Term I
a) Financial Accounting in Decision Making: Accounting Shenanigans
b) Statistical Methods for Management Decisions: 95% Confidence Interval doesn't always translate to 95% confidence
c) Managerial Economics:Me in your shoes, you in mine!
d) Marketing Management:Restaurant menu can be engineered
Term II
a) Global Economics: The group in minority is the most vocal
b) Decision Models and Optimisation:One can by-pass probability through expectation
c) Competitive Strategy: Strategy works best ex-post
d)Marketing Decision Making: Mark-Strat (sigh!)
Term III
a) Corporate Finance: Arbitrage is a myth
b)Operations Management: An hour saved at a non-bottleneck is a mirage
c) Managerial Accounting and Decision Making: Cost, cost and cost
d)Entrepreneurship: You can chose any profession but nothing beats the thrill of entrepreneurship
Term IV
a)Investment Analysis: It is very difficult to make money in the market
b)Strategic Analysis of Information Technology:Sleeping with eyes wide open
c)Government, Society and Business: Per capita income is not the best measure of human development
d)Management of Organisations: You can fool some of the people all of the time and all the people some of the time
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
The Dharma of Business
I was 9 at that time, very keen to start my own library. And so I did. I with two of my closest friend on the 1st Monday of May set up our very own library. Everyone was invited, all they needed to pay was an entrance fee of Rs 5/= if they didn’t rent a book, and Rs 2/= if they rented any book. As we started making money we got more and more creative. More money followed. The neighborhood guy Abhay, kept a close watch. Within a week, we were staring at his library, far fancy, and much superior. And then one day we lost everything. Just like that, our dreams shattered. The reason: Water from somewhere destroyed all our books. Five days later we came to know through some internal sources that, it was Abhay’s idea. We were heartbroken and seething with anger, we wanted justice but we had no proof. It was then that my teacher gave me the biggest lesson of my life: At the end of the day you have to do your duty, and if someone comes in between you and your duty, you deal with it through Chanakya’s four principles of Saam (Equality), Daam (Enticement), Dand (Punishment/ war), Bhed (sowing dissension). The dharma of our business was at that time to preserve its existence, in whatever way it could.
I look at a business as an end in itself. We all are cogs in that intricate machinery. Our purpose is to keep it running, because it in a big way defines who we are as owners. It gives us everything, food, clothes and a roof. If anything poses any risk to it, we should defend it. It’s a scary world we’re living in. A world where one can trust no one but oneself, the biggest dharma of our business is to keep itself running and protect itself from the world. In an ideal world everyone would play by the rule and there would be no need to play hard. But this is the real world where and I quote “you either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become a villain”. The world at some point was fair and then somewhere something went wrong, terribly wrong. And then this ugliness spread until the root of corruption entangled everyone and everything. We are at a point of no return, the only way to fight is to fight hard and fight rough. So I believe it’s ok to undercut if the survival of the business is at stake. In the context of a business it’s nothing more than a creative intervention. There is always someone waiting for you to give them the first chance to destroy you. To fight them you have to think like them. That’s the only way, and that the only right ‘wrong’ way!
I look at a business as an end in itself. We all are cogs in that intricate machinery. Our purpose is to keep it running, because it in a big way defines who we are as owners. It gives us everything, food, clothes and a roof. If anything poses any risk to it, we should defend it. It’s a scary world we’re living in. A world where one can trust no one but oneself, the biggest dharma of our business is to keep itself running and protect itself from the world. In an ideal world everyone would play by the rule and there would be no need to play hard. But this is the real world where and I quote “you either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become a villain”. The world at some point was fair and then somewhere something went wrong, terribly wrong. And then this ugliness spread until the root of corruption entangled everyone and everything. We are at a point of no return, the only way to fight is to fight hard and fight rough. So I believe it’s ok to undercut if the survival of the business is at stake. In the context of a business it’s nothing more than a creative intervention. There is always someone waiting for you to give them the first chance to destroy you. To fight them you have to think like them. That’s the only way, and that the only right ‘wrong’ way!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
A marathon called life!
