I’M HUMAN AFTER ALL!

I’M HUMAN AFTER ALL! was published in the January, 2014 issue of Spark, a leading Indian literary magazine. Here’s the link: http://www.sparkthemagazine.com/im-human-after-all/

“Sorry, Rahul! I would have made you Team Leader on this project but nobody knows automotive steering systems the way Vikas does.” Mr. Gupta looked apologetically at Rahul and smiled sheepishly. Everyone knew Rahul had been expecting the position. “It’s okay, Sir.” Rahul Pandit smiled at his boss pleasantly and shrugged his shoulders. “Don’t worry about it. I agree with you. Vikas does have more experience in this industry than I do.” And I’d like to break his teeth for him if ever I get the chance. Look at him now, sitting there and gloating at all the undeserved credit. Shameless fellow! And you Mr. Gupta, do you really think I don’t know how partial you are to Vikas? Just because he’s your son’s old classmate! Nepotism I call it! I loathe your patronizing attitude! You have no idea how ugly you look in that yellow shirt! Mr. Gupta smiled at Rahul. “Thank you, Rahul. You’re a very generous guy. I knew I could count on you to take it in the right spirit.”

It was almost lunch by the time the meeting was dismissed. After a last round of final instructions from Mr. Gupta, everyone, including Rahul, went over to congratulate Vikas on his achievement. Rahul in particular, was very generous with his compliments and even offered to help him with the project since he’d led the pilot study. “So just let me know if you need anything Vikas,” he said, swinging his laptop bag around his shoulder “I’d be delighted to help.” I wouldn’t help you even if you were the last person on this planet! If I don’t get you fired in the next three months, my name’s not Rahul!

“That was sweet of you, Rahul,” Promila Banerjee smiled at him as they all trooped out of the conference room. She’d joined the company a couple of months back and secretly felt that Rahul was one of the most agreeable people around. He was always willing to lend a helping hand and never said a mean or spiteful thing about anyone. “You were awfully sporting about not being made Team Leader.” “Oh, Rahul is unarguably one of the nicest people I know,’ agreed Sameer. He patted Rahul on the back and gave him a thumbs up. “Never a nasty word for anyone!” Except you of course! Don’t think I’ve forgotten how you banged my new car last month with that miserable jalopy of yours! I’ll bet you did that on purpose. I’ll get even with you some day Sameer. “Oh don’t be silly, Sameer!” Rahul waved off the compliments and even had the grace to blush a little as he did so. “It’s not a big deal! Now come on, let’s have lunch. I’m starving.”

It was almost seven o’clock by the time Rahul wrapped up his last teleconference and switched off his laptop. He was exhausted and rubbed his tired eyes as he finally got out of his 15^th story office. It had been a grueling day! He got into the elevator and pressed the button for the ground floor. The lift painfully began its downhill trudge and Rahul tapped his foot impatiently on the floor as he waited. 15, 14, 13. I need to update my profile on that recruitment site. This job is thankless and boring. 12, 11, 10. Wonder what Saumya’s made for dinner tonight? If she serves me that slop in the name of Kadhi one more time, I will throw it out of the window. 9, 8, 7. She can’t cook for toffee! Maybe I should pick up a pizza on my way home. 6, 5, 4. I hope the kids aren’t cranky tonight. You’d think I deserve a peaceful evening after an arduous day like this. 3, 2, 1. I’d better finish that steel report tonight. That toad of a Managing Director is coming back from Singapore this week and is sure to ask for it.

The lift doors opened and Rahul stepped out. It was raining and he hurried towards the parking area, muttering to himself. “How I hate the rain! Miserable, depressing, dismal……” “Hey Rahul! You’d better hurry or you’ll be soaked to the skin,” called out his colleague Maya, as he walked past her. “It’s pouring cats and dogs!” “No worries!” answered Rahul, with a cheerful smile. “I love the rain!”

