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Please note: The theme of this story is not an original one. Long time ago I read an Odia short story titled "Dardura" by Shree Manoj Das. Hardly 150 words, but two pages of simple, yet hard hitting story telling. I'm taking the liberty of saluting that great work of art through this piece.
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I
"Do you know that guy in blue?" Asked Venkat, as we settled down on a corner table of the cafeteria for our usual 4 P.M. coffee session.
"Who? The one standing at the counter?" I asked, looking over my shoulder.
"Yeah."
"Not really. May be we have chatted a couple of times while traveling together in the bus. I guess his name is Subbu. Why?" I was trying to blow my coffee cold.
"Yes, Subbu. Actually, we joined on the same day. He was there in my team for the first couple of years. That guy had real potential." Venkat said, stirring his coffee. He seemed a bit lost.
"Is it?" I said, sensing something coming.
"Yeah. But potential takes you only this far. I have heard he is some kind of a domain specialist now. Does not work with any team as such. I would say he is one of those guys who make their living out of documentations, spreadsheets, presentations, talks and so on. Junk work."
His tone sounded a bit animated. And his coffee was not getting its usual 4 P.M. attention.
"Hmm.." I muttered, trying to figure out the meaningfulness of the technology oriented assignment that I and Venkat were working on at that time.
Venkat continued.
"And look at me. Playing with the best in class systems. Working on the latest technologies. Leading a team of my own. Building on customer relations and contributing to the organizational growth. Now this is what you call real work."
Coffee got over.
"Shall we?" I said.
II
"Hey!" I heard the familiar face greeting me while I was sitting down on the next seat. It took me a moment to realize that his name was Subbu.
"Hi. What's up?" I replied, putting on my earphones and getting ready for the next forty minutes of dust, jerks and noise.
"Nothing much. What about you?" He replied, opening a book.
"Same here." I smiled and closed my eyes.
After some time I was looking out of the window to figure out the exact place the bus was passing through. I realized it would take five more minutes.
Subbu looked at me and said, "Say, I have observed you some of the times at the cafeteria. If I remember correctly, the guy with you must be Venkat, isn't he?"
"Yes, he is." I sat up erect in my seat.
"How long have you known that guy?" Subbu asked.
"Not long. I joined his team around three months back. Why?"
"Actually, he and I joined on the same day. We were there in the same team for the first two years of our career."
"Is it?!!"
"Hard working guy, Venkat. Very industrious." Subbu closed his book. And continued.
"But hard work is not everything, you know. As you can see, a Team Lead kind of person has got pretty limited scope. Even after so many years of service, you will end up fixing bugs on a Friday evening. Thankless work, isn't it?"
"Hmm.." I muttered.
"And look at me. Analyzing business opportunities. Interpreting market trends. Preparing business proposals. Supporting the pre-sales team and thus contributing to the organizational growth. Challenging, isn't it?"
"I'll be getting down here." I said while getting up.
Interesting point, nicely portrayed. Well done!!
ReplyDeleteWould say: Master Piece Revisited! and, yes; who is sparing that minute to really know what they are doing, after all... and this psychology, no doubt, is very much prevalent in someone or the other... SIGH
ReplyDeleteKeep the race of words on!
Waiting for the next one :)
Arunima
Well plain and simple, I liked it. Couple of points, take it as positive criticism..
ReplyDeleteI think each story should have one line/para covering the whole essence.
This was bit of a domain-centric(read software or business).. I think you can pretty much write a Dardura III making it a much more generic..
And I do not remember Dardura from the great man..
Nice one...
ReplyDeleteThis is what I call a masterpiece. Reminds me of Govind Nihilani's Drohkal. IMPACT, is all you feel.I haven't read Mr Das's story. I guess, you narrated the story to me once, a decade back, but this is sure shot a cocaine for the addicted readers. Good job Mr. Mishra
ReplyDeleteAll - Thanks! It was there in the pipeline for long..
ReplyDelete@Sabya - Have thought about the one liner / note before also but somehow felt it might be demeaning to the readers' intelligence. Will try in the future though :-))