Passing the Campus

A boy, studying in a premier college, was getting ready for campus interviews. He had studied well, got decent grades, and groomed himself for interviews as best as he could. He thought himself well prepared for campus placement.

Then the bullet train of companies came to the campus. He tried his best to jump into one of the coaches to grab a coveted seat. He huffed and puffed to push through the doors already crowded with other fellow students. He managed to get into one of the last coaches.

With hopes in his heart, the boy landed in a far-off city for final selection in its Head Office. The HO was swanky and sophisticated. He thought about his dream finally coming true.

The HO had other plans than the regional office that had selected the boy. Rejected and dejected, he returned home. But he kept on trying, visiting frequently the college placement office for another chance. Alas, the slots for the last set of shortlisted interviews were already filled. “I don’t have any open slot for you” the placement officer proclaimed. “Try outside” suggested his parents. The boy thought “It’s a huge unknown ocean. I don’t know how to navigate.”

Nevertheless, he kept himself busy with the grooming. He worked on perfecting his English, revisited all the books and notes to brush up on his knowledge, and kept knocking at the placement office door.

Suddenly one fine day, he got a call from the officer. “There is one slot,” said the officer “– it is not available right now, but may get vacant if one shortlisted guy accepts another offer. So it is just a backup”. The boy got all charged up and prepared himself harder. On the day of the selection, he was the first person to arrive and meet the officer. The officer shared the unpleasant news “The other guy is appearing for this and if he or someone else doesn’t turn up, then you have a thin chance.” So he waited. One by one all the shortlisted students arrived. Still, he waited. The selection process started. And then it ended… and then he got a call. It seems the selectors didn’t find any of the candidates suitable. The officer convinced them to look at one more person. So, the boy was allowed to be interviewed. Trembled and slightly afraid the boy entered the den. After the brief initial exchange of greetings, the interviewer quickly placed a big sheet of flow chart in front of him. They asked him to explain the chart. The nervous boy looked into the sheet and started to figure it out. His earlier preparation helped. One after another he was able to explain the things. His stammering voice got better, he became confident as the interviewers got more and more interested. Finally, the gentleman at the center stood up and shook his hand. “You are selected…” Tears started rolling down from his eyes. He felt embarrassed. But, the people sitting opposite the table comforted him.

The boy got the offer letter. He was told to visit the company office after one month for the appointment letter and complete the formalities for joining. He was happy. His family was happy. The whole month passed quite fast.

Then came the day of his scheduled visit to the new company office to collect the appointment letter. As he waited at the reception to get the appointment letter, it was getting unusually long. Finally, the receptionist shared in a soft voice “The person who selected you on the campus got transferred and the position is no longer available.” “What a bolt from the blue!” He could feel the floor beneath his feet sinking and the ceiling above falling to crush him. He sat back on the soft sofa at the reception to hold his emotions. The campus selection season had already ended. He had already told his friends and acquaintances about his new job. He remembered the happy faces of his parents. “How I will face them?” He felt hopeless. And devastated…

But he gathered himself. He asked the receptionist if he could meet the new manager. She reluctantly accepted and took the boy to the manager’s cabin. The manager spoke to him politely. But, at the same time, he also conveyed to him clearly that he could not appoint him “Because the earlier manager did not get approval for the position.” The boy asked if he could meet the earlier manager somehow. The new manager gave the address of the office where the earlier manager was transferred.

The boy didn’t waste time. He immediately traveled to the new office. It was already getting dark when he arrived in the new office. Hoping against hope, he checked with the receptionist and got information that the manager though in the office- was busy with an important meeting. “Come another day”, he said in a hurry, packed his bag, and left for the day. The boy decided to wait. It got darker and most of the people left one after another. He felt lonely… Suddenly, the man came out, and he saw the boy waiting. After slight hesitation and introduction, he could recognize him. He heard the whole story from the unfortunate boy. He assured him of support and promised to help. Then he left.

The boy came home tired, to live for another day.

One day, while he was busy with his study he got a letter from the postman. The letter had a logo of the company he could instantly connect. ?With a tentative mind, he opened it, and voila! Here it is.

On the top of the unfolded and crisp white surface written in bold “APPOINTMENT LETTER”.