A or Nothing - Chapter 3: Destiny
Interview and Results
Football vs Exam
Exams and football do not function in the same manner. In football, they compete for 90 minutes. Bang goals, get results at the end. Easy-peasy.
Not in the case of an Exam. At least here in India. You get to know about the results after some span of time. Occasionally the next day, or after a week. Months. or even years.
I waited three weeks for the CAT results.
CAT results out…
The day since the exam was over, I was traveling to places. First, at my workplace, the same city I graduated from. Enjoyed some days with college friends. Parties. Movies. Night outs. World Cup matches. I was into every bit of it.
21st December 2022 5:30 p.m.
After a few days, I was at my uncle’s place. Serving the third week of the notice period. Just finished with the meeting and was scrolling through my WhatsApp. I saw a message on one of my pinned chats. My coaching group.
It read as:
“CAT results out. Check it here: URL”.
Was I anxious? Not really. Was I going to be bothered by being missed by a small margin? No. I was ready to take on another attempt, so I was still relaxed.
I only knew one thing. I’m getting 99+ percentiles. But what about VARC? The sword was still hanging. I didn’t waste a moment and clicked on the link. Filled in the credentials.
Was I happy? Yes. Not too much.
I sprinted to the house’s Pooja room right away to receive God’s blessings. Then told my uncle and aunt about it. And took their blessings.
Stop here! Let’s enjoy some flashbacks.
FIFA WC Final
The biggest day for the footballing world. The day had arrived after 29 days with 64 matches played in eight venues across five cities.
Messi was in the finals. His ultimate game. Argentina was in the finals. All eyes were on the finals.
Finals day. 18th December 2022. It had arrived. Argentina vs the defending champions France. I was at my uncle’s place and we all were watching the game. We had just come back after attending a wedding. I watched the first five minutes in the car we were traveling in. Later started watching on TV. 5 people, everyone on Sofa. My uncle, aunt, grandmother and we brothers. Besides I and my brother, the other 3 had barely watched football before. So, it was our responsibility, to explain to them the rules. Offside and all.
A dominant first half by Argentina. It looked all over for France as Argentina was marching towards its dream. But the ninja turtle came big for France. The Score went from 2–0 to 2–2 in a minute. Game on. I was definitely expecting this kind of shit. God had to test us again. However, I soon got up from the sofa and stood with my knees bent. Crossing fingers. Up until Montiel’s final penalty, I continued to chant God’s name. Messi already had a goal. Once more, he took the lead until Mbappe equalized. If he had been right there in front of me, I would have k!lled him. But what a gifted individual! Same age as me. Different paths.
It turned out to be the greatest football game I’ve ever seen. We’re on the brink of penalties and Emi Martinez again went big. Saved Kolo Muani’s shot. Would’ve been possibly the last kick of the game, but it was all written in the stars. Argentina triumphed on penalties, with no mistake from the Argentines. It was the happiest day (rather a night) of my life. I was dancing all over. Hugged my grandmother. And then I went to the Pooja room to thank God for listening to me. That day, I decided, I would never be an atheist. There is God. God delivers justice to the people who deserve it.
Back to the result day!
The result was announced 3 days after the FIFA WC Final. So, I was not “That” happy with it. Because God had already given me a thing I wanted. Messi has finally won a WC. I was celebrating it for the whole week. Daily putting some WhatsApp status related to it.
I had got 99.66 percentiles and had just cleared the cut-off for VARC. Thank God. That’s why I was talking about Luck in Chapter 1. I had some calls with my friends regarding the results. One thing I remember is when one of my friends (F4) asked me about the exam results. I sent him a Messi picture kissing the WC trophy and captioned it “Our year”. It was indeed our year. After all those hardships, we both got what we wanted. 27th November (CAT day) was indeed a “D”-day.
But the battle was still not over.
Another Battle Awaits
The next stage in the process was the AWT-PI round after getting calls from the colleges. And I did get a call from IIMA.
The mail read as follows:
“I am happy to inform you that IIMA has shortlisted you for the Analytical Writing Test and Personal Interview (AWT-PI) stage of the PGP admissions….”
