That Little Bird!

Once upon a time there was a flock of birds migrating from one place to another. Children, adults, old,

families and bachelors, everybody was flying in search of the destination. There was also a newly born baby in the same drove and the entire swarm had decided to stop at a suitable place for a day or two before the baby gains some strength and get accustomed to the flying situation.

Unfortunately the baby fell down from its mother’s lap and was driven away from the flock. A man passing by the same way saw the bird baby lying on the ground coated with blood and decided to return it back to the clan.
The clan refused to accept the baby bird accusing it to be touched by a human being. They blamed the child to be a traitor and declared it to be the defendant of betrayal. “The rare possibility of welcoming the child back into the clan had vanished at the very moment when we had realized that the baby was driven away from the clan and touched by a human being” these were the exact words of the head of the flock to the passenger when the latter was requesting the head to take the child back.

The passenger then decided to take the baby bird into his custody and made sure that it avails the benefit of perfect upbringing. When the bird child became young and came to its senses, it started asking several questions to the passenger related to its origin, family, parents and many more. The passenger didn’t hide anything from it and told the entire truth to the young bird.

The young bird had a tender heart and became very sad after knowing the truth. The passenger then consoled him saying-“Young bird! Don’t be saddened after knowing the truth. We all are destiny’s child and everything happens for a reason. We can’t fight fate but we should never give up either. Don’t let your spirit go down, don’t let yourself get defeated by situations, don’t give up, keep your hope alive, be strong and spread happiness. And, little bird! Let me tell you a well-known secret, time heals all the wounds, it would heal yours too all you have to do is have patience; maybe someday you would see your clan welcoming you with all the warmth and affection. Stay happy and cheerful for you never know what future has in store for you.”

The young bird then seemed satisfied and happy, ready to cover the entire horizon under its wings....

The Spider and The Web-3

Well it’s been quite a long time since I have written something…Actually, these days I am quite happy,

I am not sure how many of you remember him yet...For those of you who doesn’t have any clue what am I blabbering about please go through these links before you proceed further:

http://roohisinha.blogspot.in/2013/03/the-spider-and-web-2.html

http://roohisinha.blogspot.in/2013/03/the-spider-and-web.html

Well, I am not sure about your interest in knowing Spidy’s latest condition but I definitely am quite enthusiastic to let you know about it.

Mr. Spidy has finally succeeded in repairing his broken web and it’s back to normal again, as strong as ever...Spidy’s face is now always beaming with joy, happiness, delight and feeling of ecstasy. BTW I met him the other day and high fived...I said-“What’s up dude! You look quite delighted…Looks like, you got your problem solved!”

To which he replied-“ Oh Yes…I was able to rebuild my web and it’s now back to the way it used to be before with every string  of the web strong enough to fight the tough wind and me being able to live life to the fullest while residing into it. I now feel happy, content and satisfied. “  Mr. Spidy continued-“ Well, I must thank you for your support and motivation. You stood with me while I had lost hope in myself. So, thank you again for believing in me. I finally was able to come past of the turmoil and witness life in a way I wanted to.”

I replied- “ I am very happy for you. And remember, don’t thank me for anything. I am always there for you, as your best friend, as your most closed companion, your adviser and may be your everything..You might lose hope in yourself but just remember not to lose hope in me and one day we could conquer everything we wish for…”

content and satisfied with my life (touchwood) and that’s the reason I am unable to find a topic to write upon… Though my mind keeps wandering in search of topics I can put down my feelings upon and finally today it stumbled upon our very own Mr. Spider..

Now, let Mr. Spider live happily ever after. I won't be writing any more articles on him at least in near future.

Don't let me go away again...

