🎬 Introduction Saga 🎬
After a short 5 months struggle,
I scored 85% in my 12th grade final exams.
When I submitted this result to AUT, they said "Congratulations! Your have been qualified to attend the interview. We wish you the very best of luck."
My family, friends and me were overjoyed with this news.
After my board exams in March, the results came in May — 94% overall.
Now I'm officially an AUT student. Yes there was an interview but only for impression.
The interview is there for 2 main reasons.
First is as I said, impression
Second is that, say someone got 79%, then the interview is taken of all those people who got around the same percentile. Then they decide if they're accepted into AUT or not.
But for my case, it was the 1st case.
A few weeks later,
I finally go to AUT for the interview.
I was nervous initially. Anyone would be.
I was looking through the glass, watching the interview. I was anxious, not sure of how it'd go. If they'd like me or not.
A few minutes later, it was my turn for the interview.
They kept it casual, and my shoulders finally loosened.
Then they asked me questions which needed some brainstorming.
I could answer most of them correctly. The remaining were creative.
No wrong answers.
So, after the interview, I sat there on the sofa for a while.
I was on my phone, telling Ansh, Aditya and Rudra about my interview.
I was exhaling and calming myself down after the interview..
Then I saw a girl enter, and sit near me all nervous exactly like me.
For a few minutes, none of us spoke
I looked at her and man was she nervous.
(Me) Yo, you good?
(Aarushi) What does it look like 💔
(Me) Okay yeah my bad. Wanna know a secret?
(Aarushi) About what??
(Me) Of course about the interview.
(Aarushi) Alright, I guess.
(Me) Come closer.
She leans in closer.
I whisper in her ear
(Me) Well, they're very friendly. The questions will range from easy to hard. But your main objective here is accuracy.
(Aarushi) I see.
(Me) They wanna expose your way of thinking. They're simply gonna notice how you think. Wrong or Right, doesn't matter to an extent, just try to think out of the box as much as you can. Of course creative + accurate is even better.
(Aarushi) (After finally calming down) Wow really? But why'd you whisper? Are you gate-keeping??
(Me) Well that, and I don't want them to hear me telling you the secret or I'm doomed..
(The girl) LMAO. Nice to meet you. I'm Aarushi.
(Me) (Laughs along) Nice to meet you too. And wow.....
(Aarushi) What?
(Me) I'm Aarush....
(Aarushi) Whoa, similar names. That's sweet.
(Me) Mhmmm
They call her in
(Me) Alright good luck. You'll ace it.
(Aarushi) Thanks!! I'll keep in mind on what you said.
Later, while exploring the campus, I saw Aarushi again. This time with a person.
(Aarushi) Oh hey, we meet again, what's good?
(Me) Done with the interview?
(Aarushi) Yep. It went pretty well. I used your idea.
(Me) You did? Awesome!
(Aarushi) Yeah.
I look at the guy
(Me) Yo man, what's up?
(Akshat) So you're the one who gave my sis that tip, huh. I'm impressed. I'm Akshat, 3rd year student at AUT. How'd you like AUT so far?
(Me) Oh wow. Pleasure to meet an AUT student. I've liked the campus so far. I can't wait to meet my roommates!
(Akshat) Trust me, after that brutal 12th grade grind, you need this AUT environment. It's not as studious as you think.
(Me) Wasn't as brutal as you think😅 but I've done my homework 😉. Eight hours of structured study will still guarantee you 9+ CGPA, right?
(Akshat) Exactly. 6-8 hours is more than enough. To be honest, you can check out the rooms, courts, cafe right now. If someone stops you, just tell them my name.
(Me) I don't think I'll face any problems, but thanks for the support man. I will check them later but I'm hungry. I'ma go to eat Lunch.
(Aarushi) Yeah, I'm starving too. That interview was hectic.
(Akshat) Alright then. Let's have lunch together. You in?- Uhh..
(Me) Oh, sorry. I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Aarush.
(Akshat) All good Aarush. So, you in?
(Me) If I'm paying.
(Akshat) Nah, don't be silly.
(Aarushi) What about splitting?
(Me) 60–40 then, 60 me.
(Akshat) Bro, just keep it 50–50. If you wanna repay me, then play a badminton match with me sometime.
(Me) Badminton? BET. 50–50 it is then. When I find time, you and me, 1v1. Maybe after I unrust from Badminton.
(Akshat) It's on. Remember, have fun. Don't have a toxic "winning mindset". I want an opponent on my level. I'm bored of the others. I feel you could be worthy of that title.
(Me) Wow. Alright then. I'll try my best to prove myself. Now, shall we head out to Lunch?
(Aarushi) YES BRO LET'S JUST EAT ALREADY OML.
(Akshat) Okay gang. Come on.
So we went to a restaurant to have lunch together.
We sat around the table making ourselves comfortable
(Akshat) So Aarush, when did you start playing badminton?
(Me) Since I was in 5th grade, I dropped it in 7th grade because of lockdown. Then I didn't play badminton until 12th grade, but that also lasted for 1-2 months because my 12th grade started.
(Akshat) I see.
(Me) But I did play it after my exams so yeah.
(Akshat) Awesome. So, what more interests do you have?
(Me) Uhh well, badminton and space and music..
(Akshat) Space? Like outer space?
(Me) Yup. Interstellar space.
(Aarushi) Bro are you like those guys who love black holes too much?
(Me) I love black holes. I just don't freeze if someone asks me what a neutron star is.
(Akshat) But, what is a neutron star?
(Me) You sure you want that explanation right now?
(Aarushi) Yeah dude just shut up.
(Akshat) Nevermind 😅. Anyway you don't have to worry much about academics here. Undoubtedly, it will be hard and you must put effort but if you have interest in Math and coding, you'll do well.
(Me) I LOVE Math bro.
(Akshat) Awesome. The professors are really helpful too. Anytime you dunno what to do, they're there.
(Me) Ohh.
(Akshat) Well we seniors are there too but if you don't find it comfortable with us, just talk with them.
(Me) Got it.
Then, our food arrived. We talked for a long time while munching and choking on the food.
After lunch, we returned to the campus and good news was awaiting us.
Both, Aarushi and I were selected.
We were jumping in joy.
Aarushi's parents called her.
As she spoke with her parents, Akshat pulled me aside and whispered something into my ear.[Foreshadow]
(Me) Dude, chill, I'm not like that.
(Akshat) Look man, it's my hunch and its stronger than ever. I don't care if it's wrong. Just remember it, okay?
(Me) Uhh, alright.
Chapter Ends