I was overwhelmed that day. At a particular point in time, nearly 3 months before it was all in the mud. No hope. No motivation. And today it was here in front of me to prove myself again.
Flashback:
When I was in 11th, in our first class, our English teacher asked us a question “What is life?” And I was the first to raise a hand. I don’t know how it came into my mind, but I wanted to answer that question. My answer was “Life is the opportunity to prove yourself.”
But I believe, I missed something there. To whom do we need to prove it? So, the right definition should be “Life is the opportunity to prove yourself to yourself.”
So, the time has come. I started preparing for interviews. Had sessions from my coaching. Watching current affairs on YouTube. Framing answers to common questions. I was ready. I was perfectly ready for my first official face-to-face interview. I only had some collegiate club offline interviews before and college placement interviews were all online. So, some pressure was there.
The City of Dreams
9th February 2023 9:30 p.m.
A night before the interview day, I and my elder brother started our journey toward the city of dreams. On a bus travels. Sleeper coach. I had visited Mumbai when I was in 5th standard. Had visited Gateway of India. Did some boating there. Then enjoyed some coconuts and danced on the waves on the well-known Juhu beach. It was a school trip. But this time, it was totally a different cause.
For the first hour, I was having a chat with my friends on Whatsapp while on the bus. The next hour, I was practicing some common HR questions that could be asked. And at the same time, I was discussing it with my brother. Then I decided to sleep at 11:00 p.m. But, was that going to happen? Of course not. I couldn’t sleep thinking about what will happen the next day. It is obvious. It happens almost to everyone going through the same situation. I had waited for this day for more than a year. So, this was going to happen. At least for some time. But then again, winter, and on top of that, a cool breeze came out of the small gap in the window shield and its outer frame, which was impossible to close, and the airstream hit directly my face. I was shivering even if I had a blanket. I had tried using the curtain to block the flow, but it came out of it again.
10th February 2023 3:00 a.m.
The date had changed on the calendar. And the same thing went on until 3:00 a.m., then I told my brother to switch sides. Finally, I got a good sleep. 4 hours. Not Enough on an interview day, but still it was a good nap. I feel sorry for my brother, who couldn’t sleep due to that cool breeze.
Getting Ready
We reached Andheri at 7:00 a.m. sharp. Mumbai. There It was. Finally. At last.
The first thing we needed to do was to find a place to rest. A dorm or lodge. Just after we were dropped off the bus, we started searching for it. I was checking on my phone. But we needed a rikshaw to reach some areas, where dorms are there.
The Rikshaw guys here were too friendly. One guy followed us for 5 minutes asking for us to seat, 10 times, even after we said “No” to him every time. Then he went away. Might’ve reached his asking limit. Pride, you know?
Then we got another one in the middle of the Chowk and we decided to take the lift. In Mumbai, they charge passengers based on distance. Rs. 23 for the first kilometer and keep adding 15 further for every next km. We asked at some places for the dorm, but they all were full. And that rikshaw guy let us travel on the same street twice. You get the reason, right? We were new in the city and maybe he got a perfect chance to start filling his account for the day.
Finally, after 25 minutes, we finally found a dormitory. Rs. 550 per person for a night was a good deal to be honest, compared to online ones, which were above 2000 per person. And we decide to stay there. We got the keys and went on to have some rest. It was already 8:00 on clock.
I thought I would take a rest for an hour. Wake up at 9:00 a.m. and read things before going out for the interview. It was 3 km away from the dorm. So, I woke up at 9:00 a.m. after some rest. Although, it wasn’t quite a good sleep, but needed some rest for my eyes. Then I went for a bath and started reading my notes on the 2023 budget and some trending current affairs. After finishing it, we decided to go to the interview place at 11:00 a.m. which was eventually scheduled at 1:15 p.m. No risks today. As the legend once said “Blikul Riks nai leneka.” I wore my suit. Slightly bluish in shade. The dark shade of turquoise (for pros). White shirt inside. Black boots. Red tie with blue stripes. Sprinkled the perfume all over the suit. Made my hair. Some talcum powder on the face. I was ready. At least from the outside. All set.
