“Thank you. And thank you to everyone, really, for your time and patience and for giving me another opportunity to speak with you. I’ve been thinking for a long time about a question I was asked the last time I was in front of this panel. About why I want this job. And it made me think about the reasons I became an engineer in the first place.
“I grew up in a house where something was…broken. And as a kid, I remember thinking that if I could just figure out what was wrong, the reason why nothing felt right, maybe I could find a way to make it better. I tried so many different things, but no matter what I did, everything stayed the same. Whatever was broken…I couldn’t fix it.”
Karthik took a deep breath. “But in this job, that’s exactly what I get to do. Clients come to us, present us with a problem, and we’re paid to analyze it. To come up with a solution. To create a device that can solve things.”
A few of the panelists nodded.
“And then we test that device. And if it doesn’t work, we try again. We try and fail, over and over, until we figure it out. We’re constantlyinventing and creating solutions out of thin air. And I could tell you that this promotion would allow me to do that work on a broader scale. To oversee multiple projects, to bridge the gap between our team and our clients, to help the company achieve greater success.
“But that wouldn’t be the full truth. Because really, until recently, I’d forgotten that this was the reason I’d wanted to be an engineer in the first place. I’d forgotten about that initial passion, that thrill of finding and creating the perfect answer to a problem. And I know that if I was lucky enough to receive this promotion, I could lead the HVAC design team and do the job well, but what I’d really like is an opportunity to be considered for a different area.”
Karthik risked a glance at Jim, but Jim’s neutral expression gave nothing away. “The biomedical group is working on the projects that I’m most excited about,” he continued. “And that’s where I want to be. I know it would be a newer area for me, but I wouldn’t ask for any favors. I’d be happy to start over, to prove myself all over again. I know I’ve thrown some curveballs in this process, but I promise, if you’re willing to give me this chance, I won’t let you down.”
Two of the panelists exchanged a bemused glance, and Karthik’s stomach dipped. Clearly, this wasn’t what they’d been expecting. And he couldn’t blame them. Karthik hadn’t even expected that he’d say any of this, but he didn’t regret it. He’d taken a risk, and even if it didn’t pay off, at least he’d tried. Meghna would be proud that he’d tried.
He glanced at the clock, resisting the urge to fidget. He didn’t have a lot of time if he wanted to make it onto the next flight to Dallas. Even if he left now, he’d be cutting it close.
Jim tilted his head, drawing Karthik’s focus. “So,” Jim said slowly, stretching out the vowel as far as it could go. “Just so I have this right, you’re telling me that given a choice between an executive position and an entry-level spot on the biomedical team, you’d prefer the entry-level job? All because that’s what you’re mostpassionateabout?”
Karthik held back a wince. “Yes, sir. That is what I’m saying.”
None of the panelists said anything. The air was tight and tense, and Karthik braced himself for rejection. But then Jim laughed, the sound like a crack of thunder sending a jolt through the room.
“Okay,” he said. “I mean, we’ll need to talk about it some more, but if the head of the biomedical group approves, I wouldn’t have a problem with it. It would truly be an entry-level position, though. In terms of pay and benefits and—”
Karthik shot to his feet, offering Jim an enthusiastic handshake. “Yes. Yes, I understand. Thank you.” Jim gave him a slightly bewildered smile, but clasped his hand firmly and told him they’d make plans to discuss it further next week.
After the panel dismissed him, Karthik calmly walked out, waiting until he was past the glass doors of the conference room before breaking into a run.
He didn’t stop until he reached Paul’s cubicle, feet almost skidding against the carpet, wheezing and out of breath. “Paul,” he said, relieved to see that the intern was there. “I need to go. Can you cancel anything I have for the rest of the day? And I’ll need a plane ticket to…”
Paul grinned. “Way ahead of you. Check your email.”
Karthik pulled out his phone, shocked to see that he was already booked on the next flight to Dallas. “What? But how did you…”
“Just go, man. Go get her back.”
Karthik stared for a moment, then took three large steps forward, throwing his arms around Paul. “Thank you,” he said, barely even registering Paul’s slack-jawed expression when he let go and sprinted away.
“You’re welcome!” Paul called a few seconds later, his voice carrying as Karthik raced out the door. “Good luck!”
—
Meghna took a deep breath as she pulled into her parents’ driveway. She’d driven here straight from school, but had opted to take thescenic route, forgoing the freeway for the side roads, looping around the neighborhood park, and even driving up and down her parents’ street a couple times. But time had run out. She couldn’t stall any longer.
It was time to tell her parents that the engagement was done. The plan had been to wait until Karthik’s interview, and as far as she knew, that had taken place sometime this morning. She’d been tempted to text him “good luck.” To ask him if he was nervous. Or confident. Or worried. To find out how things were going with his dad.
But she’d refrained from sending anything. A little while ago they’d called each other regularly, talking about everything and nothing. But he didn’t want that kind of relationship with her anymore.
Just as she’d summoned the strength to switch off the car and open the door, her phone rang. She embraced the opportunity to delay the conversation with her parents and answered immediately, not realizing she’d accepted a video call until Samir’s face filled the screen.
She recognized the inside of Samir’s Hyderabad apartment and mentally calculated the time difference.
“Samir? Why are you…Isn’t it the middle of the night for you?”
Samir nodded. He looked far from well rested. Dark-purple shadows lingered under his eyes, and the smile on his face was tight. Tense. “Yeah,” he said. “Couldn’t sleep.”
“Well, you look like shit,” Meghna said, the words escaping her mouth before she could help it.
