Sorry, my girlfriend

I have definitely heard about her before, but I think the first time I met her was in Jan 2001, during my fourth semester in BITS. I knew I had fallen for her the first time itself. You wouldn't believe, there was only one course in all the four years that I didn't miss even one class of, and it was this class that I met her in. No wonder I made an A, in spite of the usual reckless preparation I do before any test. I remember telling a friend "I think I love her." But then things changed so much after that, years just cruised over me. I even had thought I should ditch her. But I know all of you would agree that you could move on, you could probably rub if off aside as infatuation, but then it is so very difficult to forget your first love, or for that matter, any love.

Five years after Pilani, I still kept thinking of her. It was a dull drizzling evening when I was at a friend's house in Bangalore that I decided to propose to her; I agree, rainy days are the most romantic. But for the disgustingly analytical guy that I was, I made sure it was an open proposal - "I am expressing my interest in you. If you're also interested and if you think you would also benefit from this relation as much I think I would, please consider. We don't have to decide right now, there is still so much time ahead of us. I am equally fine with both a yes and a no."

Months sailed, I went to the US and I started missing her more. Not a day, I could spend without thinking about her. Finally, I decided to make it official. I did propose to her on the 14th of not February, but August, 2008. Yes, I took seven long years to know that I was in love. We met six weeks later, on 24th Sep and our rendezvous went as expected, no surprises and no shocks. I came back from the US and I just couldn't concentrate at work, forget about my tough times at home during those twilight evenings. I wrote to her parents on Dec 1st, they did get back to me and all of us met on Jan 29.

Two weeks later, I came to know that all of them were happy about our relationship. For six months, every evening, I would have a session with my parents about this and finally they too started believing that this is the best that could happen to me. In fact, I spoke with her parents only after getting the approval from my parents.

It was all set when on Apr 8th, my uncle came and said "I thought it was decided much before that you will be marrying my daughter." We were all shocked. I personally remember speaking about my love to my aunt and her daughter. In fact my uncle knows about it too. But my uncle decided not to budge. My aunt couldn't influence him, nor her daughter. I told my uncle "This is my life. Things change. I agree there has been some disconnect. But the blame rests on all of us. We have to do the best thing, for all of us now". But my uncle didn't move an inch. Finally I said "Ok, let us leave this for now. Let us think about this over the next one year. We will come back and discuss this exactly one year from now."

I have told my parents, my girlfriend's parents, my uncle's family and everyone concerned. Things are on hold till next year. Over this one year, I could change, my uncle could change, his daughter or my girlfriend ... anyone could change. Whatever the change is, I hope it is for the good, for the good of everyone.

All characters above are fictitious and any resemblance is purely coincidental. Starring, in the order of appearance:
My girlfriend - My MBA
My fourth semester class - Principles of Management
A friend to whom I confessed I am probably in love - my wingie in BITS
My decision to propose - I registered at mba.com
My official proposal on 14 Aug 2008 - I booked my GMAT
My rendezvous on 24 Sep 2008 - I took my GMAT
My letter to her parents on Dec 1 2008 - My ISB application
Meeting her parents on Jan 29 2009 - My ISB interview
My uncle and family - Cisco

All the world's a stage

I wrote my previous post to tell all of you who were pinging me and asking me about my ISB preparations. I wasn't able to hide or explain, so I thought blog is the best way to tell you all. This post is again to tell all of you who are and will be pinging me to ask if I have started packing. I have not done any packing. And unless a miracle happens today, I will not be packing.

I have tried all possible means that my conscience and faculty permitted. In the end I had to succumb to world's truth that nobody cares about your life, if there is anyone it's probably only you. It is really unfortunate that things unfolded the way they have at office. There are some things that we can control, for everything else ... well according to me God is the sum of everyone of us. There are some things that we can control, for everything else there is everyone of us.

I always knew my over-optimism will hit me some day. Today it has hit me badly. Even now with 0% confidence, I am 100% optimistic. But who cares about all those? For most practical purposes, I am not going to join ISB this year.

"I just hope I have done more positives than negatives in my life and that something positive happens in the next few days." - well, looks like I haven't done more positives than negatives. I agree to take this punishment that God, no, all of you have given me. I will try my best to come stronger out of this.