Shamina

“I quiT” – Episode @32

/ Mr. Venky Bond / 4 Comments

“Yes Quadhar. I am waiting down.”

“Okay. Just come up taking the elevator. Flat no is 14F. If the security guard asks you, tell him the flat number.”

“Okay Quadhar. I am coming up. Meet you there” said Ishanth. He then parked the bike and took the elevator to reach Quadhar’s flat.

(12:17 PM)

By the time Ishanth reached 14th floor, Quadhar is standing at the doorway to welcome Ishanth. The moment Quadhar saw Ishanth, “Hello Ishanth. Welcome” said Quadhar shaking his hands with Ishanth and maintaining a welcoming grin on his face.

“Hi Quadhar” replied Ishanth. Ishanth looked a little tired as he had to travel long to reach Quadhar’s flat.

“What Ishanth, looking very tired?”

“It’s a long 90 minutes travel Quadhar. And, I don’t need to explain you about Bengaluru traffic.”

“Yeah. I know Ishanth. Come inside” said Quadhar and took Ishanth inside the house. He showed him the rest room to fresh up.

As Ishanth is very run down, while he stepped into the house, he dint observe anything.After freshening up, he came out of the rest room. He took the towel placed next to the door and wiped his face. Wiping his face, he walked a few steps forward towards the front room.As he is walking, he remarked that the house is virtually empty with not a lot of things around.

Before Ishanth asked about that to Quadhar, Quadhar asked him “What about Meher?”

“I phoned him while I was starting; he stated that he will reach by 12:30.”

“All right.Shall we make a call to him and confirm? I don’t have his mobile number. Can you please give me his number” Asked Quadhar and then made Ishanth sit on the couch.

“Sure Quadhar” said Ishanth and took out his mobile.

While Ishanth is searching Meher’s number, “Angel” shouted Quadhar. He is calling his daughter Parveen who is with her mom in the kitchen room playing with the mobile.

“Hey, dad is calling, go” said Shamina to Parveentelling her to go to her dad.

Parveen came running from the kitchen. Ishanth is looking at her, his face turned much brighter seeing her.

“Hey Ishanth, she is my daughter. Parveen.” Quadhar introduced his angel to Ishanth and asked her daughter to “Say HI…”

Parveen went near to Ishanth and said “Hello” giving her hand to Ishanth. Ishanth also stretched his hands and they both shook hands with each other.

“Hello, what is your name?” asked Ishanth.

“My name is Parveen” replied Parveen with her sweet little voice. Ishanth took Parveen near to him and started talking with her.

“Hey Parveen, where is my mobile?” asked Quadhar to Parveen.

As soon as he asked that, Parveenran from Ishanth to the kitchen room to bring Quadhar’s mobile. After bringing it out, she gave it to Quadhar. Quadhar took Meher’s phone number from Ishanth and called him.

“Hello.”

“Hello Meher. This is Quadhar.”

“Yes Quadhar.”

“Where are you Meher?”

“Quadhar. I am on the way. I will reach in another 30 to 45 minutes.”

“Okay Meher. You know the exact address right?”

“Yes Quadhar. I know, I will reach that area and will call you on this number.”

“Okay Meher” said Quadhar and disconnected the call.

Ishanth is talking to Parveen and asking her some questions. Parveen, who is an active girl, is replying to Ishanth’s questions very promptly.Ishanth is having a good time with her.

“Hey Ishanth. It will take another 20 to 30 minutes for him to reach” said Quadhar.

“Okay.”

After that, Quadhar said Parveen to call somebody. Parveen again went running into the kitchen room. Shamina came out of the kitchen room by lowering the stove flame.

“Ishanth, she is my wife Shamina” said Quadhar introducing his wife to Ishanth. “And Shamina, this is Ishanth, my teammate.”

Ishanth and Shamina greeted each other joining their hands in the traditional Indian style and then Shamina went inside to continue her cooking.

“Shamina, we will go out for a walk just outside. We will be back in 15 minutes.”

“Okay Quadhar” replied Shamina.

Quadhar and Ishanth walked out through the door. When they both left, Shamina locked the door from inside.

They both took the lift to the down stairs and reached the ground floor. After reaching there, Quadhar is walking in the east direction. As Ishanth is new, he just followed Quadhar.

“Ishanth, so how is your work at office going on?”

