Glitch

Last Day at Work

It was a casual Saturday, I wore that checked shirt that I wore for the first day at the office. This time with less anxiety, way more fearless than I ever was. I took the corresponding route, the same long paces after the most acute hangover, perhaps the first and last, from my PG. While on my way, I saw my Team-Lead in the car with my colleague, to whom he usually hands over all my sales deals, taking me over while she waves at me and I pretend to walk fast and like her.

The safety protocols in the covid era demanded to lock the lifts, hence I have to take the 3 sets of staircases daily, followed by screening my body temperature, sanitizing & scanning the bar code behind my id card to enter my cubicle. I was so habituated to this ritual that sometimes I involuntarily do it indeed at my PG. Another day, another 300 cold callings & one heck of a monotonous job did not bother me that day. Perhaps, I was about to close a big deal, or I was getting relieved. I made a 'TO-DO-LIST' for that day and went on scrutiny rounds for the available commercial real estate space.

There was a haunted unoccupied space on the ground floor that was never bought since its establishment. I went in to analyze the pros and cons. I wonder if it was the ventilation, Air-flow, or the south-facing door like the superstitious crowd supposes or the bankruptcy and systematic breakdown of a start-up that could change the world. I was in contemplation until I saw a lovely white dove trapped in the ceiling, lord knows how long. I could not see it quivering to automatic air-conditioning of the conference hall while it flickers its hurt wings, helpless, unknown of the escape route due to its congested windowless configuration.

My attention was badly drawn by it that I was compelled to call my Supervisor. Oh yes! I was not used to the systems and operations, It was just my 69th day and I rushed to the handsome hunk, the crush of the office like a naive, unaware of what has to be done.

"Alex!", Meera here, I am on the ground floor, just behind the sparks co-working space, and I see a hurt dove trapped inside the G-180 locked space, we need to do something".

"Okay, Meera just stay there I will send someone."

" Yep.Alex!."

"Also, Report to me after you finish the rounds."

"Will do, Alex. Bye."

Alex was my savior who was there to advise me, help me with the pitching, dealing with the clients. He was everybody's favorite just like 'Jim Halpert' from the office American drama. Sane, valid, funny, most productive, lucrative for the company too because his sales record was always extraordinary. Perhaps, He was constantly guiding me for I wasn't suited at my job or I was able but lacked a channeling or he already knew the truth.

The office administrator comes into view, catches the dove with a net, and hands it over to me." Hold the dove tenderly while I open the shutter", He said.

"OMG! I am scared, It's hurt already!", I said.

" Don't be scared to help the helpless, It should be free. Moreover, It's Saturday and the company's laborers are on strike or leave or whatever." He said.

Our office had 3 branches and another one opening soon in the hassle and notorious city of Bengaluru. Provided pandemic conditions had led to the shutting down of one of the branches due to the dispute of lease agreement and decline of sales. Let us get authentic here, It was the first "Work From Home" era which neither the employer nor the employee would ever trade for. As such severe downsizing was taking place for which the tier 4 staff were protesting then.

" Meera let the bird fly, it doesn't belong here," the office administrator said.

"Goodbye, go and fly !" I kissed the dove on its beak and released it.

"Thank you, Shree!" I said.

"My pleasure ". He replied.

I went back to my desk and followed with Raman Gowda, who was scheduled to meet me at the CCD. One unselfish deal to hit the jackpot and reach the target before another cycle. I had huge expectations on this but alas!

" Morning, Mr. Raman, At what time can I expect you?"

" Oh Meera, I am sorry! I negotiated with my previous landlord with your quotation. Next year maybe!"

He hung up the call and yes! I was drowned in overwhelming emotions and a million thoughts flashed inside my mind. I couldn't concentrate anymore. Perhaps, changing my core field was not the best decision. I was just lying in my chair like a dead leaf staring at my late grandpa's picture on my desk wall while Alex returns from a private meeting and calls me to the meeting room where the biased Team-Lead was already there.

"The management is not happy with you.", Team-Lead said.

" The figures cannot lie, Meera.", Alex said.

" All my deals were handed over to Jasmine, what do you expect?" I said.

" She is doing a great job, do not compare!" said the Team- lead.

" Is she doing a great job because you are on her side, picking her up, dropping her down, snatching away all my deals? Or Is she just privileged because she is Rajasthani?" I said.

" Our company is downsizing and your probation is over. It has been decided that except jasmine & Rohit Shetty nobody remains in this batch", Alex said.

" Jasmine, TL's personal favorite, Rohit, Local, and a guy! Why not! Despite my overtime, snatched away deals, field trips here, I do not understand, What's the point in defending myself." I said.

" You are young, You can do better." said the Team Lead.

" Nothing personal here, This might not be your cup of tea", said Alex.

" Just let me know the procedure, I understand this database clearance drama with freshers for prospects, Its trending right? I understand that the decision has been made already." I said removing my id card.

" See, your talent is on one side and attitude on another, Both are equally important, All the best," said the TL.

" Keep in touch, Meera, We'll miss you ", said Alex.

I smiled and took an empty box from HR and started packing my things and shit together. I watered my money plant there one last time. I handed over all my prospects and office diary with a sweet note to my beloved friend first, and a colleague next to Rohit. He was terrified and had infinite interrogatory questions to which I did not respond. 

As I walked out, he whispered " I will catch you up in the evening beside your PG", I nodded my head and left.

" Was relieving the dove a metaphor for relieving me? Was I in the wrong place? I worked my ass off, Dint I? The TL sure had personal prestige issues but Alex? Was this a new market strategy due to the pandemic? Am I not enough?". I dint shed a single tear until I reached my room, my private space which just belonged to me, no space for intruders, a very personal room nourishing me and I shut the door and reasoned that leaving the wrong place at right time is extremely essential.