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| Sunday, 17 October 2004 |
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The Moment by Thiyami Warusavitarne If life was perfect at any moment, I knew this was the moment. Everything seemed so beautiful. The sky was rosy in the evening twilight, people were hurrying home and I had been waiting for an empty bus for the last half an hour. Something needed to be changed. I would go home in a crowded bus, my feet would be trampled, I would be pushed, squeezed, sweated against. Then, when I get to the annexe, I would walk along the little path, the right of my shoulder brushing against the mossy wall. Digging into my bag for the key, I would open the darkened hallway. It would be empty. Leaving my bags aside, I would go into the kitchen and start cooking for the next meals dinner, breakfast and tomorrow's lunch as well.
Then, when I wake up it would already the next day. Nihal would be sleeping next to me. I would wash my face and make tea. Then, grab a bit of breakfast. By the time Nihal is ready, lunch would be already packed. He would drop me at office on his bike. Just like today. Office There I was in office... The boss' face already touching the ground. In a minute, I can imagine the mouth opening and words sputtering out rudely. "Kamani!! Why was this information not sent yesterday? I told you it was important! Why can't you just do what I ask you to do?" I just can't be bothered explaining. Let him scream. So I bend my head and act stupid. He screams. I watch his mouth opening and closing. His moustache has not been trimmed. I don't like men with moustaches. Then I catch him looking at me. He has stopped screaming and is staring at me. "I am waiting!" he thunders. He should have trimmed his moustache, I keep thinking. "I am waiting!" he barks. I look at him. His eyes look dull and red. Maybe he is still having a hangover after last night's party. His mouth has become a thin line, I know he is really angry. I try to mutter something. But, nothing comes to my mind. Anyway, what does he expects me to say. I hate this torture of cross examining of yesterday's work. If I was in a better mood, I would have explained everything. Yesterday, even without being aware, I had sent more than thirty e-mails for queries made by customers. That means looking up information, finding the correct answers, drafting the mails. Listened to other peoples complaints, did some juggling to benefit the bottom line of the company. Mind you, this is ignoring all the telephone calls that came through. Then later, I get pulled up several times for being lenient with some customers, questioned again on my inflexibility in some situations. Finally i left office at 8 p.m. in a bus while it was pouring cats and dogs. Went home and found Nihal coughing again and sneezing his head off, after getting drenched in the sudden downpour. So, there I was boiling corriander and what not to soothe him. I was still in my office clothes. Sometimes, I am at a loss. I wish he would wake up and hug me to comfort me. But, I end up hugging him and sleeping on his shoulder. Good luck Then, the alarm rings. Already, the next day. Nihal is not well. That means, I would have to bus it to office. Nihal curls and sleeps again and I lock the door behind me. Good luck, seems to be coming my way, as I step into a pot hole full of muddy water! My shoe is soaked with mud water oozing out. Early morning, some creep decides to come, and stand close to me breathing in my ear, I can't shout as the bus is already packed. But, somehow, manage to step on his big fat toe with my stiletto heel. He yells and moves away muttering something. A small win to start the day. Finally, I land near the office, safely on one foot, the other foot is too numb to feel anything, by standing in the same position for the past forty five minutes. I rush to the ladies room, I just run a comb through my hair. My mascara seems to have run. I just take some water and wash it off. I look for the mascara tube but seem to have left it at home. Then, I hear the familiar Tuk Tuk of high heals and the expensive fragrance from the Parfumerie. Dihani is at the mirror, rounding her lips with red lipstick and gloss. I steal a glance at her. God! Some people have all the luck. Not a crease on her clothing, nor a blemish on her face and not a thought in her little noodle! What a way to live without a worry. She notices me and gives me a lop sided smile. I flash my thirty two at her, my only asset, to her surprise. She gives me an odd look and goes away. I flash my thirty two again at the mirror. Not bad at all. I pout my lips like Dihani's, but somehow the sultry effect is lost on me. I manage to pull some toilet paper, soak it in water and wipe the mud off the feet. Only a little later, on the corridor some one pats on my shoulder and show me that I still have some toilet paper stuck to my feet. Nice place to have a bum!! They joke, I flash my thirty two, it has become my life-line today. Growling But, when I see my boss' face, I know that life-line is not going to be okay. Kamal winks at me from the other end. Knows that trouble is brewing. My extension rings. I pick up to find Kamal trying to soften the blow. "He is angry off. Got a ticking off from the 'Top Man' in the morning. No escape But, I know that there is no escape today. How could I have missed that stupid email. But, I knew that I was overloaded yesterday. Try telling that to him! Especially in his lousy mood, I will get beans. Come on, come on! I keep telling myself. Think something bright, but nothing, nothing comes to my mind. Might as well get it over with. I can see him keeping the phone and picking through the load of papers on the table. He looks up. I look busy at the computer. "Kamani!" he shouts. I get up and I have a small story to tell. Then, his phone rings again. "Yes, sir, ...hm...yes...Now? Yes, I'll come now." He says. Grabbing some papers he goes out of the department shouting. "I want to speak to you later!" God! That means torture is delayed. Kamal shouts from the other end. "Kamani is saved by the bell! Pity, we could have seen some fire works early morning." "Don't be cruel," says Nishani. "Ok! Ok" says Kamal. "I think everybody is in a lousy mood today. I am hungry, anyone has anything to eat?" "Eat the boss before he eats us!" someone shouts. There is giggling and more snide remarks. After a while, we get back to work. I look at the In-Tray, looks like I would have to work late today as well. But, I would have to go home early as Nihal is sick. I sort though the papers trying to prioritise the work that I would have to complete today. Four hours later, I look at the watch, almost lunch time and I have hardly completed my target. Few minutes later, I find Nishani standing next to my table. "Lets have lunch before he comes screaming," she says. I look at the watch again. Can spare only a few minutes for lunch, if not, I will definitely have to work late. "Ten minutes only" I say. Nishani nods in agreement. We gobble the food and dash to my table. The man had still not made an appearance. Half way through the pile of papers, he enters. Others are still at lunch. "Where are the others?" he asks. "Lunch," I say. "You didn't go?" "I had" "I wanted to speak to you," he continues. "But, I'll have some food first." There, my torture is further delayed. Few minutes later, he is back in his seat before the others. "Kamani," he is standing next to my table, "Why was this information not sent yesterday?" no time to explain. "I specifically told you to send it as it was very important." I stand on eye level with him. "When the Top Man asks me, I assumed it was sent, to find it had not been sent is very disappointing!" he continues. I have nothing to say, all my stories vapourize somehow. But, I hold my ground. "What is the matter with you!! he says angrily. "Can't I depend on anyone here!" he shouts. I am really tired of waiting for this outburst, This is the limit. I take a deep breath. I tell him specifically, what I think of him. For a moment, he opens his mouth to tell me something and then closes it. He collects his papers and walks off. I sit down, my legs shivering. He disappears, for another meeting. I work till 6 p.m., and go to the bus halt. The confrontation was a small victory. Finally, an empty bus stops. I get in. Hope Nihal is well. I deserve to have some good news. I open the shutter wide, throw the crushed envelope that I was holding, and watch gleefully as it lands on the puddle of water. Just got it as I was leaving office. I didn't keep a copy. A copy of it might be already filed in my Personal file for Insubordination. |
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Half way through it, Nihal would call. He might get late, don't wait up
for him he would say. So, I would end up eating alone, watching TV if I
was in the mood. Then, by the time everything i have put away into the
fridge, cleaned up and hopefully washed one load of dirty linen, I would
just have to time take a wash and drag myself to bed.
