Friday, December 21, 2007

Lesson learnt

Getting up when half of the day is already over > getting ready leisurely > having lunch > spending a bit of time in the library > working out at gym > TT > dinner > sleeping very very late after chit chat with roomies. This has been my schedule for the past one month.

A dramatic incident calls for its mention which I would rather prefer forgetting. I felt it was fate taking its course. It's not always that you walk out with you original documents for three days in a row for xerox, get the work done on the third day, carry them to the office and suddenly realise that you have lost the originals  !!

There was a power cut in the Xerox shop on the first day and it was closed on the second day. I know it may sound stupid that I carried them 3 days instead of getting the work done elsewhere. But I had only this shop on my way to office and was lazy enough to walk to other shops which would mean an additional 15 minute walk. Moreover, if I had not missed them everything would seem fine

So, I wanted these documents to apply for a credit card. I had carried them in a folder which had an open ended slot for putting in the documents. While getting the copies done, I got a phone call which lasted until I reached office. It was only in the lift that I realized that I had missed the originals of Passport, Driving license and Pan card.

After the initial shock, I was assured that I had left them back at the Xerox shop itself. For a moment, I even considered having lunch and then collecting them. But then there was much drama awaiting. Back at the shop, the lady didn't respond on seeing me - my first instance of doubt accompanied with fear. I enquired after she dealt with a few customer if she had seen my docs. She flatly refused and said she hadn't seen anything.I then re-traced my path carefully back to the office.

I was tensed by now. I checked with guards and the Admin department which dealt with the 'Lost and Found' objects. Then I took help from  the agents at the main gate to help me in explaining the lady at the Xerox shop in Tamil.

I spent the next two hours searching frantically on the path leading to office and enquiring the shop keepers. There was a Satyam office standing opposite to the venue of all this drama. I talked to the guards and gave them my contact number; perhaps somebody may find my docs and deposit with them. Towards the evening, I had to digest the hard fact that I had infact lost my original documents.
With the suggestion of my friends, I even went to the police station to inform them about the loss of my docs before somebody could misuse them. But I was asked to go the crime report branch the next day. That night passed by with lots of tension and animated descriptions of how the day passed so eventfully

The next morning I had a surprise call for me from Vikky. I realized that somebody had found my docs and had telegramed to the address mentioned in the passport - a sigh of relief !! I hurriedly made a call to the number mentioned and set off to meet the good Samaritan.

I reached Perungudi. For the next half an hour I tried calling but my call was not being attended. I entered this office called Sanmar and further waited for around 20 minutes. I was finally called for. Mr. Srinivasan was an elderly person aged 55-60 and was a manager at Sanmar. It started with how did you come to know, why did you miss them and went on for the next 30 minutes on how I should be careful with things.

Then he called for the driver who had actually spotted my documents. Mr Srinivasan focussed on the importance of the man's good nature and his effort to send a telegram. He then spoke of religion and wanted to make a point that the way I have a God, everyone does and so does this man (the driver). He (the driver)  was due to visit Sabrimala and since he was very poor Mr Srinivasan offered me to bear half his expenses. I couldn't react for a moment -  I was a naive, two salary old employee.

Mr Srinivasan then tried to make me realise that I should be grateful to the person and also stressed on how blessed I would be. I kept on listening to what I was being told and nodded to his elderliness. The next day I went back with the amount (having a 1% thought if I could bargain to half the amount citing cash crunch). Mr Srinivasan made me sit, offered coffee and talked politely explaining how destiny has its way. He then cited an eg. of how a man who inspite of chaining his luggage while travelling lost a bag worth 50000. He further said that this incident occured in my life so that I could help a man on his visit to a religious place and it was his God that made him act that way.

Veterans have a way getting their points accross. I presented Mr Srinivasan a Parker pen and he was quite happy for his little gift. I felt content for being able to help somebody (though parting with 1500 was not that comfortable) I could see it as lesson to be conscious of my items in future.

Well then, I am leaving for Vizag to join Mom, Dad and Vikky for Christmas. See You !!