It was during my last few days at IIT, I was sitting atop OAT wall with two of my closest friends, Piyush and Bhan. We were fretting about how are lives were doomed to the point of no return and how there seemed no tomorrow. We had screwed CAT, the job prospects seemed bleak and our personal lives weren't going anywhere. It was then in a moment of truth Bhan mentioned "Yaar the life is a marathon where we'll live for at least 80 years. So what we've started slow. The track is too long and we can cover up". The argument seemed good but it didn't change my mood. I was still reeling in shock. My great dream was shattered and it didn't feel too good. Three years I struggled with my condition and finally now I understand what he meant. Life and its wondrous uncertainty is humbling and we can never know what it has in store for us. Luck is dynamic and it explains more variance in success that we in our moment of hubris attribute it to. I now appreciate every word of the the statement and am much more satisfied. Still a long way to go!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Five months at ISB: My takeaways
1) Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize
2) Academics is not the be all and end all of an MBA but can be fun nevertheless
3) It is very important to enjoy what you're doing without any regrets. Any regret that you may have is irrelevant. So if you attended the Co2008 Lounge Party over a CorpFin assignment, it was probably worth it. After all you can't put value to an hour of unadulterated fun.
4)Don't take tangible outputs such as Grades, Projects etc too seriously. Try and have fun, the result may surprise you
5)Try and enjoy the process, have tremendous expectation from the process, not from the result. If you have done something to the best of your abilities, pat yourself, it's then that the result doesn't matter.
6)There is a lot of luck that separates an A(-) from an A.It's important you don't give over importance or feel dejected just because you didn't max it.
7)Know why you came here. This should help you to be focussed
8)Look at your study-group mates as friends. Be responsible to your group. Invest in the relationship. I've had the good fortune of having a ball with my study group. Don't let your assignment grades be any indicator of the camaraderie you share.
9)As our GSB Prof would say per capita income is not really the best indicator of human development, so make sure you choose a job that best fits with your vision of your life. McKinsey is good but is it really for you?
10) Finally appreciate your time here, it is running faster than you think. And we know we'll miss it!
2) Academics is not the be all and end all of an MBA but can be fun nevertheless
3) It is very important to enjoy what you're doing without any regrets. Any regret that you may have is irrelevant. So if you attended the Co2008 Lounge Party over a CorpFin assignment, it was probably worth it. After all you can't put value to an hour of unadulterated fun.
4)Don't take tangible outputs such as Grades, Projects etc too seriously. Try and have fun, the result may surprise you
5)Try and enjoy the process, have tremendous expectation from the process, not from the result. If you have done something to the best of your abilities, pat yourself, it's then that the result doesn't matter.
6)There is a lot of luck that separates an A(-) from an A.It's important you don't give over importance or feel dejected just because you didn't max it.
7)Know why you came here. This should help you to be focussed
8)Look at your study-group mates as friends. Be responsible to your group. Invest in the relationship. I've had the good fortune of having a ball with my study group. Don't let your assignment grades be any indicator of the camaraderie you share.
9)As our GSB Prof would say per capita income is not really the best indicator of human development, so make sure you choose a job that best fits with your vision of your life. McKinsey is good but is it really for you?
10) Finally appreciate your time here, it is running faster than you think. And we know we'll miss it!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Bandhan-2009
As I walked back to my room from the AC2 Lawns, I closed my eyes. “Let me imagine a world without vision”, I spoke out loud. Ten steps into the 200 meter walk I fell. The shrubs gently pierced my skin, and a small drop of blood oozed out. But I was determined, I didn’t let go. It was an important lesson I wanted myself to learn. And so I got up. Pictures started to flash in front of me: Potatoes, brush and onions. I choked-I could clearly see the children and their eyes. And suddenly I was in my Corporate Finance class, studying Miller and Modigliani Irrelevance Proposition. For the first time I could relate to the theory. In a perfect world, the distribution of wealth would not matter. We would all be happy in our own world. We would be clapping our hands, whenever we felt happy, we would share our joys. We would shed tears. But this is not a perfect world the MM Irrelevance did not apply here.
