Finally the day to leave for IIMA arrived. I boarded the Ashram express at 1500 hours from Old Delhi railway station on 18th June'09. I was travelling in a first class compartment for the first time. I had a notion that since a 3rd class compartment has 6 seats and a 2nd class has 4 seats, a first AC will have two seats. With me being a lone traveller, i was expecting the goddess of fate to smile at me and bless me with a female companion.
First look at the compartment and the truth dawned upon me. First AC also has 4 seats, only difference being that it is closed compartment with a few improvements in aesthetics over a 2nd AC. But then i guess even fate gets bored by screwing the same person over and over again. A german couple were my occupants of same compartment. That german chic was easily one of the most beautiful girls that i had ever seen. We talked a lot about India and Rajasthan in particular. I have only been to Jaipur in rajasthan. With this bit info and a few other crumbs earned from Bollywood movies i talked like an expert on rajasthan culture. I also didnt mind throwing in the fact that i was going to join IIMA - toughest B-school in this world in terms of applicants to final offers ratio. Luckily that girl knew about IIMA as she was studying in a German B-school with which IIMA has an exchange program. I could see why alumni say that this course changes your life and earns you respect... though I was hardly eager for respect. :)
After realising, actually finally admitting in my heart that she wasn't single, i sat on the top berth. This was the only place where i could sit and stare at her without being stared back by her male companion. Around 8 PM a girl entered and occupied the fourth seat in our compartment. From where i was sitting and the slight glimpse i got of her, she looked good. She was wearing a pink shirt and a trouser. Very formal and smart attire. I waited till dinner arrived and then came down from my berth and had my dinner. I sat there for around half an hour but could not talk to her. When i was about to get up on my berth the german female asked me a question about IIMA. It was then that the girl sitting next to me started smiling. I looked at her curiously, trying to come up with a one liner when she extended her hand and introduced herself. Rest of the night was spent talking to her...And guess why?
She was also a IIMA PGP 2009-2011. She was gonna be my batch mate for the next 2 years. :)
I have read many times,"Nobody dies a virgin. Life screws all". I guess my days of getting screwed are finally gonna end. :) Looking forward to adventerous next 2 years.
We reached ahmedabad station at 7:50 AM next morning. She had a few relatives to pick her up. We parted ways and i boarded an auto. Within 30 minutes i reached the campus. The enrollment process was very streamlined. By 9:30 AM i was in my room with laptop configured to access net using LAN cable. I was allotted Dorm 9 Room 9. This is where i will be spending the next 2 years of my life.
First walk through campus, seeing its red-brick designed with geometric shapes (circles, rectangles, squares, semi-circles), was a dream come true. I had seen this building in magazines and articles a million times and had always wondered what it would be like to be a part of these hallowed portals. And here i was, witnessing the same location with my own eyes. Heart was filled with pride and a sense of satisfaction. This is what it feels like when dreams come true.
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