Give me the strength to fight and I shall rise…
Show me the path to happiness and I shall follow…
Take me to the light and I shall open my mind…
Guide me to peace and I shall remain calm…

Hold my hand and I shall close my eyes…
Pat my back and I shall make you proud…
Wipe my tears and I shall hug you tight…
Understand my pain and I shall give you the smiles…

Feel my silence and I shall be babbling…
Touch my soul and I shall be elated…
See through my heart and I shall be vitreous...
Look through my desires and I shall be wishful…

I am lonely without you, I am lost without you…
I am meaningless without you, I am nothing without you…
You were all I had once, let me be the one you have now …
You are the one I adored, let me be the one you adore now…

Hold my hand before I take it back…
Wipe my tears before they vanish…
Hug me tight before I break…
Welcome me back before I forget the way…

Don’t let me go away!!!!!

The wounded wings and the vivacious spirit

A few days ago, I saw a bird with wounded wings. It was flying in the 

sky at a lower height and slower speed than its fellow companions. Then I guess, it felt tired and weak and came down to my window for rest.

I asked- Why are you trying to fly with wounded wings? It would take much longer to heal the wound if you continued flying. Why don’t you sit in your nest for few days and give the wound some time to heal?

It said-Well, I can’t put an end over my curiosity to fly. Taking rest even for few days would be similar to giving up hope and living in disgrace and agony.

I then said-Oh! But even flying isn't making you any better! Is it? You get tired very often. You have to try very hard to be in the same pace as your fellow companions, if you don’t then you will be left behind your realm. That doesn't sound very comforting. Does it?

The bird then replied-No, it isn't rather it’s very uncomfortable and demands a lot of struggle. But did you know that I started flying with a motive. I am trying to find something and until my search is complete, I can’t sit with peace. And, I for sure know that the thing I am looking for isn't at earth. So, taking rest for few days in my nest might heal the wound which is on my body but it won’t be able to water the seed of curiosity which has somewhere been sown in my soul. So, I prefer to keep flying.

Earth is a very comforting thought in these adverse conditions of mine but it isn't the problem solver and hence, I have to keep flying in search of that thing.

I said-Okay, I won’t stop you little bird. You are full of enthusiasm and I must not be the culprit who would kill your curiosity. But would you mind letting me know the thing you are looking for?

The bird replied- Oh Yes! I am trying to find out, why did I start flying? When many of the species can only walk on two or four foot why did I have wings to fly?

I said- The little bird! You were given the wings so that you could explore the sky, find out where the horizon is, find out how the rainbow really looks like, find out how does it feel to drink the fresh drop of water fallen onto the hibiscus leaf after a rainfall, find out how exactly does it feel to talk to the flowers and most importantly how does it feel to be the traveler of both the earth and the sky. You are the blessed one little bird! I must be very wrong if I still tried to stop you from flying even if it would be only for few days. Go on! Explore the earth! Explore the sky! If possible, explore the horizon! Color your wings with the real seven colors of rainbow! Feel the flowers and play with the raindrops!   

And the bird flew away happily with a smile on its face promising to come back once it has found out what it was looking for.

Hope and it's existence...

Do you believe in existence of angels? Do you believe in the myth that God sends his messengers for his disciples? If you ask me, then yes, I believe in angels and hence this myth has become a reality for me. Trust in the lore of angels helps me to have faith in God.

Well, I never count myself among the religious types or the ones who visit temples on a daily basis but yup, I certainly am a believer of God. So you can say, I am not an idolater and don’t exactly worship God with flowers and incense sticks but yup, I talk to him at times, ask for his help when ever needed. And, I think, he has always supported me ardently and has sent his angels to help me with my problems.

 These angels, they don’t exactly come with wings nor do they hold the magic wind in their hand. All they do is, support you when entire world is letting you down, watch your back while you are falling in a bottomless pit, have faith in you when everybody else is skeptical about you and see greatness within you  even when you don’t see it yourself. These angels about whom I am talking about could be any one, he or she could be a friend of yours, a family member of yours or a teacher of yours.

In order to seek God’s grace, all you have to do is, put your trust in these angels which gradually will turn you into a better you, a happier you ,an un-complaining you and a believer you.

Having said this, I would also like to add that God only helps those who want to help themselves. So be optimistic, stay happy, have patience and sooner or later the angel will definitely find you and help you solve your worries.

