Time Up

More people gathered in front of me now, than I could count. Restless, I am, thinking of what could be the outcome today.  I am fighting a heart which is about to burst any time. I had lost many opportunities that I was blessed with earlier.

Firstly, it was my elders both at home as well as in profession, who advised me many times. I am letting go of precious time with me. All my bosses, who did like my work, didn’t like this one aspect of me.  They consider I am taking things for granted. Should take up simple basic exercises that will keep me ticking. Then, my friends and my younger relatives advised me on the proverbial ‘Stitch in Time’. My family, mother,  brothers, sisters, friends, and my girlfriend too are more concerned.  Those who know me, know that I had come through enough challenges in life, and that my every minute is hard-earned.

As the digits reduced in the monitor next to me, the people in front of me, also started showing some restlessness. I could hear some noises too; someone calling someone. With every electronic beep, every other person started shuffling their feet, trying to squeeze in – within the limited space around me, that seemed to be reducing every second.  Thankfully there was a yellow box drawn over the ground that kept a distance from the people falling over. I do not know on whose orders he came, a man in uniform stood by my side and had a thorough control over the people surrounding us. Some of them where making faces at him, while many were throwing smiles, just to win the opportune moment. I wanted to enjoy the treatment of a VIP, having gained the central position, but such merriment came just for a flash.  I am too engrossed in the pain of losing a more important thing, if I failed to make it today. To me, today is a very important day.

Listen to your heart – heard many people say. I didn’t when it mattered most.  I kept nodding to every piece of advice – with very little regard for the person who made and the least on such content. Just half-n-hour of workout, will organize your life for the better. Labour hard is what I did all my life. Didn’t care to spend much time in organizing myself. I would prepare to a good measure for each and every activity, but somehow, become lethargic and dragging at the actual day of my performance. Be it examinations, interviews, project presentations, business meetings, or even for my date. The impact however, especially, the growing disregard, was not taken seriously by me. It almost became second nature to me to not-act-on-time.  I knew through all this, I was missing my important opportunities because of a small but crucial behavioural change that I needed very badly.  Today, I have made up my mind, when I am through my biggest challenge thus far, (only if,) I shall make sure that I shall follow every piece of advice that is intended to my well-being.

Another beep from the monitor next to me, shook me to reality again. There came three white-coated Doctors with steth hung over them. They smiled at me. The man in uniform gave orders to the crowd. People made way like a knife on butter. Then came a empty  gourney and was placed next to me, I felt like climbing on to it. I was in no mood for thinking anything at all.  All I was engrossed in, is whether I will make it or not. Then, with another beep, the door opened. Gourney went in first, three doctors next. With all my smiles that I had earlier spent all this while on this man in uniform,  came very handy and got me a place in the Lift.  My attire, with neck tie and perfect formals, people didn’t mind my getting in.

I was scheduled to meet the Founder-Chairman of this Hospital where I am in.  I am a candidate looking for a job as Senior Accountant in this Hospital. I am informed that a panel of 5  members, including the Chairman, would meet me for the interview today.  Having visited this hospital to meet some ailing friends on different occasions, I had developed a serious liking for this Hospital;  the orderliness, well-maintained, systemic clarity, and adherence to 5-S norms, book-keeping, and beyond everything, charging reasonably, kept my impressions very high. Above all, service is clearly visible in every member here.  It is only inevitable that this Hospital is regarded very highly in this part of the City.  This is very close, just a few kilometers, from my home. To add, I want to make up, for my earlier failure to be on time. This is the second time.  The authorities had generously given a second schedule for my interview.  I was an hour late during last time – and was shooed away. With repeated calls and requests (you may call them begging too), I secured this interview.

Yet again, I did not spend the half-n-hour to organize my day today, and so have arrived here 25 minutes late for a very important interview. Again, my most tormenting moments came by when waiting for the Lift here.  Every electronic beep it made while the lift was descending floor by floor, my heart skipped a beat, while the crowd made a sigh. Now, alas, behind 35 minutes of my scheduled time for the interview, I entered the lobby of the Chairman’s Office.  The Secretary made a face of me, while inquiring my name. As if, she was waiting all day, just to speak that one single phrase, immediately as I took my name, she said, “Time Up” and walked to the door, prompting me to leave.

“Time Up” for my Time-ups.