Network Romeo Series

Chapter-14

The worst thing that happens to any bachelor person’s life is about job! Not that it is difficult to get, but people…who I don’t even know show their wicked smiles and ask whether I am working or not!

But guess what? The people who ask me that question will be mostly vela vetti iladhavanga (Jobless couch-potatoes)

My friend Yash went to Bangalore in search of a music related job. I too got many offers but damn! None was related to what I studied or what I wanted to do.

Gayathri told that she will find me a job in the company she was working for. I lost contact with Vaishnavi because I didn’t have her number plus she had already deactivated her Facebook account the day her engagement was cancelled.

One day, I got a call from Pixie-cut early in the morning.

“Hey Mafia dear how are you?”

“Yes as always what about you?”

“Good… hey I got a good news for you!”

“And what is that?”

“Come to Mumbai! I have recommended you the role of Software engineer in the company which I’m working for”

“Really? That’s great! Btw what company are you working for?”

“Mphasis! Why?”

“OMG! You serious? It’s my dream to work there”

“Then what are you waiting for? Come to Mumbai”

“Yes..sure.. Just forward me the offer mail and everything related to it”

“Sure! Btw there is a big surprise on how you got the job!”

“Ya I itself forgot to ask you! How did you get this job for me and what is the Salary package?”

“Well that I will tell you once you reach here okay? And…well the salary package will be around one and half lakhs I think”

“What the fish? You joking! Don’t lie to me imsaiye”

“No dear…See the offer letter which I have mailed you right now..Btw congratulations!”

“Its all because of your effort! Thanks”

“You don’t need to thank me..First come here! I’m dying to see you”

“Ya Pixie-cut I’ll inform when I’m coming..Thanks again love bye!”

I sat down and opened the mail. What she told was real! My parents were really proud. When it was time for me to start, I left to Mumbai via plane.

I stayed at my classmate’s home in Mumbai as a paying guest. Gayu told that the HR wanted to meet me in the office one week before itself so I got into perfect formals for the first time in my life.

As I reached the company, I saw Pixie-cut approaching me in blazers. Oh man! She was really awesome with that nerdy glasses giving her the perfect look.

“Hey Beautiful!”

“Mafia? You called me huh?”

“Of course imsaiye! You are seriously beautiful”

“Ha ha shut up..I feel shy.....come with me…You have a meeting with HR in fifteen minutes”

I walked with her to the HR room. For the first time in my life, I felt a shiver inside me. Pixie-cut somehow recognised my fear and hugged me.

“Thanks Gayu…. I really need that”

“Don’t thank me baby…Infact you will smile once you realize who is sitting inside”

As she said that, a person came out and called me inside the room. I went inside and saw a moderately aged man smiling at me. The face seemed very familiar to me and even without my conscience speaking, I smiled back. I shook hands with him and took the seat.

“So you are Maradona right?”

“Yes sir…Thanks for giving me the opportunity to work in your company…It’s really an honour”

“You are welcome….. Btw you did projects on Big data and security in college right? Can you explain that to me”

I explained everything to him step by step. He smiled and listened everything carefully.

“Actually you are going to implement your project in our company…. It really impressed my seniors as well”

“That’s an honour sir”

“You know what? Relax and be casual.. I know about your projects even before you completed your college”

“How sir?”

“You did the project with a girl named Vaishnavi didn’t you?”

“Yes.. Vaishnavi…”

“She is my daughter”

I looked at him for a second. It was now clear why he looked so familiar before. I spoke with him for about 15 minutes and it was like a fun session between a dad and his son. He congratulated and told that he was really expecting me to see me on duty.

I came out of the room and hugged Pixie-cut tightly. Tears started flowing out without my notice.

“Baby why are you crying?”

“Well… I don’t know”

“Hey…Sit down here. I will tell you something”

“Ok….”

“Actually we both should thank Vaishnavi…It’s all because of her”

“What are you trying to say?”

“Her dad wanted a java developer but…..She wanted to be an artist so she called me for this position and I got it obviously because of her”

“I think we should meet her….”

As I was speaking, my phone started vibrating. It was Yash!

“Hey dude tell me what’s up? You know I got…”

“Man! I have something important to say.. sorry to interrupt but listen to me…I’m getting married day after tomorrow"

“What the ……”

“Sorry dude….It’s a long story! Marriage will be at Rajasthan so….”

“Okay will be there..Congratulations”

He cut the phone immediately. I clearly didn’t understand anything which happened that day. It was like I got hypnotized by someone. Gayu looked at me and started laughing.

“Hey why are you laughing?”

“You look like a zombie!”

“Well….My friend is getting…”

“Married to my friend and your cousin day after tomorrow at Rajasthan. Yeah I know”

“How come?”

“Shalini told while you were in the interview… I invited Vaishnavi also for the marriage”

“Do you have Vaishu's number?”

“Yes! Here take my mobile”

I got the phone and called her.

“Thanks for Everything Togepi! I’m really looking forward to see you day after tomorrow”