Miss.Idly And Mr.Dhokla

Meet miss.Mahilchi Prakash

I DEDICATE THIS CHAP TO MY BEST FRIEND WHO MOTIVATED ME TO WRITE THIS STORY bokluver .

The only sources of sound my ear was that of the ticking clock and my racing heart. The interview was about to begin within the next five minutes and till date my luck and misfortune were known to work in tandem. If I happen to get lucky by chance,I have learnt to expect bad luckto follow that,very soon.

Let's take today as an example.I was lucky enough to be considered an outstanding candidate ,thanks to scoring excellently in preliminaries. But what has now turned me into a bundle of nerves,is the fact that Iwas to be the first candidate to be interviewed, by the board members of THE Patel Groupof Companies .

Just as I was lost in thoughts about how my day was going to turn out ,one of the staff members of the company entered the waiting room and said," Candidates, your interview will commence in fifteen minutes. I apologize for the delay," in a robotic tone, his face devoid of expressions of any kind, let alone something akin to being sorry.

After hearing that announcement, I heaved a sigh and began to calm myself down. To kill time till I was called in and to chase my boredom away,, I settled for 'Self Introspection'.

I am the daughter of Mr.Ramamoorthy Prakash and Mrs.PoornimaPrakash.I have an elder sister and a twin sister. Though my sisters and I, were as different as chalk and cheese, we loved each other a lot. I was born in a big joint family, consisting of my family,my two uncles and their family.

My uncles and my Appa run the Prakasam Group of Industries ,while my two elder brothers assist them . No lady in my family was employed. My family trained their daughters to be a good daughter in law and higher studies was denied. I was the only girl to break this stereotype, because I wanted to do business and become a woman entrepreneur and not just end up becoming the wife a rich man .

I believe in equal rights and to achieve this, women should also earn their breads. So, this made me rebellious and I did my M.B.A in IIM Ahmedabad, one of the most prestigious colleges in INDIA. I passed out with flying colors and with the title Ms.Boss. The Patel Group of Companies, had selected me during the placement interview in my university and finally, after five preliminary levels, I have landed here.

I have fought very hard to get this position. My Amma never appreciated my idea of becoming a businesswoman and my Appa was of the same opinion. My Akka (elder sister), the obedient daughter, listened to them and married an rich surgeon of their choice and is now a housewife .My twin sister ,Mahima, is now engaged to the man of her choice after lots of struggle in convincing my family. My parents want me to marry and be a good wife and daughter in law . But I don't think that will suit me , as I love to be independent and stand on my own feet. The thought of being dependent on my life partner financially, made me deny their wish. The thing that topped my list of woes, was my broken engagement two years ago, made me think bitter about myself .

I was in trauma for nearly one and half years and I have recovered from it just now. My bold and rebellious character made people think I am arrogant and my ex left me, stating that as the reason. I was shattered, thinking about how misunderstood I was. I was bold, not arrogant; Stern, not characterless . I felt inferior about myself but I recovered, after realizing the truth, that my ex left me,only to marry my friend.Iregained my strength again, slowly and tried my best to ignore that memory, as I would be required to meet that man in future, thanks to him being the brother of my twin sister's fiance .

This bothered my parents and they started getting worried that no one will want a wife like me. They also disapproved the idea of me getting involved in business. According to them, women doing business will make the society think, that the PRAKASAM family is so poor, that even women have to work to support the family. And that will be a shame to our family name. But who cares , I will become a businesswoman ,there is no changing my decision.

So, to raise funds, get contacts and experience,I took up this job that was offered during my campus interview. Thankfully ,my father permitted me to work, only to make me feel better after the break up. Here, my misfortune at having a bitter break up has been followed by my luck, because, my usually strict Appa ,let me pursue my dream. He has promised me, that he will allow me to do business till my marriage and if my in laws accept me that way,I am free to continue. Anyway, I am not concerned about that, because I will not accept a proposal which asks me to be a obedient wife and remain as a housewife .

I haven't revealed my family status to anyone, as I don't want use their name to get recognition.

I came back to the present when the staff called my name and again I was annoyed, as he pronounced my name wrong. These northern people never pronounce my name correctly.

The panel of four members questioned me and I answered casually and confidently and I could see the satisfaction in their face .
I waited outside till other candidates completed their interviews, after which the results were to be announced.Luckily I was chosen to be the financial analyst. I became extremely happy, but couldn't help wonder if bad luck was on its way. I was about to leave the place.

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"Miss. Prakash," the secretary called me and told me that I have to wait to meet their boss, who wanted to interview me personally. I became annoyed because it was almost 8.30p.m and I am a person who goes to bed at 9. 'Uffff...bad luck has arrived! ... Muruga!! Save me, please', I prayed to my favouritedeity,thetamilGod,LordMurugan.I have always loved praying to him,right from m ychildhood.Every Tamil hindu , considers him a mighty God .

I waited to see who that unpunctual boss was.

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