When reality bites…grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

Today was different, or so I thought! With a tinge of romance in the air and the KKR IPL match excitement casting its shadow over me, I was beginning to enjoy my work at office. The work load on my fragile shoulders only doubled no wait, tripled itself since yesterday with the sudden but not so S.H.O.C.K.I.N.G exit of our meek and mild Executive Editor. I really need to pull my socks and wind up the remaining pages as soon as possible, I thought but decided to grab my tiffin first. Like always food remains my top priority irrespective of the place and the situation. And hey I wouldn’t mind being called a foodie or a glutton as I believe “I was born to eat.” *wicked smile*

Enough of self praise!

I was happily enjoying my lunch break with my colleague Monami or my saviour and the lone friend in the Editorial bay or the Hell Hole as it is popularly referred to by the only sensible bunch at office(hard to believe…invite you to share a few minutes in here!). Alas my joy was cut short with a call from the Boss (yeah that’s what our MD is lovingly called by his a** lick*** and he so very much enjoys the treatment .....yuckkkkkk). Don’t be surprised because in India the Babu culture is pretty much alive and my office is one living testimony to the fact.

So the call from Boss brought a tragic end to my sweet dreams saga and all my plans and lovey-dovey and flirtatious feelings came crashing down. The moment I held the phone I was shaken to the harsh reality of life – I am the employee and he is the BOSS. I was taken aback as from the first second his bar*** began to grow louder. He has lost it today, I realized. Without even giving me a chance to defend myself he stooped to a new low and his shrieking voice started irritating me. At first I thought of giving it back to him and reminding him that I was not his slave but a devoted employee whose aim was to raise the bar of the magazine to the untouchable level. Nevertheless, I decided otherwise and kept shut, ignoring half of what he said. Simultaneously I could feel my BP rise, so regaining control became all the more important.

The issue was petty but he made a mountain out of a mole. I missed out on a mail sent by him on Monday to include a particular news item in Monday’s web news. For the news lifter, yes, that’s what he does as he and his so called India’s Numero Uno magazine is so incapable of generating news on its own, it was worst than committing a murder. The bugger started on a harsh note and went on non stop for a few minutes. Like I care! However, the conversation left me pondering about his sanity!!! On a serious note it didn’t behoove the BOSS to talk to an employee in that fashion. I kept mum thinking that I am not supposed to tell a barking dog to keep shut! Well the dog shuts up on its own once it is tired and done!!!

Christ provide some sanity to these lunatic buggers who treat their employees like their slaves and deem it their birth right to crush their dignity under the heavy burden of their own false egos!!!

Needless to say that the incident left me in a state of shock and tears. With tears rolling down my check, I composed myself and called up hubby dear with the Breaking News. Thank GOD I have him in my life. His wisdom and diplomatic tactics always come to my rescue. A brief chat with him and I was back to normal to wind up the long list of chores lined up for the rest of the day!!!

(Written on 13 April, 2010. Couldn’t post it yesterday as there was a power cut at home till the time we hit the sack)

***And hey it was my dear friend Mansi Dutta who suggested that I vent out my anger by scribbling it off --- So thanks Mansi for opening my eyes. Courtesy you, I am now back on the long lost writing track***