Early Morning Thoughts and Preparation

The day began at 5 o'clock in the early morning, when a small disturbance pulled me out of sleep. The room was comfortably cool, causing everyone to stay wrapped in their blankets. Though no one made a sound, my thoughts kept me awake. I had a placement drive today, and I had traveled from my hometown for it. Yesterday, I took the company's test and scored above the cutoff, earning a spot in today's rounds.

I knew the day would include different rounds, such as a group discussion and an interview. Although I had attended some interviews before, I had never prepared for any of them. This time was different; I was preparing for this interview. The company was focused on space exploration and educating children, and today's drive was for an educator role. As I prepared, I found myself recalling topics and learning new things with a deeper understanding.

The Morning Rush

By 7 AM, it was time to freshen up. With eight washrooms in the hostel, all occupied, and buckets are in the queue in front of the washrooms for the next turn. I found an empty one with a slow water flow. I turned on the tap and went to get my clothes. After returning, I noticed the hot water started flowing outside of the washroom. I grabbed my bucket and lined up for my turn for hot water but the water flow tested my patience for almost an hour. Finally, I managed to fill my bucket using a trick. I applied pressure on the tap, the water flow started slowly and finally, the flow increased with pressure. Everyone else had woken up by then, and I ironed my clothes, freshened up, and went for breakfast – Uthappam.

Encounter with the Warden

With my files in hand, I began walking to the college but was stopped by my warden. She questioned why I was staying in the hostel, as graduate students weren't allowed. I explained that I had come from Andhra and couldn't arrive exactly at 9:30 for the drive. She told me I had to pay 500 per day, and after our conversation, I left for college. When I arrived, a WhatsApp message informed us to gather in the hall for the drive. I quickly took a Xerox print of my updated resume and headed to the hall with a classmate. Another classmate was already there.

The Interview

During the second round, we had to write something interesting on an A4 paper. I showcased my writing talents and was selected for the interview. They asked me a hypothetical question: “If you open your door and see a penguin, what will you do?” I responded by explaining the penguin’s sensitivity and my plan to inform animal control. Next, they asked me to prepare a topic on space and give a 5-minute teaching demo, assuming I was teaching 5th-grade students. I chose the solar system and delivered the demo. Although I was eager to leave because I had a train to catch that night and plans to meet my friend, I managed to stay focused. She worked in the same city, and we had planned to go to a movie. After the demo, I returned to the hostel, packed my luggage, and said my goodbyes to the juniors before rushing to the college gate..

Evening Plans

My friend Sindhu called, saying she would leave the office in half an hour and meet me at the bus stand. It was already 6 o'clock, and the movie started at 6:30. Unsure of what to do, I took a bus to the bus stop and called her again to update her. We decided to go street shopping and try some street food instead of the movie. In the journey of life, it's not the destination but the company that makes it memorable.

Street Shopping and Struggles

On the bus, it was hard to hold onto the handles, making me the centre of attention. A schoolgirl asked to borrow my mobile to call her mom, and I handed it to her, even though I was exhausted. When the conductor asked for money, I struggled to hand it over due to the bus's movement. Finally, I got a seat, but then I felt nauseous. I considered getting off at a stop but decided to tough it out and reached the bus stand.

I called my friend, and she said she would be there in 5 minutes. Mosquitoes were biting me, and I felt uneasy standing alone with two boys nearby. Even though the bus stand was crowded and there was a police station in front of me, I felt anxious. To appear less vulnerable, I pretended to look for someone. The boys eventually left, and I felt relieved. My phone rang; my friend had arrived. I turned around and saw her, and we hugged happily. Just like the stars, our dreams shine brightest when we share them with friends.

Late Night Conversations

we crossed the road and tried lemon juice, but it wasn't what we expected. Disappointed, we drank it anyway and continued walking. She shared stories about her office and hostel from the past two months. We got lost in our conversation and realized we needed to cross the road and walk in the opposite direction. Four boys were also waiting to cross, and we followed them.

We started shopping for earrings, but they were too expensive. I selected a pair of earrings for her and remembered my sister's daughter's birthday. I bought a bracelet for her, even though my family doesn't allow non-gold items. We moved on and stopped at one stall where male purses were for sale I have a friend who helped me to get 500 rupees money from one app. That day I decided to buy something for him from that money looked at purses, but none caught my eye. We then tried Bhelpuri, but it wasn't good, maybe because of regional differences. My friend shared her problems, and I realized how much she missed us. She had no friends in the hostel due to the language barrier.

We entered a shop that looked like a mini-mall after entering we knew that appearance did not show the quality it seemed to sell second-hand clothes so bought a towel for her. Of course, the towel is a new one. We walked around 2 or 3 kilometres and then bought ice cream from a mart. We sat in front of a closed shop, enjoying the ice cream, while people gave us strange looks. We laughed and talked a lot. Every moment spent with her adds a new constellation to the sky of our friendship. We then ordered dosas from a street vendor. The dosas were covered with chutney, and we struggled to find them on the plate. We weren't satisfied but had no other option.

We decided to head back to the bus stand. We looked for a medical shop to buy tape for her hand injury and finally found one. We crossed the road and entered the bus stand, where many boys seemed drunk. We sat far away from them. I taped her injury, and she expressed her sadness about us parting ways. Even though I had time before my train at 12 o'clock, she had to return to the hostel. We said goodbye, and I caught a bus to the railway station. From interviews to street shopping, every experience is an adventure with her by my side.

The Journey Home

I called her to confirm she reached safely, and she did. Our 3-hour conversation and the night out gave a different vibe. Even on the busiest of days, a friend's smile can light up the darkest corners of our hearts. If we worked in the same place, we could spend more time together. She still had a lot to share, but we didn't have enough time. I hope we both work in the same city one day. On reaching the railway station, I saw some aunties struggling with the escalator, reminding me of my first outing with friends. I texted my friend a goodbye sticker and boarded my train, ready to return home, cherishing the memories of the day.

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