Suddenly I hit the wall, I opened my eyes for the first time in 10 minutes, I was nowhere close to where I expected. My head felt several notches heavier. I felt the need to go back. I had to see the children again. I wanted to tell them, how they make me realize what a petty man I’ve been. They make me want to scream; to every friend of mine who I’ve seen getting depressed on not getting an A, or not getting an ELP. But I couldn’t muster the courage; I couldn’t look eye to eye. How I admired each and every volunteer, who could ‘share a smile’; for I couldn’t. May be all I can do is Accounting, and feel happy every time I do it well.
I closed my eyes again. I knew where my steps will take me. I tripped on something. It was a potato. A few kids clapped. I felt lighter. I opened my eyes; I was in the lawns again. I was ready to play. I was ready to 'share a smile'!
Suddenly I hit the wall, I opened my eyes for the first time in 10 minutes, I was nowhere close to where I expected. My head felt several notches heavier. I felt the need to go back. I had to see the children again. I wanted to tell them, how they make me realize what a petty man I’ve been. They make me want to scream; to every friend of mine who I’ve seen getting depressed on not getting an A, or not getting an ELP. But I couldn’t muster the courage; I couldn’t look eye to eye. How I admired each and every volunteer, who could ‘share a smile’; for I couldn’t. May be all I can do is Accounting, and feel happy every time I do it well.
I closed my eyes again. I knew where my steps will take me. I tripped on something. It was a potato. A few kids clapped. I felt lighter. I opened my eyes; I was in the lawns again. I was ready to play. I was ready to 'share a smile'!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Random Ramblings – Honest to God
Scene: Barista-5 minutes later
Yash: Ok Nikhil, I’ll fill in the details later. I think she is coming
Nikhil: I’ll be waiting!
Hangs up the phone
Shivangi: Hey I am back, whom were you talking to, your friend; told him we kissed?
Yash: Heyyy you’re back, no,,umm, you crazy..wwhy would I call my friend. My mom called…
Shivangi: Just joking Yash, I just want to apologize for my action. I know you must have judged me and you have full right to do so…
Yash: Relax Shivangi-I didn’t judge you. Here’s your cappuccino.
Shivangi: Thanks. Hey do you want to play a game, it’ll be fun.
Yash: C’mmon ya, we’re too grown up to play games. Tell me what you think of the current economic crisis.
Shivangi: I think that I don’t care. Please let’s play, I promise we’ll stop the moment you feel bored.
Yash: Ok, what is it about?
Shivangi: Oh, nothing, for the next 30 minutes, we’ll answer questions. But there’s a twist. We’ll only be speaking the truth. And before you ask, we are morally bound not to get hurt by whatever we hear, and NO judging
Yash: What, this is crazy. This is like the truth and dare only lesser people, and no dares. And by the way I always speak the truth.
Shivangi: This was your first and the last lie for the next 30 minutes. Let’s start
Yash (to himself): This is crazy.
Oh c’mon….. (Pauses) Ok let’s play
Shivangi: Were you talking to your mom earlier?
Yash: Of-course….(Pauses) No, it was a friend
Shivangi: Did you tell him we kissed
Yash: Yes
Shivangi: Awesome that was brave.
Yash: Did you tell anyone that we kissed.
Shivangi: No
Yash: Do you have a boy-friend or you made one up
Shivangi: I made one up.
Yash: Did you get fired?
Shivangi: No I didn’t
Yash (a little angered): Was I chosen to be called for the next round.
Shivangi: Yes. Are you mad at me?
Yash: Yes. Are you attracted to me?
Shivangi: Yes. Are you enjoying the game?
Yash: Hell yes! Is this meeting planned?
Shivangi: as in?
Yash: As in, did you purposely get down with me?
Shivangi: Yes
Yash: Do you like me?
Shivangi: No.
Yash: Wait you told me earlier that you were attracted to me and now you tell me that you don’t like me?