And if you still have trouble finding your angel, then watch the international TV series Supernatural. Despite the fact that Castiel is the one with angelic wings and weapons, Dean is the angel who helps Castiel every time the latter falls apart or need guidance.

Defintiton of love!

Love!! The definition of the word “Love” varies widely among people/relationship. A mother would describe

love for her children in a different way than a wife would do it for her husband. In the similar fashion, a sister would describe her love for her brother differently than a friend for the other friend.

But when we look deeper, all these diverse definitions narrow down to a single statement, which is “True love is unconditional”. The love God has for his/her children, the love Buddha had for humanity, the love Mother Teresa had for mankind and the love Gandhi had for truth….

Literal meaning of “Unconditional “ is “not subject to any condition” but the mankind love for everybody/everything is dependent on several conditions. We might not realize it until the person/thing keeps fulfilling our conditions but the moment they/it starts violating those, our love for them starts turning into anger and exasperation, sometimes it does end up with hatred.

Now, as far as my understanding says, the relationship of “Love” and “Hatred” is similar to the relationship of “Water” and “Fire”. Both can never exist in the same sheath. So, if you have somebody/something, whom/which you loved someday and now don’t, wake up! It wasn’t true love…Your consciousness might fake it as “true love” for you but nothing changes the reality. Your love was only love; it was never “true love”.

The extraordinary people-Chapter 2

At 5 AM in the morning, Chennai central, some day in 2012:

The train had just reached Chennai central and I was busy enjoying the dawn, a rare phenomenon to be witnessed especially for a night person like me. Suddenly my phone started ringing…It was Mom. She asked-Did you reach safely? I said-Yes Mom, I am safe and sound. You don’t worry. She again shooted- Did I have breakfast?

Period. What breakfast! Are you kidding me!! I usually wake up after 9 AM. Can’t even imagine having my breakfast at 5 AM. Anyway, I replied-Mom, I am at the railway station and need to catch the bus for Ruby’s home. Will call you later. Bye…And I rushed to the bus station.

At 5:20 AM:
 
I succeeded in catching an empty bus that too direct! Lucky me, isn’t it? Well, it was almost a 1 hour journey, thought to give myself some rest after settling down and God knows when I dozed off, only to wake up while the bus was crossing my bus stop!! I stood up and started screaming- Hey, that was the bus stop , I was supposed to get down. Stop the bus! Stop the bus! The conductor came near me and said- Keep quite. The bus will only stop at the next bus stop. I said- What! Next bus stop! Are you kidding me? How am I supposed to go back that too in this weather? The conductor gave a “that’s not my problem” look and left. For the record, it had rained very heavily the last night and the road was full of mud. Anyway, I got down from the bus when it reached the next bus stop.

At 6:40 AM:

I looked around, couldn’t find anything other than a church. Auto walas seem to have vanished from that area. Well, left with no other choice, I started walking. It was almost 2 KM by walk, not a big deal for me but then the muddy road was not in my favor.

At 6:45 AM:

Suddenly, I heard somebody calling somebody. After few repeated calls, I figured out, it was for me. I turned back to have a look at the gentle man calling me. He was a middle aged man, wearing lungi and shirt and riding a scooty. He was unable to speak English and was muttering something in Tamil. I figured out, he was offering me lift till the college.

Wait!lift..what? What if he is an agent of Al kayda! What if his scooty turns out to be a super fast car from any of the Rohit Shetty’s movie! I declined his offer and continued walking. He kept insisting.

At 6:47 AM:

Huh! I talked to myself-I so hate this rainy season. I am unable to walk on the muddy road. The weather definetly looks grumpy to me! Should I accept his offer? I can jump off the scooty anytime I smell danger.( Stupid thought, I know.) Well finally, after so much of thinking, I accepted his offer…

At 7 AM:

We reached near the college and he asked me again, do I really want to get down here? We both could see a big lock hanging on the gate of the college. I said yes, unwilling to show him Ruby’s home. I could take a walk from here; it wasn’t more than 10 minutes of journey.

