It was too gloomy for a Friday. Bangalore weather had got somber and chill, and made the Bangaloreans think of just the pillow and the bed. To add to it, Krishna had an Interview at 9.30 am. He was back home from [over]work just in the midnight; and all he needed at this hour was just some peace of mind and a peaceful sleep. He was deprived of both, at that moment..
It was 10 minutes before the interview schedule. He was seated at the reception, waiting for his host's call.
This was just a chance he was taking - a custom, worldwide in the Corporate world, for the obvious reasons! Considering all the bizarre events that took place while riding his way to the interview Venue, he needed little time at least to collect himself (if not for a sleep!).
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...Half-sleepy - he had run into a No-Entry path on the way and was fined for it. In trying to cover up for the time he had lost, he sped a bit and dint realize that he was on a water-clogged road due to heavy rains the previous night. A car had just passed by with a greater speed and had splashed on his Interview attire! He abused the moron and cursed him...the car had already left!
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"Dude! what's up? You here?..I mean..good to see you!" - Kris looked up..startled! It was his colleague Kevin, who also had come for an interview! Kevin was equally embarrassed.
Kevin and Kris - once upon a time buddies - were the most talked about competitors in the team. The higher authority had succeeded in drilling out both the 'resources', terming each one as a 'potential project lead'! The rat-race had just damaged their 'buddy' status, and had created a professional tiff between them. Nevertheless, they maintained a cordial rapport. Discussions were on as to who would get the Promotion. This was to be announced on the same day..
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The team had assembled in the Meeting Room. This was one of those rare meetings which had some meaningful Agenda and everyone was looking forward for it. Both, Kevin and Kris were done with their Interviews for the day and were well on time at office. None spoke about the interview.
'And finally its time to announce the Rewards and Promotions, something you have been waiting for, quite a while now' - spoke up the Ops Manager who was assigned the task of announcing the quarterly rewards and the promotion.
If it were a promotion, this would be the first one for Kris in his career. Ditto! for Kevin as well! The only difference was - Kris was yet to receive even the quarterly rewards. Inspite of being appreciated for work, and being called as a 'potential frontrunner' - Management had not rewarded his work till date. Was it a sheer overlook - a business tactic ? Or some lapse in communication? - he never understood...
4 rewards were announced, one by one, in the team of 25. None of the K's names were mentioned. Kris kept up his hopes though - waiting for the big announcement!
'And I am pleased to announce that we have a new Project Lead this year, replacing Miss Uma earlier this year. And that's none other than - Kevin D' Souza'
....The world came crashing down for Kris. For a couple of minutes, he felt like a loser. This was the first time, this kind of politics had pinched him. Theoretically, he was not new to it! But when reality bit him, he felt the pinch. All the efforts of 2 and a half years..all the appreciations he had received..started feeling meaningless! He wanted to just run out of that place. He felt an alien to the place where he was seated. Nothing made sense...
He was not completely shattered. He just needed some time to collect his feelings and digest whatever had happened in the day. At that moment, he was carrying a very heavy feeling...nobody noticed it..except for one colleague..
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It was 11pm already! Kris did not realize he had spent the last half an hour gazing at the blank red sky, until he found that his cigarette pack had exhausted! It was almost an end of an unusual day, the night started getting equally cold. Kris moved to the floor, to pack up..
Team had already left for the day, except for that one colleague..who had noticed him...Kris was surprised..and obviously a little happy!
'Nisha! Why you stretching so late..on a Friday!! ?'
'Had some pending work' - she lied, with a smile and a soft tone.
Nisha was a Simpleton, highly matured girl in the team - little naughty, and equally shrewd at work. Nothing went unnoticed out of her sight. Like Kris n Kevin, Nisha too - had some 'frenemies' ..some rather nasty ones. But unlike the guys, she hardly made a noise about it and chose to concentrate on 'Constructive things'.
In a very short time, Kris and Nisha had shared a great bonding with each other. He admired her simplicity. He always liked her way of handling things and people, even when pointed out at - something that he never was able to do. He admired the simplicity she carried. He liked her way of looking at the 'Bigger Picture' of things. He admired the smile she carried along. Secretly...he loved her...
Though Nisha was comparatively new to the team, she very well understood the dynamics that had existed. She was one of the 4 awardees. However, she very well understood what Kris had just gone through, and knew he had deserved the better!
'How will you get back home? Taking the cab?'
'I thought you have come by bike?' - she winked.
'Shucks..My bad! shall I drop you home?' Nisha was already heading off towards the parking area at the basement, with his jacket and the helmet in hand.
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It was drizzling. The midnight hour was just descending. At the highway, on the way to Nisha's place, was a 24 hour Cafe Coffee Day - a place where the team often chilled out during peak work times, for a break. This day, it was only the 2!
'Cuppa coffee ? Perfect start for the weekend!' - offered Nisha [knowing the obvious response].
'Sure', replied Krishna, with no expression..rather too exhausted to give any expression. 'perfect weather too' - he said to himself.
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The song 'Tum ho toh' from Rock On was playing in the Cafe. Kris was all silent at the table - a very rare scenario, considering his very jovial and optimistic nature. Nisha did not complain.
'So, how was your day today? You seemed little lost' - she knew what was going on. He knew she was just playing up. There was no need to explain.
'They have a knack of terming absolutely anything as Smart Work. Anything!' - laying emphasis at the last word, he shrugged.
'SMART WORK!' - she uttered, and giggled. ' a term most abused in this world' - she continued.- 'Come on, this is not the end.. and you know that... after a pause...A day will come when even dry nurses will be termed as Smart workers'. - Kris had laughed for the first time in the last 24 hours. She finally managed to put a cheer on his face.
Kris just looked at her smile. He still got an urge to kneel down and say to her all that he had been wanting to. But something in him, just dint let him do so. It was the 'loser' label that he had given to himself for the day...that had shadowed him..that had almost convinced him this was just not the right day!
After a bit of gossip and humor, the duo decided to call it a Friday. They walked towards his bike, Kris doing a bit of talking this time. Nisha silently nodded to whatever he was talking, without paying much attention. Suddenly, it seemed as if she was waiting for something.
They went near the bike. Kris dug into his Jacket pockets for the keys, when he found a paper note wrapped inside. He took out the paper and opened it. Nisha gazed at him, with her smile a little more lightened up..waiting for the obvious reaction. Finally, he came across the note that she had dropped inside his Jacket pocket, while in the basement back at the office; without his knowledge. The note said -
'How long will you keep me waiting you Idiot. I LOVE YOU! - Nishy '
Another thud fell down at Krishna's feet. For a minute, he felt like he was seeing some dream! Without his consciousness, he walked here and there for a couple of seconds, wanting to shout, not knowing what to say, what to do! His joy knew no bounds! Nisha captured every gesture of his and just gave her characteristic naughty stare at him.
He knelt in front of her, holding her hand and finally spoke his heart out! It felt as if all the bizarre incidents had been planned; Only to reveal the surprise that was awaiting.
'Nisha...I...I....' - tried to collect his thoughts and speak it out! he was choking out of excitement.
'And you lost this chan...' - he did not let her complete the sentence.
Damn the reward and promotion he had lost in the day! Damn the politics and ugly manipulations!And anyways, there was always another chance!
The real reward was right there...into his arms, embracing him...The chill midnight weather, was just perfect...
Cheers!
