And Then Mumbai Happened

IK no one will read this but anyways..

This story begins two years ago, in 2022. As a student at IIIT Surat, my world revolved around Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA), placements, and the dream of landing a job at a top tech company. Life was on a clear track.

At the time, our campus was still a work in progress, located 17 km outside the main city. I often wondered how I ended up there, especially when I had hoped for SVNIT. But life, as I was beginning to learn, had its own script for me.

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A Shift

After countless hours, I had to admit that DSA wasn't my calling. I could code, and I was decent at it, but my heart wasn't in it. This realization pushed me toward mobile app development. In 2022, I launched my first app, a simple tool that solved a common WhatsApp frustration: the inability to message someone without first saving their number. My app streamlined this into a single step. To my amazement, it went viral, accumulating around 200,000 downloads.

This initial success was incredibly validating and encouraged me to continue developing apps that solved real-world problems.

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I was lost

The year 2023 brought a new, all-consuming experience: I fell in love. Life suddenly felt complete. Weekends were a blur of dates and newfound happiness. I was on autopilot, living for the moments we spent together. However, I didn't realize the trade-off I was making. My focus had shifted entirely. I stopped studying, paused my app development, and paid little attention to my academics.

During this time, I decided to prepare for the CAT and joined an offline coaching center in Surat. I was in love, and she loved me backeverything felt perfect. But looking back, I see I couldn't manage it all. I was enrolled in coaching but wasn't studying. My thoughts were consumed by the weekend and the time I'd spend with her.

When I finally sat for the CAT exam, the result was a brutal wake-up call. I failed. Miserably.

A wave of self-doubt washed over me. Am I capable enough? Am I on the right path? Do I deserve this?

Failure wasn't new to me. I had failed my first JEE attempt, my BITS attempt, and the IIT exam. I was never a class topper or great at sports. But one belief always kept me going, inspired by a quote from Nikhil Kamath: no matter the setback, you get back up. So, I remembered that and decided to try again. I was incredibly grateful to have my girlfriend, family, and friends supporting me, making me feel like I was still on the right track.

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That Year

By early 2024, not much had changed. I failed the XAT and NMAT exams, and my confidence hit rock bottom. I was at a crossroads: I hadn't sat for college placements, my apps were running on their own without active development, and I had failed all the management exams. The choice was between finding a job or dedicating myself to an MBA. Deep down, I knew an MBA was my path. It was an emotional decision, like most of my decisions, but my gut told me it was the right one.

I decided to take a drop year. By May, I was fully committed to my CAT preparation. The relationship, now long-distance, began to strain under the pressure. I was in a constant state of anxiety, but somehow, through sheer hard work and a bit of luck, I managed to score well on my second CAT attempt.

Finally, a win. But the battle wasn't over. Next came the interviews.

My first interview, for MDI Gurugram, was a disaster. My second, for IIT Delhi, didn't feel much better. I knew I had a unique storymy "X-factor" with the appsbut I was failing to present it effectively.

Then, luck finally turned in my favor. I received an offer from IIM Mumbai. I was immensely grateful.

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A Second Chance

Just as things were looking up, my relationship reached its breaking point. The long distance had created a chasm between us. We hadn't seen each other in person for a year, communication was strained, and our conversations were filled with disappointment. A week before I was due to join IIM Mumbai, we broke up. The feeling of emptiness was overwhelming.

But then, Mumbai happened.

The relentless pace of IIM Mumbai became my unlikely savior. The workload was a tidal wave of lectures, case studies, and group projects that demanded my complete attention. There was simply no time to dwell on heartbreak. My days were packed from dawn till late at night, fueled by endless cups of chai and the shared ambition of my peers.

This demanding schedule was a blessing. It forced me to connect with my new environment. I built friendships during intense brainstorming sessions, found laughter in the common room, and discovered new passions through various clubs. I was too busy learning, growing, and experiencing new things to look back.

Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the girl who had once occupied my every thought faded into the background. I don't know exactly when it happened, but I realized I no longer thought about her. Though she remains one of the best people I've ever met, her life and her decisions no longer affected me. The emptiness had been filled with a quiet confidence and an excitement for the future.

Mumbai wasn't just a city or an institution; it was the catalyst that allowed me to heal, to thrive, and finally, to move on.

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Pulket