However dramatic the title may sound, but leaving this office would indeed be a tough task. Suddenly, even the most pathetic thing in the office will make you miss it. As soon as the reverse counting begins, you start feeling nostalgic. Oh!!! Today's the last Monday that i will be reading the Sunday Times.
No more drinking water from this dispenser.
No more reading the free issue of "Campaign India" or for that matter, Namaskar, By the Way, India Today Woman etc etc.
No more asking Bossy to go home early.
No more combined lunch hours and boxes.
No more "creative" discussions.
No more "saw that ad of so-and-so, it's so third-class, I tell you. Isse acha toh apan bana lete".
No more, "they again took our idea and made an Ad"
No more punching the attendance cards.
No more pulling legs of each other.
No more "dalwadas" or "sev khamni" or etc. etc.
And yes, no more cursing the clients.
Time passed quickly after joining this place and one day I come to know, I am celebrating my second anniversary of joining. It's been more than two years that I am working here. When I had joined, I didn't like this ambience even an inch. I use to promise myself, just 6 months and I am leaving this place. I am here just for "experience". As soon as I get a good opportunity, I will jump to it. But the first call from a competitor company to get me in, had made me change my mind. "I must be doing a great job, and that's the reason the competitors want me to join them". I couldn't believe that I had denied them for a fatter pay-check. Then it clicked me, "Ah…I am loving it here".
A salary raise at 6 months, made me sure to hang in here. However, the cursing and blaming continued. People left and many more joined in. Felt bad for the ones leaving and welcomed the newbies. And there came a time, when I was the only girl left in the strength of 30. This too passed. By this time, I had prepared myself to handle isolation.
Neha. She joined in as a Sr. Client Servicing Executive. She was given the desk next to me. And this was not new. Right from my early days in school, newbies were given a place next to me. Both of us gelled easily. Not just for one reason, there are an umpteen of them. Beginning from our home-towns to our tastes, everything matched to the tee. My life in the office changed drastically. We were like twins. We knew everything about each other, even the reactions and pro-actions. But, she too left due to her wedding.
But she fulfilled many of my dreams - A dream of having a close friend, a close colleague and yes, a dream to leave the office soon. I needed a solid reason to leave the office. And I think the reason came to her belief in me and God. No, this article is not dedicated to Neha. But even though we spent just 6 months in the office together, yet around 70% of my office talks would be consumed of her.
It’s just a week to go and then I will be leaving this office. When I saw our ex-employees visiting office often, I used to wonder that why is it they come back. Now, I got the secret. There’s a charm here. This charm will never let you cut your umbilical cords with it. It has been a professional mother to me. And will always be. It’s been my first job and most probably the last one.
Being the emotional one who cries at the drop of hat, it would be very tough for me to say "goodbye". But as they say that "best of friends must part", I wave a goodbye to everyone who contributed in changing me.
When there are lines upon my face from a lifetime of smiles,
When the time comes to embrace for one long last while,
We can laugh about how time really flies,
We won't say goodbye 'cause there would be tear in my eyes
Miss you everyone.
