The HR took a short pause. I knew what was coming. At that instant, I wished for the earth to open up and swallow me whole. The most embarrassing moments of my life were about to arrive. After taking a sip of water, the HR continued.
"A student walks into the interview room and casually tells me that he just wanted to have an experience of a recruitment drive and he actually isn't interested in the job" Few eyes quickly moved in my direction. I acted as if I wasn't there. "Now that was something that really annoyed me as a recruiter. You deprived another student of a job interview and then you have got guts to come & tell me that you didn't want this job in the first place." His every word was hitting me like a bullet and I could hardly do anything about it. "I wanted to talk about it with Mr. Gupta, but decided to wait till the end of the interviews. And then another interesting event happened"
"This guy, who was the last one to appear for the interview, had the most pathetic communications skills among the lot today. Bad communication skills turn me off very quickly & most of the time the candidate is rejected by me within a span of 5 minutes. But here I met a guy who was deliberately trying to flunk the interview when even a sincere interview effort wouldn't have convinced me to select him." I quickly turned around and looked at Bajrang. His eyes were fixed on the ground. A buzz generated among the students and he was their new trending topic.
"I could see what he was trying to do" The HR continued "and so I asked him why was he doing it. It was then that I came to know about the whole story and the protagonists, the two best friends. I don't want to go into the reasons, but it was clear that each one of them wanted the other to get the job at his expense. I want to tell them that things don't work in this way. You get what you want only when you earn it. Charity isn't possible in all walks of life. You can't shape the destiny of others by trying to alter your own for their sake. It was a very stupid decision on your part, and a very foolish thought that something positive will come out of it"
I could see myself nodding a bit. At the same time, I was getting overwhelmed with emotions. Bajrang had come to know about what I had done & how Sonal was so upset about it. So, in spite of his impending tricky situation at home, he tried to sacrifice the only job opportunity he had. However, in the end, nothing had turned out the way we wanted.
The HR had paused in between as he went through something on his mobile. I wondered if he had something more in his arsenal to pile up more embarrassment for us. However, when he started again, there was a smile on his face.
"Well, well. Something has come up. I've been informed that I can select one more student. I have tested you all on various levels during interviews. As an ESM, I value integrity very high. So now there is an opportunity for these two guys. Life isn't fair and I am willing to make just one more offer. You make a decision, right here, right now, and tell me. The ball is in your court".
Almost everyone turned their gaze in our direction. Bajji and I looked at each other. I could see that it was a very difficult decision for him to make. It seemed like a very tough decision for me too, until I saw the face of the person I was equally concerned for. Our eyes met and then she nodded. She whispered into the ears of Mr. Gupta who, in turn, said something to the HR.
"Welcome aboard" he paused for a second "Bajrang Bhati"
There was again a huge round of applause as I went & hugged Bajrang who was still awestruck. And then he started sobbing like a kid. Before I could pacify him, someone joined us. That angelic smile was back on her face as Sonal tried controlling her emotions.
It was wonderful. Hell yeah! It was wonderful.