Shivangi: Do you like every girl you are attracted to?
Yash: No
Shivangi: Do you like me?
Yash: No, I love you.
Long Pause
Yash: Does this change anything?
Shivangi: No. Is anything what you told me about your childhood true?
Yash: Yes, a part of it
Shivangi: Which part?
Yash: That I dated three girls at a time. Wait no even that is not true, I dated four at a time.
Yash: Why did you kiss me?
Shivangi: We’re supposed to answer in Yes or No. So this doesn’t qualify as a question.
Yash: Ok did you kiss me out a sense of pity?
Shivangi: No, I really don’t know why I did it.
Yash: Do you want to sleep with me?
Shivangi: No, Do you?
Yash: Yes, Will you walk off now?
Shivangi: No. Will you judge me if I didn’t?
Yash: Yes. Ok please answer this and it cannot be in a yes or a no. Why are you sitting with me? It kills me, I don’t understand. You don’t like me; you are smart, intelligent and funny. You can get any guy. Why me?
Shivangi: See this is not the first time I am talking to you, and the reason I am talking to you is the same as always. I have nothing better to do. Anyway I guess now that the half an hour is over, I better get going. Have to attend a meeting. Have to help a company to increase its productivity.
Yash: You are a bitch.
Shivangi: I know. Here’s my card. Will see you soon.
Yash: Never (Tears the card in two)
Shivangi: Anyway bye!
Women exits
Bang bang, he shot me down
Bang bang, I hit the ground
Bang bang, that awful sound
Bang bang, my baby shot me down.
Yash: Hello
Nikhil: Hey man, it’s Nikhil, tell me what happened. Are you guys making out or something?
Yash hangs up, picks up the torn card and walks off
Nikhil: Bastard didn’t even answer. He always does this when he is with some girl. Lucky bastard.
Exuent!
Yash: Ok Nikhil, I’ll fill in the details later. I think she is coming
Nikhil: I’ll be waiting!
Hangs up the phone
Shivangi: Hey I am back, whom were you talking to, your friend; told him we kissed?
Yash: Heyyy you’re back, no,,umm, you crazy..wwhy would I call my friend. My mom called…
Shivangi: Just joking Yash, I just want to apologize for my action. I know you must have judged me and you have full right to do so…
Yash: Relax Shivangi-I didn’t judge you. Here’s your cappuccino.
Shivangi: Thanks. Hey do you want to play a game, it’ll be fun.
Yash: C’mmon ya, we’re too grown up to play games. Tell me what you think of the current economic crisis.
Shivangi: I think that I don’t care. Please let’s play, I promise we’ll stop the moment you feel bored.
Yash: Ok, what is it about?
Shivangi: Oh, nothing, for the next 30 minutes, we’ll answer questions. But there’s a twist. We’ll only be speaking the truth. And before you ask, we are morally bound not to get hurt by whatever we hear, and NO judging
Yash: What, this is crazy. This is like the truth and dare only lesser people, and no dares. And by the way I always speak the truth.
Shivangi: This was your first and the last lie for the next 30 minutes. Let’s start
Yash (to himself): This is crazy.
Oh c’mon….. (Pauses) Ok let’s play
Shivangi: Were you talking to your mom earlier?
Yash: Of-course….(Pauses) No, it was a friend
Shivangi: Did you tell him we kissed
Yash: Yes
Shivangi: Awesome that was brave.
Yash: Did you tell anyone that we kissed.
Shivangi: No
Yash: Do you have a boy-friend or you made one up
Shivangi: I made one up.
Yash: Did you get fired?
Shivangi: No I didn’t
Yash (a little angered): Was I chosen to be called for the next round.
Shivangi: Yes. Are you mad at me?
Yash: Yes. Are you attracted to me?
Shivangi: Yes. Are you enjoying the game?
Yash: Hell yes! Is this meeting planned?
Shivangi: as in?
Yash: As in, did you purposely get down with me?
Shivangi: Yes
Yash: Do you like me?
Shivangi: No.
