#100WordsOrLess The arc-lights of the interview room were focussed on her and a thin film of sweat broke over her forehead. She ignored it with practised ease and focussed on the camera behind the interviewer’s head. While markets were supposed to invest in companies on the basis of their financials, the talk of the town was her smile was 10% of her company’s worth. The interviewer brought the grilling to a close – all her answers had been precise, with a (multi) million dollar smile and without missing a beat. ‘Ms. Chandra, I’d like to ask you a little bit about your career to conclude this interview.’ ‘Please, go ahead.’ ‘Ruchika, you were on the fast track in your firm and then you took a rather long break before making a re-entry into the corporate world. Why? What made you come back?’ -- The parents were huddled around the desk, listening to the plan for the annual day celebrations. Some were recording it on their phones, whereas others were furiously typing it into their memo’s and setting reminders for practices. She timidly raised a hand, halting the principal mid-way. The principal glared down through her bi-focals – unused to interruption from her wards or their parents. ‘I had a doubt, ma’am. Will we be designing individual costumes or…’ ‘Sorry, you are?’ ‘Sorry, I am Ruchika. Ruchika Chandra.’ The principal’s eyebrow shot up and someone intervened – ‘She’s Ananya’s mom.’ -- The drinks flowed generously and the group was talking in hushed tones. She listened in without contributing much herself. ‘So how was the vacation?’ ‘It was amazing – the sun, the sand.’ ‘Haha. You’ve got a great tan as well.’ Company dinners always annoyed her. Awkward conversations that hung in the air, empty compliments that people kept exchanging and the sheer pain of remembering a zillion names was almost too much. But she gamely tried her best to keep a smiling face and enter the conversation in the group. It was Sushant’s firm’s annual dinner and he would appreciate her effort. ‘So how is Maldives in June-July? We were planning to take the kids there for the vacation.’ ‘Oh fantastic. It is great’ replied the Senior Director with a French-beard. She did a mental squint to recollect his name and continue the conversation but he saved her the trouble. ‘I’m sorry dear. I don’t think we’ve met. You are?’ ‘Oh I’m Ruchika.’ ‘Ruchika?’ ‘Err. I’m Sushant Guptas wife.’ ‘Oh great, fantastic.’ -- ‘Ruchika? Ms. Chandra?’ The interviewer was surprised. She had phased out for a second or two. ‘Can we finish the interview?’ ‘Sure. Of course. Not an issue, but the answer to the question?’ She sighed contentedly and smiled. ‘I just liked my name better.’ The interviewer didn’t quite understand, but only she knew how precious it was to be known by her own name.
Posted on: Wed, 06 Aug 2014 13:23:53 +0000
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