He took a U turn and left. I didn’t thank him… I should have but the insecurity inside me didn’t allow to…After sometime, I crossed the road and started walking in the street which led to R’s house.

At 7:05 AM:

I again heard somebody calling somebody! After few repeated calls, I figured out, it was for me again. I looked back while praying for the caller not to be the same man. Oh..Yes! He was the same person. He came near me, slowed down his scooty , murmured something again in Tamil and left. He didn’t insist this time.

I assume, he was disappointed that I lied to him. He said, he could have given me lift till my destination as he also had to cover the same route.

At 7:10 AM:

I reached Ruby’s home safe and sound.

Well, it’s not that I have started believing on strangers after that incidence but yup, can certainly say that the man on the scooty was different from others. People like him, keep humanity alive….

The reality behind the mirages-2

The passenger replied-You will have to come to another garden with me right now.

What! These flowers are almost like family to me, replied the butterfly in a shocking tone.

Well, it’s your choice. Nobody is pushing you, said the passenger firmly.

Butterfly thought for a while and said-Okay, I will come with you. Nobody has seen the future, so I guess, I will take that chance. And she left for another garden immediately with the passenger. She wasn’t even able to bid a proper good bye to those flowers.

Well, the passenger turned out to be an angel!!(Crap!!Isn’t it? No, I haven’t been drinking lately. It’s just so much of the “supernatural” stuff these days..:D Anyway, let’s get back to the story). He healed the butterfly within a moment, and now she was spotless and gleaming all over again. But still, something was missing!

One day while she was weeping secretly sitting over one bench placed in some corner of the garden, the passenger/angel saw her. He went near and asked-What’s the matter? You almost have everything now, you were craving for earlier. Don’t you? Then what are these tears for?

The butterfly sat still for a while and then asked a counter question - Did you hear that the flowers in my garden are dying without me? There was this one little white color flower which I loved most. Back in those days, we used to play together. I hear that it is also dying. She continued in grief-I am selfish, am not I? I let them die! They are all dying because of me!

The angel replied- Don’t weep. Those flowers, they won’t die. It’s just a phase, it will pass. That’s the beauty of time, nothing stays forever. Look around yourself; you have several other flowers which could become your friends.

The butterfly replied-Angel, nothing justifies my selfishness. Could you just leave me alone for some time?

Well the angel was really an angel (To tell you the truth, I so hate Castiel. Hence, I am going to describe a character entirely different from him.) He didn’t leave her alone, even when she showed her reluctance to talk. He said- Look, I can cure all those flowers but you have to give me time. It’s not an easy job and you need to have patience.

The butterfly looked at him with hope in her eyes. She said- Could you really do that?

The angel said-Why not! I removed that blot to bring back your happiness, would do this as well for the same reason. After a pause, he again said-While I am off to the other garden curing those sick flowers, why don’t you make friends with some of those who are here in this garden? Look, I know, these flowers can’t replace them but yup, they can heal your pain till some extent.

The butterfly replied while waving a good bye to the angel-Okay, be back here soon with my little friend. I wish you luck. “

The end...

The reality behind the mirages-1

Once upon a time, there used to live a butterfly in a garden. The garden was beautiful; it was full of colorful,bright, vibrant and lively flowers and so was the butterfly with her ardent and glimmering wings. The butterfly was spending a happy and joyful life with those flowers. She loved those flowers more than anything and so did the flowers. One day, she noticed, she has a tiny blot over her wings; so tiny that it went un-noticed even by her all these years. That blot started worrying her, she tried her level best to wipe it out but her efforts weren’t fruitful. None of the flowers were able to help her with that problem of hers. As time progressed, she accepted the blot as a part of her wings and tried moving on. Years passed; there also came a period when the blot stopped bothering her and that was the time when she was really able to move on. But she wasn’t the same bubbly, vibrant and beautiful butterfly anymore. Something was missing; the blot was a hole inside her which she was fighting not to fall in ….

