Saturday, January 14, 2006

Aftermath

They say that the idle mind’s a devil’s workshop. In that case, the devil’s been cashing in on his frequent flier miles to visit me. We’ve become good friends – the Devil & I. Not that I’ve had a lot of time to burn this past week. More like I’ve managed to spend a lot of “quality” time with the most important person in my life...Myself.

Interesting what a lot of time alone with oneself can do for you.

With placements around the corner, we’re being prepped up with gyan sessions and mock interviews. I was going through the FAQ list for interviewers, and was trying to answer some of the questions. This one struck me…

Q. What has been one of the most difficult times in your life? And how did you handle it?

First of all…I hate these situational questions. Not that I can’t talk, but for some reason the right situation never pops into the mind when needed.

Anyway, on my way home this evening, I started thinking about the question. This 'situation' struck me. I won’t call it a difficult time...it was more like a soul crunching time. It happened last semester…when we got to Dubai. Two weeks into our arrival, we were asked to go for the mandatory HIV test. Ironically enough, in this country; every foreigner who applies for residential visa has to go through it. Any person who is HIV positive is deported immediately.

Although it was mentioned to us in passing before admissions, I let it go – not giving it much thought. Before I knew it, I was in Dubai – and walking into the clinic for my test.
I’m not much of a religious person, but at that moment - I prayed.

No, I’ve not been a promiscuous sex kitten. But I’ve done other things like played with children suffering from AIDS, donated blood, shared a razor, and other mundane things that did not mean much at the time, but came back to hit me like a slap on the face.

Most of us live in a world where AIDS is just a word. It does not haunt our lives. I had a friend in the US, who once told me she was raped and had to go for an HIV test. She said those were the longest 3 weeks of her life. I sympathized, but never really comprehended what she had gone through.

But walking into the clinic that afternoon; every incident crashed before my eyes. I called my mom and confessed my fears. And with a deep breath; I walked in – to my Judgment Day.

And still…

*Whirr* *Whirr* …the Devil continues spinning his web on me…

PS: My brush with AIDS was very small yet traumatic. There are billions of people suffering. Please extend your support to them.

9 comments:

Fanaah said...

Hmmm you made me think, of thoughts that dont often cross my mind, because when one hears of a situation - sub consciously our first reaction is 'it couldn't happen to me'.
And its sad that only when it happens to someone we know, do we react and act more humanly.

NN said...

Check out Shabana Azmis!

Unknown said...

The movie 'My Brother Nikhil' would be a good watch for everyone. It bombed but i felt the educational content was really good. I leant many things. Check it out.

Incognito said...

Those would have been real stressful hours. Only after reading did I realise the other dimension of looking at the same disease we have been talking about- thinking of ad concepts, logos or even captions. Hmm..
I hope your friend is well now. Words wont do. But ..

Anyways, hope ur placements well. Mundane questions are synonyms to interviews.
Best of luck.

Quirkilicious said...

@Puri - I agree. Putting youself in someone's shoes is easier said than done.

@NN - Ok - finally figured that out :)

@666 - I've been wanting to see that movie! Will hunt around for it now!

@Traveler - Yes we do. With time comes age, and with experience comes wisdom.

@Invisible - Thanks!

@incognito - Yep, it brings a lot of things into perspective. But, yes - she is doing well. lucky for her - she was not infected :)
Oh - and thanks for your wishes! The placement madness starts soon!

the Monk said...

it really is a horrible disease...

Unknown said...

AIDS well i donno why India stands second largest country with AIDS patients.

VK said...

well..a serious post...and a message...interesting...and all the best for ur placements...take care..tata

Ravindran Ganapathi said...

"Setting your numbers"
Not a billion people suffering from AIDS, its around 50 million.