I still remember his face vividly. There was nothing so good-looking or bad looking about him. Just a normal face. But there was something in the eyes. " cautious". He was one of the employees in our workplace. Generally my interaction was no more than nodding acquaintance since we had no alternative but to wish as we were on the same floor. It wasn't me alone, but he was not friendly with others too unless work demanded interaction. He was happily left alone during lunch hours too. We hardly spoke to or about him except for occasional jokes on him. He hardly even called me by name except "madam ji". So, forcefully we also called addressed him as " ji". ( demands respect desperately)
Although a quiet person, he was quite fond of arguments and I was no exception to his silly "behes" until I realized that it was pass time for him and decided not to waste any time of mine when deadline is on my head. (remember the politicians in the parliament who would go on endlessly for hours together just because they loved arguing)
One day we got his invitation card for his wedding, each person's name addressed personally. Along his name was his qualification written, a qualification which he was not entitled to until he attained a degree. But he was still studying and not eligible. When one of us jokingly asked about reason behind qualification, he coolly said "arre ladki waale ko kuch apne baare mein badhaa chadha ke bhi toh bolna chahiye". Tabhi apna image acha rahega. Unko baad mein maaloom ho gaya toh kya huva?( politician ji, vote lete waqt apna image bahut acha dikhaaoge, jhoot hi kyon na ho) Morally this is wrong. I am wondering if ladki had also done the same, would he have kept quiet?
Some friends later said that he availed all the opportunities for any or every discount, eligible or ineligible through office. (oki, doesn't our taxes fund our politicians wedding, flights and foreign trips?). After I left the office I was told that he is one of the important employees in the firm and now even his wife is working there (her qualifications, experiences etc....unknown) . All I knew was that whether he was qualified for work or not, he would become one thing for sure. A "NETA " .
