My brother called me today in the morning. I was little surprised because it’s usually his run-to-office time and for sure will not call me just for a chat. So the next moment it strike me that maybe he is calling to wish me. I picked the call and this is how it went

“ Hey do you know how long does it take for an egg to boil?”
“What?”
“How long does it take for an egg to boil”?
“You called me for this? Seriously?”
“Yeah.. err.. Wait you thought I would never cook?”
“What?? I thought .. forget it. I don’t know how long it takes.. maybe 10 minutes”
“Oh okay.. bye”
“Wait.. Its Women’s day today bro so I thought you called to wish me”
“Oh.. Okay Happy Women’s Day.. Bye”

Well.. I couldn’t blame him because for him it’s just another day. And oops.. had I wished my mom??

I reached my office. It looked different, colorful like a festival because many came in nicely draped sarees with garlands and what not. Treat to the guys eyes I guess. As I entered my building the women were given a card. Some guys who didn’t know what it was looked little upset first, as they didn’t get something which the ladies got. So they tried to peep and read the card which said “Happy Women’s Day”. So when they found out, they looked relieved and the expressions were something like this, “Oh I remember now.. that’s why my wife didn’t even say bye to me because I forgot to wish her”, “What’s the big deal about it, these girls just need a reason to dress up and celebrate”, “Ahh.. I should wish my girlfriend today, she would be impressed”.. He He.. Just wild imagination.

Later, I found a couple of forward mails from my friends wishing me. The same old mail which came two years back. Had they added just one more line to it personally I would have felt happy.

Then there were also some stalls put up like those of some dresses, jewelery etc. Well shopping is always fun for us but had they put these stalls on any other day we would still have bought something. But again there is always more fun shopping with friends, so we did buy few things not for us but for the other great women in our lives

Next, there were sessions on Women Empowerment, videos on ‘Successful Women In The Corporate and Business World’, books on some of the famous women personalities and what not. It was like the company was trying hard to celebrate the Women’s Day. Seeing all this made me think a lot.

There are thousands of women working in our company, of which hardly 20-30 make to the top of the ladder, and just because they have done that should we get inspired by them?. Are they really successful? Anyone can be inspired by anyone else. There are women who do great jobs but still keep low profile, there are women who lead a well-balanced life, there are great people among us, there are great moms, sisters, friends, daughters among us. Being famous is not being successful. Making them give lectures on their life, making videos on them is not going to help much.

In India, how many woman do really know that there is something called Women’s day?? Its celebrated in schools, colleges and in corporate world like a cultural event. They try to make woman feel special, for one day for all she has done the rest of the year. You needn’t make her feel special, just respect her for what she is.

Happy Women’s Day!!

Today there was a client visit. A big day for all, especially for the management. Maya got a mail earlier on this. It said that the client visit was just a casual visit and to discuss few things at the management level. But the mail didn’t end there. Everyone was instructed to reach office by 9. It was like school, no breaks, no talking and finger on your keyboards. Everyone was advised to come in formals, not to open any websites other than business related ones, have only project documents on their desks, presentations were prepared. The leads were making sure that everything was fine, all documents were placed in proper folders, the charts were pinned on every desk, they even had a meeting earlier on how to respond the clients questions, what should be said and what should not.

Everyone believed that the client visit would bring many changes to the project. It was a big project and for many it was the biggest project they had ever worked on. It was one of the career changing one, something that could be highlighted in your resume. With all the internal politics going on, everyone was struggling to get the lime light, to move up the ladder and to become the next leads.

Maya always liked to observe people. She has been observing everyone since the project has started. Good friends now just saw each other as competitors. People stayed late even if they did not have work. Everybody worked day and night, weekdays and weekends. The leads were trying to get the best out of their team. The management was giving false hopes to keep up the teams spirit. The project has taken so much out of everyone’s life without them actually knowing it. There was no fun anymore, no time to spend with friends, there was no talking any more, just gossips and rumors. The project was like the game of snakes and ladders, you know who are the ladders and how to use them, but you don’t now who are the snakes.