Yash: Wait you told me earlier that you were attracted to me and now you tell me that you don’t like me?
Shivangi: Do you like every girl you are attracted to?
Yash: No
Shivangi: Do you like me?
Yash: No, I love you.
Long Pause
Yash: Does this change anything?
Shivangi: No. Is anything what you told me about your childhood true?
Yash: Yes, a part of it
Shivangi: Which part?
Yash: That I dated three girls at a time. Wait no even that is not true, I dated four at a time.
Yash: Why did you kiss me?
Shivangi: We’re supposed to answer in Yes or No. So this doesn’t qualify as a question.
Yash: Ok did you kiss me out a sense of pity?
Shivangi: No, I really don’t know why I did it.
Yash: Do you want to sleep with me?
Shivangi: No, Do you?
Yash: Yes, Will you walk off now?
Shivangi: No. Will you judge me if I didn’t?
Yash: Yes. Ok please answer this and it cannot be in a yes or a no. Why are you sitting with me? It kills me, I don’t understand. You don’t like me; you are smart, intelligent and funny. You can get any guy. Why me?
Shivangi: See this is not the first time I am talking to you, and the reason I am talking to you is the same as always. I have nothing better to do. Anyway I guess now that the half an hour is over, I better get going. Have to attend a meeting. Have to help a company to increase its productivity.
Yash: You are a bitch.
Shivangi: I know. Here’s my card. Will see you soon.
Yash: Never (Tears the card in two)
Shivangi: Anyway bye!
Women exits
Bang bang, he shot me down
Bang bang, I hit the ground
Bang bang, that awful sound
Bang bang, my baby shot me down.
Yash: Hello
Nikhil: Hey man, it’s Nikhil, tell me what happened. Are you guys making out or something?
Yash hangs up, picks up the torn card and walks off
Nikhil: Bastard didn’t even answer. He always does this when he is with some girl. Lucky bastard.
Exuent!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Random Ramblings Part 3
Time: 2 weeks after Part 2
Scene: Jet Airways Flight No. 9W334, Delhi to Mumbai
Shivangi walks towards her seat. Suddenly she stops!
Shivangi (surprised and some what happy): Hi Yash, What are you doing here?
Yash: Shivangi!!!Ah! It’s you again. Well after you rejected my application, I am job hunting. You know interviewing for people who have to potential to recognize talent when it comes before them. I can’t believe you never even gave me another chance. By the way, how come you are sitting next to mere mortals like us? Where’s your business class seat?
Shivangi (sitting quietly): Never mind Yash.
(Behind)Passengers are requested to fasten their seat belts
5 minutes later
Yash: Why would you do this Shivangi, why?
Shivangi doesn’t answer
Yash (shouting): I am talking to you
Shivangi: Yash, you have caught me on my bad day. Please I cannot talk right now. Please, you can scream at me later
A tear trickles down her face
Yash (softens): Hey, don’t cry. What happened?
Shivangi: Nothing, really nothing
Yash: Shivangi, I am sorry. I realize I was terrible that day. No-one would have hired me. I would have not hired myself. Please sorry. Tell me what happened. I am not upset any more. In fact I am not job hunting, I already got placed with one of your competitors.
Shivangi: Not anymore!
Yash: What do you mean?
Shivangi: I got fired.
Yash: Whatttttt? Why, how, when?? Why would they do that?
Shivangi: That’s the way it is Yash. It happened the same day I interviewed you.
Yash: But what was the reason?
Shivangi: Let it be Yash. There is no point.
Yash: Listen Shivangi, it’s ok. I’ll forward your resume to my managers. Don’t worry it’s a matter of a few days.
Shivangi: That’s not the only thing Yash. My boyfriend of 5 years moved out today.
Yash: Boyfriend…moved out…as in?
Shivangi: I was living in with my boyfriend for the past 2 years and we had a break up in the morning
Yash: I am so sorry ya. What happened? Why did he do that?
Shivangi: Oh, it’s just that his mother of 30 years didn’t approve of me.
Yash: So? He just left? He didn’t try to explain it to her?
