Take it or leave it

This happened when I was waiting for my Engineering Counseling. Suggestions and Ideas came from all corners as what Branch i need to choose and other stuff. Several permutations & combinations were done to map college with specialisation. My parents were naturally excited to put me into engineering.

There was this cousin of mine who was in the US then. He was the first engineer in our family and we cousins were encouraged (read forced) to take up engineering.

My mom would say, “Sundar maadhiri varanum life la” ( One should come up in life like Sundar)

STD calls were made to find out what he studied in his engineering and it was unanimously decided that I should choose Mechanical Engineering because Sundar studied the same and is now in US. So, I joined Mechanical Engineering.

Things were going on smoothly until my cousin Sundar came down from US on vacation. Mom got his appointment for me to discuss abt my career.

Sundar came and this is how our conversation went on.

Sundar : Hi da!! Enna, joined Engineering ?

Me: (Proudly) Yes Anna.

Sundar : Gud da. Which Branch ?

Me: Mechanical.

At this point of time his expression changed and I knew something was wrong.

Sundar: Why Mechanical ?

Me: Some useless gyan. Evergreen, unlimited job opportunities … And above all you also did the same.

Sundar: But I work as a Software Engg

Me : Oh !!! ( Adapaavi gala, ellathayum keteenga, Sundar ennava work pannaraan nu kekalaya ?? )

Sundar: Mechanical Engg waste da. Is it possible to change your branch now ?

Me already fainted.

Having said that, I duly completed my Mechanical Engineering and followed Sundar’s footsteps and worked as a Software Engineer.

This was atleast better. Another cousin of mine wanted me do to Masters in Physics and become a professor. Me escape