The Job- The Guardian
Prerna Continues
Dad was in a Government job, and we were in a government-allocated flat. His colleagues helped us with everything. While we saw people from his office come to our help for everything and anything, we also witnessed relatives avoiding us lest we seek any help from anyone!
When I got the job in place of Dad, I had not yet recovered from the shock of life, the fact of living without my father. It was around four months, and in the meantime, I had to leave the college. I distinctly remember the first day I was to join the office.
My Dad's colleague, one Mishra uncle, had helped us complete all the formalities. He used to come to our home frequently for all sorts of certifications, forms and compliance. And one day, he came with the letter of appointment. He told me that on the ensuing Monday, someone will come from the office to take me to the office.
I was ready by 8:30 in the morning with all my certificates and appointment letter. At 8:45, the boss of Dad, Sagar uncle, knocked at the door.
My mother opened the door and asked him to come inside and have a seat. He was carrying a box of sweets. He was a fatherly figure and told me, Beti, today you are replacing my friend in the office. Have this sweet first before you start your journey. I was a bit hesitant, then he opened the box of sweets, took one piece and gave it to me. Then he gave the sweets to my mother.
There was something in him, in his aura, that I felt like touching his feet. I kneeled and touched his feet and the feet of my mother, and left for the first day of my working life. I bowed before the photograph of my Dad. The photo was hazy due to tears blocking my view.
He did allow me to touch his feet and put his hands on my head and said, "I could not save your father, but I bless you with the success which your father visualised for you. Beti, I may not replace your Dad, but I can be a shadow of your Dad for you. You can always rest assured, if you need any support, I will be there. Your father used to call you his girlfriend, I know. And I can assure you, you will be safe till I am around you."
The words of support, which even my close relatives failed to convey, were coming from someone whom I was meeting probably for the first time.
As I went to his cabin with him, within five minutes, the staff of around ten people gathered. I knew many of them, and seeing them, I could not stop crying. The Chief came to my side, just kept his hand on my head and allowed me to cry, and then calm down on my own. There was something in his hands as if he was transferring heavenly peace through his palm to my head.
All the staff were good to me. Later in my life, I worked in many offices but never felt that safety in working in that office, with colleagues of my father. I was fortunate that after the departure of my Dad, I was not thrown in the midst of a pack of wolves.
After around two months in office, Sagar uncle called me one day. He said, "Beti, hope your mother is okay now."
"Yes, uncle, she is okay. And my brother is also getting stabilised in his studies. He will pass his annual exams."
"That is good, Beti. Tell me what you do after you go home."
"Nothing special. Help mother in her chores, help my brother in his studies, and that's all."
"Beti, you will have to do something now, and assure me that you will do it."
"What is it, Uncle?"
"This office is not your future. Your dad wanted you to qualify for competitive exams and grow. I cannot allow you to get stuck here. You will have to join the Open University and complete your post-graduation. Besides, you will have to prepare for departmental examinations for which there is a coaching class nearby. I will take you there."
"But how will I study after office hours and also prepare for competitive examinations?"
"That you will have to do, and can join tuition classes also. I have already inquired about such tuition. The open university forms are available now, you must fill the form this week itself."
"But uncle, after the death of Dad, the mother is now suffering, and we need to buy medicines, then there is the education and tuition of the brother. I don't think I will be able to pay for tuition, and without tuition, I do not know whether I will be able to pass University exams."
"Beti, I do not have a daughter, and you are my daughter. I have to fulfil the wishes of your Dad. I have spoken to the tuition centre. He is my neighbour and a good friend. He has agreed to give you coaching at discounted rates, even for free. You join the university post-graduation through distance learning, get the syllabus and discuss with me about subjects you need help with."
"But uncle, I will have to ask .."
"No, no asking anybody, it is my order you will have to follow."
And that it went. I joined Open University, and received the reading material in about a month. He kept on inquiring about the progress. I told him that I had received the study material from the university.
And after two days, he called me to his cabin near closing hours.
"Beti, you take these books home. My friend is getting complimentary books for his coaching institute, and therefore, he gave these to me. These are all books which you will need for your study."
"Oh, Uncle, you are great. How did you get all these books? One of my friends was telling me that I will have to buy books worth at least Rs. 4,000. Loads of thanks, uncle."
"Beti, did you say such thanks to your Dad? I am sure no, and never say thanks to me. I do not have a daughter, and you are like my daughter."
"No, I am not like your daughter. I am your daughter, Papa Ji." I uttered very slowly. It had been almost a year since my Dad had passed, but this gentleman was there helping me tide over the shock. When I missed my Dad, I used to go to his cabin and just talk. His affectionate behaviour was all comforting.
"Papa Ji, yes, you can call me Papa if you can, I will be very happy."
With tears trying to come out, I could not reply. But he heard what my tears were telling him.
After that date, while I continued to call all the staff, including him as uncle in the presence of others, in isolation, I called him Papa Ji. A safety net for me, it was him.
Another year was over, and based on my results of the first year of post-graduation, he bought sweets for the entire office and blessed me. Again, he brought the books, and I could understand that his alibi of complimentary books was only an alibi. He was purchasing it. But I did not dare to tell him not to do so. It was his blessings, blessings of my Dad through him.
I spent four years in that office, cleared my post-graduation and then cleared departmental examinations and was promoted to another department, another office, a new set of persons.
It was sad to leave that office, its people. I was happy to leave the office for the new career path.
His last words were, "Beti, I want to see you at the top of your career. You may get a lot of negative people on your journey. This office, the people in this office do not comprise the world. You are much stronger now than you were when you came here. Go now, move like a rocket, do not bother about criticism, be upright. In case of any doubt, just speak to your inner self. If you are true to yourself, you become unbeatable. And always remember, you have a pillar of support to which you can always turn."
Papa Ji did not take any leave during the period I was there. After I left, he took a long leave to meet his son in Canada, but he never came back. He died there. And with his death, I lost my Papa again. But this time, I was stronger.
***
The Part 15 is already out. Read it...
No comments:
Post a Comment