Shivangi: No he didn’t. In fact he blamed me for meeting up with his mom in jeans; and wearing no make-up; something which she judged me on
Yash: Wow! A horrible day. It’s going to be ok. He’ll repent it. I am telling you. By the way where are you going right now? I mean, do you have some work or something?
Shivangi: I don’t know Yash, I don’t know. Anyway, just so that you know, you were chosen to be called for another round, but then suddenly we were told not to hire anyone and cancel all the appointments. So…..
Yash: I am so sorry. I don’t know what to say.
Shivangi: Then don’t…..!
Yash: Shivangi, I know this is not a good time. But I think you should try and forget everything right now. Let’s go for coffee once we land. I’m sure you’ll feel better
Shivangi: Thanks Yash, but I don’t feel like doing anything really
Yash: Please I insist.
Shivangi: Fine, but (laughs) you’ll pay
Yash: Sure!
45 minutes later, Barista
Yash: There you go Shivangi, your cappuccino
Shivangi: Yash, I am sorry I judged you. You are a nice guy. Really. But why are you like this. Why this need to show your ugly side.
Yash: You know Shivangi, I had a terrible childhood. We were a middle-class family and my father could not afford me the luxuries that children in my society enjoyed. Besides I was quite fat and ugly, with pimples on my face. To top it, I had a running nose. Everyone hated me. No one wanted me. Children used to laugh at me, at my running nose. And thus grew a need in me to be accepted, to be loved. As I grew up, I realized that the world only respects success. If you are successful, you could be arrogant; you could scream at people; you could be an ass ho@# but you could still get people to love you. I learnt this and this became the truth of my life. As I grew up things started to get better, my father got a big promotion and my mom’s boutique started to get more and more customers. We moved to a big house. Meanwhile I saw the attitude of people changing towards me. Guys who never even looked at me offered me their lunch. Girls suddenly wanted me to take them out for coffee.It was then I thought of taking it out on everyone. The girls were my prop. I dated three at a time, breaking hearts; breaking trust; breaking faith. No one ever complained. I was the most famous guy in the college. It is ironic how even though I kept changing for the worse but still I was loved more than ever.
(Long silence)
It’s true Shivangi, the world only respects your chair. It only respects your face not your soul. This world is ugly. It’s not even worth living…….The world needs a person who can rule; they don’t like the people who are meek, who are helpless. Everyone wants an enabler, a prop. The day we are deemed not good enough to be either we are dumped.
(Long silence)
Wow, I think I have shared too much. I am sorry
Shivangi (with tears in her eyes): It’s ok Yash. It’s ok
Leans forward and kisses Yash on his lips.
Yash: wwwhyy?
Shivangi: I don’t know..I really don’t! Anyway I’ll just come back in a moment. Please order another cappuccino for me.
Yash: Sure!
Shivangi exits
Yash takes out his phone, and dials a 10 digit number.
Yash: Hello, Nikhil; I kissed her
Nikhil: Bingo!!!
Exuent!
Scene: Jet Airways Flight No. 9W334, Delhi to Mumbai
Shivangi walks towards her seat. Suddenly she stops!
Shivangi (surprised and some what happy): Hi Yash, What are you doing here?
Yash: Shivangi!!!Ah! It’s you again. Well after you rejected my application, I am job hunting. You know interviewing for people who have to potential to recognize talent when it comes before them. I can’t believe you never even gave me another chance. By the way, how come you are sitting next to mere mortals like us? Where’s your business class seat?
Shivangi (sitting quietly): Never mind Yash.
(Behind)Passengers are requested to fasten their seat belts
5 minutes later
Yash: Why would you do this Shivangi, why?
Shivangi doesn’t answer
Yash (shouting): I am talking to you
Shivangi: Yash, you have caught me on my bad day. Please I cannot talk right now. Please, you can scream at me later
A tear trickles down her face
Yash (softens): Hey, don’t cry. What happened?
