As the skies darken...

My internship is over, for all practical purposes. Nine weeks down, and a week to go, I can comfortably say that this time has made me realise who I am, and what I am meant for. But this is not about me, it is about them. I met, and had the good fortune of interacting with, a bunch of great people here- some I knew since I time I used to be a kid, and some who are a part of my life at R. And to them, this note- the last, for now.

Rahul- Shine, always. You will.
Nitish- Stay this way- you're almost perfect.
Mayank- I couldn't have asked for a better concomitant. Thank you!
Shruti- Keep that smile intact, you must.
Anoop- You are meant for glory, we know it.
Mohit- Hope to see you at the top, soon.

Paarth- Keep in touch. And thank you for being a great friend!
Ankit- I lived my childhood again- the time when we were kids! Thanks, and you have to keep in touch. Always!
Anshul, Sandeep and Abhishek- You guys deserve the best- go get it!

Arpit- For the honesty and commitment, it shows. Don't change! An order, and a request *smiles*
Abhishek- For the warmth and simplicity, thank you for everything! I wish we had more time.
Amiya- For everything unsaid, and things untold. Good luck!
Shubhanshu- Keep the spirit alive, Dada!
Mihir- For all the songs sung together, it was a memorable trip!
Samarth and Chirag- Kick ass and stay cool, always!
Aayush- Apologies for all the jibes, it was all in good humour. Take care of you, and keep in touch!
Kingshuk- You are a great lad, always make things happen. They will!
Abhishek Singh, Gaurav and Ravidutta- Good luck!

Pramodh Rai- Thank you for the warmth, the care and the help. Thank you for listening to me, when I was talking to myself. You are truly revered.
Manan Maheshwari- Go stud go! Be at the top.
Apoorv- Hope we catch up someday, somewhere. I'll be looking forward to it.
Wai Yee, Eric, Daniel and Delwynn- You guys are rockstars! Keep the fire burning inside you (pun totally intended)!
Thank you Dang, Ruohan, Nishank and Ankit! Also, I had a great time at Johor, Ankit.

I guess this is about it, and I also know that I may be missing out on a few wonderful people.

It feels strange saying goodbye. It weighs me down. Yet, I must.
For when you say au revoir, you kindle the hope of chancing upon each other- again!

Money, money, money!

“.. I need to get my cheque liquidated today! I have no clue when I’d get the next one..”
I promptly walked into the Citibank office near work at about 9.25 AM. The chill of the aircon was a welcome change from the humidity outside. I punched in my queuing details- 2003, I was branded. The wait was not long.

9.30 AM

I walked up to the wrong counter, only to be directed towards an adjacent staff. A demure woman, of 25 and not more. A trainee.

“How may I help you, sir?”

“Erm.. so I needed cash. Here’s my cheque.”

“Can, can.” She looked at the cheque hard and long. “Five thousand dollars? Can sign at back?”

“Yes, of course” I scribbled my name at the back with green ink. “Here you go!”

“Thank you. Also Employment Pass can?”

“This for you as well.” I smiled as I passed on my Training Employment Pass to her.

9.50 AM

She was still figuring out her way around the system. Vacillating between the TEP, the computer and my cheque, she was having a tough time figuring out what to do. Trainees, tsk.

“I have a meeting at 10, so could you please hasten the process?” I nudged.

“I am sorry.” She hurried, and consulted her colleagues about something.

She came back pleased, “What denominations do you want?”

“Hmm.. give me twenty 50 dollar bills, ten of 100 dollars, and three one thousands. Can?” I tried my best to make her understand. ‘Sing’lish pleases every local here.

‘Can, can sir!” She was ecstatic.

In the meanwhile, I was looking out on to the streets. SMRT route 970 to Shenton Way. I would miss this lifestyle- very unreal, but every breath is a mixture of hope, despair, aspirations and broken dreams. Every breath is a reality here.

I was interjected in my stream of consciousness, “Here you go, sir.”

“Uh.. oh! Thanks!”

10.05 AM

I was leaving, and not being the one to check whether all the bills are proper, I was about to move on when for some vague reason, I just peeped inside the envelope.

I froze.

I went back to her and inquired, “How much cash have you given me?”

“Five thousand dollars, sir!” She beamed.

“Please check again.”

She was crestfallen. “I am so sorry sir, I.. I..” She giggled. Her colleagues were starting at her, and she was indescribably embarrassed.

“That’s okay. But you must be careful, right? You don’t want to jeopardize your life by passing on thirty 1000 dollar bills instead of three, yah?”

____________________________________________________________________

For about good 5 minutes, I was holding 32,000 Singapore dollars in my hand- and on record, only 5. That's a lot of money, profanely so.

Surprisingly, the packet did not weigh a lot. My conscience did.

Snap!

If you would have asked me 8 weeks ago about how I would spend my time in Singapore, you'd be met with a bright enthusiastic reply with a subtle epidermal wariness. I look out of the glass wall of my apartment- a place I have grown to calling home. I see the same faces in office everyday, the usual pulling a fast one by my boss and the intolerable arrogance of my neighbour. I have become used to wearing a shirt and trousers for the better part of the day, and the leather shoes don't hurt anymore.

Eight weeks- an insignificant interval in the history of man, a major period in my life's history. It was yesterday that I set foot in 1208, and in about a fortnight, my footsteps will vanish from these carpeted floors forever. Is it fleeting- existence? I think not. I believe it is but natural that people come and go- and that footsteps are erased so as to make the path a joy of discovery for someone else. If time stopped, and people remained, wouldn't life become moribund? It flows, and let it.

I have to thank a lot of people, appreciate them for teaching me things and reprimand them for being callous at times. You tend to condone everyone at the fag end, it takes a lot to hold malice in the left corner of your torso. It is this nature of mine, and yours, that makes us human. That proves that coagulation is festering, and thus, move on.

It's a dull Saturday afternoon, and I am still under layers of coverings in bed. I want to get going for the day, but the present is painfully blissful. A fortnight, which I know is going to vanish in a snap.
I am readying my fingers, just hear the sound- will you?