Poha in the Bar
We required a snack and some tea to reenergize us. Since we were unfamiliar with the area, it took us the next 20 minutes to find a hotel. After a while, I had to take the coat off since I had begun to sweat out. Street by street, we continued our stroll. After that, we found one and had tea there. We were still unable to find a breakfast shop. Then we made the decision to travel to the interview location and look for eateries there, if any.
We reached the venue. It was near the airport. You can hear the sound of flights taking off. This close. But, we were still hungry. Then, we found one restaurant and we went inside. And guess what it was? It was a bar. And we were placing “Poha” orders there. Are you kidding me? “Poha in the bar” I was laughing out loud inside. Who orders Poha in the bar? (I’ve never been to a bar before, but I know what people order there.) It took them 20 minutes to make Poha. Wow. It was served in a bowl. And it was enough to keep us energized until 4–5 p.m. I only finished the half bowl. I don’t eat to the full when I’m having any important event in my life like any exam, keeping it a little empty is always a good idea.
After finishing our meal, we requested the bill. The price was 315. GST alone was Rs. 15. Crazy. I thought, “I’d eat Rassa Pohe in my hometown for the same amount they took from us for GST alone.” I was giggling within. It was pricey. Definitely. A middle-class person will punch you in the face if you are asking 150 for a Poha.
Five-star Hotel
I went inside the hotel where my interview was scheduled after saying bye to my brother. First time in a five-star hotel. I was fascinated.
I went to the room they allotted for document verification. Approx. 20 students were already there before me. All students in suits. There was a very professional vibe throughout.
And… I hadn’t tied the tie. I got the suit a week ago, so practiced wearing it a few times, but it still wasn’t perfect. I went into the changing room and I had to take help from another guy who also was there for the same reason as mine. I thanked him for it. Then I looked in the mirror. Everything looked good, except my eyes. They were red. A bit scary. Maybe because of inadequate sleep. But, it was not the time to think about it. I moistened my fingers with water and softly rubbed my eyes. Coolant is needed for the machine, right? Then I came outside and took my seat.
Afterward, they divided us, 49 students into 7 groups, as a total of 7 panels were there to carry out the interviews. I was in the 2nd panel, 2nd in order. It meant I’ll be second in my group to go for the interview.
The panelists came and took us 7 towards the AWT (Analytical Writing Test) room. The panelists included a woman of the approximate age of 45 and a man in his mid-50s. Both faculties, I believe.
So, we had to attempt the test before the interview. We walked with them toward the AWT-PI room and they instructed us to seat on the chairs around a table. It was a small meeting room with a capacity of 10 people. Then, they handed out everyone a piece of paper with some printed on it, after instructing some rules. It was an essay writing test. 25 minutes. 300 words. The topic I thought about earlier should’ve been a one-liner. But it was whole a paragraph. I didn’t panic and started writing from the first minute till the last. I had mixed feelings about the test. I could’ve done better. Nonetheless, I had an interview to attempt after some time.
After we finished the test, the panelists instructed us to wait outside the room until they call us in. I was numbered second on the list, so I had to wait until the first person is finished. So, the first guy went in and we remaining 6 were waiting outside in the lobby. All 5 of them were from Metro cities like Mumbai and Pune and were speaking fluent English and there was me, who needed to translate every single sentence from Marathi to English. Small-town guy. Not so fluent. I talked very little with them. I just was listening most of the time. I didn’t see it as an inferiority complex but as an opportunity to prove myself again in tough conditions. Another challenge awaits. Of course, I had improved my vocabulary compared to a year ago, so I was confident enough to talk. Nonetheless, I was prepared enough to have a good conversation.
The first interview went on for 35 minutes, so I wanted to keep my nerves till then. I was fidgeting all time. Walking back and forth with a file in my hand. Taking deep breaths. Calming myself down.
Then after 35 minutes, the first guy came outside. The panelists took the next 2 minutes for the assessment. We all asked the guy coming out about his experience. He said that the panel was friendly and it went well for him. A huge relief for me, but still, you’ve to be ready for everything. They can ask anything under the sky. After all, they were faculties of IIMA.
My turn. The female panelist opened the door and asked me to come in.
Simulation
As I went in, it was all of a sudden, a different scenario. It felt like a simulation. Someone was controlling me and everything was automated. I didn’t even understand how those 25 minutes went by.
