Friday !
I open my eyes to the buzzing sound of my phone. I switch off the horrendous sound of alarm and look at the time. It is 7 in the morning & and I have to reach office by 10. Previous night I had thought of working out in morning so I wake up instantaneously. I proceed to brush my teeth but then I realize a little bit of more fat will not do my any harm. So I go back to bed and summon my virtual assistant friend Siri and ask her to set an alarm for some later time. Within few seconds all of that extended sleep time is over and I have to wake up again to even more terrible sound of alarm. So I proceed with usual morning activities and set foot in the kitchen. As usual there is a shortage of time so I opt to make something which would take least time, bread and jam. Though technically it is not even making something rather opening and closing few jars. With my frustration on not being able to work out for 200th morning in a row I turn on the volume on the music system. Then I turn on a rap music to get me energized with abusive, sexist and racist words. Suddenly the volume drops and my flatmate emerges from nowhere.
“What’s with the song?”
“Well none of your business actually, but I am angry with myself. Don’t expect a good morning”
“I don’t, just fucking pass me the bread. And book a cab for us”
“Oh yeah I was gonna do that, in 10 minutes may be?”
“Done!”
Then we rush into our rest of the morning routine which is mostly finding shoes and socks and a lot of strong deodorant sprays. On the way we complain about traffic for the five millionth time though it usually takes 10 minutes to reach office. It felt so frustrating to travel fifteen this morning. During those additional five minutes we decide on groceries and tonight’s movie plan. I pass on the movie plan since I have a thing in the evening. So I suggest to do the movie bit on saturday morning. That is a good way to wake early on a weekend. The cab guys drops us at the office gate, we swipe our cards and off we go to our usual routine. I prefer stairs than the lift, there are just too many people in there and climbing two three floors should not be difficult for a man anyway. As I climb the stairs I reduce my iPod’s music to hear anything interesting and at the same time acting aloof. I greet mornings to my colleagues with mostly a half smile and a waive. May be after three years, you learn that it is not a bad thing. And it does not help if you behave rudely in office. At ten we are summoned for daily stand up where each of us is supposed to give a short update on what we are going to do in the day. Few people come late generally and jokes are cracked on their lame excuses. The family guys usually have it easy since they always have kids or household chores to blame. After finishing the usual planning meeting some of us head to cafeteria to grab a bite or coffee. That is where fun really starts with some sort of crazy gossip. Since it is friday so most of us are discussing weekend plans. With younger folks it is either a movie or a pub. On my turn I tell others that I have some plan, mostly low key.
I am called on my manager to discuss something important. As I enter her cabin, I am presented with my new offer letter with enhanced terms. Upon being asked she tell me that folks are happy with my work so this is a reward for the same. As per rules, I am not supposed to disclose the details to anyone hence celebration remains out of question. Life in office teaches to hide things very well indeed. I tell my flatmate to put the saturday bill on me for a small celebration. Since job demands professionalism so I dump my excitement and get down to work. Post lunch hour I pick up my phone to fix evening plan. I drop a message,
“Hey there, how are you doing? Is friday still on?”
After usual few minutes of waiting I hear back, “ Yes sir, friday is on. I am so excited.”
“I am not so much, considering last friday” As per norm, I don’t miss an opportunity to pull someone’s leg.
“This friday is totally different, I assure you. You have my word”.
“If that is so, then I would let you know of the place and time.”
“Sure thing”
“Actually let’s fix time now?”
“Ok, how about 8?”
“Works for me, then I have an excuse to leave early. Thank you for your kindness”
“See you on the other side and then we can hang out at our place.”
“Any occasion?”
“You forgot?”
“Of course no, your stupid email doesn’t let me”
“See you at 8 then, bye” We break off at this to continue our professionalism.
Well this seems easy, I was totally convinced that something would come up for her and this friday would be just like previous one or the one previous to the last one. But this has me in a real dilemna now. What is good birthday gift? I try to remember last birthday gifts I gave to anyone. Few suggestions and counter arguments pop up in my head,
“Smartphone?”
“She has one and she is not your mom”
“CR7 poster?”
“It is not that friend idiot”
“Titanic replica?”
“It not high school”
“Geometry box?”
“Wait a minute”, I stop at that. Within few seconds I was in early noughties. Then I realize this is not going to be a good evening because I suck at birthdays or pre birthdays or well any occasion. I remember after one such birthday wish, my father told me if you wish your wife like that she will leave you for sure. But then I think of using internet to help me out of this mess. I ask Siri to help me regarding birthday gifts. After almost an hour of breaking my head, I finalize on a dinner arrangement where I would ask the restaurant for some birthday song and a cake. On top of that, I decide on giving Perks of being a wallflower too. A book which is a real favorite of mine ever since college. So I make a call to restaurant near her office and ask them to book a table for us. After being sure of all the arrangement I immersed myself into work again so that I can finish my weekly commitments. After few minutes I receive another call.
