Gone Into The Windy City

The days in Minnesota were good, for a change. Spending time with Sarika and her family, especially Janki, helped Sameer get a sense of togetherness, something he was yearning for, since long. Over time, Sameer did realize the transition he had been through. His usual alacrity had given way to a Bohemian outlook, with the soul trying to dig into a non-intended pastiche. Sameer seemed to have lost his intrepid spontaneity. Life's experiences thus far had more of jitters in store, than fruitful learning. It had been a long time since he returned back to normal work life and earned a salary. Had it not been for the manner in which Mansi held fort, back home, Sameer could have never expected to evolve from the deafening squeal of challenges ahead vis-a-vis the mixed emotions of probable failure and confusion writ all across. Resorting to a profound squirm was probably his only option, for a long time to come. It was just a euphemism for his indecisiveness and wrong choice.

It was January in Minneapolis. The sub zero temperatures and un-ending blankets of snow, did little to undo the pall of gloom that had descended on Sameer. There wasn't a job in sight. Moreover, if his H-1B visa wasn't filed through an employer, by April that year, Sameer had to surely head home. All the money, effort and time, that was invested would come to naught. One of Sharat's friend suggested that Sameer get in touch with an IT organization, based out of Hyderabad, which was into staff augmentation for IT projects in US. Sameer was prompt enough to heed to the fruitful advice and the days that followed ultimately culminated in him getting inducted into the Chicago office of that organization. However, the arrangement was more a suo moto acceptance for Sameer with conditions like, "only on stipend until he was on a project", no assurance of H-1B being filed, legal binding to continue with the organization until they made good their investment on him, so on and so forth. However, they agreed to train Sameer on a new technology in IT, which was expected to usher in job opportunities soon enough. Wahid, Sameer's friend from school also followed suit and both of them started their new life at Prospot Technologies, from February onwards, in the western suburbs of Chicago.

As Sameer stepped down from the Megabus on a chilly January night at the intersection of Jackson Blvd & Canal St in Chicago, he wasn't really as excited. He was still unsure of how much longer would be the wait till he could land a project and start earning normal wages. He had little idea of how long his new organization would fend for him without a project. His confidence was on an all time low and as such, he was aware of this huge detriment towards his intended baby steps towards a new learning. The Ethiopian cab driver was trying his best to keep Sameer bemused and engaged through the drive, but to no effect. After an hour long journey from downtown, into the poised contours of Downers Grove, as Sameer stepped into the gateway of Extended Stay America, Sameer couldn't help but giggle at the hotel name. Only time would tell, if it spewed as much fortune for Sameer to truly extend his stay in America.

Trammel of Decisions!

The winter chill was settling in. Sameer knew his life in Houston was coming to an end, for the time being. He finished his school assignment and also gave up the CSR job. He was to stay with Sarika until he relocated to his next destination. A big task at hand was also to see to it that the entire amount of $43000, as part of his medical bills (hospitalization/surgery/equipment cost/metal transplant), was paid up (thanks to the insurance coverage and financial aid received from the Hamilton County). In the 3rd week of December, 2012, Sameer received his EAD (employment authorization document), since he was on OPT (optional practical training), which was required for him to seek a job outside his school and also continue to be a legal resident in the US.

Sharat had taken the day off, since he was driving to Houston. He started early in order to be at Sameer's place by late evening. Long drives, especially if alone, is always a tough proposition. With all his household stuff packed, Sameer was waiting for Sharat to arrive, dump his stuff in Sharat's car, and head to Priti's place for the night. It was going to be a long night since Nanda, Jit and their little son Gugul would also be there. Anil too had promised to catch up. As always, after dinner, it was the usual kerfuffle. Although some of the opinions would sound intransigent, all the same it would be mellifluous. At 2.30 am, it was time to hit bed, since Sameer & Sharat had planned to start their long drive very early. With merely 4 hours of sleep, as both of them headed to the kitchen for coffee, a rare sight awaited them. Everyone was there, resembling a claque, with Nanda at the helm of affairs. They were busy dishing out hot pooris with potatoes. An hour later, Sameer and Sharat were on their way. 

The morning Sun rays were a diaphanous streak. Both Sharat and Sameer took turns driving the car. It was a long journey ahead, through Chicago & Wisconsin. The GPS in the car indicated, they would arrive at their destination, late in the night. As he looked at the road ahead, Sameer gauged he was probably trammelled by his own decisions and no guidance. The journey seemed very long and uncertain. With logic to ruse his mind, Sameer stepped on the gas, unsure of his final destination and the miles therewith.

