Coming for tea ?

There are people who connect with you on different wavelengths. Some connect to your mischievous side , some to your spiritual, some to your fun side, some to your serious side. Some give you the pleasure of being their guide and philosopher and they worship you. Some become your guide.

And then there are some people who have the knack of touching people's lives. For them it doesn't matter who you are - how close you are to them. What matters to them is that everyone should at all times smile. They take extra steps or go beyond the ordinary to reach out and make a difference. These are the kinds who end becoming a universal friend to everyone.

This was around ten years back – I had just started working and everything around was new to me. I had a lot of people at the office, with whom I connected to at various levels. Since I was new to the work environment, a lot of things that were happening around me just did not make sense.

One particular day had been really bad, as I struggled with a tough problem and a difficult boss. I had been in a lousy mood, when one of the guys, a rolly-polly fellow with a colgate smile, from the next cabin walks up to me and calls me for tea. I wasnt in any mood for tea. So I say with a nice smile -Thank you for calling! but sorry, will come later. He says ok, and goes off towards the pantry with a smile on his face, the characteristic spring in his steps and a whistle on his lips. I smile at his happy, carefree gait and get back to my work.

About an hour must have passed by with me still on the issue at hand. I see this guy at my desk again. As I look at him questioningly, he smiles and says - Veena, ready for tea ?

Uh !

A little surprised I say " I dont want tea" irritation showing over my face and my tone. Why did he not understand - this was not the time for tea !

He smiles and says ok ! No issues ! and whistles back to his seat .

After half an hour or so, I see the guy again at my desk. He says - Veena, Get up , lets go for tea !

Damn !

Completely mad at him and my work by now, I look up and almost shout at him - Cant you understand ! I DO NOT WANT TEA !

He looks at me for a while and goes away. I thought I had put the message across this time. Pleased at giving vent to some of my pent up frustration I get back to the problem at hand.

Deep into work, and with no headway still, I hear a kind voice at my back after half an hour or so - Veena, are you done ? Can we go now ?

This time, I could only laugh helplessly.

I lock my computer and take a break with some nice tea and a fruitful conversation. I could only thank this guy for who he was - for going out of the way to bring a smile back on my face, in spite of the fact that he did not know much about me at that time.

This fellow and I kept in touch for a long time even after both he and me quit our jobs – but then somewhere life takes over. I eventually lost touch with this wonderful, warm hearted, playful, fun guy !

Wherever he is, whatever he is doing, I am sure he is touching a lot more lives.