16 January 2012

Morning:
Omkara had relieved the events of the fight with Gauri over a hundred times, memories of attachment he had with Gauri and his vulnerability in the relationship always made him cry like a baby. Omkara had heard about stories of Gauri's parents splitting up and getting back for their personal reasons.  He was aftraid of getting into similar situation.

Gauri wanted Omkara to settle down and move forward in his carrer; Omkara wanted to accomplish his dream. The difference in opinion between them had ended Omkara sacrificing his dream of opting writing as a full time carrer.

Early morning in the darkness of his bedroom, with a raging headache, Omkara pulled an extra pillow over his head, but still it wasn't thick enough to block out the loud music.

He threw the pillow and blanket , and a moment later, banging  his door hard, he entered Lakshya's room. He was dancing to the tunes and getting ready for his office.  His room qas fragrant with his Giorgio Armani Perfume which calmed his anger a bit.

"If you have  a headache next time, don't expect me to behave sanely", Omkara threatened with a ginger pointing at Lakshya.

"Fime", he said. "We'll have it your way". Lakshya didn't seem to care.

As soon as Lakshya replied, Omkara decided it was time for verbal war.

"What's your problem, Lakshya? I have a severe headache and you're dancing your ass off on EDM. Are you fucking out of your mind or what?"

"Well, didn't I pay the rent this month?"

"That doesn't mean you'll do whatever you want in the flat."

"Ofcourse not, but I can... in my part of flat. Right?"

Lakshya looked smug. Omkara looked up at him and said nothing for a few seconds.  The previous night's drink had left him groggy and lethargic with an acidic taste in his mouth and he wasn't in mod for Lakshya's superior attitude.

"You know what, don't give me that. You woke me up so early in the morning  knowing fully well I was completely sloshed last night.  And it's not like you don'tknow what's going on with me, so you please get over it."

Lakshya snorted the cocaine and said calmly," It's practically impossible to look at you and feel like even helping you. You've been behaving like an idiot even since you left your job."

"So that's what all the noise is about? I am going to have to get used to this then, I guess." He raised his eyebrows  and asked staring into Lakshya's red eyes.

"Well yes. I am mad at you for behaving like a loser. A month ago you used to have a schedule and a life too. You seem to be in hibernation now. I understand that you want to get some writing job and you're trying hard. But when things don't work out , keep the plans on hold and move on. You are just twenty three. "

"That's it? You got me out of bed for this? Now you also blame me after Gauri. I'm going back to bed. My head really hurts. Not that you care".

"Don't give me that shit. Every day, I put on this loud music so that you get up and spend the day in a better way rather than just laze around. I don't even know if you remember, but last night , you cried out loud and cursed almost everyone during our house party. You puked on Trisha too, but that's still okay. She's used to it. The thing is I can't see you getting to a place from where there's no comeback, Omkara", he said ir with intense emotion and the words just flooded out.

Omkara stood there for another minute,without uttering a word. He had ginally heard someone else echo the things that he had known all long.  Even now, not a day went by when he didn't wish he could turn back the clock and change what happened.

"It feels empty here without you, Omkara", he said. "Kind of like someone has removed the soul out of this flat or something ".

In just few words, he had explained that very thing nobody else could have. Neither of his friends had ever before awakened him with this terrible realization that he'd forgotten the sound of his own personality.

Omkara watched Lakshya going out. He went into the kitchen, drank a glass of water and noticed a snall burn, just below his ring finger on the right hand that had healed a couple of weeks back. He had pressed a cigarette into his hand after Gauri didn't respond to his calls.

In case you're bored of  your unemployment and want to apply for this marketing manager job, reach the place between 12-5 p.m. Meet Vrinda. Give my reference.  Address: B-301,Solitare Corporate Park,Andheri.

Lakshya messaged him.

Finally a smile flicked against Omkara's face. The air had cooled slightly. A breeze had blown through his sea facing flat. He was touched by Lakshya's worry for him and to witness such unconditional support in the face of difficulties.

He took a small step backward to see the time on the wall clock . It was eleven. He put the music on again as he walked towards his bedroom, took his bathing towel out and moved into the bathroom to start afresh after nearly two months.

The evening was alive with the sounds of chirping birds and the rustling of leaves. The moon had risen and in the milky light, Omkara was waiting at the open terrace balcony of the company after three rounds of long interviews. He was called inside for one last time.

"Hii, Omkara. Please be seated ", Vrinda signalled him to sit down.

"Thanks", he said as he observed every small detail of the huge office of the HR head.

"We've asked you everything that we wanted to know about you. I think we have got a position of an assistant manager  (Marketing + Sales) for you. What's your salary expectation?"

"I would like to go with the industry standards of paying an year old experienced guy."

"Yes, but you come from a very different background and industry.  So you're as good as a fresher for us."

He nodded in understanding.

"We can pay you a sum package of four and a half lakhs per year. But you get the opportunity of earning huge incentives and your field expenses remain exclusive ", she said, chewing  gum, and raised her eyebrows as if warning him to take a quick decision.

He knew the first time he had entered the office that he would not get the desired package, but it was always better to earn something rather than nothing.  But deep within him, he was feeling ecstatic and happily surprised.

"You're just twenty three years young; you can make an amazing career out of this opportunity. Plus, you get your weekends off here. Do you need some time to think?"

"No. I'd like to join,Vrinda. Thanks for the opportunity. "

"Great. Welcome abroad then. Report at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow and we'll take things from there.

He nodded back smiling and let the room. He looked over the window. In the milky light of the moon, the trees were growing silver. The sky was full of stars and he stared at them, smiling emotionally.  He thought about Gauri and his struggle to get a job in last two months as he waited for the elevator to come up. He decided to call as soon as he reached ground floor.

How's this? Please let me know!

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Love You All Forever!❤