XYZ Corp:
"Chief Business Analyst”, the name-board said. Humming a
tune to herself and fiddling through the magazines on the table, she waited
there impatiently, often stealing a nervous glance to the clock on the wall. She
was dressed impeccably with not even a strand out-of-place. In a chic
black formal shirt, white corduroy trousers and hair tied up in a bun, this
tall lean figure was nowhere close to being tired after a day of hectic work.
An hour back, she had been busy observing her friends
suppress giggles and squeals of joy as they moved about their work, the
surprise birthday party that they were going to throw for her that night was on
everyone’s mind, including hers. As she sat there thinking of what the year
might offer for her, the phone on her desk rang. To her surprise, it was
the secretary of her big boss telling her that he wanted to have a
word with her in an hour or so. Well, there goes my year, she thought.
The clock struck 8.30 and she was ushered into his office.
This was her first time in his office and all that she could think of was the
pride on the faces of her parents if they saw her in such an office. After all,
that is exactly why she had been given all sorts of training and education. A
topper from school, she had never really learnt the meaning of failure till
now. A graduate of BITS- Pilani and an MBA holder from IIM-A, she has never had
to look back and have much regrets in her life. The voice of her parents brimming with joy was all that she remembered of that day when she got her first fat-salaried job.
As she sat down on the chair opposite her boss, she was
still in her own world.
Boss: Do you have any idea why I’ve called you?
She: Frankly sir, no.
Boss: I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about you and
have been observing your performance from then on and I must say that I’m
impressed. And so, when a matter of promotion was brought to my notice, I put forth your name. Congratulations on this promotion. Keep up this good work and it will only be a couple of
years before you find yourself in this chair.
A pre-birthday gift that she will remember for years to
come. She wanted to jump with joy and scream her happiness to the world but all
that came out of her mouth was a mild “Thanks."
XYZ Hotel:
As if in a dream from another era, she woke up and thought
about her own life as she waited in the corridor.
Wearing a faded blouse and a tattered old sari tucked up at
her waist, hair held together with the help of lot of pins, balancing 4 glasses of water on one hand and four thalis on the
other, she manoeuvred her way through the crowded restaurant. From the other side she could hear the
chatter of the young professionals who often visited this place for a quick
dinner. Amidst all this, she finally reached her destination and served her
customers with a warm smile.
As she turned around, another table called out to her;
their request was a birthday special. With a warm and innocent smile she wished
the girl and proceeded with the order.
All she could think of was her birthday, just another normal day.
No special orders, wishes, cakes or candles. Not even a hug or kiss from her
parents for she did not know who they were. And yet, all that she could think of was
the next day when she would be celebrating her birthday alone.
The clock on the coal-stained wall showed 8.30. She heard a familiar call from somewhere nearby and she
turned to see the hotel’s owner gesturing her to a corner of the restaurant with
a fake smile and a packet in his hand. Her heart gave a leap. A birthday present? But all of a sudden, emptiness was all that she could feel.
She did not know what she wanted or was it because all that she wanted was much
above her?
The three basic luxuries- food, shelter and clothing was
allowed to her in meagre measures; a decent education and employment denied to
her by the forces of the world; the love and care of parents and loved ones
denied to her from birth. What did she want?
Owner: So how has been the work today?
She: Nothing out of the ordinary.
Owner: I’ve been impressed by your dedication and so have
been a lot of others but none worthy of you.
But today, you have landed yourself a mighty shark. Consider this as a promotion in your profession.
She wanted to say a lot of things, at least to protest, but
her voice got stuck at her throat.
Owner: Here is a new sari for you. You know what is to be
done.
He handed over the packet to her. Her mind fought
desperately as she numbly received it. A pre-birthday gift that she will
remember for years to come.
A bolt of lightning outside bought her back to the corridor.
“Room 210”, she read and that was all she could read before
her eyes welled up. She knocked on the door and entered.
If only her existence was a dream.