The Graduation

Life in school was finally coming to an end, by end of August 2012. Sometime during the 2nd week of July, Riya shared with Sameer, that she & Adarsh may be required to head back to India, for good. For the moment, there couldn't be anything more shocking for Sameer. Any single instance of happiness in Houston, seemed pulverized. By August, it became evident that the apprehension was more confounded than expected. To add to his woes, there wasn't a job in sight, though he was at the tad end of his course curriculum. Sameer became all the more miffed with his decisions in life and peeved at his fortunes.

Meanwhile, Dr. Rati offered Sameer a job as a Graduate Assistant under her and he also started working as a customer service representative at the Au Bon Pain at University Hospital. The meager income sufficed for his house rent and other bills. Finally, he was happy to see his social security number and pay check.

Adarsh was to leave Houston for good on Sept.19. Riya requested Sameer to be there at the airport. Although she was joining Adarsh back in India, in a month's time, she felt alone and sad. It was a tumult of mixed feeling, emotions and may be anarchy too. In weeks to follow, after Adarsh's departure, Riya and Sameer spent time packing her household stuff, checking with packers & movers, taking care of unpaid bills and closure of utilities. With a heavy heart, Sameer bid Riya goodbye on Oct.5th, 2012. 

Sameer's Graduation ceremony was slated for December 15th, 2012. Sarika flew down from Minneapolis and both she and Priti ensured to share his moment of pride, when he took the 'Walk'. Sameer, finally took the walk with Jenny, Kyler, Pakhi & Wahid, among others. After a couple of photo sessions and a sumptuous lunch with batch-mates, the trio headed to Priti's home for a night of revelry planned by Pratik. For Sameer, it was the successful end to an arduous journey. Although undertaken in painstaking solitude, it was an experience, embellished with new-found gains. The Kentucky Bourbon that Pratik had got to celebrate the evening, could hardly live up to the Le Grand Sentiment that his achievement made Sameer feel. For a change, Sameer was too delighted to get sloshed.  It was a victory, hard earned. It was a battle, well fought. It was an enemy, well vanquished. It was a fort, truly conquered. 

Life with Dyspnea! .

With the Project Management exam, an entire ordeal of a quarter spent in boredom and servile continuation of attending classes, ended. The respite was eagerly awaited and more welcome than ever, since Sameer missed the serendipity in atmosphere and people around him. 

Sameer decided to visit Sarika during the Summer break which was only a week away, but the wait seemed to be an eon. On a bright Sunday morning, just a couple of days before he was to depart to Minneapolis, Sameer ventured out with friends for a game of cricket at the University grounds. It was an outdoor passion he was good at and actively involved in, till his first job in Philips India. Midway through the game, he tripped and fell. Though quickly back on his feet, he realized something was amiss. His right hand looked truncated and there was an eerie Dyspnea. The impact of his fall was so brutal that his right wrist was twisted upwards, so as to dislocate it badly. He was rushed to the emergency care at the University Hospital. In weeks to follow, he was swamped with prosaic medical procedures along with surgery, and Dr. Rehan Askar, reset his wrist with steel plates and screws. Yet again, it was Priti, Pratik & Avik who stood by Sameer, in his hour of need. They took him home and made sure, he convalesced before rejoining school. Sameer convinced Sarika and Sharat not to take off from work and join him at Houston, since it would have made things difficult for Janki. Although away in Boston during this time, Riya was the other solace, that Sameer could turn to, at this time. Mansi, Simba & Sameer's parents were in for a rude shock, upon hearing about the accident. Incidentally, during this time, Sameer met Dr. Rati in school, who proved to be a great help and support. She would check on him everyday, talk to doctors, offer food and also asked him to relocate to her houe, so that he could be properly tended to. Another friend Sameer could never forget was Kushal, who not only was the logistics support for hospital visits, but also offered him all possible monetary support, if it was required. Though indisposed, Sameer decided to continue with classes in Autumn. Riya and Anamika helped him with the occasional class notes & Jenny volunteered to be his scribe for the ensuing exams.

The entire turn of events enhanced the humdrum in life for Sameer. Physical trauma was not new to Sameer. 15 years back, he had underwent a near fatal train accident, which took him almost a year to trudge back to life. Having seen death from close quarters, Sameer was not to be overawed by a dislocated wrist or metal implant in his body. For sure it was painful, but more so for the scattered pages and mangled emotions in life than his broken bones!