The Big Switch: It's never too late

by John Thomas

he found it illogical that the celebrations happened during working hours.

He was confident that Mathur wasn’t the best manager around.

He couldn’t afford to lose time. Every second was important.

Though more than 6 years old, the phone didn’t show any signs of aging. It was his first mobile phone.

remembered very clearly the joy he had experienced on buying the phone in his first year of engineering.

He had promised himself that he would buy a smartphone if he got a good appraisal.

He was afraid that history would repeat itself.

But his belly was enormous. It preceded him everywhere like a car’s bumper.

Their style of working was also very similar — both of them had no interest in working.

Keith was more than relieved to see Mathur’s back.

More often than not, Yasin was his partner in crime.

His girlfriend, Maya, had planned for a movie date in the evening. So, he had to finish up his work on time.

They were in the same class during degree college. But they only fell in love during the final year.

last thing he was supp...

Though the office hours were from 9 to 6, the work culture was such that even an employee leaving at 8 was considered to be leaving early.

But things had fallen into place for him.

members would gather around this table and state their work items for the day.

He wanted to wipe the board clean and write ‘No Problem’ — the name of the movie that Maya had planned for.

He used them every time he needed to get an unplanned work done

The smile sent a shiver of anger down Keith’s spine.

Park today’s work for now. You can resume it tomorrow.

Keith had always been Mathur’s go-to-guy in the case of urgent work.

Keith was excited and they were all set to visit the caves. But, then, Mathur happened.

Keith sighed, closed his eyes and pressed the Send button.

He found just a single word — OK. A pair of wrinkles appeared on his forehead. He knew what the reply meant. It meant that she was furious.

Don’t panic, Keith. You can still complete the work and be on time for the movie. You better get started.

Having been lean all his life, he had put on some kilos in the last two years. All of them at the wrong places.

Stupid me! I shouldn’t have informed her about the new work.

He had sensed it from Keith’s body language.

She should be supporting you with your dreams.

But I really hate hurting her. And you know what? In spite of all my efforts, I ended up hurting her today. I must apologize. She feels better when I do.”

As always, Maya was on top of the list.

Mathur stepped out with a smile on his face. It was so broad he could have eaten a banana sideways.

Keith stepped into the meeting room with the confidence of a prince walking into his coronation ceremony.

Mathur’s go-to-guy in tough situations,

have stayed up till late to help others on so many occasions. The new team members, they have learned so much from me.

As anger turned into despair, his shoulders dropped. Mathur had noticed the change in his body language

hardly slept last night. You know, right? It gets very difficult for me when we fight.’

Maya: ‘Okay!’ On a normal day, this reply from her would have left him worried. But today, it didn’t.

his work and personal life together.

Brijesh didn’t want a third tenant. So, he was paying two-thirds of the total rent. Unlike Keith, he wasn’t concerned about the money.

reaction to the bad appraisal was impacting other areas of his life also.

Though only for a few seconds, he spoke with them every night before going to sleep.

is fascinating how things change when one changes his perception.

enthusiasm of a man on his first day at the job.

He opened it with the excitement of a kid opening his birthday present.

He learned that there was nothing more painful than losing someone you love.

Unfortunately for Keith, his worst fear had found him

he typed faster. His urgency was synonymous to that of a person submerged in water, longing for fresh air.

So much that he punched Yasin several times in his mind. He stopped only when Yasin got