I respect

Have you ever come across people in your life, who touch your heart in a special way that you form a very heart-melting admirable opinion of respect about them?

I recently came across someone like the above in my office. He’s a coy, sweet, 45 something gentleman who runs around to do our administrative chores. A soft spoken man, who does not know much about technology or emails and neither can he speak a word of English, Naveen bhaiya (as we all address him) has spent a good 10 years in this office. As he walks down towards the office from the bus stop every morning, he holds a petite thaila which has his lunchbox. He enters the office and wishes us with his gapped tooth smile as he slowly passes by each desk to check for our attendance.

Last Friday his smile had extended to fill his dusky complexioned cheeks with more colour as he announced that he was getting his first entire weekend off in his 10 years of dedicated service. And we all burst into celebrated cries of congratulations for him. A reserved man, he comes down and sheepishly asks us for our daily bills and couriers every evening.

I don’t know why, but my heart goes out to him, full with respect. I get a very heart-warming feeling for this man whenever I see him. His dedication to this office and how he bears with the unorganised environment and yet always has that gappy-tooth smile, is exemplary.

I feel resentful when the owner of the company humiliates him in front of everyone, because of his slow paced and old time approach. Not understanding where this man comes from, how can he know what standards are involved in dealing with top notch designers and luxury retail brands. But I guess both have worked with each other for so long that they have formed that love and hate relationship of can’t and yet have to work together.

But still I feel sorry and sad for this man when I see him standing submissively bearing all the scolding. I can’t bear it and my eyes fill up with tears. I so wish I could do something for him and it makes me angry that I can’t. I pray to god, to bless this man with all the happiness and hope that his smile stays forever!