This was proved when that lady sat beside me. When my 2 old friends started talking amongst themselves, I thought I would entertain my young lady. Not long before we started talking, she told me that she was the wife of the German fellow we were to meet in Alibaug. I took my evil eyes off her (the success of my project was more important than a short-lived relationship with her). I felt a little odd because my 2 old friends were calling her “Ma’am” while I was calling her by her name, ‘Shama’ (Gosh, could any name be sexier?).

It was 1000 hours now. I said to myself, “Screw everyone yaar. I still did not get any SMS from ISB about my selection or rejection. I do not want any girl. Give me my ISB result God.” God was probably listening to someone else’s request that time. My request was turned down. No SMS, no calls from anyone. Depression was creeping in but I tried to keep my happiness afloat using the young, graceful lady, who sat by my side, as my life-jacket. She definitely qualified all my cut-offs, the reason why I kept talking to her. Had she proposed me, I would not have thought twice before saying ‘Yes’, such was the sorrow of my probable rejection by ISB that was slowly making its way into my heart. I had now started consoling myself, “Had I got selected, I would have received an SMS by 0900 hours. This implies I did not get through despite my seemingly strong profile and a good interview. Never mind, I will apply to other B-schools before January and get through. ISB is not the last school on earth.” :(

We finally reached Alibaug at about 1200 hours and the ‘Pleasure’ of my ‘Tensed Pleasure’ during the entire trip ended leaving me ‘Tensed’ (Shama took the ‘Pleasure’ part when we parted at the German guy’s place). We met the German guy who was very enthusiastic and energetic. We talked a LITTLE about our project too. We finally set off for his beach house where we had some beer with fried fish. The beach was beautiful and clean with some sports cars, which he had made for some rich Mumbai customers (you know, the Ambanis and the Tatas keep buying such crazy stuffs), parked. I rode his four-wheeler bike and drove all his cars along the beach at great speeds skidding the cars while making a turn and trying to my mark at least on the sand. I tried to drive out the frustration that was now getting intimate with my heart. I ordered myself to enjoy the present to the hilt. “Maybe, I am destined to have a few girlfriends in Mumbai too. So, let’s enjoy life and the next 1.5 years in Mumbai,” I said to myself. :)

“Tring-tring”, finally a call from someone. I picked up the phone only to find one of my colleagues, who had applied to ISB, on the line. “Where are you? What about the result Abhishek? You must have got through,” he said. “I have not received any SMS from ISB until now which implies I have not got through. Did you receive any SMS regarding your result?” I replied. My cracked dreams shattered when he told me he had received an SMS informing him of his selection. I congratulated him on his achievement and pretended to be normal despite getting the confirmation of my rejection. I had always maintained that this guy’s and my selection were mutually exclusive events because we were both in the same SBU in L&T, and there was no reason why ISB should take both of us (unless ISB valued my entrepreneurial ventures and extracurriculars).

My parents wanted me to get admission for my MBA soon but in a good school. I wanted them to feel proud of me and here I was screwing their dreams. I had however never told them that I had already had my interview and the results would be out on December 15.

On my way back, the lady again sat beside me but I was least interested in her now. All along my way back, I kept thinking how I would spend the next 1.5 years at L&T. I reached Mumbai and finally the flat I stay in. I planned a party right then with one of my friends to get rid of the frustration that was flirting with my heart and celebrated the GOOD NEWS of my staying in Mumbai for another 1.5 years.

I returned home late at night. I could not sleep despite a couple of vodka shots I had had before my dinner. How could I? I had just discovered my heart was pregnant with my frustration’s child. I kept chewing the issue. “I will not lose heart. I will start all over again,” I told myself. I started thinking about the schools where I would apply in the 2nd round. It was 0400 hours and sleep still eluded me. I kept discussing with myself, “What could be the reason for my rejection? Was it because I just had a little over 1 year of work experience, or was it because I showed a little attitude during the interview?” I did not check my email because I did not want to read that “Sorry, we are unable to offer you a place at ISB…” email. I remember lying awake until 0430. What happened for the next hour and a half, I do not know.

I suddenly woke up at 0600 hours and for no good reason, I picked up my cell. There was an SMS. “Happy staying in Mumbai dude. Must be some new chic who must have got your number from orkut,” I said to myself and opened the message. I noticed my eyes turn bigger, my mouth open and my pulse rate increase :-o. The unborn child of frustration had been aborted at 0500 hours. The message read, “Congratulations. You have been accepted into the ISB’s One-year PGPM which commences on April 14, 2007. Please check your email for the details.” No, I was not half asleep and I was not dreaming. There was a feeling of excitement down below in my body at a location I cannot disclose. I called up my home to give this great news of my selection. “Hello, Ma?” I said. “What happened? Is everything alright? Why have you called up so early in the morning? Tabyat to theek hai na beta?” Ma fired so many questions all at once. After assuring her that I was alright, I finally gave her the good news. I could sense the happiness and satisfaction in her voice.

After giving her the news, I hung up. The world came crashing down on me when a possibility, the probability of occurrence of which was pretty high, struck me. I always take my friends’ cells, delete my number from their cell phones and then send them messages like, “Congratulations. You have won free tickets to Singapore…” from my cell and ask them to call back for details. Was someone having his revenge? I had told my parents that I had got through. If they now find that the news was not true, how would they feel? Before making further calls to my loved ones, I logged onto the net. Oh, there it was, lying in my inbox, an email from ISB. Still surprised at the selection, I logged into my ISB account just to confirm that the email and SMS were not sent to me by mistake.

Everything seemed great. The morning had never been so pleasant. A big burden was off my head now. I reached my office on time after a long time on December 16, 2006 with my head held high. But as soon as I reached my office, I noticed that every building in L&T was painted green. I turned around and noticed all the vehicles were painted green, even my bike. “Today isn’t Holi?” I said to myself confused. Just then, I heard my soul whisper, “Saawan ke andhey ko sab hara hara dikhta hai.” ;)