9:30am. I call it an un-Godly hour to be woken up at! Especially so when my previous day had ended at 4 am…
But my mobile, failing to have a mind of its own and no humanity at all, started to sing, “At the starting of the week…” (Ironically, that’s my ring tone!). I woke up with a jolt. ‘Home calling…’ I stared at the screen, wondering who was ‘Home’ and why was s/he calling me in the middle of the night (Well, for me, it was mid-night!). I disconnected the call. But the phone had suddenly acquired consciousness, and to avenge the rude way I ignored its call and put it to sleep, it started its song and dance routine again! And this time louder and absolutely near my right ear. ‘Home calling…’ I stared at the screen a moment longer this time and realisation dawned on me.
I rubbed my eyes, cleared my throat, and pressed the connect button.
I (sounding drugged): Hello… Mamma?
Ma (excited beyond description): Guddi! Good morning! Rise and shine! Quick! I have brilliant news for you…
I (still groggy with sleep): I’m awake Ma… what is it?
Ma (still super-excited): Oh! Good. Listen carefully then.
I (little annoyed): I’m listening Ma…
Ma (happiness overflowing): You got a job. With X (name of the firm undisclosed on purpose).
I (thought I didn’t hear correctly): Huh?
Ma (impatient now): You got a job offer from X Bangla, as a Creative Director, in Kolkata. You have to join from the 1st of August.
I (utter disbelief): I got a what? With what? (Decibels rising) What are you talking about? I never applied for a job with any goddamn company for any goddamn designation!!! What is it? A joke?
Ma (faintly hurt, but still exuberant and patronising): Ahh! Come on. Don’t overreact. Of course you did not apply for a job. But your Dad did, on your behalf. And you got the job. The offer letter just reached us. It’s as simple as that.What don’t you understand?
I (completely aghast at the credulity of the situation): Ma! Who said that I needed a job in Kolkata? And… and don’t they interview people before they send out offer letters?
Ma (little hesitant and a little embarrassed): Well, they wanted an interview with you, but your Dad wrote to them, again on your behalf, saying that you were out of town, etc. etc. So they asked you to send a few show concepts… your Dad and I wrote them out and send them over. They liked the concepts (super excited now)! So when are you planning to resign?
I (losing patience): Never! I don’t believe that you guys actually pulled off this stunt! Hat’s off to you. Yes, I’m impressed, but I’m sorry, I’m not interested!
Ma (hurt): How can you say that. It took your Dad a great deal of compromise regarding his principles to do what he did. He unlearned a lot of his own teachings, to help you…
I (impatient): No Ma, don’t try to “talk me out”, or even try to emotionally blackmail me…
Ma (trying to reason): But Guddi…!
I (absolutely losing patience): No Ma! Not another word please. I don’t want to go back to Kolkata. It’s sad that we have had this discussion some ten times, but you and Dad still don’t seem to take it seriously! What do you guys think? It’s a joke? My life, my career, my CHOICES? Everything is a joke?
MA (silence for 2 seconds and then evidently breaking down): Everything matters to us. You matter to us. We are old. We want you near us, like you were till you turned 18. I’m sorry if you thought otherwise…
Line disconnected…
I sat up in bed, clutching the phone tight in my hand, staring ahead, at the TV set. I could see a reflection of myself – a sad figure I made - crouching, holding the body tight against folded knees, head buried in the knees, with the eyes just peeping out, looking at the reflection. I felt strange… I felt as if this half-formed, half-seen figure was the only soul who understood me. It felt pity for me, while I felt pity for my parents. I held back my tears, with all my might. I wouldn't cry!!! I didn’t want my new found friend to know that I was about to breakdown, for myself, for my parents. I hid the welling emotions from the world. I hid the welling emotions from myself.
Igot up, and I went to the kitchen. The day had started.