One day, a man was crossing by that garden. The butterfly saw him, went near and asked, who are you? The man answered- I am a traveler; was passing by this route. You say, how have you been? The butterfly answered- Well, I am good. I don’t see much of the travelers crossing by this garden. Hence, I am a bit surprised to see you. The passenger answered: Well! Miracles do happen! The butterfly smiled and said- I don’t believe in miracles. You better choose another topic for this conversation. The passenger replied- Sure we can change the topic but before that, answer me this, aren’t you in pain and agony because of that tiny blot of yours? Ever since you have realized that, there is a black tiny blot on your vibrant wings, you haven’t been in peace. All these years, aren’t you struggling within yourself just to remove the blot? The butterfly was now amazed,how the passenger knew about her secret! The passenger replied- Don’t take it as a secret of yours; it’s more of a pain and sickness which is slowly killing you. The butterfly was now too dumbstruck for words. The passenger continued- Well, I have a way which will remove the blot forever; I can help you out with that, only if you want.

The butterfly had actually done whatever she could to remove the blot and ultimately had lost hope. She took few minutes and then replied- Okay, I would like to know the way. Go on...tell me! The passenger replied- Well, there is one condition though. Butterfly said- What is that?

To be continued....

The Spider and The Web-2

The other day, I saw the spider again, crawling in the other corner of the room. I high fived him and said-Congratulations, so you got yourself out. Cool!!! Mr. Spider gazed straight into my eyes and so did I. My eyes were full of brightness, joy and in a mood of celebration for Mr. Spidy got himself out but it’s eyes were dull, lonely and filled with sheer agony.

I asked- Hey dude! What happened? Aren’t you happy? Common!! You got yourself out. Where is the party?

It looked on the opposite corner of the room in the direction of it’s web. I noticed the web was crudely broken and so was the spider’s heart!! I said- Come on Man, I will help you out building the web back. I could see a thin line of joy on it’s face for a moment which faded immediately. It said- I appreciate your effort again but it’s not gonna be easy. I think, I shouldn’t have broken it. I said- It’s okay. The corner from which I see, you haven’t done anything wrong by breaking the web. So, cheer up dude! And let’s fix the web.

It suddenly looked into a different direction where I could see a few more spiders staring avariciously at it’s broken web. It said- Do you see them? My web was the best in this entire universe. Nobody would dare to touch it but now that it’s broken, they are trying to obtain it. I said- Oh! Don’t worry about them!! Your web is precious even in this situation. Isn’t that something cool to think about? Anyways, I will be there with you always until we finish the re building of the web. You can definitely count on me with your eyes closed!

It again smiled which faded away with the speed of light. I said- Come on! Let’s get started. We don’t have much time. And yup, we should definitely nail those staring morons down. I have an idea, why don’t you build another web as well which would trap them forever??? It laughed this time and said- Stop giving such stupid ideas and start working!!

Well, we both are working towards building up Spidy’s web these days! Wish us luck!!

The Spider and the Web

The other day while doing nothing and staring on the wall, I saw a spider struggling hard to come out of it’s own web. Poor fellow! It was badly stuck in it’s own web.

I couldn’t stand the turmoil and asked if it needs help. It smiled and said, do you know what exactly my problem is? How will you help when you don’t even know the turbulence? I replied-Well, I can see you struggling to be free of your own web. Isn’t that your problem? It replied-No, it isn’t. But then I appreciate your effort and request you to help me with getting out of the web. I showed it the way to get out of the web. It again replied- Thanks for the help but do you realize that the path which you have just showed me would break my own web? It takes a lot of toil and effort to build up a web, you must know! I replied- I am sorry, didn’t realize that but then what would you do now? Don’t you know any other way to get out of your own web? It said- Yes, I should prefer my death over breaking the web. I said- But that wouldn’t free you! Your soul might be trapped forever! Soul is the only thing which God truly gave us, the only thing that’s truly ours! Please don’t do that to yourself! It replied in a firm and steady voice-I have to!

