Let's call her 'danu'. My friend had this habit of taking things into consideration, a lot many times before arriving at a decision. And invariably she would come to me for  suggestions, speaking in a tone which suggested 'help me na'. i of course was a sucker for any free service of  advice, that is abundant in all of us, isn't it? That afternoon i had gone somewhere( a movie i think), when i had called her to say hello. Honeydew asked me to come and see her immediately after the movie; it was regarding an interview she was supposed to have with a top guy in our company. Upon meeting her, i told her to be very positive and sound enthusiastic about the new profile she aspires to get, that is if selected at all. After a few queries as to what she might be asked,Danu left for her meeting. Later in the evening, at around dinner time, she sent a message that i should come and see her. There was this staff cafeteria where i chanced upon her, she was looking for me; her eyes spoke more than they wanted to, she was tensed. The staircase leading up to the floors in our office was a secluded place to have a 'private' chat. We went up two floors to a suitable spot; lest someone overhears our conversation. Sensing the nature of the situation, i spoke as carefully as possible, but she broke down as soon as we sat down on the staircase. She wept on and on clutching her face, i awkwardly placed an arm around her(never at ease with these things). Poor Danu must have cried for a full four minutes, when she finally managed to mumble that she needs my handkerchief. Snapped out of a daze, self ran downstairs to grab the nearest napkin lying around(we have no shortage of such things, ever). She wiped her face, i helpfully offered her a glass of water, she drank some, sniffed a little, and then told her story. 

It seemed she wanted to get hold of a better profile, she had been trying hard for it for the past year or so, in some other company. Likewise, here too(she was a new employee) her talent was lying waste for lack of opportunity, and for that regards she had applied to join the sales team. They flunked her;again, that's what she was worried about. The interview mentioned earlier had gone well only till the point of her presenting her case well, they/he/the interviewer had actually appreciated her 'spunk'. What's spunk, Sam? she had asked me in between telling her story. But alas, in the end she still was empty handed, her 'bad luck' hadn't left her still, she was heartbroken. Now what can a colleague, or even a friend do in such a situation? except may be perk her up. That i did. i told her that she was a genuinely nice human being, a rarity. Sometimes even the rarest of things do not get the attention they deserve, you do not worry, and certainly do not cry, stop being a crybaby. 'Stop being such a girlie' wouldn't you like to put up a better fight? i see that you aspire, which is good, now get your act together and get going, you'll succeed surely. She thanked me for being with her. i thanked her for sharing her 'down' time. We all share our 'up' time very easily, but hardly speak to anyone when things aren't rosy enough. A few months later, Danu came to me teary eyed again, this time to say good bye. She was leaving for a better position, a better profile that she had wished for so long. We spent a few hours together, relieving all the wonderfull moments spent that made up these past few months. Her life now seemed on track, and i was happy to see her smile and giggle at my silly jokes again. She had left on a bus, i had waved at her till the bus turned a corner. i knew we wouldn't meet again. Some instincts are too strong. It has been a long time.i am sure you did well in your life. i wish you only the best 'Danu'.