Changes

“Today is the day...” Pranathi checked her bag for the documents that she was carrying. She could feel the tension building inside her.

She had cleared the interview under great pressure and need and had switched from her initial company just for cutting down the pin pointing words from her immediate elders. Though she didn’t want to, the switch had been compelled upon her from various sources and means.

The first impression she held after arriving at the campus was – “AWESOME”.

The campus was completely green and well maintained according to the ecological cycle. The gardening work was done at its own perfection levels and the cycles parked outside the buildings added more vividness. The food courts were large and posh. The roadsides had trees planted along the way and the entire area resembled a forest.

Pranu completed two days of lateral entry induction but still found the environment unfriendly and vacuum. She went to meet up her unit HR along with 3 other guys who possessed at least double her years of experience. Deepak, her unit HR added more to her disappointment by clubbing her with the most experienced person of the group. As per schedule, she made herself available for training sessions the next day. The systems in the training room were already picked up by others who had attended the trainings in the previous days.

Pranu seated herself in the last row not sure of her further actions. The trainer walked into the room and the session began. When it switched over to an on hand work out, the trainer suggested to share the available working desktops. Pranathi decided to seat herself in the row ahead of her unaware of the fact that, the switch was going to leave a lifelong impression.

“Hi...” She spoke out hesitantly. The guy just looked up accompanied by another pair of eyes too.
“Can I” She showed the chair. “Share your” she pointed towards the monitor.
“Yes please.” He moved inwards letting her to have a look at the monitor.
“I am Pranathi. Lateral joiner.” She introduced herself.
“I am Deepu.” They shook hands.

Then during the session she questioned about a few terminologies for which Deepu tried answering with the help of Google. Pranathi also got introduced to another person seated close by who was Rajeev. They opened up saying that they had come from Trivandrum for the training and would leave back just after the training was over.

From a few sentences on the first day, their talking grew bit by bit. The days following the first weekend were emotional ones in which they got to know each other better. They spared more time for each other and got well together. They became the most talkative team among the entire batch.

Pranathi carried lunch for Deepu after sharing it for a day. The bond thickened after discussing about each other’s personal life, likes, wants and dreams. Deepu offered to buy lunch for Pranu on the last day of his stay. They all partied with a pizza and got back to the session. But things were turning out to be emotional. He signed her “10 rupee” note and she gave him back a design that she had made long time before.

He walked her to the shuttle location. They spoke for a minute and then it was time for them to part. They shook hands and it was an emotional moment for both of them.

Pranathi looked up and through the glass of the shuttle, it was a glaring view – She was crying. "Change is the only thing that doesn't change". She thought and felt the depth of the saying.