Sitting in the dark, I subjected my soul to a remorseless vivisection. Changed my mind- sat at my study desk as usual after returning from office, smoking two-three fags and looking over the novels arranged on my study table. Nothing really important to do. Why not write something? Ages since I wrote something and got them published!!
The thought of one particular person reckoned my mind. It’s none other than “Mr. Suraj Pathre”. Gave it a second thought- should I or shouldn’t I? No…. I should. Let me give it a try. Describing the importance of a person in one’s life is by no means a meager task. Although we dwell within the confines of our own domain, still we are a part of the societal circuit (though hard-core intellectuals may find it a hard-time in agreeing with me. Anyways, that a different chapter, which we can discuss later on.)
It was the last Tuesday of October. We guys were pretty new to this organization (in which I work now and prefer not to name it). Our trainer had some important work to be done, so, had arranged for a co-trainer to have some coaching done for us.
Knock, knock! Entered our hero. Donned in a maroon full-sleeves kurta, denim-blue jeans and matching white casual sports- shoes, he looked different. Very different indeed! The spectacles he had worn made him look serious (err—studious). He had a natural smile on his face which added to his charisma.
Seated at a far corner of the “Pisces” training room, I was damn sleepy and tired to the hilt- and didn't have much incentive for training whatsoever. I was just about to yawn, when he threw the knock-out punch. He divided the entire group into two and initiated a game. Folks! I kid you not; he had a cart-load of energy. I wondered if he had darted right into a truck of Red Bull just before coming to the class.
One didn't have to be Sherlock Holmes to figure out that Suraj was a well mannered, (naive and tender-hearted) down-to-earth, helpful chap. His decency, his attire, his genuine, natural smile spoke volumes of his persona. He was, indeed, a lad of cheerful disposition; sober, discreet and humble beyond his age- qualities which gained him the love and reverence of everyone who knew him.
Days passed in a jiffy. In due course of time, I came to know him a bit-more. Born with an uncanny habit of tinkering with the settings of the computer (read- "computer freak") he was by all means, an unusual person with a great mind and full understanding of all issues. Never did he yearn for acclaim, but still managed to get the praises of every employee of our organization. He dreamt big (though didn't confess it openly) - his aspiration knew no boundaries and to add it all- he was patient enough to work towards realizing them. In a selfish world where people are sloppy, sly and don’t keep their words, Suraj stood out far away from the crowd. He was there to lend you a helping hand- no matter whatever it took. He seemed to me like the quintessential team-player, the backbone of our department, one who did his job sans any fuss, season after season. Unlike many of his peers, he did not have any template to follow- no one told him what to do or how things work in this industry. He started from scratch.
Few days later, after our usual shifts were over, I was having my quota of tea and sutta at the office premises. It was about 1:40 AM. A dark, grey Monday night- Bangalore winter asserting itself with a ferocity not seen in years. Even the hawker’s cry of piping hot tea was failing to chase the chill away. Few yards from me, I saw Suraj approaching towards me. He had a mischievous grin on his face, which I had never noticed before. He came, sat next to me and said- “Dude! Why don’t you stop smoking? If this goes on, how will you get your Prerana?”
I was thunder-struck. How did he know about Prerana? The question vexed me for a while. After repeated questioning, I realized that he had gone through my blogs and to make matters worse- found them interesting. On that particular day, I got a glance of a caring persona in him- very different in today’s working environment.
Few days down the lane, we entered the working environment. I was pretty nervous. Upon seeing me, perhaps, Suraj could feel my emotions. “Chillax!”- he said. (By the way- he uses this word very often. And yes, one more thing- “here is a twist”- that’s also one of his favorite punch lines which he makes use of in almost every circumstance. Sorry, we deviated from the main topic). “You can do it- it’s no big deal- he retorted. Not to worry, I am there to help you. Just be confident.”
That was an end to my fear. Somehow, I felt as if my nervousness had vanished. Was that the effect of the truth of his words that he spoke with conviction or because of some anonymous force- will always baffle me. I spent a couple of days, sitting beside him- observing him closely- his behavior, his etiquettes, and the way he handled tough situations and to be honest, tried to imbibe a fraction of those qualities. Over the conversations, Suraj and I had fostered a unique friendship- which (as of now) I believe, to some extent, will certainly stand the acid test of time.
