Waking up in the morning had never been so energetic all these 364 days so far in 2010. After all it’s her (2010’s) farewell day. She’d been with us since last one whole year. It’s been longer than the longest date for most teenagers these days. After all it’s the day to say her “you’re out”. How could I miss it?
Waking up, I found the sun brighter than it had been all this year so far. Things are definitely going to change from tomorrow. At least let’s hope so for now. Why spoil the excitement? Thus, with all these positive anticipations in mind, I got ready for work. It’s the last day at office in 2010. I reached office only to find similar glowing faces all around. All ready to get drunk in the evening and bid 2010 farewell to let 2011 usher in. Such brilliant glow was showing all around.
2010 had indeed been a very eventful year, both professionally and personally. Professionally, I witnessed and contributed the construction and commissioning of the most prestigious project of my refinery so far. Then getting kicked out of it out of sheer politics for getting all the credit and highlights from higher-ups for myself and nothing left for my ass bosses to scavenge. Taking it sportingly I had moved on to contribute in an all new block. There I coordinated a 1 ½ month’s shutdown and got quite some butter out of it. Again to the similar dislike of my higher ups who decided then to throw me in boiler block, where I am presently located. 2010 has witnessed surrender of other inspection warriors from my department also. 4 nos. of engineers from my department, out of sheer frustration with the system and, specifically, bosses had to quit the department either to join a worse company or to join in a worse location. However, on positive note, the year had something positive to add to my life too. It had been a year of great joy to my family. My elder cousin’s marriage, our family trip, a wonderful week of Durga Puja and a very happening Christmas week end. It was a great year with friends and colleagues. Tough times at work had only strengthened the bonds with friends subject to similar screwing so far.
All these memories, sort of, flashed by in my minds while I stared out of the bus’s window on my way to work. Hard to say whether these 364 days had been good or bad with me. Amidst all these dilemma and self debates, suddenly appeared a realization that we’ve arrived office and it’s time to work. With surprisingly light steps and smiling heart I headed to my cabin, with the hope that things won’t be the same long. It’s definitely going to improve.
At 9:00 am sharp, madam called to summon every one for regular morning meeting at HOD’s cabin. As usual we all assembled. Our manager, with his kingly attitude, screwed each of us in turn in a criticizing manner only with the aim to demotivate all (by the way, he’s my reporting boss and a self declared HOD. Even the official HOD hasn’t got much say before this tyrant). But who could demotivate a group of free souls on a year end? The meeting ended with a light note of a feast tomorrow morning in the department and an instruction that “I” shall organize it. “Fine with me shit head”.
The day at office just passed as yet another day with nothing much happening. At 5:00 pm sharp, we left for our homes. All set to celebrate whole heartedly at night with friends. A wonderful evening lay with us promising an even wonderful night ahead.
At a friend’s place, we all met at around 9:00 pm. Booz, snacks and music; all were ready to entertain us that night. I had to have dinner with family at home and joined my friends after 10:00. It was one hell of a night and we all celebrated to the full swing till 11:00 pm and went out after that to celebrate in the public (club) where all employees of our organization had assembled to celebrate New Yearby dancing to the tunes of music and DJ.
It was 11:59 pm in the clock, the last minute of the year. The count down began. 59, 58, 57 …. Heart beat kept amplifying. 10, 9, 8, 7 …. Don’t know from where a drop of tear came to the corner of my right eye. Is it for 2010 departing or 2011 coming or is it something totally different? 3, 2, 1 and it’s 2011.
A momentary wave of excitement swept over every one around. The couples hugged and fondled, friends cheered, the over drunks dancers fell on the floor, the olds folded hands in prayer, the kids giggled in excitement, the babies wept at the surrounding madness and the management people shook hands in formal tone of welcome. Everyone around has some expectations from 2011. Everyone expected everything this New Year. Everyone forgot 2010 whom they had welcomed with the same craze just 365 days ago. Everyone has new dreams now. Some coveted promotion at work, some marriage, some children, some love, some career, some money, some luxury but no one wants 2010 back. She is such a bitch now! Hell with her. We’ve a better mate than her. 2011 is so young, so ravishing, so virgin and so new. She’s going to change everything around. New joys are going to usher in each of our life and we’ll all be happy now.
Music kept playing after that. And we kept dancing to the tunes till another hour or so. Then we all went back home. I fell asleep immediately after I lay on bed. I had a very positive mood and a wonderful dream then.
Next morning, i.e. today, the alarm sounded just like yesterday. I woke up and freshened up. Got ready for office, all the time wandering: what has changed? Then got ready, put my shoes on, still wandering: what is new? There indeed was something new. It was s new calendar of 2011 lying on my table. I put that on my wall, replacing the 2010 calendar that I had hung a year ago. Indeed, my wall looks different now.
Happy New Year.