“Fine Quadhar, your daughter is so active, but looking very silent.”

“Yes Ishanth. She is very active, but not at all silent. She is very naughty.”

“Oh, is it.”

They both took up the discussion with their daughter. Quadhar is explaining about her daughter and how naughty she is. He also told him about a few incidents. Slowly the discussion came to a topic about what Parveen is studying now.

“Quadhar, which class she is in now?”

“She completed her U.K.G in the month of March Ishanth. Now, she has to join in her Ist standard. But, she is not going to school now.”

“Why Quadhar?”

“We will put them in a school in Hyderabad.”

“Hyderabad? Where she will be when you and your wife are here?”

“My wife will also go there Ishanth. Tomorrow morning they both are leaving to Hyderabad” replied Quadhar. He is giving dry answers to the questions asked by Ishanth. Quadhar is trying to say something to Ishanth. But, he is hesitating to begin over the discussion.

“So, you will be alone here?” asked Ishanth with a very big question mark and confusion on his face. He does not understand completely what Quadhar is saying. Also the luggage which is packed in the living room is splashing before his eyes leaving him some clues.

“No Ishanth.”

“What Quadhar? I could not understand anything.Are you sending your wife and daughter to your home town?” asked Ishanth who completely lost in that discussion.

“First they both will go Ishanth. After few weeks I will leave.”

This particular answer from Quadhar shocked Ishanth. He is now completely confused and lost. Ishanth stopped there without moving forward.

When Quadhar noticed that Ishanth is still back, he turned back towards him. After seeing his face expressions, Quadhar asked “What happened Ishanth?”

“I do not understand anything Quadhar. You will leave? Where?”

Quadhar paused for a few seconds, he want to tell the truth to Ishanth which is the main reason he invited him to lunch. But, he is getting confused whether or not to explain him and also how to explain him. He then took a deep breath and said “Ishanth, I have to tell you one thing.”

“What is that Quadhar?”

@Drive

Guess the story: Will Quadhar share the truth with Ishanth?

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“I quiT” – Episode @19

/ Mr. Venky Bond / 8 Comments

(07:58 PM)

“I think we did a mistake by coming here from Hyderabad.”

“Why do you think like that dear?”

“We thought we will be staying here only for one year and then we go back. Last year manager said that this year at any cost we can go back as they were planning to set up a team in Hyderabad and run operations from there. But now all of a sudden he is saying that the plans were dropped off. We dint join our Angel in school this year thinking that we will go back. I am not bringing mom and dad here because it will be tough for them to leave their place and stay here and travelling will be tough for them. Even we are not able to stick around for a few days there because of leave problems. All this is happening simply because of that transfer being delayed.”

“Dear. What are the chances now?”

“It’s all over Shami, there is not even 1% chance now. All the wonderful moments we had in Hyderabad are running in front of my eyes.You used to happily go to school and teach children. Angel used to play with mom and dad. I used to come on time from office daily. Spend time with our baby. We all used to have dinner at one time. We used to have a wonderful time on weekends with mom and dad. I used to feel like everything is working just perfectly with everyone right before me. It used to give me great strength and confidence. But, precisely because the money we are earning is just insufficient and that we need to earn a little bit, I took this decision of changing company. And now after coming here, everything changed. You are getting bored being alone at home all day. I am not getting time to spend with you and Angel. Travelling to Hyderabad once in 4 or 5 months, left mom and dad alone there.”

“To be frank, yes darling.What you said is true. Even I am getting thoughts like this. But I have never shared them with you because I don’t want to trouble you more as you are already in pressure in your office works. And, if you think deep, compare the rent we are paying here, compare the cost of living here. If we consider all this, I think we are spending more than what we are making here. When we used to live in Hyderabad, even I used to earn. Now, here we are not even having that option as all the schools are equipped with e-Technology and the traditional student teacher relationship I am not finding here in the schools. Not just that, here I can’t go to work as we cannot leave Parveen alone. At Hyderabad mother-in-law used to take care. But, darling, I don’t mean that our decision is wrong. I am merely trying to fix the differences as the discussion raised. I am sorry dear.”

