Surprise From The Past

By Vandana Maurya

How do you feel when you know that you don't have to go to the place you feel drained, the moment you enter? Right, very relaxed, and happy. So, this is that day for her. Because she had taken a leave for the day for another interview, but the biggest part was, she was relieved that she does not have to visit that soul sucking environment at least for a day. On the other hand, she expected a little more from that day and that scheduled interview... Permanent relief from hell.

She reached the venue, and she was told to wait in the conference room. While stepping into the room, she had a mini panic attack and a whole bunch of what ifs took hold in her brain. She felt like leaving the place as she was completely blank and under confidence in herself. That happens when we stay in an undermining and underestimating environment for a while. She made up her mind, stood up to leave, that’s when someone entered the room. The interviewer gave a smile and asked, are you waiting for the interview? She just lost all words and nodded yes. Interviewer said, "Good, I thought I came to the wrong room. Were you going somewhere, you want something to drink? " She again nodded, this time as No. Shall we start then, interviewer asked. Again, the nodding.

The interview lasted for an hour, and to her disbelief it went well. By the time the interview ended, the interviewer asked her for beverage multiple times to which she always replied, “No, thank you”. As the interview was over, the interviewer shook her hand and got up to leave. She was relieved for a bit, that at least the scariest part was over. But then she hears again, “Do you need anything, really, we have very good coffees. I am going to get it for myself. If you want, I can get it for you too”. She felt a little irritated and replied, “I don’t want coffee. Whenever I feel nervous, I don't like to have coffee. To which the interviewer smiled for some time and then said, “Okay, no problem. All the best for further rounds”. And left. She was surprised by his reaction and a little happy as she now knew for sure that she had cleared the first round of the interview.

Everything went well and they both started working together. Suddenly one day they were having lunch and he suddenly asked her, “Why were you so irritated on the day of your interview. Was it because of something I said?”. She was surprised that he remembered, then she replied. I was not used to such niceness for a long time and the interview had made me little drained. Then she took a long pause for few moments. She realized that she did not want to share this but somehow, she did and now to cover up her vulnerability she has to say something...

After few moments, she says "The bitterness of my old job and the positive rush of that interview had made me feel caffeinated”. And she winked with a smile. He looked at her with surprise and smiled. Then said, “You have a knack for poetry. You should try writing some”. After which they both looked at each other for a moment and she started laughing at those words.

Days went by and one day he left for another place. It felt as if something went missing, some words remained unsaid. They both were not friends, not colleagues for a long time, but something was still with her of his personality that was stuck. Days passed by it turned into months then years. Now everything is different, she left her job and started writing more and was able to get published as an upcoming poet.

The room was filled with people, it was time for her first read in front of the audience and she was again feeling sick to her gut. At the event people asked her for a beverage, which she denied.

The event went well, better than expected. After the event she went to the lobby and sat on the chair going through what had just happened.

Few people came for autographs, she mindlessly kept signing them. In the middle of the signing, the event manager asks her for coffee. To which she did not respond as she was busy signing, again the same question which she nodded no.

Suddenly, she hears the reply from somewhere else, "The bitterness of her old job and the positive rush of the current event has made her caffeinated".

She stopped and started scanning the area in front of her, to her surprise it was him having the copy of her book in his hand. They both smiled at each other joyfully. He comes towards her and brings his copy in front of her for signing. And says, "You have a knack for poetry, you should try writing some!!”. And winked at her.

By Vandana Maurya