He didn’t get a chance to pick up the pizza after all. It was really pelting down by the time he touched the highway and the traffic was crawling along at snail’s pace. To make things worse, his wife called to inform him that the kids were cranky again and she hadn’t had time to cook after all and would he mind eating yesterday’s leftover Kadhi again today? “Not at all,” laughed Rahul “You know I love Kadhi.” He didn’t know why he even bothered to answer since it was a rhetorical question anyway. It wasn’t like she was going to jump up and cook a five-course meal if he told her how that awful Kadhi almost made him want to retch, was it?

It was nine o’clock when Rahul finally parked his car outside his three-storey South Delhi house. He switched off the ignition and got out. Rahul realised that the rain had almost stopped by that time and there was just a gentle drizzle. Old Mrs. Sharma from next door was walking her dog and she smiled at him as he made his way towards his house. The dog was fond of Rahul and pranced around him excitedly, his tongue hanging out from the side of his mouth. Rahul tried to ignore the saliva that had dropped from the dog’s mouth onto his new shoes as he bent down to pat him. Stupid mutt! Drooling all over my expensive shoes like that. “Hello Rahul! Sorry about Brownie! He just gets excited when he sees you.” Mrs. Sharma smiled at him and Rahul laughed cheerfully. “Oh, don’t worry, Mrs. Sharma. He’s a sweet dog. Loveliest eyes I ever saw.” “You’re a nice guy, Rahul,” commented his neighbour then “Let alone doing anything mean, I’ll bet you never even think a negative or nasty thought about anyone.” “Well…” said Rahul as they parted ways outside his house. He could smell the disgusting Kadhi and hear his kids yelling in the background. “Maybe the odd, fleeting one now and then. After all, I’m only human,” he remarked. They laughed together and then Mrs. Sharma went on her way, the dog still barking excitedly. Rahul turned towards the door and lifted his hand to ring the doorbell. He was just about to press it when, for no logical reason in particular, he suddenly withdrew his outstretched arm and turned around. He crossed the path in rapid strides and before he could change his mind, unlocked his car and got in. It had finally stopped raining and the night air was pleasant and balmy. Rahul suddenly felt oddly happy as he turned on the ignition and pulled the car into reverse.

The pizza joint was warm and inviting. The delicious aromas of garlic and cheese wafted through the air and Rahul sniffed appreciatively as he placed his order and looked around. The restaurant was actually full since it was dinner time but Rahul didn’t mind. It was strangely comforting to be among strangers. He didn’t have to talk to anyone or do anything. He didn’t even have to pretend any more. He sighed and sat back in the comfortable chair. He was just thinking about ordering a Coke to drink with his pizza when his mobile phone suddenly vibrated in the left pocket of his trousers. He pulled it out and glanced at the caller ID. It was his wife. He took a deep breath and pressed the green button to speak to her. “Hi Saumya!” “Where are you Rahul? We’ve been waiting for you for ages!” She sounded exasperated and the kids were still yelling in the background. Rahul immediately opened his mouth to tell her that he had been called back into office for an urgent proposal and how disappointed he was about missing dinner with them. The words that came out however, were completely different. “I decided that I didn’t fancy that slop you were going to serve me for dinner tonight. So I came out to get myself something decent. And by the way, just for the record, I hate Kadhi!”

The words were out before he could stop himself and he clapped his hand on his mouth as soon as he realised what he’d done. There was a long silence at the other end and it took him a few moments to realise that his wife had indeed, hung up on him. He was actually shocked at himself and it took him a minute to even believe that he’d really said what he had. He was still sitting there, wondering what in the ever-loving world had come over him when the server came back with his order. He placed the piping hot pizza in front of Rahul, refilled his water glass and wished him Bon Appétit. The pizza looked delicious and Rahul’s mouth began to water. He realised that he hadn’t eaten since lunch time and was ravenous. He tore off a huge piece of the pizza and took a bite. “Mmmmm! So good!” It was amazing what a slice of cheesy goodness could do to melt away the stresses of the day and suddenly he didn’t feel quite so vexed. In fact, he actually smiled to himself as he took another bite of pizza and sat back contentedly. It felt good to speak his mind. It certainly felt good. “And what’s so terrible about saying what you feel?” he spoke aloud to himself as he tore off another slice of pizza, “I’m human after all!”