The Manager must have come here to look at how things were going. Presently, he was frozen to the spot, looking at Samarth. No, no, not at Samarth but...something behind him. His stomach drooped. There lay the phoenix on the counter. Something he was not supposed to make. But now, there was no hiding it. The cat was out of the bag. Samarth's mouth went dry he waited for a loud yell, looking anywhere but at the Manager.
But the shout never came. Samarth raised his eyes, flummoxed. The Manager's face was an expression of awe and amazement. Samarth could see several employees peeking from behind his back, curious at why the Manager was standing there like a statue. The Manager unfroze and regained his composure and obliviously shoved Samarth aside. He passed by him and gestured to the figurine, speaking in the silence :
"Holy Lord, who made this?"
A pregnant pause in which no one spoke.
'I-I made it, sir," Samarth's voice sounded frail to his ears because he was still waiting for punishment.
The Manager looked at Samarth for the first time.
"Are you quite sure, young man?"
"Yes sir, I finished making it just about right now," Samarth said forcing his voice to be steady.
He waited for the blow to come, instead what he heard left him incredulous.
"Magnificent!! What a marvel!!! This is what is called art!!! Quite a masterpiece, I should say," He said to the HR Manager who had just arrived.
Then he turned to Samarth with a delighted expression on his face and thumped him on the back.
"You have done extraordinary work. I suppose no one taught you to do this?," He asked raising an eyebrow.
"No one, sir," Samarth assured him, feeling quite uncomfortable with the Manager standing so close to him.
"What is your name?"
"Samarth"
"Well then, Samarth. You are promoted to work on the first floor. We will take your skills to a higher level. After all, creativity is what our company desires. Well done, young man, well done."
What? Him being promoted. That was so so not believable.
"So, what do you think?" The Manager asked, thumping Samarth on the back. He was not comfortable with the close contact but he kept his mouth shut.
"Sir, are you sure that he is worthy?" The HR Manager asked. Then he quickly added." I mean not that I don't respect your judgment."
The Manager frowned but then said. "Yes, of course. Who else? It has been a long time since I saw something so artistically made. Oh, and before you start with your new position you will first have to teach the other glassblowers how you did this. Congratulations once again. I would like to see you actively at your work in the office three days later. Further instructions will be given by the HR Manager."
Then as swiftly as the Manager had come, he left. He didn't even wait for Samarth to respond as if the matter had already been decided.
With glances of curiosity and envy, the other employees returned to their work.
Samarth sighed, wondering at the eventful day.
People might tell you to just follow the rules as they are but then how will the economy change if people don't do things differently.
Wasn't it what the priest had said?
YOU ARE READING
PHOENIX - The Rebirth Of Hope
Non-FictionLife is full of events and opportunities drifting in and out. From ordering a pizza while sitting at home to becoming a writer, you can do anything. Absolutely anything. Life has so much to offer....but what does it have to offer to a 12-year-old b...
