Of an IT Bond!

Friday, June 05, 2009

“Are you joining us for a tea?” ----- A voice loomed through the serene surroundings of Aditi’s cubicle. She leaned over to see the familiar faces, the people whom she dealt with everyday as they happen to be colleagues. She works in a multinational; the tinted glass of her office building boasts the very fact of high pay packets and ultimate style. The thought of getting together at the café table brought a shudder.

She mulled over a past experience – they would soon gripe about the office, a lethal character assassination of other groups, teams and even criticisms aimed at their bosses. There would be surreptitious glances, suppressed laughs as they wind their way to the next prey. The gathering could be well said as a true re-incarnation of the teenage-college clan, but she was not in vogue for that.

“Nope, go ahead, I need to finish something and push off early.”

“There you are, as usual, not in the mood. What’s biting you pal?” giggled Payal, the self proclaimed witty, ever ready with quips marked at others. The group received this with more chuckles and moved on. Aditi shrugged it off and sat agaze at her computer feigning work. Not able to concentrate, her eyes hovered around and came to halt at a ‘Friends Forever’ card and soon the train of thoughts seeped in.

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

They were a two-girl gang, Aditi and Akshaya, quite popular in the office as they fluttered around with gleeful faces. Driven by the hep attitude, they were able to blend a cocktail of office life and get along well with others. The other colleagues were envious as it was quite uncommon for flourishing friendships at office spaces. She thought of her first meeting with Akshaya when she joined her previous office.

“This is Akshaya, your team member”, told her boss to a nervous Aditi as she looked and smiled at her. An assuring smile, radiant with confidence and soon she found herself talking to Akshaya. It didn’t take long for a friendship to sprout between them. They were soon chattering away all the free time, words flowed in easily and they had so much in common. She was her confidante and they enjoyed the times together.

As she peered more into the card, tears welled up in her eyes. She thought about the last time she had seen Akshaya. It was at the airport, while she was embarking on a journey for higher studies. Aditi remembered that she was always good at studies, ranked more than the above average girl she was. Her idea of studies putting a break to career puzzled her and she couldn’t forget the day when Akshaya put the thought through.

“Hey babes, I am flying” – a sudden remark and a hug startled Aditi as she was trying to resolve some day to day issues at work. It was Akshaya with a visibly infectious smile and an air of achievement. She panted all through while telling the fact that she had won a coveted scholarship to the US for studies. At first, the news didn’t sink in as Aditi said a quick ‘congrats yaar’ and listened further. It shocked her as the seriousness of the matter hit her after a while. She was bereft, being lost the ability to think on anything. “What will I do if she leaves so sudden… ……Whom do I talk to?” the questions kept pacing in. A snapshot of their friendship was aired in her mind.

“Don’t you worry, I would call you and email”, after all we would be friends forever”, hushed Akshaya as she held Aditi’s hand and tried best to control her emotions. Everything seemed so fast, her packing and seeing her off at the airport. They kept in touch and occasional calls resounded the days of friendship. Soon, times changed and the dreaded word ‘busy’ drew the space between them and emails were mere wishes for festivals or for birthdays.

She struggled to keep herself busy at office but it was close to impossible with no one to run to, to share a joke. She left the company as the emptiness of her leaving aggravated, and lured by brand image, joined the present company and couldn’t make friends with anyone.

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

“Bing!!! – announced the presence of an email, that shook her awake from the flurry of thoughts. It was the mail from Akshaya, after a long interval of months.

“I am coming for vacation, let’s catch up” – though in a simple line, it conveyed a lot of unspoken emotions and she was smiling.

“Hey Payal, wait up, I am also joining”, ran Aditi gleaming with joy……