in a split second

“I will buy 10 acres of land in my village and start farming. I'm tired of this IT job. I can help atleast 10 people, by giving them some work in my farm”

Every day he used to tell me this. He was never satisfied with anything, be it his job, his boss, his colleagues, traffic in Bangalore. He always seemed restless. I could not understand why he was liked that.

It was funny, because even I was not satisfied with my job, with the way my life had turned out. But I never used to crib, at-least that is what I thought. In his case, he was always cribbing to the entire world.

It was friday march 13th, 10:00 PM. That was the last day, I would be working with him. I had resigned my job. True to his attitude, he was cribbing about that too.

We were having the final dinner together.

“Rahul, you know what. I'm going to Hyderabad tomorrow. I will be meeting one of my old colleague. I'm planning to join his company. I think it will be a great break for me.”

Atlast, I saw a happy, positive thought from me. This sudden child like happiness in him, reminded me of another person. His daughter.

I had met his daughter not so long ago. It was just a week before. I had worked with him, for almost a year, but that was the first time I was seeing his daughter. Funny. That is how this industry works. No one cares about family here. It is always work, just work.

She was so cute and smart. Extremely smart for a 8 year old. I could sense that love for daddy in her eyes. They looked so good together. He was a great father. I could see no restlessness in him, when he was with her.

“Daddy, who broke our car ?” - She was referring to the sidelight in his car. Kids get that sense of ownership very quickly.

“Bye dude. All the best. Keep in touch” These were the last words he spoke to me. I used hate his attitude so much, but when he said good bye to me, I felt like I was going to miss a great friend.

Saturday, 14th march. A new day and a new beginning for me.
I was reading newspaper, while drinking coffee. My phone started ringing.

“Rahul, he was going to Hyderabad with his wife and daughter. At around morning 5.30, his car collided with a lorry. Both his wife and he died on the spot. Only his daughter survived”

Life !

Truly Madly Deeply - Savage Garden

I think the following four lines will be true for almost everyone,

I will be strong, I will be faithful,
Because I'm counting on a new beginning,
A reason for living,
A deeper meaning