Shivangi: Nothing, really nothing
Yash: Shivangi, I am sorry. I realize I was terrible that day. No-one would have hired me. I would have not hired myself. Please sorry. Tell me what happened. I am not upset any more. In fact I am not job hunting, I already got placed with one of your competitors.
Shivangi: Not anymore!
Yash: What do you mean?
Shivangi: I got fired.
Yash: Whatttttt? Why, how, when?? Why would they do that?
Shivangi: That’s the way it is Yash. It happened the same day I interviewed you.
Yash: But what was the reason?
Shivangi: Let it be Yash. There is no point.
Yash: Listen Shivangi, it’s ok. I’ll forward your resume to my managers. Don’t worry it’s a matter of a few days.
Shivangi: That’s not the only thing Yash. My boyfriend of 5 years moved out today.
Yash: Boyfriend…moved out…as in?
Shivangi: I was living in with my boyfriend for the past 2 years and we had a break up in the morning
Yash: I am so sorry ya. What happened? Why did he do that?
Shivangi: Oh, it’s just that his mother of 30 years didn’t approve of me.
Yash: So? He just left? He didn’t try to explain it to her?
Shivangi: No he didn’t. In fact he blamed me for meeting up with his mom in jeans; and wearing no make-up; something which she judged me on
Yash: Wow! A horrible day. It’s going to be ok. He’ll repent it. I am telling you. By the way where are you going right now? I mean, do you have some work or something?
Shivangi: I don’t know Yash, I don’t know. Anyway, just so that you know, you were chosen to be called for another round, but then suddenly we were told not to hire anyone and cancel all the appointments. So…..
Yash: I am so sorry. I don’t know what to say.
Shivangi: Then don’t…..!
Yash: Shivangi, I know this is not a good time. But I think you should try and forget everything right now. Let’s go for coffee once we land. I’m sure you’ll feel better
Shivangi: Thanks Yash, but I don’t feel like doing anything really
Yash: Please I insist.
Shivangi: Fine, but (laughs) you’ll pay
Yash: Sure!
45 minutes later, Barista
Yash: There you go Shivangi, your cappuccino
Shivangi: Yash, I am sorry I judged you. You are a nice guy. Really. But why are you like this. Why this need to show your ugly side.
Yash: You know Shivangi, I had a terrible childhood. We were a middle-class family and my father could not afford me the luxuries that children in my society enjoyed. Besides I was quite fat and ugly, with pimples on my face. To top it, I had a running nose. Everyone hated me. No one wanted me. Children used to laugh at me, at my running nose. And thus grew a need in me to be accepted, to be loved. As I grew up, I realized that the world only respects success. If you are successful, you could be arrogant; you could scream at people; you could be an ass ho@# but you could still get people to love you. I learnt this and this became the truth of my life. As I grew up things started to get better, my father got a big promotion and my mom’s boutique started to get more and more customers. We moved to a big house. Meanwhile I saw the attitude of people changing towards me. Guys who never even looked at me offered me their lunch. Girls suddenly wanted me to take them out for coffee.It was then I thought of taking it out on everyone. The girls were my prop. I dated three at a time, breaking hearts; breaking trust; breaking faith. No one ever complained. I was the most famous guy in the college. It is ironic how even though I kept changing for the worse but still I was loved more than ever.
(Long silence)
It’s true Shivangi, the world only respects your chair. It only respects your face not your soul. This world is ugly. It’s not even worth living…….The world needs a person who can rule; they don’t like the people who are meek, who are helpless. Everyone wants an enabler, a prop. The day we are deemed not good enough to be either we are dumped.
(Long silence)
Wow, I think I have shared too much. I am sorry
Shivangi (with tears in her eyes): It’s ok Yash. It’s ok
Leans forward and kisses Yash on his lips.
Yash: wwwhyy?
Shivangi: I don’t know..I really don’t! Anyway I’ll just come back in a moment. Please order another cappuccino for me.
Yash: Sure!
Shivangi exits
Yash takes out his phone, and dials a 10 digit number.
Yash: Hello, Nikhil; I kissed her
Nikhil: Bingo!!!
Exuent!
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