Industrial Training @ IOCL Barauni.(A true love story)

We wanted it more for certificate than for knowledge or experience. As we have done our first industrial training(in 2nd yr) @ TATA steel, so we have to do this one (during the summer vacation of 3rd yr) some where else other than Jamshedpur. So we decided to go to IOCL for this training(we includes me n three of my friends Don, Kattu & the third lets call him 'Swarthi'). Actually Swarthi proposed this idea of IOCL as it was near to his home and he was having some relatives employee over there, so the entry was also simple for us. So it was decided that Swarthi will call us as soon as he makes the arrangement for our stay and entry in to IOCL refinery fitting to his suitability and easiness. Our summer vacation started on April 24th of 2008.We all packed and reached our home by 27th, but Kattu as usual stayed back in the college for writing make up exams.

*********

It was 30th April and I was desperately waiting for Swarthi's cal, but when it didn't come, I called him on 1st of may and came to know that he was simply sleeping and had done nothing for our summer training. Somehow he managed to get one of his relatives (our God father) agreed for our training and entry in the refinery. He agreed to meet us on 9th as Swarthi called all of us on 9th to his home.

*********


I had to travel in general class in TATA-CHHAPRA exp. as the "Gutkhas", "Pan masalas", dust from their sleepers and "scrap tobacco" kept raining entire night on my head from the gentleman who were sitting just above me on the place which was meant for keeping luggages. Anyhow I reached Barauni railway station then (his local town) Begusarai. From local town to his village it was rule that male passengers will sit only on the roof of the Auto rickshaw and jeeps; while inside only ladies will sit and youngsters must prefer to sit in front of driver on the bonnet of the jeep. I was just helpless. We were surprised how Don reached safely to Swarthi's home instead of all "calamities".

*********

We had living king size during the 3 day stay at Swarthi's home. Having 4 times rich food, sweets, milk at night, watching movies and rest of the time sleeping with not forgetting to have some evening walk to see the natural beauty of river, fields and woods.

*********

Finally we reached our final destination IOCL Civil Maintenance Department for our training. Kattu was still missing (he was writing make up exams then back @ NITC). It was at this place that we met some of the most unsatisfied and frustrated engineers of our country. Some were frustrated because they were at same place from 7-8 yrs without any promotion. Some were just unhappy because one of his friends got settled in Canada and spends dollars while being in India. In short everybody advised us that never ever join IOCL.

*********

Swathi got permission from his father for bike for daily up and down to refinery from his home, but we had to arrange something in the town itself for our stay. We searched a lonely quarter of a refinery employee to live in as a paying guest with the help of Swarthi's relatives of course. It was living there only and working in refinery during those 10 days that we learned our most of the lessons of the life. Be it waiting 1 hr for our lunch in the refinery canteen or walking 2 km for our dinner daily or waiting more than 1 hr to get any refinery bus or any bike to give us lift for coming back to our room or struggling with mosquitoes entire night or standing in front of co-op store from 4 to 8 in evening to kill the time which was just not passing.

*********

But someone had rightly said everything happens for some cause; for some good cause. I had some of my best memories attached with that period. It was one cool morning that I met her. We were in our refinery bus as usual and I had only 3 days left for my training to complete. Bus was about to leave, at that time her majesty appeared. She looked amazing. She was like a painting, a song. Every thing about her was so graceful and fluid. Like breeze, she flowed towards me, her hair flying and ear rings dancing. She was breeze with a whiff of perfume. And i was stunned.

*******

One can never say if it was love-at-first site or not but admittedly the dent she left in my heart was big one. The moment will remain with me forever, framed and gilded. The perfect picture.....her glowing face, her shiny flying hair, her smooth walk, her dancing ear rings, her mirror work bag by her side, her blue jeans and her searching eyes.

*******

She looked around for vacant seat and came and sat with me. I regained my composer and consciousness. The close up only enhanced her beauty. The red dress made her look so pink and lovely. I could almost have kissed her cheeks.

********

"Priyanka?" I asked.
"yes" she said surprised obviously.
"Hi, I'm Saurabh doing training with you" I said and forwarded my hand. She shook it. Her hands were soft. It felt really good. She smiled. She had beautifully chiseled pink lips with a hint of gloss. Extremely kissable.
"I saw your name yesterday in attendance register. I guess you are doing BBA. you came alone, why not your friends came? You used to go daily by bus? " God I spoke too much.
"Well, they didn't came!"she smiled again.She didn't say anything else, Why not these girls speak?

********

"I am Saurabh, by the way. Hi, again. I hope this was a better introduction." I once again shook her hand and she laughed.
"So, where are you doing BBA?"
"Science college."I hoped she would ask about my prestigious college and she asked "what about you?"
"Well, I'm studying Civil Engg."
"from?"
"NIT Calicut" I announced grandly. But she was expressionless, I was running out of topics and time.
"So, it must be really easy to get through the test for BBA course?" and the idea worked. I had stuck a chord. Her pink cheeks became red. "Not at all! There was thousands to write that test and out of that only 30 got selected."
"Ok, ok I didn't mean that. Don't you think a B.Tech. would have been better for you? "
"No I'll go for MBA after this ! Anyway you guys will also write CAT and all that no?"
"Yes...me too" (though I cann't think about CAT in my wildest dream). Don was listening all these conversation being calm one seat ahead of us.
"Had you visited some of the famous temples here?"
"No, I have only 3 days left to finish my training report now."I continued... "Hmm can you help me for that if I 'll come here again?"
"H mm , I can't say right now. I'll have to think about it, sir." she said playing around.
"Do tell me though, I hope you stay in touch, shall i give my no.?"
"Your wish"
I took that as a yes and gave her mine.She gave hers too. Bus has reached to the refinery, and the sounds of break stopped our conversation. We parted finally saying bye and smiling.

********

Till then Kattu had also come to join us. As the names of all of us were written there on our college permission letter so, he also joined our group without any permission of training head.(Any way last time he got certificate from TATA steel without going a single day for training.)

*********

"You are not going to refinery? You came for me only?" she asked surprised as I was waiting for her next morning. "No, I have lot of report work to finish" I replied.
"When you are going?" asked she
"Tomorrow".......
Then we stood there without saying a single word....seeing in each other's eye.....suddenly she came alive"ok, I have to go now....see you in co-op in evening. Byeeeee.....!!!" I smiled in reply.


*********

I am sorry for discontinuity, but I want to stop the story here....and any way Kattu had to stay there for one more week as he started his training late and I decided to give him company during that extended one week stay. The same place I hated so much, wanted to run away as soon as possible; had started to fascinate me....I don't know why I wanted to stay there as long as possible..........!!!

***********