Author’s Note: Hey Guys!!..So I am going to start the “Recipe Challenge” with my next post..Basically I’ll challenge two bloggers with a recipe and once they complete it, they have to make a post about their experience and the recipe they used with a couple of pictures and also link the person who challenged them to the post.. it’ll be lovely if everyone participates. It’s going to be a great opportunity for everyone to explore different cuisines..Please, plzzzz do join in the fun!!!
Yummy Vadas and The Story of How I accepted The Fact That I am not Happy
How hard can it be to recruit a person?? Hmmmm…sounds pretty hard to me..Well there is only one way to find out then!!!
Sitting before me now is an average looking, middle-aged lady. She is trying hard not to look nervous, but come on she is desperate for the job just like everyone. Who doesn’t want to work at OPL? Even I was crazy about it. Only after I came in, I realized my horrible mistake..and then well things had to move on. Pay was great..and..and..nothing else I can think of right now…..Probably….I shouldn’t think of that now…It’s too late anyways..”Change the topic Cassie”..My mind keeps running back to that night..”CHANGE!!!!”
When that miserable Harshini told me to conduct the interview last night, I was so super excited. It sounded more like a promotion on it’s way to me. But now when I think of it..well..I don’t need a promotion..I need a break…break from all this crap. Ray loves this bloody job so much…wish I could be like him..so enthusiastic about his job..You should here him go about his funny encounters at recruitments. He surely loves what he does.
The very thought of him itself makes me smile. I feel my life is finally on the right track at least this once. Hmmm…finally that bald, spectacled, idiot, Hemant is done with her. My turn!!! In an interview here every HR is allowed five questions. So here goes my first one..
“So Mrs. Zoya, very interesting profile I should say..” There I made her comfortable…Ray’s advice!
“Thank you..” She has a pleasant smile, I notice.
“So tell me about yourself.” I am doing pretty well!
“I have been a sales manager for 4 years….blah blah blah.”
1/2 an hour later I realize working with my trainees is some much more less exhausting than interviewing. I couldn’t listen to her history of achievements. So much work I say. That date I had with that Neal guy was better.
“You did very well for a first timer Ruth,” says Hemant. I smile.
Well, only I know how hard it was. Sitting there, listening to her and simultaneously jotting down a report..Not my cup of tea anyday.
“Looking forward to see you more then..”
“Sure.” Not for an another hundred years, I can assure him.
***************
“So, how did it go?” asks Ray as he sips his coffee. He is a coffee lover.
“Looked professional. Hemant was impressed.”
“I asked you, how did it go for you?”
“What do you mean? I did pretty well.”
“But did you like it?” Sheesh, I should have known he would ask me this. If i say yes, it means I am going to lie to him. If I say no, he will ask me a trillion more questions. I am too tired for that.
“Yeah. Pretty cool.”
“Hmmm…So did your mum and sis reach?” Vicky and Mama left to Chennai this morning. Mama felt the silk sarees here looked pathetic. So they took the first train to Chennai.
“They would have most probably. Okay then..i gotta go..seeya”
*****************************
Back home and I am dead tired. I didn’t do anything much to feel tired. But it’s like my mind is exhausted. Exhausted about my probable promotion. Hemant’s words have been running in my head since he said it. “looking forward to see you more then.” Sounds so much like a promotion. Do I actually want it? What would Papa say if I declined it?…He won’t say anything, but probably just trash me or something. Of late I’ve seen only his good side. His sweet, cool, silent side. He can go wild about our professions. I remember when Vicky said she and Sam wanted to start their own firm, sometime last year. He got their minds changed in a minute. I don’t now how he does it, but he will do it. He is not a control freak, but he is. It’s like there is no evidence. I shouldn’t think about all this stuff now. Things are different. I am stronger and…
“Are you Cass?” Why am I thinking like this. I know what I am. Only if my thoughts hadn’t run back to that night…
“Divert your mind Cass..divert..” Omg the vadas I had to make. Made the batter in the morning and I completely forgot about it. I walk sluggishly into the kitchen. I don’t have that usual excitement. Suddenly I want to cry. I want my mother here. I want her hot chocolate. The door creaks. Probable Jerry is back. I immediately wipe my eyes. They feel really wet. Only one way out. I splash cold water on my face from the kitchen tap and wipe my face with my apron.
