Memories- This day that year

Looking at the date 19 December.2024, I felt special. I didn't think much about it until I was retiring to bed. Azim Premji's central office red walls got flashed in my mind and the whole journey flashed. On December 20.2018, I travelled from Hyderabad to Bangalore to attend interview at Azim Premji Foundation office.  The interview call, the supporting conversations,everything just flashed by.  Six years ago, I made last minute plans at office as I got to know about the interview, informed by then boss Aravind about leave, flew from Hyderabad on an early morning flight. Took Jet airways this time. Reached Kempegowda airport, got on the bus and headed to electronic city. By the time I reached, thanks to Bengaluru traffic, I could straightly walk into wipro campus. I spent morning around the campus looking around, had lunch at the cafetaria and attended the interview. The most vivid memory of the day was the five minutes before the interview where I sat at a cubicle, waiting for my chance to enter the cabin. I remember the blue board infront of me. I breathed hard calming myself and said, 'Abhinay, this is it. You've made it this far. Be yourself.' At first interview,  I met Anchal and Jagadeesh who asked me my interests and my presentation. I presented about conversations and need of in-person conversations for social connection. After the interview, I was welcomed by Giridhar for another round of interview. Giridhar made me feel like home as he began to talk about books, writing, I got excited and shared my journey. No sooner we began to talk, then others came to point out the time. We talked for almost half an hour or more. I cherish the conversation I had with him. Soon after that, I walked out appreciating the office architecture. As I was out of office, I talked to Shreya who was there throughout listening to me and supporting me in my adventures. 

That was my 2nd job interview after TCS. Currently, as I sit in Geneva and think of career, I'm surrounded by people who are constantly in fear of their career journeys and  are amused by my stoic belief of making it big here in Geneva. People are clueless of how I'm confident to make it in life, to make it in Geneva. As my favourite professor Brindusa suggested, I followed her advice- You don't need to explain yourself to others. I stopped explaining myself to others. I believe I deserve the best and I'll get what's best for me at the right place and right time. Time to act, do my best and surrender.