...Continued

.....A month back; it is 16/08 yet again, Mathew makes 32 today..We share an employer, He is a very great friend of mine and so lots of ideas in my head but mainly thinking; how do I spoil him today without sending different vibes from the line of this great friendship we have built? Lunch? No, it would not be as special since he thinks/knows he is the best cook in this country or is it world? he in fact plans on catering for his wedding one day…hmmm. Today, I don’t want to rain on his parade. Finally I decide on sending him the yummiest chocolate cake laced with edible gold... undoubtedly a simpler immitation of New York restaurateur Stephen Bruce’s innovation. After all, he does not bake much. Mathew and I have talked everyday for more than 2 years now, have fallen in love but denied it, fought and sulked like couples, shared trying moments and beaten them together, shared family secrets, shared anything and everything…

Even food! Usually a huge mistake unless it’s your second round. One time, I had a mid morning meeting with my Payments team on a different street that stretched on past the lunch hour. Lunch was served but knowing I had earlier placed an order for a Rookie Magic milkshake and their famous plain huge fries usually served with a whole pack of delicious salad? I decided to wait. It is 1420hrs, finally back at my desk. Thanks for lunch! said yellow sticky note up on my monitor in Mathew’s handwriting.

His contribution to my life is invisible to many-many may never know how he keeps my day buoyant and sane-but he does, in a very humorous and effortless manner. That and the fact that being a better man everyday is top on his priority list, puts him a cut above the rest. He is a part of my everyday but there is a dark one I had not shared with him. I dreaded that day.

Hello Gail, we have a week to the deadline. This is a gentle reminder on the same. Kindly, let us see it through by this Friday. An email from our HR’s PA said. I have a zillion butterflies. I should meet with Duncan, the HR director. State it as is and find a way forward or plan B. I did not go.

Hell-o? It is Duncan. Gail, we are two weeks passed the deadline. You know exactly what that means. You have till the end of today. What is taking you long? Please take this day off if it is Work standing in the way. He is off.