Stupid Cupid

Hello! Is this the IT Helpdesk?

Yes. How can I help you?

Listen I have got my laptop delivered today. I need someone to configure it so that I can use it.

Ok. Please let me know your name and desk number and someone will contact you soon.

I am Subodh Sahai and I am on workstation number 559.

He kept the phone down and was feeling elated. A laptop bag slung from the shoulder and a visiting card with manager designated of a multi-national company was something big for Subodh who had moved into the company a couple of days ago from his hometown at Patna. Here he was in the city of dreams where sky was the limit for his aspirations and with a laptop to boast, he knew he had taken the first step. All he now wanted was the black pearl of a machine to start working and he would get going with his work day and night and make his mark before his boss and others in the company. He waited for almost an hour watching others working on their desk tops…listening to the clickety click clickety click of the keyboards.

Hello…Helpdesk!! Please send someone quickly. I have been waiting patiently like an idiot.

Sorry Sir. I will come immediately said the soft voice from the other end.

In no time a petite lass came over wearing a nice flowery dress. She did not look anything more than eighteen or nineteen. Subodh looked at her and kept looking. Suddenly realizing his folly, he quickly spoke.…I am sorry for being so rude over the phone. It is just that I was feeling somewhat upset that I was not being able to work despite being in office.

Don’t worry, Sir. Let me get your machine working.

She picked up the laptop and was taking it elsewhere but Subodh insisted that she sit on his chair rather than go elsewhere.  He refused to listen to her protests and ensured she sat down before him and opened up the machine. While the girl was working on the laptop, Subodh tried to look away and was making all efforts to ignore her but something was happening to him as he found himself glancing at the girl often with a smile on his face.

What’s your name? He found the courage to ask her.

I am Leah Menezes.

I am Subodh. I am the Manager in the Purchase Department.

After working for over an hour, Leah handed over the working laptop to Subodh….It is all yours now.  Let me know if you have any trouble operating it.

Subodh thanked her and for the next thirty seconds watched the girl walking away and, as she disappeared into the big hall, he turned his attention to the magic screen before him. He started working and worked till late and then neatly packed the machine in the new bag and drove his small car to the paying guest accommodation, not too far from the office. After dinner, he opened up the laptop and started working again….now he could impress his boss who was a hard task master.  He worked till late and hit the bed. He switched off the light but soon realized that sleep was eluding him.The pretty face of Leah hovered in his thoughts….Leah smiling…her lovely teeth glistening and dimples on both her cheeks, lovely legs….Subodh shifted the pillow from under his head and held it tight close to his chest….sometime later he must have fallen happily asleep.

Subodh was an early riser and went to office early. He wanted to impress his boss who too would come in early but today Subodh beat him to work. The boss looked at his understudy working alone in the hall early and went into his cabin. After working for an hour or so, Subodh went to have a round of coffee. It was now time for the other staff to come to work. While having coffee, he was hoping to get a glimpse of Leah….he waited at the coffee station which overlooked the entrance for a while and was about to go back to his work place when he saw Leah entering. She was chatting with a couple of other girls. She did not notice Subodh whose eyes were glued on to her and her alone.

Uff…she’s so pretty….my day is made….he felt elated as he watched her go towards her work station…he saw her take her seat….aaha…so that’s where I can go and see her if required….he thought and went back to work. He then got engrossed in his work which he found very interesting. A couple of times he went to the vending machine and tried to look in the direction of Leah’s seat but, unfortunately, was not able to see her again.

Next morning, Subodh waited at the same time to keep a watch on the entrance and once again saw Leah walk in. This became routine. He saw her couple of times walking past his seat as she moved from seat to seat fixing any hardware related issues. Subodh wished his laptop would give some trouble and he would call for her but then the damned machine was too good and worked without any complaints for days together and then, one day, the screen went blank. At last his wish came true!

Helpdesk…kindly send someone to seat 559. My laptop has suddenly gone blank. It is an emergency.

Yes Sir…said a voice that Subodh recognized for he had been listening to it almost every night.

He was happy that his laptop had shut. I will once again get to meet Leah and talk to her….he waited with his heart thumping.

You are Subodh Sir…let me check the machine….said a young man who got down to work.

This was double disappointment…first the laptop had gone bad and now instead of Leah some other technician had come. The young lad tried hard for long but could not re-start the laptop.

Why don’t you ask someone else to come and help you? Said Subodh.

Ok Sir.

