TRAPEZE ACTS…
Everything was going good in the life of Kailash. Three years back, he was promoted to Senior Manager and he became an integral part of his company’s important project. Getting additional responsibilities from the organization made him more confident and wannabe. His business acumen made his colleagues envious. He submerged his personal life beneath the aspiration of his professional career. His family adjusted his insincerity towards them because they knew he was the sole bread- earner with so many liabilities on his shoulder.
Kailash had been in the industry for the last 17 years, but this was his golden period where everything was falling in place as per his craving. Seniors would appreciate him in the meetings. His subordinates would write appreciative emails for his support in their achievements. His peers had no choice but to say good things about him in the official gatherings.
The only area of improvement for him was to come to the office on time in the morning. His colleagues would talk in his absence about his late arrival, but nobody dared to drop comments in front of him. This was because everybody felt that he could be their Boss in the coming days.
He was getting calls from various consultants. They were after his life to place him in other companies and in turn, they could earn a good amount of money.
But he was a MAN OF COMMITMENT. He always showed loyalty to the organization. He felt that one should think several times before taking the decision of changing a job. What was the thought behind his philosophy? Nobody knew. This was only his second company in the 17 years of stint in the industry.
Colleagues had started buttering him, keeping in mind his promotion was due this year. He was a strong contender for the position of Vice President. There were other employees too in the race, but he was the most vintage employee who knew the system and market better than anyone else around. Days were going by, but his focus towards his goal remained intact.
“Kailash… Kailash… wake up! It’s already eight- thirty,” a shrilled voice touched his eardrums.
Kailash changed the side and covered his face with the quilt.
“Oh ho… how come he becomes so lazy on Sunday? Kailash, wake up! Pinky would not spare you today.”
He stretched his muscles, yawned, and got up. His eyes were still refusing to open. He ran his hands through his hair. His half-closed eyes and intermittent yawning was ushering his unpreparedness for today’s program.
“Kailash, C’mon, wake up! We won’t listen to any excuses today.”
Kailash squinted at his wife and said,“Roma, pleeease manage it today. Last night I could not complete my presentation, I have only today to finish it.”
“I will not say anything to her. She almost counted every day for this program,” his wife said in a stern voice. “Roma, please… next week, for sure.” He looked at her and smiled feebly.
She put her hands on his shoulder and said, “I understand Kailash, your job is very important for you, but don’t you think your family also carries some importance in your life.”
“I know darling, but give me some time. I have been working for this opportunity for years. Only a few months are left in this financial year. You know, in my line of work, perception creates a more important role than sincerity. That means, being sincere alone won’t help, you also need to be in the good books of the company.”
Roma was hearing his justification silently, as always. “If I am given the responsibility of the Management Trainee Project then my promotion to Vice President is guaranteed,” Kailash thwacked on the bed with a confident voice.
“Kailash, being ambitious is good, but it should not be translated into an obsession. If they do not give you the desired promotion this year too, then?” Roma’s voice trailed off.
Kailash knew what she meant, but he remained silent putting his gaze down. Probably, he did not have an answer to it.
Every year Kailash stretched himself till the last day of the year. In return, all he would get was a promise of something good in the coming year, if he continued working like that. However, till now, there had been no sign of the anticipated ‘something good’.
Why was Kailash silent? Why had he not changed the job by now? The reasons were known only to God or himself.
His daughter, Pinky, was so upset with him that she did not even come to his room to show her anger and displeasure.
The next day he had a meeting with the senior management, which could be instrumental in establishing his readiness for his dream project. He had been working on this subject for a couple of months. He did not want to miss the bull’s-eye.
As usual, he was the first person to enter the board meeting. Suddenly, his phone rang.
“Good morning, Sir… This is Shilpi Chowdhury from Zodiac Consultants. Is this the right time to talk to you?”
He could smell the purpose of her calling. He smiled and said, “Good morning, Shilpi… ahh… right now I am going for a meeting, can you call me tomorrow in the second half?
“Sure, Sir.”
The call from the consultants always boosted his confidence. He knew that he could be a good resource for any organization.
His presentation in the board meeting was admirably fine and matchless compared to others. After coming out from the board room, his peers appreciated him for the accomplishment of his projects, which were silently taking him to the lane of SUCCESS. His expectation was soaring, but he was disturbed. In today’s meeting, the stakeholders had decided to shed off most of the employees of a particular channel which was opened two years back but had been struggling since inception. This could be the only reason for his unhappiness, otherwise, he stole the show today.
After the board meeting, he went into his cabin and buried himself in work. His concentration broke from the knocking at his cabin door. He looked at the glass door and a young lady, Neha, clad in a white collar shirt and black trousers, was standing at his door and waving her hand. She was sexually not so attractive, but her face and personality could make anyone’s heart melt. She always smiled, sometimes giggled and most of the times burst into laughter without caring the place and people.
He signalled her to get inside the cabin.
She slowly pushed the glass door and forwarded her hand to congratulate him. Neha was junior to him, but in the short span of eight months, they had overcome the professional barriers and were as good as office friends.
“Hi genius, you stole the show today!” She smiled and grabbed a chair near him.
He smiled back and said, “Let’s see, what happens this year; am just keeping my fingers crossed.”
She leaned towards him and said, “Don’t worry, you would be the Vice President of this organization very soon.”
“How do you know?” he asked inquisitively.
“Mata Neha has predicted,” and then both burst into laughter.
“No, really, I mean it. Your presentation was really good.” She settled her spectacles.
“Would you like to have tea or coffee?” Kailash asked.
“Anything.”
Kailash called the office boy and asked him to bring two cups of coffee for them.
“Kailash, can I ask you something, if you don’t mind?” She looked at him gravely.
Usually, Neha never discussed anything serious. Her serious approach was ushering something which itself created curiosity in his mind.
“What?” He said spontaneously.
Neha craned towards him and suggested, “Why don’t you change the organization? I mean, you have all the abilities to prove your mettle anywhere in the world…” and her voice trailed off.
He looked at Neha and tried to figure out the reason for suggesting something which she usually did not do. Had the advice come out of empathy or will she be somehow benefited out of this?
Kailash remained silent.
Before Kailash could reply, his phone rang. “Kailash?” His boss’s voice came as he answered the phone.
“Yes, Sir,” he became attentive. “Your presentation was good.” “Thank you, Sir.”
“But…”
The word “BUT” sparked a kind of uncertainty towards his aspiration.
