By time she grew up to be a lady recognized by
her neighbors as “dynamic and dashing”, but that’s what she projected to the
world because she couldn’t let her image fall by showing her true status.
Status- did I mention? Yes. It meant the money,
the value of an individual, capability to socialize, to be at par with other
surrounding you. One could always fake the materialistic thing but how could
one fake the reflection on the face. Sarah was just not aware that his body
language and her face spoke most of the things to the world outside. She went
on with the fast paced world thinking it was just about few hours and then
everything is okay. Her room, was her only place that knew so much about her
situation. Her wardrobe screamed at her asking to be updated, so did her
outdated cosmetics, her footwear and her handbag too. But she could always
manage questions regarding these things. What was difficult for Sarah was to
answer questions like, How’s work? So what about your personal life? I don’t see
you at the parlor these days? Etc
No, it wasn’t that she stopped liking to work,
or go to parlor or gym to keep herself pampered, neither was it about
heartbroken or a bad affair. It was clearly about her bad financial situation.
While Sarah being a self-made woman who has traveled 30 yrs of her life to be
an entrepreneur, its just now that she felt that she isn’t a successful entrepreneur
yet. Though she’s been doing good business for a young woman entrepreneur, she isn’t
prepared for the ups and downs of her entrepreneur journey and this was the
first time and a hard hit for Sarah to digest. She feels to breakdown
financially in business is worse that can happen in one’s life. Worse than a
break-up with boyfriend. A simple comparison,
1.
A
boyfriend cares for you- here you care for the business
2.
A
boyfriend can understand- here you understand the business
3.
A
boyfriend is a matter that can be discussed- here you can’t discuss your
business matters with friends.
4.
A
boyfriend can patch up in a day or two- a business ones its down needs the same
effort to re-start again
5.
A
boyfriend can be screamed at when frustrated- business just silently kills you
within, like a tumor
Funny though, but her feeling where just as
right as she thought it is. She was left with no options to bring in money but
just to work HARD & hard. But having tried that for so many months has left
her with little hopes that can save her in near future. Just like anyone
thinks, she thought her next steps would be to immediately check with friends.
She had in her past her past helped a few friends in various ways. To some
great gifts, to a few money hard cash in hand for immediate needs, a few more
transfer of funds, a few friends were lucky to get Gold jewelry, some got
cloths etc etc., none of them have forgotten her, having said that none have
even stayed connected with her. For them she was just very different and also
difficult to be like. So they always enjoyed her company and treated her as a “friend-
in the form of giver”. Sarah knew this very well, and she never helped people
with any expectations. She would, even if she did, least expect to spend a good
time with them whenever she found time to meet next. Anyway, this time has
arrived, when even if she dint like, she ends up thinking about friends whom
she could seek help from. Couple or more names pass her mind, but hesitant to
ask she left it go. Suddenly she realized few places where she had left her
valuables for safe keeping as she was on intermittent stay. She connects with
them.
Friend A: Hey hi. Hows you?
Sarah: Oh well, I am fine. Glad to have
connected with you. I felt I lost your contact details. Good you haven’t changed
any of them.
A: Oh no. Have been living live just the way I
used to when you were here. So, tell me when are you coming next?
Sarah: (Skeptically- was I a good friend or is
there any reason that I am so welcomed?) Well, very soon indeed. Look I was
desperately trying to reach you to find out if you still have my belongings
with you? Remember we were to keep them in your personal bank locker?
A: Oh yes! I very well remember we kept a few
things in my bank locker. What would you need?
Sarah: that’s great! I was looking at
collecting them back. But looks like a tough time, I may not be able to make it
to your place. Will it be possible for you to send them to me, may be courier?
A: Yes I could, definitely do them. But are you
sure you wish to do it now? Is everything okay?
Sarah: huh! Actually not okay. Been drowning
with some financial stuff. Hence I request you to kindly send those documents,
may be something will come handy to pull-off a few more months.
A: Oh.. sorry to hear that. Let me do my best
to be of help to you. Why don’t you give me your account number, shall send in
a few thousands, if that may help.
Sarah: How kind of you… Thanks a ton. You think
whatever is possible kindly help me with.
A: Cool. Will revert soon. Stay calm and don’t haste.
Sarah: Alrighty. Thank you once
again, you are my angel.
Friend B: Hi Sarah… Whats up?
Sarah: Hey hi. All well. Whats up with you?
B: Great … tell me more whats happening?
Sarah: nothing just work man. Good time to
talk?
B: Ofcourse it is, anytime you wanna talk is a
good time… hahaha
Sarah: (laughs) cool. That’s funny ah! Well
listen, wanted to check with you about the gold I had left at your home for
safe keeping. Remember?
B: Yes. I remember well. Why what happened?
Sarah: Nothing. Was just looking forward to
collect it. Looks like I might not be dropping by any sooner and just wanted to
get things back in order.
B: Oh.. Good. But, I guess….
Sarah: what? Forgot the place?
B: Nope. I think during my wedding I’ve misplaced
it or may be my wife. I haven’t seen it in the recent past. Was it urgent?
Sarah: Well, actually it was a bit urgent. But
I think I can wait for couple of days. Why don’t you check with your family and
revert?
B: I will do that. But I am certain it isn’t here
somewhere. But… that’s not right on my part too. Let me check and revert.
Sarah: Cool Yo! Call me whenever you find. Will
wait.
B: Yes I will. Sorry about it.
Sarah: OH no, why sorry. You just have to look
for it. Its ok. I trust you…. Chill
B: Thanks. Will come back on this.
Months passed and the call never comes. Upon
her repeated calls, he would be bothered, so… no more calls.
Sarah felt bad for once and kept thinking if
she really trusted her friends or were they just friends for namesake. It
reminded her of a story her father narrated when she was a kid. Its about a man
entrusted a metal box filled with valuables and covered with fruits over it- to
his dearest friend. A friend he trusted the most. Left it there for about a
week and comes back later to find nothing there. When questioned his friends
very ignorantly and innocently says- “I never touched a think in this box”.
What happened to it wasn’t told, but the moral was about true friendship. Sarah
still believed in it, while the world around her had changed so much.
Sarah calls me one day. We sit at a near-by Café
coffee day- the best of places to get-together without worrying about the “Nice-
Destination” to meet. Any location, just a CCD (Café Coffee Day- in short). I
sat and heard her story till she sighed and sipped her Cappuccino to the last
bit. I asked her what she felt and this is what she said:
1.
The
world has changed, I don’t know if it’s for good or bad. But certainly, not
like what my father taught it would be when I grew up. I will learn to be like
it is.
2.
Business
doesn’t mean doing well for society or set of people. Business means doing very
good for yourself.
3.
Trust,
loyalty, honesty blah blah blah… My father said was important, however people don’t
care who is what when they get to playing their roles in this world.
4.
We
were taught live and let others live. But out in this world, everyone lives for
themselves.
Well so much more is different out there, I don’t
know if I belong to this place? She frowned!!!
Though it isn’t too interesting to have heard
all this. But this thought provoking story, lead me write these lines- so that
I can share it with you to understand, if she is right in her thoughts? Are we
missing on the fundamentals these days? Are we living in a “Man-eat-man” world
in literal terms? What’s that one think we are all looking for? Isn’t it to be
human and live humanly?
Share your thoughts on this, so that it can be
a piece of advice to Sarah and also thoughts we all could share with each other
to realize on what’s missing. Let’s not give space for our children to feel/think/ experience
like Sarah. Let them learn the true values.