“Cassie..Where are you?”
“In the kitchen, come..”
As he walks in, I realize he doesn’t look much merrier than I do. His dark eyes look baggy. As if he has cried. Looks like both of us haven’t had the best of our days.
“Can I get some hot chocolate Cass..” WOAH..He certainly isn’t fine..His usual cheery voice is replaced with this deadpan tone.
“Sure..So what is happening Jer. You don’t look yourself.”
“Hmm..What? Sorry I wasn’t listening.” What happened to him? Why is he so lost? Suddenly my problems don’t matter anymore. All I want is for my little brother to feel happy. I want that casual, don’t care brother back. I’m not some great elder sister material for such a situation. Vicky was that type. Why isn’t she here!! I curse her mentally and answer.
“Nothing.” Did he have a breakup? I mean he hasn’t dated anyone..at least not anyone I know. But he looks troubled more than dejected. I know what I should do. Make him feel comfortable, then get the stuff out. Just like Vicky does. But how?
“Cass?”
“Yes Jerry,” I ask him as I mix in the melted chocolate. Don’t sound desperate Cassie!
“I don’t want to go to Vancouver. I’am running away to Tucson.”
Did I just hear him right? Tucson? Where is that now!!
“It’s in Arizona, Cass. I know your geo is bad. don’t try hard,” he says as if reading my thoughts. So what if it’s bad? That’s not important now. Act calm and composed! DO NOT OVER REACT AT ANY COST!!
“And do what Jer?” I ask him as I hand over his hot chocolate. When I look at him now, he doesn’t look anything like my little brother. He looks older. He looks 21. I never realized. I always thought he was my little brother who would never grow up.
“I got into South West University of Visual Arts. I want to do my masters in animation.”
What is this guy saying. Why did he take the trouble for GMAT then.
“Then your MBA?”
“I never wanted to do it. Never.” He bangs his fist on the kitchen slab. Yikes! Looks like he too has had his piece of papa. Papa will curse himself for letting Jerry do that animation course if he was here. Jerry would have been dead meat.
“I also want to be happy like you and Vicky, Cass.” Seriously? Does he think I am happy. Joke of the century. “You all listened to Papa and yet you all are happy. But I am not and I can’t be.” My mantra is ‘go with the flow’. How i wish I could tell him I am not happy and I have never been happy since that night. Oh that stupid night. Errgh!!
“Will you be completely happy if you run away?”
“Yes…I think so!”
“Papa will never accept you again. Is that fine too?”
“No..but what other option do I have?” Eat a bucket of ice-cream and forget this thought even came to your head.
“Every problem doesn’t have an easy way out.” Wow I sound like a philosopher. Why didn’t this apply to me then?
“yeah right!”
“I know what you should do..” I actually know what exactly he should do.
“and what is that?”
“Find out why Papa is such a control freak. Everyone has a history”
“Sorry what? Did his perfect daughter just say that? You know he advises me with you as an example” Well Vicky was my example.
I don’t know if I am doing this for me or for Jer. But it feels right.
“So what’s our first move?” he asks.
“Eat my vadas and get a good night’s rest.”
“I am starving too.”
Ingredients:
- urad dal- 1 cup soaked in 2 cups of water for 2-3 hrs
- 2 tbsp rice flour
- salt to taste
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 green chilli’s chopped
- 4 sprigs of coriander chopped
- curry leaves- around 10 to 15
- oil for deep frying
Method:
- Drain the dal and grind it without adding water in a grinder or blender. If it’s a bit dry then add a tsp of water.
- transfer into a bowl. Add rest of the ingredients. Divide into 15 equal parts.
- In a kadai add 1 cup of oil. let it warm. now wet your hands. take one part of the batter and shape it into a flat circle on the base of the four fingers. With your thumb make a hole in the center and slide it into the kadai by tilting your hand and giving a slight push to one side of it with your thumb . Fry on medium high flame. once it’s golden brown on both sides take it out.
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