The Boxes We Are Put In

Chapter 16

The next couple of months went by pretty quickly with the studies and the recruitment procedures. I was too busy to do anything. The only major event was my birthday. Nikhil and I cut a cake at the canteen and gave me this gift. That was all.

I walked out of the last day of last visiting company's recruitment GD in a pretty bad mood. Nikhil caught up with me. "How was it?"

I frowned. "I need three milkshake packets," I complained to him.

The whole recruitment process stressed me out so much lately. I could barely talk in the GDs, especially. And I felt dumb at the end of everything. Yet thankfully by the end of it all, I managed to get into at least two of the major recruiting companies. Also in another low-profile company which I kind of preferred more because I thought the training may be less stressful.

In today's GD, I was in the same group as Shruthi. She barely gave anyone any chance to speak up. She interrupts everyone and goes on to speak her point. It was rather annoying that Shruthi also had got in the same companies as me. I did not want to end up in the same workplace as her. I did not want her following around throughout my life.

We went to the canteen. "Chetta, three milkshakes, one tea and four parippuvada."Nikhil was giving our order. Standing looking the other way, I rested my head on his arm. I did not care about how people will look at us nowadays. Most people knew we were together. And I was too mentally tired to be conscious of others. Even this little physical contact with him was taking down my stress level.

Also, I did not care to please everyone anymore. Everything was just draining me out these days. The atmosphere at home. Study pressure. Life in general. I had zero mental space to stress over people looking at me. I did not care about anything anymore.

The results of the process will be announced in a few hours. I wanted to get into this company though. It had good reviews. And it felt like Shruthi may choose one of the first two. So I tried to do my best...but...

I had even let my hair down and combed it nicely for the GD and Interview.

"Where is my hairband?" Arya asked, casually, with her head still on my arm. She had asked me to keep her hairband in my pocket earlier so as not to lose it. I took it out and gave it to her. She began to tie her hair. We were so natural as a couple now. These were just everyday things.

Shruthi came to the counter and excitedly ordered a tea. "Hey..." she greeted Arya. "Hey, Nikhil," She smiled at me. She was wearing makeup today. "The GD was fun, right?" She added to Arya.

Oh, so that is why Arya was in a bad mood.

"Yeah, for you..." Arya said, rolling her eyes and taking her milkshake packet.

Shruthi frowned at her. Arya walked to a table while following her I heard Shurthi talk to Vidya. "Don't you think Arya is a bit too mental? I mean, we can't even be nice to her."

I turned to Shruthi, "Then don't be 'nice to her'" I quoted that with my fingers, "Don't be nice once in a while and expect her to fall at your feet for that." Arya snorted as she walked away. Shruthi scowled. I followed Arya to sit down at a table.

"Nice one," Arya smiled while sipping her drink. I felt pleased.

"Was she in your team for GD?"

"Yeah. I could not speak at all in the GD. I am doomed..." She said and set her head down on the table.

"It's okay."I said, "You already have three placements. So... even if you don't clear this one."