First of all, I greeted them and took my seat.
The first question was asked by the female panelist: “Are you tensed?”
My answer was: “No ma’am. I am calm.” (Confident answer, but I was a bit tensed there.)
And then the interview went on as I expected it to be. They told me to introduce myself and share my skills and interests. I answered them all well. Not the bang-on answers, but pretty well.
Rest of the interview, they asked me about my college projects and work experience. I had prepared it well, so I was able to answer them all. I barely stuttered during the whole interview. Also, don’t know how, I was equally looking at both the panelists while answering. On top of that, regular hand movements. I had never prepared like this. That’s why it felt like a simulation.
There was an incident in the initial few minutes where I started sweating, even if it was an air-conditioned room. The drop was sliding down from just above my forehead down to close to my left eye. In my past interviews when I was in college, the same situation had arrived and I would use my hands to avoid the drops from falling, or just scratch my forehead. It was a negative impression. This time I avoided it, telling myself, “Not today!”.
They questioned me if I had any final questions for them after the interview. However, I simply thanked them for the chance they had given me before leaving the room.
Alas! Done and dusted. I came out of the room and told the other students waiting outside about my interview experience. Wished them good luck and said goodbye. I had a Date with Fate that day!
A day full of challenges, but I enjoyed it. Then I left for home the same evening.
Again, I had to wait for the results. But before that, I had to attend other interviews too. I appeared for 5 interviews in the same month. In the same city. I would love to share those experiences too, but it would take another chapter to be added, so only keeping this one.
Mumbai was kind to me the whole time I was there. Helpful people. Traveling by local train. Crowd. Skyscrapers. Overall nice experience.
Final result day
“Don’t be surprised when you succeed in something after so long, not every day the luck works. Your efforts do count.”
The whole month of March and half of April I was chilling like a beast. Had left the job. No study. No Work. Like an unemployed king.
15th April 2023 5:00 p.m.
I was at home. I just woke up from a highly essential afternoon nap. Checked WhatsApp. There were many messages. I opened one of them. IIMA results were out. Some were saying they had got the mail from the institution. I checked my Gmail but didn’t see any. Heartbeats ++. I was searching for the link to check the result status. Finally found another group. Clicked it and filled in the credentials.
Pin-drop silence! It was the day. The day that would decide, what I’ll be doing the next year. Sit at home to study for the next attempt. Or into the galaxy of the top institute. I was ready for everything. If I hadn’t been selected, I would’ve started preparing for the next attempt the next moment.
But “It was written in the fate.” The exact same words I had written in the diary I bought a few months before my exam.
I can’t express those emotions here. It was a very emotional moment for me. I’m still feeling it while writing it. The dream once buried under ashes was flying high in the sky like a phoenix.
I went to take the blessings of God. And my parents. Then I put a few anonymous texts on my WhatsApp status. “God is the Greatest!” Few understood the reason behind it and some got to know about it later. I had won the biggest battle of my life till that day.
The same evening, I went to see my school. Because, one must not forget the place where they started from zero. I had my first speech there. My first act. My first steps towards where I am today. Schools are always close to the heart. It came out of nothing, I don’t know how, but I felt the urge to see my school.
Messi and I had got what we wanted the most. God was behind us. I owe my success to God. I owe it to my parents. To my family members. To my friends, who all were beside me in the toughest period of my life. They kept telling me, you’ll get what you wanted. Maybe God listened to them and not me. My heartful thanks to them. You guys are the best.
When I came back home after CAT (27th Nov), I had decided, I would go to Raigad. The capital of Marathas. Swarajyachi Raajdhani. The place where our king won everything and also took his last breath. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. I kept my promise and went to take his blessings. I was a bit emotional but controlled my feelings there. I was feeling recharged to the fullest. Ready for the next battle.
Thanos once said: “Dread it. Run from it. Destiny arrives all the same.”
And it was here. It was written in the stars!🙂
Ahmedabad calling!!!!!!
Thank you for reading till the very end. I hope you enjoyed it.
Your feedback is highly appreciated! It motivates me to write better and improve on other things.
Until the next article! Adios!
©Dhananjay Patil, 16 June 2023. All Rights Reserved.
