Timeline: Placement Drives

Maya's POV:

The sun beat down on the sprawling campus of Swami Vivekananda University, casting long shadows across the manicured lawns as students bustled to and fro, their faces alight with excitement and anticipation. It was placement season, a time of year that filled the air with nervous energy and boundless possibility.

I stood with my two closest friends, Riddhi and Rohan, our faces a mix of nerves and excitement as we awaited our turn to face the interview panel.

Memories of our college days flooded my mind — the late-night study sessions, the impromptu adventures, and the mischievous pranks we had played on unsuspecting classmates.

I couldn't help but feel a twinge of nostalgia for those carefree days when the biggest worry was whether we would pass our exams or not. But now as we stood on the brink of adulthood, the weight of responsibility hung heavy in the air, reminding us that the choices we made today would shape our futures for years to come.

The intercom crackled to life, announcing the arrival of the first company for interviews. My heart skipped a beat as I straightened my shoulders, steeling myself for the challenge ahead.

It was QuanDatum, one of the most prestigious firms in the industry and I knew that securing a job there would be a dream come true.

As we made our way to the interview room, excitement bubbled up inside me. This was it — the moment I had been waiting for, the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. And as I sat down to face the panel of stern-faced interviewers, I knew that I was ready to seize the opportunity with both hands.

The panel of interviewers sat across from me, their expressions unreadable as they scrutinized my every move. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves as I prepared to face their questions.

The lead interviewer, Gopal Shah, a stern-looking man with glasses perched on the edge of his nose, cleared his throat and began.

"Tell us a bit about yourself, Maya," he asked, his tone businesslike yet not unkind.

I straightened in my chair, summoning all the confidence I could muster. 

"Well, I recently graduated from Swami Vivekananda University with a degree in electrical engineering" I began, my voice steady despite the nervousness. "During my time there, I was involved in several extracurricular activities, including organizing tech fests and coding competitions."

The interviewer nodded, jotting down notes on his clipboard as he listened intently. "Impressive," he remarked, his lips curling into a faint smile. "Now, can you tell us about a challenging project you've worked on and how you overcame obstacles along the way?"

I leaned forward, eager to share my experiences. "Sure," I replied, my voice gaining momentum as I launched into the details of the Arduino based IOT project I had undertaken during my final year of college.

I spoke animatedly, my hands gesturing to emphasize key points as I recounted the highs and lows of infrared system for attendance management.

As I spoke, I could see the interest in the interviewers' eyes, their initial skepticism giving way to genuine curiosity.

"Thank you, Maya," he said, his tone warm and approving. "We'll be in touch with our decision soon."

I nodded, a sense of relief washing over me as I rose from my chair. "Thank you for the opportunity," I replied, my voice tinged with gratitude as I made my way out of the interview room.

I stepped into the hallway, a sense of pride swelling within me. I had done it — I had faced the interview head-on and emerged victorious. And as I walked out of the building, my head held high and a smile on my face, I knew that whatever the outcome, I had given it my all.

Hours later when the results were announced at the general room, I couldn't contain my excitement any longer.

"I got it!" I announced the news excitedly to Riddhi. "I got the job at QuanDatum!"

"That is so cool, Maya!" Riddhi exclaimed, "Your hard work finally did pay off. You had your eyes set on the company the moment you discovered it was coming. Congratulations Maya, we need a treat."

"Of course, Riddhi. Wouldn't have done it without you, either. Your help with the software part was the icing on cake. You're the best." I responded.

I remembered that she had given her interview at CodeSage for software technician.

"How did yours go?" I asked her, curious about her interview.

"The interview was definitely tough to pass through. There were so many questions," Riddhi ranted, "You won't believe how many dry run codes I had to run! But, ultimately I did get the job, so I am happy."

"You know what they say Riddh, the tougher the interview at the beginning, the better the job." I winked.

"You're right. Thanks for the pep talk. What about Rohan?" She asked.

We looked around and found him sitting at the corner of the room. We decided to walk up to him and ask about his job.

He looked sullen but wasn't entirely too devastated either.