After a pause, I again said- Why don’t you do this? Break your own web, get yourself freed and then re-construct it. It said-Once broken, I am not sure if I can re-construct it. I said- At least take a chance. It said- The web is so precious, I prefer not taking any such chances. I said in a feeble voice- But that’s the only way you can keep yourself alive! It then smiled and said- Told you! You will not be able to help me!

I now encounter the spider every day struggling to come out of it’s web. I am afraid, one day it might stop trying and start waiting for it’s death to approach!

The dark side

Watched a Hindi movie named Ankahee(1985) today starring Amol Palekar and Deepti Naval. The movie was recommended by a friend. According to him, the movie was very touchy but I on the other hand am filled with anger, frustration, exasperation and outrage after watching the movie. This state of anger, frustration and outrage is against various accustomed rules of the society.

But before I proceed further, let me tell you the summary of the movie. I believe, none of you would be interested in watching an Amol Palekar’s art movie, hence there shouldn’t be any problem disclosing the summary here. Following goes the summary.

“Renowned astrologer Pandit Satyanarayan Chaturvedi lives with his wife Devki and son Devki Nandan aka Nandu. Nandu is in love with Sushma and wishes to marry her. His father is against the marriage and tells him that he is fated to be married twice. He also tells Nandu that his first wife will die within eleven months of their marriage. Nandu purposefully marries a mentally challenged girl Indu, hoping her to die within 11 months of the marriage which would allow him to marry Sushma after Indu’s death. But the prophecy doesn’t come true. Indu doesn’t die, on the other hand Sushma commits suicide because of her self consciousness.”

Luckily, I have been born in a family where there is no place for such superstitions. But I do have encountered few incidents where superstitions and prophecy have taken lives away. I have seen a very dear friend of mine dying just because her father was an astrologer and didn’t wish to pursue a doctor for any kind of medication. After her death, people were accusing him of letting her die just because she was a girl. It seemed, it was a golden opportunity for him to get rid of at least one of her daughters. I was then almost 6 years old and the girl who died was almost 2 years older than me. I don’t have much of her reminisces now. But when I asked, my Mom did tell me that she treated me like her younger sister though she was the youngest in her family. She was also very affectionate towards me. Aah!! How disgusting of that father!!! In fact he isn’t worthy of being called a father. Is he?

Though I live my life by my own principles but many of them are the same as my father’s. I remember ,once while I was at home, I asked my Mom to take me to a palmist. She asked- “Why do you need to visit a palmist? I don’t find any need but since you are very keen, I will take you there tomorrow.”

Tomorrow came but I said to Mom-“ Mumma, cancel the plan of visiting the astrologer. I don’t wish to go.”

My father was standing behind. He asked-“ Oh Roohi! You were planning to visit a palmist..but what for did you want to go there?”
I said-“Just to know what is written in my fate ahead , Papa.”
Papa said-“ Okay then what happened now? Why did you change your mood?”

I said-“Because I am afraid, if the Pandit said something unpleasant /sad, I might not be able to cope with it.”

Papa said-“ Then that’s absolutely a wrong and unacceptable approach Roohi. You must be able to face whatever is ahead in your life. You must have the courage and strength to face it. Don’t be a coward. Your statements are just like burring your head in the sand when the storm approaches you.”
He continued- “ I will tell you a better reason not visiting any astrologer or palmist. I assume that you are not an atheist, you do believe in God..Do you?”

I fervently nodded my head in agreement.

He continued-“Then that almighty God/ invisible power takes care of you, me and everybody else on this universe. He is our creator. We are orphans if he doesn’t pay attention to our fortunes/ misfortunes. In this never ending battle of life, we do fall, struggle and then stand up but all this while he holds you in his lap. His blessings might be invisible but certainly aren’t a fable.

Now, the astrologer whom you were wishing to visit in order to know your fate is also a creator of the same invisible power.  He is just as tiny as us in front of God. He can’t predict your future at any cost. If he was able to do this, he would be standing just next to God..don’t you think so? He just uses this profession of his to earn his living. Think about it.”

