The Return

"So, Prasoon! Not writing blogs nowadays? Didn't see any Facebook posts asking people to share.  Anyways , good thing only. You won't torture us to read it, though you know we will never ever bother to read even the title :P", Rahul told with a tongue in cheek expression. Yes, it has been some time since I have put pen to my thoughts .Though I badly wanted to write the manifesto behind my return or prepare atleast a YouTube interview video describing my efforts to write one more blog so that the interviewer gets some publicity and in turn, gets interviewed by hundreds, if not thousands, being a humble person, I have decided against it magnanimously :)

Himesh was also returning not to blogging but to India, after being away in the land of the United States for several years on an onsite assignment. There were stories that only a very few in his current project had seen Himesh at offshore as it had been some time since he traveled. Like everyone, his promise to his offshore team when he traveled was "Don't worry. I will be back in a year as I won't be able to stay away from my motherland for long." The team was sad not that they would miss Himesh but knowing that he might not return soon and in turn block their travel chance.

After almost a decade, Himesh decided to return because of various intricacies (read visa problems). It was his first day back after a short vacation.The office building had changed. The canteen vendor had changed but the taste of the Upma remained the same. After entering his floor, he looked around hoping to find some familiar faces. He then happened to meet one of his seniors from his offshore days. "Hey Ravi! How are you? Are you still at offshore? Better get moving , dude. When is your visa expiring? Make sure you travel once and not waste the chance. Also, Nowadays, our onsite assignments are not that stressful and all , like when I initially went there. All is easy now. Just go, party and chill".

Ravi didn't respond anything but managed a sheepish grin as he was used to such advices mixed with boastfulness for past few years from every Tom, Dick and Harry who were getting down from their planes.  He had been slogging day and night for his project at offshore but couldn't get to travel on-site anytime. He was seen as the not-so-lucky guy in the project, thanks to the myth that you need to travel on-site, spend years there(the way you work there is irrelevant :P), get 'the card' to be praised and worshipped by the poor junior blokes in your team who would welcome you cheerfully on returning not for your heroics but for the chocolates.

"Nice to meet you Himesh after such a long time", Ravi politely finished the conversation and reached his cube. He then opened his notes and jotted down "Met that idiot who blocked my onsite travel all these years. Thank you Almighty! I learnt that the idiot will now report to me from today. :P Thanks to you Mr. DT for making this happen. Ini singa paadha thaan(It's gonna be the aggressive route hereon). After all, 'All is fair in love and on-site' :P"