After all, what are friends for?
* A short story
The clock struck 5 and the call
taxi honked below the apartment. Sam and his mother set out to the airport. Before
boarding she said “Sameer, All your friends complain you don’t keep in touch.
There is more to life than work. You have accomplished a lot for your age. But
have a life outside work also.” Sam had got tired of hearing this time and
again. He hugged and said good bye to his mom.
Sam went through the last month’s calendar.
There was a get together of college friends on May 3rd. He couldn’t make it. The
project appraisal came up and when it comes to work, everything else can wait.
The next Sunday, his cousins came visiting his uncle living in the city. Again
he had to fill in for Riya who was on a holiday. He could have said no but he
didn’t want to leave a chance to impress his boss.
Sam took the cell to check if the daily
alarm was on. There were a couple of unanswered messages and calls. Nothing concerning
work. May be there is some truth to what his mother told. He thought to
himself.
Sam woke up to the 6th
ring of the cell . “Hello Sameer”.That meant it’s a call from his hometown. No
one here calls him by that name anymore. Sameer, did I wake you up? I called up
to say I am coming by evening bus. Be there to pick me up at the station. I
don’t know anyone there ok? Before Sam could reply the phone was hung up. It
took him a while to make out it was his childhood friend, Hari. They met last
month after a long time during a mutual friend’s marriage. At that time Hari told
he will be coming to the city this month. For courtesy sake, Sam welcomed him. He
had no idea Hari will take him seriously. Things like these disturb him when
people take things for granted.
Today, Sam has a very important
client meeting. It could make or break his upcoming promotion. He had been
preparing all along for this particular presentation. He thought if Hari does
not find him at the station, he will find a lodge and when they meet, he will
make something up. Hari is so gullible after all.
Sam reached office. No one in his
module has reached. As his colleague Riya always say, it’s because they all
have a life! Yea right! Client meeting is at 11. Got some ground work to do.
Collected some documents, some data backup, rushed through the presentation
once. All set.
The clock showed 930 but there is
some confusion in the office. Everyone is moving about. Then he saw Riya coming
towards him with a long face. What happened? , he asked Rhea. “ You didn’t know? It’s all over
the news,”
What’s all over the news? What is it?, he couldn’t take the suspense. “We are losing our jobs. Our chairman is
arrested.” What? You are kidding me!!! ,Sam couldn’t believe his ears.
Our company is shutting down Sam!
Got a mail from the HR asking us to leave the office and wait for further intimation
. He checked the inbox.
He felt numb, He did not know how
to react, What does he do now?
This company is his identity. His
personal life is his professional life. He has not even talked properly to anyone
outside work for the last 6 months.
Riya said she is not going home. She
did not want to face her family. Ram also said he is going to his friend’s
bachelor pad. Sam did not have anywhere to go.
He called up Rohit. The number
appeared to be busy. He called up Maya. Her number has changed. He couldn’t go
home. He went to the Fern hill apartments of Vidya and Rahul. Neighbours said
they are on a vacation.
He went home. Alone and frustrated.
He felt restless. The news channels were blaring with his company’s news. He
was getting calls from home. He did not pick up.
He lost all his hope. He thought he
knew what fear was. That day, he realized what it feels to be scared.
It’s 6 in the evening and the door
bell rang. Sam wondered who could it be. He opened the door and saw Hari
standing there. He hugged Hari tight. Hari said “Your mom said you might be
busy at work. So aunty gave your address.”
Sam broke down. “It’s ok Sameer. Everything
will be alright. I resigned the job back home. I have an offer from HP and will
be joining next week. Let me see what I can do. After all, what are friends for?”.
Arun Babu.
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