The appraisal and promotion season was over. The unsettling whiff of office politics ,competition, dissatisfaction and introspection finally gave way to gentle breeze of silence and calmness.
With minimum work load and a good hike in the backdrop , most of my time was spent with the newly discovered love of my life : Online shopping. Amazon and Jabong dethroned watsapp as I was addicted to my new hobby , online window shopping.
It was time for the monthly team meeting .I sat on the last row and was busy clicking on “Add to cart” to avail Jabong's 3 hr sale.
I heard a few introductions of new joiners , some announcements and applause in the background.
Our team was certainly doing good.
The meeting was over and it was time to grab the bag and leave office. Engrossed in my phone , as I reached the door , I saw Vijay surrounded by some people. I went nearer and heard garbled “congratulations “ and “Thank you “ being exchanged.
I stared at Vijay from a distance. He came closer and said “ Grab your bag we are going clubbing tonight”.
We were surrounded by a couple of other people so I didn't question him.
“meet me in the parking in 10”.
I saw at “my cart” pressed the exit button and packed my bag to leave.
I reached Vijay's car to find three other friends of ours.
I got in and Vijay drove us to the “Tryst”.
Tryst welcomed us with high octane music , minimum light , dance floor , food and drinks. Any combination of a pair of these factors was enough but all these factors combined made it all the more implausible for me to talk to Vijay.
I thought of living in the moment and danced away to glory and drank and ate to my heart's content.
It was 2 am and time to leave. We got with over-convivial hugs and byes. People certainly appear closer and friendlier when you are drunk.
Considering the order in which Vijay was to drop us , I was the second last person in the group which meant I would not get some “alone time “ to inquire Vijay about the “congratulations” and “thank yous” The rest of the gang was drunk ,sleepy and tired for me to strike a conversation as to why we were partying in the first place.
It was my time to go home. I stepped out.
“Bye Rohit.............Bye Vijay” I had so many questions wrapped up in that bye. Only if Vijay could decipher.
I came to my room , changed into my Pjs and crashed.
My phone beeped. It was Vijay. He asked me to come down.
I went down and stood before him.
“ I dropped Rohit and thought of catching up with you “
“What was the party for and why were people congratulating you?” I said abruptly.
“Seriously???????? “ Vijay exclaimed as if I had asked him who was Sita after he had narrated me the whole Ramayana.
“hmmmm...so.....”
“I don't believe this.....What were you doing in the meeting today?”
“I was sitting on the last seat so I wasn't able to hear everything” I camouflaged a sincere and genuine expression to avoid any further disappointment I had caused Vijay then.
“well if you dont know the reason then why did you come out for the party”
<because we always party and you have a car in which you can drop me home ( I wanted to say)>
“Because you asked me to “ (I said ) with a meek expression to come across as innocent and victim of events and circumstances. (yes girls are dramatic at times)
“Good night” he said controlling all his anger I assumed and hugged me lightly.
I came back and dozed off in no time.
It was Saturday morning so I could take the liberty of sleeping till late hours.
I woke up at 12 and checked my phone still warming up in bed.
I was member of yet another group on watsapp.
“Not one more group please” I mumbled and clicked on the group.
It was named “ Vijay's farewell”.
What I experienced in the next 10 minutes which followed was a mix of guilt , sorrow confusion and anger.
Guilt of not paying attention to the announcement about Vijay which probably took place in the team meeting.
Sorrow of Vijay's departure.
Confusion regarding where and when was he going.
And Anger on Jabong for the 3 hr sale at the wrong time of the day.
I was too embarrassed to call Vijay. I called up Rohit and took the details.
I clicked on Vijay's chat window on watsapp to talk to him and congratulate him.
There were some unread messages.
[03/04/2012 15:32] Vijay : So my manager asked to me replace Joy at onsite.What do u think I shud say?
[03/04/2012 16:12] Vijay : Where are you ? Im in a meeting cant call to talk reply here.
[03/04/2012 16:52] Vijay : I said yes............US of A it is baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh my God!!!!!!!!!!!!!! how did I miss all this? I ofcourse knew the answer to this.
I called up Vijay.
“ So............when do you leave?”
“Oh ….there is time it'll be somewhere in April ”
“Great” I said trying to sound happy but it was killing me.
There was barely a month left.
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