And after that incidence, I never felt the need to visit any astrologer/palmist again.

I have always believed that everybody is entitled to their opinions. But to me, these un-necessary customs, astrology and superstitions are just excuses for few people to get rid of their responsibilities (just like my friend’s father) and hence for the rest of the people it becomes a reason to suffer (just like my friend who died).

The extraordinary people- Chapter 1

In an early afternoon of July 2010, I was standing in front of the receptionist of a leading MNC which specializes in developing and marketing computer hardware systems and enterprise software products while asking for Mr. Manohar Kulkarni. After confirming with Mr. Kulkarni  on phone, the receptionist escorted me till the lobby and asked me to have a seat on the couch. He also informed that Mr. Kulkarni might take few minutes to show up while leaving.

I gave a quick glance to the place and made myself comfortable enough into the couch while grabbing the newspaper. Mr. Kulkarni showed up after almost 20 minutes. He was a middle aged man with a bulky physique, fair complexion and an average height. We greeted each other with a handshake and then he introduced me to a guy saying he is the one who will be interviewing me. I had almost overlooked the presence of anybody else other than Mr. Kulkarni in my nervousness of the pre interview phobia.

Well, the guy was pretty easy on the eyes aged around 28 to 29. While I was discreetly looking at him, the inner voice of me uttered- Roohi, relax. Didn’t you hear Mr. Kulkarni properly? This guy is about to interview you and hence he must be a demonic character. I immediately brought myself back into this world and smirked at my inner voice. By this moment, Mr. Kulkarni had already left.

So Roohi, shall we find out a cabin, he said in a firm voice while proceeding towards it. I followed him without uttering a word. He offered me to sit on the chair which was just rightly placed on the other side of the center table. I sat down on the chair and gave an unsuccessful trial to make myself comfortable.

Now, it was the time for me to get bombarded with his all so technical/drudging questions. Well, I was also in the “come on girl, let’s face it” mood.

He asked, “To Roohi, kaisi ho? BTW my name is Ifthikar”

I gaped at him, too dumbstruck for words.

He said,” Dekho, I am not much familiar with these typical interview sessions. So, let’s treat it as a formal meeting between you and me. Besides, I am not feeling too well today but didn’t want to postpone this interview. Hence, here I am with a 102 degree of fever sitting in front of you. ( the grey color half sweater over his formal shirt did witness the truth behind this statement of his)

By that time, I was almost out of that pre interview phobia and was quite comfortable with the environment, my uneasiness has suddenly vanished and a sense of comfort had taken it’s place. I think he managed to achieve what he actually wanted to..

I answered, “Main thik hun. And it’s sad to hear that you have to interview me even in this state of fever.”

After that, he asked me a bunch of technical questions, few of which I did manage to answer correctly while rest of them being wrongly answered and hence impacting a not so good feeling into me. So far this interview didn’t seem to be going on the right track to me.
Well, after those technical questions, now it was the turn of that typical question which I so hate like those melodramatic twists and turns of Ekta Kapoor’s serials.

And, he did ask that “Tell me something about your positive and negative characteristics.”

I usually don’t like lying to anybody but these kinds of questions do force me to lie specially when I am sitting in an interview room and my career is at stake.
I answered in a firm voice-Talking about the positive aspect, I am hard working, patient, and can handle stress very well and blah..blah..blah..( Well, everybody around me can explain you briefly about my laziness and the way I panic sometimes.) And, I am an emotional fool( Well, most of the girls are..and I love the way I am), you can consider it a negative aspect of my life.

He gave a 5 minutes lecture over the negative aspect making it to sound like the greatest weapon to win the world and then left asking me to wait for few minutes. I really was expecting him to come back and then say “Roohi, you can go home. I am really sorry, we did select you in the telephonic round but you were not up to our expectation in this face to face interview.” But to my surprise, he came back with Mr. Kulkarni who was supposed to be my next interviewer only to be followed by another 2 round of successful interviews.

Well, I must say that the dude did help me beyond my expectations to grab a job in a leading Database Management company.