You've gotta be kidding me!!

(note:The following blog post also got published in my college's newspaper,The Oracle-Gargi College)

Today was her first job interview since she had quit a year ago to take care of the baby. Nothing could go wrong today, she was sure of it.Except, of course Delhi traffic. “Oh no! Not again.Dammit!”She clicked her tongue and slammed on the brakes as another mile-long traffic jam greeted her.

15 minutes  later, she heaved a sigh of relief and the weathered tyres of her  12 year old Esteem spring into motion.Now,after a year of being a housewife, she was awfully nervous about the interview. A friend had gotten her this job appointment, and it was a lot of pressure to handle.

“Take a deep breath. You can handle this, Nandini.Compose yourself.”She told herself as she walked on the smooth, marbled floor of the Crystal Hotel. She went up to the reception and told the receptionist about her appointment. “This way please, madam” She was ushered into the waiting lounge. Somewhere on the way, she stopped in her tracks. There he was, Sam Malhotra, still as good looking as the day they had first met at a friend’s party 5 years ago. They had dated for a few months and then he’d dumped her just when things were going so well between them. “Nandini, is that you?”He said and walked over to her. Still had that roguish grin on his face, but it failed to inspire the same emotions in her now. “It is you! How the hell have you been?”He said as he enveloped her in a bear hug. “I’m good, great actually! How are you? Listen I’ve got an interview here. I’ll talk to you later” She said and rushed off. The anger was coming back. She mustn’t let that happen. Deep breath. She went into the room. Ten minutes later she walked out of the room. She was hired and happy.

Sam was waiting outside. “Sam I have to get back home. My baby’s waiting for me” she said. “Nandi, I know you’re avoiding me. I know I was wrong. I know you didn’t get closure. I know and I’m sorry, but I just couldn’t be with you any longer. I couldn’t fool you. Nandi; I’d like you to meet my fiancée”

She turned around expecting to see a beautiful slim girl, someone way prettier than her. Instead she saw-the guy who’d just taken her interview, beaming at her. “Oh, you have got to be kidding me! You’re gay?”She turned to face Sam. “Yes, Nandi .I’m sorry” He said simply. “Ok.I’ve got to get home now” She mustered.

Later, in the evening, Dhruv got home and asked her,”Hey, how was your interview? Must have been great, you look thrilled” “You have NO IDEA!” was all she could say.