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After a short break. I’m back. I had planned to write about my first placement interview experience. But, i had to go home for Raksha Bandhan. I boarded the 2420 Gomti Express which shuttles between New Delhi and Lucknow. The journey changed my plan. Here is how…

I had my seat reserved in the AC chair car coach C1, birth 55. I was quitely sitting on my seat when i spotted a beautiful girl coming towards me. Oh god! please she should sit besides me, I prayed. Voilla! yes, her seat was 56! Just besides me. Thank god! It was going to be a great journey!

But as all good things must come to an end (and in my case, they should end even before they are started :(( ), she suddenly spotted the gentleman sitting right behind me. Alok(name changed) sir! she screamed. What are you doing here, Komal(name changed)? the man said. M going to Lucknow, you? Same here, replied Komal. And without even caring a damn for the nice guy sitting besides her, she requested the lady sitting with her naughty child next to her “sir” to exchange seats. The lady agreed. Some great journey it was going to be! ****!

How could i let such a nice girl go away? So, i decided to atleast hear what she has to say to her “sir”. I overheard that she is a doctor and that her “sir” is some high official in some respected company. She was talking to him regarding taking an examination. She also told him that she was getting married 2 months later 🙁

I realized that i was not the only one involved in the crime. There was another guy sitting next to sir who was also overhearing their conversation. His expressions told me that he was dying to tell something. Maybe it were some misconceptions of the girl about the test that he wanted to clear. So, when he could not take more, he told the girl that he has passed that test and it is very easy. He also cleared most of her misconceptions. She was impressed. So was i. I would never have spoken in the middle even if i had topped the test!

Then they started the introduction round. Both of them soon realized that they were classmates once! Heck. The aunty besides me is sleeping and that naughty fellow is kicking on my legs.

Soon, they started remembering their school days. I found out that the girl was popular during the school days also(she should be!) and that the boy was a dumbo. They seldom talked to each other in their school days.

“Ha Ha Ha Ha” came a loud feminine laughter from back. Everyone turned around. Even auty woke up and scolded the naught fellow for kicking my legs. There were some 3 extra modern girls from some mod college in Delhi. They were discussing about boyfriends as if they were sitting in their hostel room. Speaking so loudly that even the person at the other end could hear them. And they were talking all rubbish.

Komal and Abhishek(name changed) started discussing the city to which these girls would belong. “They are definitly not from Lucknow” said Abhishek. “Why not”? asked Komal. “Because Lucknow girls are not like these”, replied Abhishek. “Abhishek!!” said excited Komal, “I never thought you looked at girls like that”. Then they took their point of discussion from the girls to sex and many other things which should not be disclosed here.

“Sir” was listening quitely meanwhile. Suddenly he asked Abhishek what he is doing now a days. He told him that he is coming to Lucknow for some interview. This is his third and last try. Sir said, “According to me, you are a perfect candidate for the job! Then why aren’t you getting it?”. “They probably want money”, said Abhishek sadly. “Then give them, even if you pay them a lakh or so now, you can easily redeem it within a year!” “No sir, i can’t do that. I can’t ask my father for giving bribes.” said Abhishek. “I think Abhishek is right sir. One should never pay bribe for a job!”, said Komal. The discussion went long and the old saying “If you can’t beat them, join them” prevailed. Sir had to agree with both of them. Heck. Its aunty’s sleeping time and that naughty fellow bugging me again!

Meanwhile we reached Kanpur and two of the ultra modern girls left the train. They belonged to Unnao. I know this from their discussion. They were teasing each other that Unnao is such a ghatiya town that no train stops there. Sir assured Abhishek that he would definitly get selected this time as he is a perfect candidate and also very honest. He also asked for his roll number. “What will you do with that?” asked Abhishek. “Sir! you may also be…..” cried Komal in excitement. “Yes, i m among the interviewers and may get to interview Abhishek”, said “Sir”. “Beta Abhishek, consider yourself selected! I was checking your intentions and honesty”. I wish i could take a photo of Abhishek’s face at that moment and put it here as i can’t put it in words. He was speechless. “Sir” was like god for him. He has been trying for this job since the last 2 years!

Now consider this – Had he over reacted on the bribe idea by sir and shouted on him or even agreed to give bribe, he would lost his last chance.

There goes the old saying by Raheem or Kabeer(i don’t remember) i read in my school days. If somebody does remember it, please post it as a comment. The jist of the journey says that one should always be polite, calm and honest with people one meets in life. Who knows even god may turn up sometime!

Meanwhile Mr. Naughty had slept with his mother. But he won’t be able to continue for long as the train was pulling into the limits of Lucknow.