In came Leah to the rescue of both the machine and our man from Patna. A smile dawned on Subodh’s face as he saw Leah get down to work and he got the opportunity to chat with her. He did not want the machine to start working early even though work was piling on. Leah finally got the machine working and he thanked her profusely.….. .I owe you a treat Leah. If it were not for you, my laptop would have never re-started.

No Sir, this is my work. You can at best give a good feedback when the mail comes to your inbox from our department. Based on customer feedback, our annual performance is rated.

Surely…I will give you a five star rating and if there is anything higher, will give that to you.

Thanks so much Sir….and she left for another customer call.

Subodh kept looking at the girl walking away into the crowd...his heart was thumping…Uff..she’s so so pretty…he said to himself.

Subodh kept meeting Leah once in a while and also gave her a knowing smile whenever she looked at him. She too reciprocated which made our hero feel on top of the world. He would now take a walk around the hall to look at her casually. He even got to speak to her at the cafeteria and came to know she lived not too far from his place. Subodh, however, never missed Leah at night, for the instant he would shut his eyes she appeared without fail and stayed with him.

The office New Year party date and venue had been announced and everyone was excited. Employees were free to invite their partners and spouses. People told Subodh that this was a big day when there would be a big bash with lots of spirits flowing, great music playing and people dancing together. On the day of the party, the employees were allowed to go home early to change into their party wear and also bring their partners. Subodh saw Leah leaving. He quickly shut his work and started his car hoping to give her a lift…this was his big chance! As his car moved out of the basement parking, he saw Leah standing across the street hailing for an auto-rickshaw. The usually calm and composed driver Subodh suddenly pressed the accelerator and, in no time, reached the place where his lady love was standing but then instead of stopping, rolling down the window and asking her if he could drop her home, he drove ahead and then stopped. She was still there….should I reverse the car and ask her…what will she think of me….she is much too younger than me and what will other office people standing on the road close to her say….so many questions and doubts were rushing through his head. He kept looking at her from the rear view mirror and saw an auto-rickshaw stop and Leah stepping into it. The rick passed his stationary car and all he saw were her pretty legs and a part of her dress at the knee. He banged his palm on the steering wheel in anger and frustration….what a chance I had and I missed it! Idiot!!

Subodh went home, changed into casual clothes and headed towards the hotel and passed the street where he knew Leah lived. He was hoping she would again be waiting to catch a ride to go to the party but, alas, she was not to be seen. As usual, Subodh reached the venue early and met with a couple of people who were there. Soon the hall started filling up and the music began to play. Subodh stationed himself near the entrance, this time determined to greet Leah whenever she came in. Some people had taken to the floor and there was a big crowd at the bar. Subodh kept looking at his watch….why isn’t she here…is she at all coming? He said a silent prayer asking her to appear and lo there she was….oh how pretty she looked in a black dress. Subodh took a deep breath, flexed his smile a bit and was about to step in front of Leah when he saw her walking in with a tall young man who was holding her hand. Subodh turned around and disappeared in the party crowd.

The party was in full swing and Subodh refused to join his colleagues on the dance floor. He was in no mood for merriment. Subodh…get me a drink….Teacher’s large with no ice….shouted his boss from the floor. Subodh promptly went to the bar to get the drink where he met Leah.

Hello Sir…Having fun? Meet Xavi here.

Hello Leah…Hi Xavi…said Subodh shaking hands with the man who had taken away all his happiness.

Xavi is working at Infosys and plays football.

Hmmm football……Play football where for some club?

No…for the office team.

Enjoy the evening….said Subodh and moved closer to the bar for placing his order. After a bit of pushing around he managed to get the drink ordered by his boss. With the drink in hand, he stood alone for a while… He plays football…she never asked me ever whether I played or not? I too can play and have played at school, college, university and clubs….I can beat Xavi any day. I will dribble around him for six days without letting him touch the ball and then give him the ball to play on Sunday which would be my day of rest. Football at Infosyss…what a joke!!

He started drinking from the glass in his hand and soon gulped it down and walked out of the party. He drove his car to his residence, stopped a little ahead of the entrance to the society and got off. He went to a pay phone booth and dialed….

Hello Renu

Hello Subodh…how was the party?

Good…is Chumki awake?

No…she waited for your call and has just gone to sleep.

Ok…I just wanted to speak to you.

Why what happened…hope all’s well at work?

No…all is fine. It is just that I was feeling a bit lonely here. Why don’t Chumki and you shift quickly to Mumbai….I am missing the two of you…said Subodh with a voice that was cracking….aa jao jaldi bass…

SS