Rest in Pieces! A day off from Office

Rest in Pieces!

Having home near office feels so good, no need to travel long distances, make way through heavy unpredictable traffic, irritable waiting at signals and the unbearable traffic jams. It just has so many advantages. And if the place is adjoining the company, then it is the best one can ask for. Be it sweet siesta after lunch or to avoid unbearable canteen munch or to watch a cricket match in situation that is crunch, there’s no place like home sweet home.

R I P (Rest In Pieces)
Caution: This “piece” of work is purely fictitious and is nowhere close to reality.

But every side has two coins… I mean every coin has two sides and likewise having home near office is an open invitation to untimely calls of duty.

When the responsibility of the entire situation is on your “not so broad” shoulders, it can be pain in the neck sometimes.

It happened to be just another routine day till fate decided to give a small piece of it’s signature on my body. I met with a small accident in the evening while on my way back home from some personal work. My vehicle obliged to the slippery surface and surrendered me to the “ever so comfortable” Pune surface. Bruises were as fresh as tender grass and were supplemented by tremendous body ache. So I decided to have a day off and have rest.

The next day started with me calling my boss.

Me: Boss, I met with an accident yesterday. I won’t come to office today.

Boss: Accident? Are you fine? How badly are you hurt? Do you need me to take you to the hospital? Do you need anything?

Me: Easy boss. Not that critical. Just need rest, possibly for tomorrow as well.

Boss: Ok buddy. Enjoy the day.

I felt as if I was taking this off for vacation! “Enjoy the day” was only what I remembered for long.

I was alone in the house and so decided to sleep till late in the morning. My sweet siesta was broken by the ring tone which rung as loudly as if its appraisal was dependent on its performance. (My fault it was to have set that tone. So, no complaints)

Caller: Hello sir, I’m Naveen from HSBC. We have a Lifetime free Credit card offer for TechM employees. Which company do you work for? Had this guy been talking to me in person, he would have been killed.

Me: I can understand that you have a mind-blowing offer for me, yet it would be so kind of you to leave me alone right now.

Caller: But Sir, we are giving 10% discount for tickets of all multiplexes.

Me: JUST GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!!!

I disconnected the call.Ten minutes later again the phone rang. I was at my wit’s end now.I picked up the call.

Caller: Hello Sir, I’m Praveen from Barclay’s…

Me: #@$^#%!^&!%&. JUST PUT THE PHONE DOWN.

I put my cell on silent mode and kept it aside.

Then some time passed without any disturbance. The purpose of my leave was about to be fulfilled till fate made its presence felt. Two of my team mates had come to see me.

Team Mate 1: Hi dude, how are you now?

Me: Yeah, feeling better now. Still have horrible body ache.

Team Mate 2: Can you able to walk now?

(I was not new to this kind of English so wasn’t surprised.)

Me: Yes I can walk. But still it pains.

Team Mate 1: Arre, India’s match is there today right?

I knew these guys were more interested in match than my condition.

I had no option but to let them enjoy the match while tried to seek some much wanted rest.

They started chatting in their native tone which was completely alien to me.

So, I ignored them. Still, the overall situation was unbearable.

Finally after an hour or so, those guys were compelled to leave. My prayers had been answered in form of a call from the boss.

Then again I saw my phone shiver and unable to shout.

The caller this time was a lady with a soft and a magical voice.

Caller: Hello Sir, Is this Mr. Ashish from Tech Mahindra?

My interest was aroused by the lady’s voice.

Me: Yes, this is Ashish.

Caller: Good Afternoon Sir, I’m Riya from Standard Chartered. Would you be interested in our credit card offer sir?

Me: Look madam, I would donate my salary or even marry you on some other given day. Please excuse me for today.

Caller: When to contact you sir?

I disconnected the call.

I tried to sleep for some time when my landlady made a grand entry.

Lady: How are feeling now beta? Does it still hurt?

Me: Feeling a bit better now auntie. Just body pain is the concern.

Lady: Beta, when we were of your age, wounds and bruises were part and parcel of life. We’ve faced a lot more hardships than you but never did we miss out on our daily chores.

Me: Thanks auntie. Your advice is always so helpful.

(I almost had my jaws aching when I clenched them)

Lady: You have rest. I will send Amol here. He will take good care of your injuries.

Amol was a below average first year medical student, who could have easily won “Irritating Personality of the Year” award for his shrill voice and arrogant attitude.

The very name of Amol sent panic signal through my brain and imagination of him treating me bolted me upright from the bed.

Me: No auntie. Actually, I was just going to Dr. Mehta’s clinic.

Lady: Should I ask him to take you to clinic?

This aggravated me further and I was almost running.

Limping, I got to the doctors place and got nice big dressing for my wounds.

I was asleep for some time. I was feeling the joy of rest for the first time in the day but joy was again short lived.

Some of my ITP friends came to see me, actually the cricket match. They stayed for good long time and it was almost evening till they left.

I was now on verge of frustration when again the bell rang. I opened the door.

Me: Hi Boss. Thanks for coming to see me.

Boss: Anytime dude. I had to come to see my one of the most efficient resources. But it must be very boring at home right? And your wounds seem worse.

Me: I would be fine in two days boss. And yes, it is boring to stay at home.

Boss: I know. So I’ve brought you company. You can have leave for next four days.

Here’s our support laptop and mobile. Enjoy the leave.