Hope and Disappointment

Life is a journey between hope and disappointment. The starting point is always hope. But in between there are multiple stations called disappointment. Your journey terminates once you reach the disappointment junction. And then you need to go back to the beginning station renovated with hope and start all over yet again. At least Victor thought so. Last 6 months, he was jobless. His previous employer had shut his business. The economy was down and not many new jobs around. All his application were getting lost in the big heap of applicants queuing up for the few opportunities that surfaced.

It was one more day like this. He walked in the reception of a company which was hiring for a position that had got vacant. And after the initial talk with the lady handling the reception desk, he turned his back to her to find  seat on the sofa opposite her. And it was a familiar face he saw occupying one corner of the sofa.
" Hi Cynthia ! So nice to meet you again!" He kept his voice low but hardly hid his excitement. 

The person on the sofa was none other than the girl whom he had met at one another such interview only 3 months back. And what a sweet surprise to have met her again. "Happy ending in sight," He murmured in his head. " In fact another disappointment may be waiting somewhere near", his head retorted back. And his enthusiasm lowered.

"It is such a surprise to see you again!" Cynthia had a welcome eagerness in her voice. Victor just smiled. 

"So you too have come for the interview?"

"Yes."

"Hmm. A bit late though. Today they have picked the guy already."

"Ohh. Not again ..."  Victor could barely hide his disappointment.

" Yeah. They just informed the previous guy. Even the receptionist has gone inside now. Maybe they want to tell her to send back the remaining with apologies." Cynthia's completed her sentence with a sigh.

Together they walked out. Though they were down with disappointment, they found solace in each other. The previous meeting had given them enough comfort in each other's company. And there was no awkwardness. Victor picked up some roasted peanuts from a roadside vendor and they took a long walk on the busy street munching on them. 

"So what is your take on this?" Asked Victor.

"You mean regarding today's disappointment?" Said Cynthia.

"Hmm. Yes that is what I mean."

"Nothing much. It happens. There are better opportunities out there."

"You must be kidding. I am searching for a job for last 6 months with no success. I would be fooling myself if I were to think like that every time I am shown the door." Now the bitterness was showing in Victor's voice.

"Come with me!" said Cynthia took longer strides to get into the main entrance of another building. Victor now had a smile on his face.

"Last time she took me to her old dad. I am sure this time  she is taking me to a long suffering old aunt for another lesson!" He thought to himself.

But he was kind of amused at the spirit which this girl put on display all the time. And he kept following her. The building was a plush office complex. They took the elevator to the thirteenth floor and his eyes were dazzled when the elevator door opened. It turned out to be the office of Dream Destinations, an international tour operator. Some place he always hoped to work for. It was the finest office he had ever seen in his entire career so far. An expensive wall-to-wall carpet with very elegant furniture and the furnishings. The walls displayed the most exotic locations on the world map. The staff was impeccably dressed, had the most sophisticated clients waiting for their turn in the air-conditioned lounge.
"Give me your resume copy" whispered Cynthia and he obediently handed it to her. "Wait for me," said Cynthia before she made him sit on one of the fine piece of leather sofa and then went to talk to another lady among the staff. The conversation quickly got over and Cynthia came rushing to him." They are finalizing their night shift team today. Give it your best shot. Just go inside the third cabin. They want to conclude this interview quickly now".

A stunned Victor walked inside the cabin. He just took a deep breath and entered clueless. Cynthia waited outside. An hour passed. And two people walked out of the cabin with broad smiles on their faces. One of them was Victor. He shook hands with the elderly but elegant looking lady before he took his victory lap and reached Cynthia. " They are giving me the appointment letter in another 30 minutes" his face beamed with joy telling this. " Congratulations !" Cynthia said with the most sincere expression in her eyes. " Thanks". Victor was finding difficult to find the right words to express his gratitude.

" No problem." 

" But what about you?"

"It was not meant for me. I could not have done the night shift anyways."

" But still ... Why me?"

" Simple. They take overseas calls in the night shift. You can manage the accent really well."

" How can I ever repay this?"

"You do not have to. Just keep the faith."

" But what about you? You still do not have the job."

" I told you. There are better opportunities waiting. May be today is not the day. So I will wait." Cynthia said with a smile.

Victor was speechless. He was lost in thoughts.He never knew when Cynthia took his leave to catch another interview appointment. Just some changed perspective that he could see now. "Life is a journey which starts with hope. There are multiple stations by the name disappointment. If it comes in your journey, just do not get down the train. Continue with the journey. Your dream station will come. Most definitely." And he sunk deeper in the sofa. It was going to be his workplace. In another 30 minutes ...