EPISODE IV - JUST SHOOT ME

I ambled back to the building hoping that my chances at Cognizant were not done yet. I had to try and persuade this man. I had to be prepared for any questions he may ask to see if I was worth the extra trouble. Despite the the Diwali bombardment that I just came from , I was confident I wouldn't let myself down. Anyway this man was the head of recruitment at Cognizant. Clearly it wasn't goign to be an easy job trying to impress him.

Inside the building , I noticed some students had already left their seats before the exam ended...maybe this was a tough test? Nearer to them , I saw that these familiar faces were the usual no-hopers. It was nothing new for them. And their early exit
couldn't mean anything because they leave the exam hall whatever the exam. To leave coolly during a tough exam when everybody else in the room is tense and panicky, does sound hip. To heck with the exam. It is a fashion thing.

I looked around for the Head HR person. Ah, there he was, near the stairs. Quite easy to spot these attractive t-shirts. I ran across to him and said ,

"Hi , sir. Can I talk to you now?".

"Sure. So tell me why you want to do all this extra stuff when you have already got a job?", he asked.As I guessed . This was almost like a spot interview just to see if I was worth the trouble. If I could conceal my real intentions of MBA , and give a clear reason in good language, I would be in with a chance. We started walking casually towards the entrance of the building.

"Sir, I think CTS is a really dynamic and as it is the youngest and most admired of the premiere companies, I would love to start there." , I said.

"I see.Then why did you go for some other company prior to our coming here?", he questioned.

This was a very easy one, "Sir, we were told by our placement cell that CTS wasn't going to come here. That's why. But later to my surprise, I found that you had decided to come after all.Unfortunately, as I already got a job, I am not allowed to appear for your process today." .

"Okay, do you know why we didn't want to come earlier?" , he asked with a little smile. Charming man.

The answer was, ofcourse, our goofy placement cell. They promised Cognizant that they would be the Day One company. Then they promised Cognizant's rival that they would be the Day One company. Then they kept their promise to the rival and this really pissed off Cognizant and led them to call off the recruitment visit. I don't blame them, but I was happy they decided to come after sulking a bit. The problem is that everyone thought Cognizant wouldn't come at all , and so
it was alright to go for these smaller companies that came during this sulk-break. I explained all this , but in much more formal terms .

"Thats right. Anyway , I can't break your college rules you know.If they say you can't go for another job once you're placed...how can I overrule a rule that isn't mine?" , he asked with a grim face.

I understood. I couldn't see how to get around his argument. I looked a little disappointed, and wondered what to say.We were now outside, standing at the entrance. It was hot, and I hated the unforgiving sun. There was nothing to be gained here it seemed.Feeling disappointed, I thought that I ought to say goodbye routine and go inside before I caught a ghastly tan.

"Are you eligible by all the criteria that we had set for the college? ", he asked , gazing distantly at the large muddy playground in front of us.

I looked at him. Could this be a window of oppurtunity? Did he want to try and help me? Naughty HR person . I answered with a new hope , "Yes , sir". As of this moment there was a noisy TVS-Scooty approaching us. These ladies two-wheelers make the most nasal noise. I could see it getting closer to us.

"Well then , I guess I could let you come to my office and do the exam privately...",he said.

There are moments in life when you feel life can't be better. I thought this was it until my dreamy mind recieved an indication that the Scooty had reached us. Parking it with care, and collecting her bag, my Artificial Intelligence Lecturer walked cheerfully towards us.

I refuse to complete this chapter as it is corrosive to my ego.