“You don’t need to be sorry dear. In fact it’s my decision and my fault. Now see, for the first time I missed bringing her chocolates and ice cream on her birthday night. And, also I had to call for a vendor to make arrangements and decorate our house to celebrate her birthday party. I feel really bad for that. I am not having time to spend for decorating house for my Angels’ birthday. Someone from the outside had to do this work for us. I am still not able to digest that dear. Till the last minute, I was thinking whether to call them or not. But, I called them because I don’t want to take chances as I don’t know what time the meeting will get over and also I don’t know whether my manager will leave me on time. And so I called the vendor to decorate the hall.”

“Darling. You did what is in your hands. Don’t feel for that dear.”

“No Shami. What we are doing right now is not working. What is the point of earning when we can’t spare little time for our dear ones. I don’t feel like sticking around here anymore. Let us go back to Hyderabad Shami. I don’t feel like working under him anymore. I am still not able to digest the explanation he gave me when I asked him why he dint inform me earlier regarding the plans being dropped off.”

“What happened dear?”

“To be frank, I am still not worrying about transfer because I am ready to wait for few more months. But, the explanation he gave, I cannot take it in.When I asked him why he dint inform me earlier regarding that, he said that I may lose concentration on the deliverables. How can he think like that Shami? I am working under him from almost 2 years. Is this what he understood me? That line is making me mad. Today I totally lost interest in the work and so I left immediately without even monitoring anything.The employee looks for trust from his boss. Why can’t he understand that as a manager? He is 13 years experienced and can’t he understand that?”

“Dear. Calm down, my dear. Don’t keep thinking about that. Think about what can be done now. Think about the next step.”

“I have made my decision Shami. Let us go back to Hyderabad. I cannot work for him anymore. I would have felt happier if he directly stated to me that the transfer is not possible.Instead he is trying to make some stupid management concept. I don’t understand why these managers think that way. Whatever it may be, enough is enough Shamina. Let us go back. I will start looking for job at Hyderabad location and will take my resignation here.”

“OK darling.Just as you say.I have complete faith in you. I know that my dear would do what is right.”Replied Shamina smiling at Quadhar and hugging him.

(10:07AM – Next day morning)

Quadhar reached office; un-packed his bag and turned on his system.During that time, his inter-com started making sound. He immediately picked up the call and “Hello. Quadhar here.”

“Hi Quadhar. Good morning. Can you come to my cabin?”

“Good morning Thyagarajan. Yes. Sure.”

(10:13 AM)

Quadhar reached Thyagarajan’s cabin and “Yes Thyagarajan. You have called me.”

“Sit down Quadhar. I called you to talk regarding the Uthrani’s resignation mailer which I have receivedyesterday mid-night.”

@Decision

Guess the story: Why did Uthrani resign?

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“I quiT” – Episode @18

/ Mr. Venky Bond / 8 Comments

(06:27 PM)

Quadhar and Parveen are teasing Shamina while she is making preparations for Parveen’s birthday party. As this is happening, they all heard the door bell ringing.

Parveen ran from the kitchen room to the hall to see who is that. Quadhar followed her.

When Quadhar opened the door, he saw a group of children in colorful dresses with gifts in their hand. They all came to attend his Angel’s birthday party. After they all stepped inside, Shamina bought the cake from the refrigerator and placed it on the table which is in the center of the hall.

The entire hall was decorated with colorful balloons and decoration papers. And in the center, there is a big balloon with followers and other small particles inside them hanging on to the roof. People who enter into the hall will see big letters hanging in the hall. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY PARVEEN.”

All the children started playing with the toys and balloons placed over there and making noise in their own way. The environment is so colorful with the children and their sweet little talks.

Party started with the candles being blown off by the cute little angel. Quadhar blow off the balloon making sure that the flowers fall in his Angel and then it was followed by the happy birthday song sung by those little children. Then Quadhar and Parveen together held Parveen and cut the cake.

The party is happening so bright and noisy with all children jumping, dancing, and playing with each other. Quadhar is standing next to Parveen and watching her enjoy the party with her friends.

(07:15 PM)

It went on for about 45 mins. After the party ended, Shamina made sure that all the children reached their houses safe.

In the mean time, Quadhar and his Angel were sitting on the sofa and were talking something.

“Dad.”

“Yes Angel.”

“Why do you reach home so late daily?”

“Dad will have so many works at office and so it becomes late.”

“How many people will be there in your office?”

“Hmm. 1 lakh people.”

“1 lakh means?”