"Hey, what happened to your job at PGCL?" I asked him cautiously.

"Not bad, Maya. I had to jump through a lot of hoops just to understand all those weird symbols on the paper but I was sweating like a waterfall at the interview. They were kind enough to give me the lineman job even though I was aiming for data analytics."

"Something's better than nothing, I guess" Riddhi sympathized with a smile.

"How did your interview go, jalebi?" Suresh asked me.

We were sitting at Ram cafe, sipping our tea and having fafda with it. The smell of other savories like gathiya, motichur laddu, and others filled the air as Ganesh Chaturthi was approaching.

The drums beat outside in symphony as different people brought their Ganesha home. They kept the statue at their home for a couple of days, celebrated with all colors, vigor and prayers before bidding farewell to him by giving him his final water bath, signaling the end of his visit. But, regardless of his physical presence, he always stayed in our hearts—helping us whenever we called out to him.

I let out a disapproving click at his nickname. I didn't like to be called any sweet names. It felt too odd.

Suresh chuckled as he waved the imaginary disapproval in the air off.

"What does it look like to you?" I teased with a smirk.

"You must've gotten it. I am sure. You're talented after all." he responded confidently.

"Why yes, I did." I grinned, "I passed with flying colors."

"I need a special treat then." Suresh teased.

I thought for a while and gave him a knowing smile. "I definitely know what to do."

The air was thick with the tantalizing aroma of spices and flavors. It was Ganesh Chaturthi, a time for celebration and feasting and our home was alive with the hustle and bustle of preparations.

In the kitchen, my mother, grandmother and I were hard at work, our hands moving deftly as we prepared an array of traditional Gujarati dishes. The sound of sizzling oil and the fragrance of freshly ground spices filled the air, mingling with the laughter and chatter of my family.

"Pass me the coriander, Maya," my mother called out, her hands expertly shaping the dough for the handvo. I nodded, reaching for the container and handing it to her with a smile.

"Everything smells delicious," I remarked, taking in the sight of the colorful array of ingredients spread out before us.

My grandmother chuckled, her eyes twinkling with pride. "It's all thanks to our family recipes, beta," she replied, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "There's nothing quite like the taste of home-cooked food."

Meanwhile, in the living room, my father was busy decorating. His artistic flair was evident in every detail. Streamers and balloons adorned the walls, and a colorful banner declaring Welcome to Maya's Party hung proudly above the door.

"Its looking great, dad" I called out, giving him a thumbs-up as I passed by with a tray of freshly made mango shrikhand.

He grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Thank dear," he replied, his voice filled with pride. "Just trying to make sure everything is perfect for your special day."

As the clock struck five, the first guests began to arrive, their laughter and chatter filling the air with excitement. I greeted them warmly, ushering them into our home and offering them refreshments.

"Hey Maya!" Riddhi exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she caught sight of me. "This place looks amazing!"

I smiled, feeling a surge of pride at her words. "Thanks Riddhi," I replied, leading her into the living room where Rohan and Suresh were already waiting.

"Hey guys!" I greeted them, my heart fluttering slightly as I caught sight of Suresh's handsome smile. "I'm so glad you could make it."

Riddhi raised an eyebrow, her gaze flicking between Suresh and me. "And who's this handsome fellow?"

I felt my cheeks flush as I struggled to come up with a response. "Oh, he's just a friend," I replied, my voice sounding unconvincing even to my own ears.

Rohan chuckled, nudging Suresh playfully. "Looks like Maya's got a secret admirer," he teased, earning a playful shove from me in return.

The evening went on in jovial celebrations. Everyone had gathered around the dining table, chit chatting about various things from job results to adulthood advice and the celebrations.

It felt heartwarming to be surrounded by friends and family whom I loved and cherished. It felt safe and warm, a feeling that always seemed fleeting but at this moment and time, it was here and I was going to cherish every last bit of it.

Suresh was the last one to leave and he called me outside to talk to me. I asked him to wait as I went to grab something from the freezer.

