My Journey to US Visa Part 2

Continued from Part 1: My Journey to US Visa Part 1

I thought I cannot bring mobile, wallet and other stuff to the finger printing center. So, I took out some paper cash and slipped into my trousers’ pocket. I was such a doofus I forgot I could book an ola cab before leaving and could pay through ola money or cash I was carrying. I urged the lobby manager to book the ola for me and send me the invoice. But he looked less interested but lacked the courage to say no to me. With a hint of indifference, he booked the cab, but it was cancelled by driver itself. It was already 2PM and I analyzed the situation. Just because I need to get a bill for my travel to US visa center so that my company reimburses it I couldn’t jeopardize the entire visa process for me. I went out and took an auto. He made me reach the center well on time.

It looked like newly developed building. The security guards guided me toward the entry. On the basement there was a photocopy shop cum cyber café. I went to 1^st floor. There were 3 queues for 3 consecutive time slots. I had a 2:45PM slot. The queues were having a signboard at the front saying 2:15, 2:30 and 2:45PM. I jumped in my queue.

Paranoia returns

In the queue we were asked to proceed for metal detector body checkup. I went ahead and get it done. Post that there was the entrance table where a designated officer was checking the DS 160 form of candidate, appointment confirmation and passport. When my turn came the officer tallied my information against the passport. In my DS 160 form my name was written was UPADHYAY, ADITYA UPADHYAY and in my passport it was UPADHYAY, ADITYA. He told me please get this corrected and get back to me at 4:30PM. For a moment I was completely blacked out. My profile was not strong enough to crack the visa interview and now this hurdle. I had my appointment at 2:45 PM and I was surely not going to miss that. I asked him but I have not brought the mobile how can I update my DS 160. He told me there is a cyber café at the basement. It will help you but they will charge.

I hurriedly ran towards the basement and reach the cyber café. There was a small queue there and I was seeing perplexed faces in tension trying to get their DS 160 form corrected.  Even I joined the queue. When my turn came I told the counter lady that how can I retrieve the form it is already submitted? She assured me in Tamil, English and Hindi when I was clueless on what she was trying to say. She asked me my details and took passport from me and started correcting not only the name but each and every field under the form. I was blown away by her confidence, speed and efficiency. Then she uttered those three words which I was definitely not eager to listen. She said “ SAAR 200 RUPEES”. I was totally dumbstruck. She told me this is the fixed charge for form correction. I regretfully gave her the money. The correction burned a big hole in my already light pocket. I was worried if I would have enough money to return to hotel. Again I reinforced my focus on the process. I hurried back to the queue. Then told the staff I am already late and went for correction in the form. They cordially supported me and permitted me to break the queue and directly go for metal detector body checkup. This time I passed the DS 160 form verification test.

I was asked to proceed towards another table where again I showed the passport. This time I was given a token number. The LCD screens were displaying the counters and token number in tandem. After some 10 minutes of wait my name came and went to the bio metrics. He asked me for 4 fingers print of each side. Naturally my pinky finger is away from my ring finger when spread my palm. This fact was not helping in completing the finger printing. With some efforts I stuck the fingers together and finished the finger printing. It was following by thumbs and a photograph. The gentleman at the counter asked me to go back a little then asked me to straighten my shoulders and lower my chin.  Naturally my shoulders are not at the same level. He was unable to understand this. After some 5 minutes of effort the photograph was finally taken. The day’s proceedings were finally over. I happily collected all my documents and arranged my folder and left the place.

I reached the hotel in 30 minutes and changed back to my casual wears. After some rest I stepped out of the hotel to amble across the streets of Chennai and have some local street food. I had decent tea which was followed by humongous and super soft idlis. The idlis were very scrumptious and very light to the pocket. 

I roamed around for half an hour more and walked back to the hotel. Somehow the tension was not going away for the interview. I watched some comedy shows like The Big Bang Theory and Tom and Jerry to alleviate my mood. I didn’t have dinner that day. I started focusing my energy to calm my nerves. I gave a first mock interview to myself facing the mirror. I noticed my mannerisms, my rate of speech, my voice clarity and my confidence. I tweaked the content and again gave a second mock interview. By the third interview I was sure of myself. I was not sure about the result tomorrow but I knew one thing I am finally in the best state of my mind. I can deliver my best tomorrow. If that is enough to crack the interview I left to almighty to decide.

THE D DAY ARRIVES

To be continued in Part 3...