“1 lakh means so soso many people.”

“Okay. All of them will go home very late daily?”

“No, not all of them.”

“Then why do you reach late?”

“Dad is working as a team leader so he has to look after so many people’s work and then only he can start from office.”

“Why you should look after all their works?”

“Dad is getting so much money to buy chocolates, ice creams, dresses and so many things.”

“Okay.Then why did they send you early today?”

“Today is my sweet Angel’s birthday party right,so I asked them to send me early. And so they have sent me early.”

“Hmmm. Okay.”

Parveen is thinking about something when she heard those replies from her father.

“Daddy.”

“Yes Angel.”

“I have a plan.”

“What is it Angel?”

“Daily you tell your boss that there is my birthday party. Then he will send you early.” Replied Parveen and started smiling looking at Quadhar.

Quadhar was shocked upon hearing such a reply from Parveen. He was not having any answers with him to answer Parveen and so remained silent.

(07:37 PM)

Shamina, who just arrived at the door after dropping the children, is observing all this standing at the door. She came running when she observed that Quadhar remained silent for Parveen’s reply.

“Hey Parveen. Did you see what all gifts your friends bought” said Shamina taking Parveen into her hands from Quadhar’s lap.

“No Mom.”

“Come come. Let’s unwrap all the gifts and see what you have got.”

“Yeah.” Parveen jumped out of joy when her mother talked about the gifts.

Parveen and Shamina went inside the room and started un-wrapping all the gifts. Parveen is feeling excited when she is un-wrapping each gift which their friends gifted her. For each gift, her joy doubled and fun multiplied. She even started playing with the toys showing them to her mom. Shamina made sure that Parveen is busy with the gifts.

(07:42 PM)

Quadhar is still in that mood and is thinking deep about how his life is going on. He was disturbed by a phone call. He took the mobile out of his pocket and answered.

“Hello dad.”

“Quadhar. How are you son?”

“Ya I am fine dad. How are you and mom?”

“We are fine Quadhar. Where is Parveen? How did the party happen? Morning when I called, Shamina told that you arranged a small party and so we dint call you till now. We thought you will be busy in the party.”

“That is all over dad. It’s just a small celebration. We called nearby children and celebrated.”

While Quadhar’s father is talking with Quadhar, his mom is trying to take mobile from Quadhar’s father to talk to Quadhar.

“Quadhar. How are you son?”

“I am fine Mom. How are you?”

“I am fine Quadhar.Whenare you coming back to Hyderabad?”

“Don’t know mom. Talks are still going on.”

“You said you will be here by last year. But then you dint come. Last year also we missed her birthday and now even this year.”

“Don’t worry mom very soon we will come back.”

“From last one year you were saying like this.”

“Mom. Did you wish Parveen?” said Quadhar to change the discussion and diver her mom.

“Morning itself we wished her.”

“Wait. I will give her. Ask her how did she enjoy the party.”

Quadhar walked inside the room where Parveen and Shamina were busy looking at the gifts.

“Angel. See who called you.”

“Who is it dad?”

“Granny.”

“Yeah.Granny. Give me phone. I will talk.” Said Parveen and took mobile from Quadhar and started talking with her grandmother and grandfather.

“Granny. I got so many gifts.”

“Oh. What all gifts you got?”

Parveen started explaining about all the gifts she got from her friends. As this conversation is happening, Shamina looked at Quadhar and observed that he is looking dull.

(07:53 PM)

“Darling. What happened?”

“Shami. Mom is asking when we will come back to Hyderabad. I don’t have any answer with me and so I diverted her by giving mobile to Angel.”

“What happened Quadhar?”

“Today I got news from my manager that the plans of setting up a team in Hyderabad were dropped off quite some time back.”

“What? Then why he dint inform you earlier?”

“He said that if he informs me then I will not be concentrating on my deliverables.”

“What?”

“Yes Shamina. And even today he dint tell me. We had our quarterly meet today. During the meeting, he gave updates to our Vice President and that’s how I came to know that the plans were changed.”

“How can they do like this Quadhar?”

“We cannot say anythingShami. It’s their decision and we cannot talk anything about that.”

“Then. What shall we do dear?”

“I don’t know Shami. I don’t feel like working any more after hearing the reply from him.”

@HomeTown

Guess the story: What is the exact reason behind Quadhar’s decision?

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