A week later..

Maya saw the meeting invite with no agenda. Everybody gathered. Maya could sense that they were meeting for something very important as she has never seen their project director joining them earlier. Maya pulled a chair besides Tina and sat looking at everyone’s face, she could see curiosity, questions, I-don’t-care, now-what. There was this silence which she started hating.

An hour later..

Maya came back to her seat. She didn’t know what to do. She started looking at others. Everyone looked worried. The project was completely scratched out stating financial constraints. The clients had closed the project abruptly, giving them no time to take the news in and think. Their dreams were shattered. All the hard work has been ignored, all the extra hours spent in office missing the family has gone unnoticed, all the efforts have been disregarded.

But she something more, no more leads, no more competitors, no more fake smiles, friends were friends again, they were all talking to each other.

Someone tapped Maya from back, she turned to look Tina.

 “Maya, no more work, no project.. What do we do till we get another one.. what do we do now?”

 “Now is the time to watch a movie.”

 “Now?.. Are you serious?”

 “You bet I am”

As Maya and Tina slipped out of that place and reached the lift, Maya could still hear the sounds of her “ex-teammates” talking. Finally the re is no silence.

“Do you love someone Arjun?”

Arjun remained quiet. Kavya looked into his eyes and she knew he will not answer.

Kavya stood up to leave. But Mrithula grabbed her hand and gestured her to sit down. Kavya did reluctantly.

    “Arjun, What are you trying to hide. I know you well, and there is no girl in your life whom I don’t know. So either you are lying or hiding something from me.I need to know what’s going on?. Do you really love someone?. I want you to tell to both of us. Please”

Arjun knew that Mrithula really want  answer, a honest answer and he has to give her. He looked at Mrithula, and then Kavya. He knew he has to say, right here right now.

“I didn’t want this to happen here, right at this place, like this but…. Yes I am in love. “

    “You are lying. If you had been in love you would have told me for sure”

    “I know but .. I was going to tell you but ..”

    “Who is the girl?” Kavya asked.

    “She’s the one with whom I can be myself. She’s the one who was always with me when I needed someone. She’s the one who always gave but never asked anything. She’s the one who has always trusted me, believed in me, cared about me, supported me.. I mean she is everything to me. And I being little selfish, want her for the rest of my life.“

    “You..  you love Mrithu?? “

Mrithula was looking at Kavya and then Arjun, trying to understand what was happening.

    “Yes. I ..”

Mrithula interrupted.

“Wait. What did you say? Do you have any idea what you are talking about Arjun? Don’t even think about it. I am out of this now”.

Mrithula grabbed her bag and started walking out fast. Arjun didn’t try to stop her. Kavya tried to stop her, called her name loudly “Mrithu .. Mrithu.. Mrithula”. For a second Kavya completely forgot whom she was trying to call.

Kavya looked at Arjun. She wasn’t angry or disappointed. She was in a kind of shock. Had it been any other girl, Kavya would have tried to compare herself with that girl and would have questioned him what’s so great about her, but now she can’t do that. So many things were going on in her mind but Arjun seemed to be happy, with a smile on his face. Arjun felt good, his heart felt lighter than the feather but he could still hear his heart beats. Kavya was still wondering how could he take such a decision. All she could do at that moment was ask him only one question

“ Are you sure?”

Arjun smiled confidently.

“You know Kavya, I never really knew the sign language. All I knew was I wanted to spend time with her, take care of her, be part of her life. I love her and that’s everything for me, and that’s how I learned the sign language. She can never say a word, but with me she never has to.”

To Kavya suddenly everything was clear. She understood she is not the right person for Arjun and it was not love. Arjun interrupted her thought.

    “And to answer to your question, Yes I am very sure. So..  are you coming with me.. I know where to find Mrithu.”

Kavya smiled and they started.