“Hi, who is this?”
“Hey do you remember me?”
“Of course, you squeaky childish voice is distinct and I have your number saved as well.”
“So what are you doing tonight?”
“Why do you ask? Are you in town?”
“Yes I am and I am gonna be here for couple of days. So let’s catch up?”
“Actually today I am meeting a friend”
“Can I come too?”
“No way”
“So who is this friend?”
“You don’t know her”
“That is not possible, you have a friend who I don’t know, how did that happen?”
“Long story, take some time out during your stay. We should talk about it”
“Sure thing, call me whenever you have time” And we hang up. Deep down I know we might not meet possibly since I have next couple of days planned already. But I guess it is rude to say that on call. May be nobody cares so just get back to work.
Within few moments it is 5 in the evening and people are planning for evening coffee now or to leave early. I pick up my bag and hail a cab so that I can reach early and make sure everything is perfect. It almost takes me an hour to reach the place which I spend mostly to check on my messages and mails. As usual sometime goes in bonding with driver over the existing traffic problems and outsiders who are ruining the beautiful city. As I am about to reach the place, I spot a bookshop so I ask driver to complete the trip. I enter the book shop and purchase one of my favorite book. I get it gift wrapped and leave for the restaurant. As I am getting out of the book shop, I get a call again,
“Hi, did you leave already? It’s six so I guess not yet”
“Why do you ask that?”
“Actually I have a bad news, my friends are dropping by for shopping.”
“What the hell? This plan got made now?”
“Yes, actually a while back this afternoon. I am sorry about your friday but on a bright side you will get to spend it in your room. Just like you prefer, right?”
“Well actually….. yeah you are right. Look at the bright side, all the fare saved and bills too”
“Once again I am sorry, but you are invited tomorrow for sure. Is that okay?”
I get lost in an alternate conversation happening in my mind,
“No it is not okay, I already left office at 5 and I am almost at the place we decided. I have booked tables already. I purchased this stupid book too which I can’t even use now.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that you were leaving?”
“Would it have mattered? And I don’t like all of my fridays in my room, especially not the ones which I have already planned”
“I am sorry about that but I can’t do anything. Actually you can come with me now? It’s just two more people.”
“Seriously? After all this while you don’t know?”
“I know but what do you want me to do?”
“Stick to your words may be?”
“I said I am sorry but we can meet tomorrow.”
“Well I am not sure, actually no, I am not gonna meet you tomorrow. Forget it, I am turning back”
Suddenly I am disturbed by a voice “Hello, are you still there?”
“Yeah yeah, I am. Sorry network problems. Tomorrow is fine too, how many people have you invited?”
“Counting you, 10. Please come, it will not be like last birthday, I promise. Sorry about today”
“No need for sorry, it is not as if you are bound by law for this friday meeting. But I am counting on you then for saturday.” As we hang up, I realise my mistake of overdoing things, its all my fault. May be I didn’t think this through. I imagine all the distance I have travel back home and the evening traffic I am gonna face. I realize I may have someone else to count on. I pick up my phone and dial in,
“hey kid”
“Hey, how is the friday going?””
“Don’t mention it, didn’t happen.”
“Why?”
“I hate shopping even more.”
“Oh, got it. And you didn’t plan well ?”
“Actually I overplanned it and now this..”
“Overthinking about it as usual ?”
“Not really, I am thinking may be I can come by to wherever you are staying. If you don’t mind.”
“Since I am your backup plan, what do you offer me?”
“An all expenses paid dinner and promise to listen feminine rant”
“I am still listening, tell me something interesting”
“Remember our midnight stroll at marine drive ?”
“Yes”
“We can do round three of that, I heard some news about your personal life recently.”
“So you mean gossip ?”
“Yes and any chance you have got any friend coming over?”
“I was gonna call them but if you are coming over, I would can say no to them”
“Thanks, your friends are so meh anyway”
“Come home kiddo, we have stories to tell”
With that I receive her coordinates and it’s a bit far. But I am hell bent on not having my usual lonely friday. So I hail my cab again and reach her place in half hour. After exchanging greetings, we order some food and purchase drinks from nearby. We share start sharing those stories of our lives.
“You still remember marine drive ?”
“How could I not, all of us almost got jailed due to weed. And later almost thrown out of our apartment due to music and alcohol.”
“You are exaggerating. Are you in touch with others ?”
“Sort of, you know me. Would you play some music, I have some good ones on my phone”
“There is a message which says sorry about today but tomorrow be there at seven. Is she the out of circle friend ?”
“Yes”
“So you going tomorrow?”
“No I will pass. I will make some excuse. Forget it. Actually, I have an idea.”
“Listening”
“Let’s go upstairs ?”
“To do what ?”
“It’s a boring idea. Just like previous time, we would listen to music and count the stars.”