My parents passed me a puzzled look as I carried the box from the freezer outside the doors. I anxiously explained them that it was part of a bet that if I got the job, I would give him this present. They seemed convinced but I could see their skepticism lurking underneath.

I tried my best to not myself seem too hideous and tip toed my way outside where he was waiting for me.

His gaze was fixated on something on the floor. His hat covered most of his facial expressions and I could sense my heart pounding in my chest.

Don't be so shy, Maya.

I consoled myself but nothing seemed to underscore the butterflies fluttering through me.

What was this nervousness I had never felt before?

I approached him and tapped him on his shoulders. He looked up and met my gaze, the reflection from light sparkling his eyes.

I wanted to hold him but I remembered what I had came to give him. I handed him the box and he looked at it curiously, trying to guess its contents. I nudged him to open it, he obliged, revealing his favorite chocolate kulfi.

"You really made it special, huh?" Suresh asked with a grin.

A blush crept up my cheeks but I managed to answer him, "A deal's a deal, after all."

"Thanks Maya." he said softly, "Everything was amazing about this evening, including you."

I smiled earnestly at him. He smiled in return, warming me like the celebratory lights around us.

I mustered up some courage and asked him the question I wanted to ask for so long, "So, when can I kidnap you again, Mr. Hostage?"

"Whenever you wish, My Villainess."

I approached the imposing gates of my new office building with a sense of anticipation mingled with apprehension welled up inside me. The building stood tall and imposing, its aged facade hinting at decades of history and stories untold. Barbed wires adorned the surrounding walls, adding an air of mystery and intrigue to the scene.

Dressed in a crisp blue suit, white shirt, and black pants, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of uncertainty as I stepped through the entrance.

What awaited me inside this seemingly abandoned building? Would it be as daunting as it appeared from the outside?

My fears were quickly dispelled as I was greeted warmly by my new coworkers, their smiles putting me at ease.

My boss, Mr. Patel, welcomed me with a firm handshake and words of encouragement, reassuring me that I had made the right choice in joining the team.

The hum of office chatter filled the air, mingling with the sound of keyboards clicking and phones ringing.

I busied myself with paperwork, trying to focus on the task at hand and push aside any lingering doubts.

When I finally checked my employee ID, a surge of excitement coursed through me.

1432—My favorite number.

It felt like a sign, a symbol of reassurance that I was exactly where I was meant to be.

I pinned the ID badge to my lapel and couldn't help but smile as a feeling of sense of belonging wash over me. I knew that this was the beginning of an exciting new chapter in my life and I couldn't wait to see where it would take me—for better or for worse.

❛It is difficult, indeed, to define, or even to describe, my real feelings toward him. They formed a motley and heterogeneous admixture;—some petulant animosity, which was not yet hatred, some esteem, more respect, much fear, with a world of uneasy curiosity.❜
— Edgar Allan Poe

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Word Glossary:

fafda- a savory snack made of gram flour

gathiya- similar to fafda, but different shape
motichur laddu- a sweet made of gran flour, sugar and other ingredients

ganesh/ganesha- name of one of the lords worshipped by Hindus

handvo- made with fermented rice and lentil batter, filled with vegetables, hot chili and tempered spices

shrikhand- a thick creamy and delicious Indian dessert made with strained yogurt, powdered sugar, cardamoms and sometimes saffron & nuts.

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Idk what's with me and long chapters these days, but hey its coming, and that's what matters xDD

I had so much fun writing this chapter and there's so readers shipping Suresh and Maya. I get to tease and keep things playful while they are living their swoon worthy romance. Ah, my hopeless romantic heart XD

Hope you enjoyed this chapter, and the next chapter, we're finally seeing the long missed trio - JAY, KARAN AND ARAV!! It truly has been so long since they made an appearance. Its about time that they were back.

We're more than half-way through our story, and within a few less or more chapters, we'd see how things come together and how it truly goes. This is the first draft and to avoid legal  and ethical consequences from both Wattpad as well as publishing team if this book gets out there, I would edit a lot of the explicit things and keep things more subtle – you know where.

So, here's to Maya and Suresh, let's meet our trio very soon :D

Cheers,
Sara <3