17/06/2015
“Hearty congratulations, Buddhika! You have done the company proud by your outstanding achievement.”
I am Buddhika and at the moment I am over whelmed, to such an extent that I can’t concentrate on the happy congratulating faces around me, this almost perfect moment of my life transports me three years back, when I had just joined DIST, my college.
Back then I was a nobody, everything about me screamed of self pity and self doubts. As days passed by, this place started scaring me, I would dread every day of college in the fear of being asked to do public speaking or attending workshops or seminars. I was just not that type. I would prefer staying in class and hiding behind my books from friends, teachers, even the staff. This social awkwardness of mine was becoming a growing problem, I had no idea as to how I would manage a career in Marketing without having the confidence of asking my bench partner her name.
So, there came a day when all my fears came true and I could not escape the constant request’s of teachers to participate in a public speaking session. I waited in the wings cursing my ill stars, thinking this was the moment where I screwed everything. The anchor announced my name twice, I was panic stricken. Someone pushed me from behind and I fumbled onto the stage. That stage which made me see a zillion faces in the crowd, all looking at me, waiting for me, I was not even sure as to how I should hold the microphone. After minutes of fumbling and some tears I was able to choke the words ”I am sorry, I can't do it.” And ran from there.I wished this was all a bad dream but unfortunately it was not, tomorrow scared me further. I would be publically ridiculed and made fun of.
With the arrival of tomorrow all my frowns were erased into a calm expression. Not even one soul made fun of me neither were the teachers angry, they were extremely supportive of me. Some of the seniors even approached me and said how they went through the same experience last year and that it gets better over time.
That night I could not sleep not out of worry but because I felt positive. I thought to myself that if outsiders can invest faith in me why can’t I too for a change, give it a shot? If I am getting exposure and training why not make the best of it?
Since that day there has been no looking back for me, years in DIST were like steps to a ladder, a ladder which only made me rise high above from where I belonged. Today I just cracked a very important deal with our clients because of my communication skills and was announced the marketing head of my firm.
I am Buddhika and at the moment I am over whelmed, to such an extent that am transported back to the present where I am nothing but grateful to DIST, my college.