NO… NOT IN THIS MONTH…
Standing in a queue for a long time to withdraw cash and coming out without money is very disappointing.
It was the most awaited day for every employee. Although it was 4:45 PM, the salary was yet to be credited. I pushed the glass door of ATM vehemently and darted out. I had a lot of official work to be completed within office hours so that I could take out some time for shopping which I had been planning for the last few months. Every month I miss my priority and land up in a negative balance by the end of the month. This month, before thinking of anything else, I had already decided to buy warm clothes for my children. Suddenly, my phone rang. The sound of it increased the palpitation of my heart. I answered the call.
“What a fucking report you have sent? Are you in your senses? I don’t understand why the organization hires idiots like you…” Each and every offensive word from my boss’s mouth was tearing the veil of my eardrums.
I remained silent. I wanted to shout louder than him. I wanted to abuse more cruelly than him, but I controlled myself because this was nothing new for me. This had become a regular practice. I stopped myself by consoling that he must have got a bitter scolding from his Boss and as an obedient subordinate, he was passing the same down to us. “He is paid for that…” I grumbled.
An SMS alert beeped, I immediately looked at my cell. My anger evaporated within a fraction of a second.“INR 60671.00 deposited to A/C XXXXXXXXXXXX2680 towards 0575487586756554575 Salary Nov13 value 30-NOV-2013. Clear Bal in INR 60698.00. Check credits subject to clearing.”
Though the amount credited in my account was approximately 5000 less, which was deducted towards income tax, it did not upset me much because I was aware of that.
This is the endowment for which we gulp down all the humiliation discharged on us, on a complimentary basis, as part of our daily routine. I did not think much and waved my hand to stop the cab. This is the time when most people like me think of themselves no less than a king. I got in the cab and reclined on the back seat just as a king sits on his throne, stretching my arm on the upper edge of the seat. One can feel a beautiful, hidden respite when he has sufficient funds credited in the bank against his needs. Even the polluted air outside felt like a soothing breeze to my face. I did not realize when I dozed off. Suddenly, an SMS alert beeped. I squinted at my cell to read: “INR 15000.00 debited to A/C XXXXXXXXXXX2680 towards ECS D- HOME SBI 3547689677. Clear Bal is INR 45698.00.”
It gives you a sense of pride when you enunciate the address of your apartment in front of someone, but when the hefty amount gets debited at the beginning of the month towards the Home loan, it pains much more. I could have spent my life in a smaller house too, had it not been my desire to live in an apartment. I asked the cab driver to stop the car and stepped out of it. Moving towards the showroom for my shopping spree, I felt a little hungry. I thought purchasing with an empty stomach would not help me negotiate properly so I got into a restaurant and ordered Chana Bhatura and Lassi. Another SMS alert beeped. I knew it must be a similar message of some other EMI. The SMS stated: “INR 5119.00 debited to A/C XXXXXXXXXXX2680 towards ECS D- CAR SBI 956489345. Clear Bal is INR 40579.00.”
The fresh Bhatura and Chana could increase anyone’s hunger. I could have examined the level of oil smearing on it but gorged on it without giving a damn. While I was enjoying its taste in every bite, my cell rang. Thank God this time it was my wife. I answered her call with a swag in my voice, “Yes, Madam… tell me, what can I do for you?”
“You sound very happy. Seems like your salary has been credited?” my wife’s husky voice also sounded very sexy.
“I am always happy,” I replied
“I had called to remind…” I interrupted and did not give her a chance to prove that she was the only one responsible in her duties and we, husbands, were just an earning machine.
I just blurted out, “I remember darling! Today I will buy warm clothes for both our children. You don’t worry. I am sitting in a restaurant just opposite the shop. You just tell me any color preferences you have for them.”
She stalled for a second and then said, “For Sarika, take pink and for Sunny, take red. The red color compliments his complexion.”
I could feel joy in her voice. While I was talking to her, I could feel that some SMS’s were hitting my inbox. After the call, I opened them one by one.
“INR 4029.00 debited to A/C XXXXXXXXXXX2680 towards ECS D- P.LOAN SBI 5695395754. Clear Bal is INR 36550.00.”
“INR 2013.00 debited to A/C XXXXXXXXXXX2680 towards ECS D- CESC SBI 8465927046. Clear Bal is INR 34537.00.”
“INR 6230.00 debited to A/C XXXXXXXXXXX2680 towards ECS D- CREDIT CARD SBI 3750163965. Clear Bal is INR 28307.00.”
Now I had only 28307/- in my account. My mood transformed from excitement to concern. The spell of being the king for a single day also started coming down gradually. I knew how important warm clothes were for my children, the cold days were approaching and I could not compromise on this. I started calculating the expenses for this month and it went like this:
