November 4, 2008
Introduction
[Picture for illustration purpose only]
Jack was sitting in his new office, after being appointed as General Manger in this huge garment factory in Dubai, having over 200 staff at his disposal and a fat salary to boast of. Office was posh, in the best location and building. As he was taking pride in his new position, the first priority of his entire 25 years' career was development of sales and revenue and the figure shown in the budget, laid in front of him made him even happier, for he knew exceeding the budget means bonus of huge amount. A naughty smile brightened his face, for he knew the figures given were easily achievable.
From the sales staff list, a name impressed him. He had seen him once earlier. He was Rohit, thirty years of age, handsome, well-dressed, graduate and having a very impressive sales record in the past. This is the person that I wanted and I got him, said Jack to himself. Rohit would be the best amongst the 8 sales staff that I have, he said to himself. He knew that with Rohit in his disposal, getting fat bonus wouldn't be a problem. This very thought of heavy bonus made him still happier.
Chapter 1
Eights months have passed since the year commenced and Jack took over the charge of the new company. He was terrified to look on the figures of revenue that was submitted to him. Eight months on, he has not even achieved 75 percent of the target and at this rate; even his job could be at stake. What is wrong? A look on sales report, personnel-wise told him the story that he hated to believe since past 8 months. While all other sales personnel have achieved the target between 80 to 100 percent, our hero Rohit is showing a dismal figure of 15 percent. Not possible said Jack, especially knowing fully well his past impressive performance. At this rate Rohit must be sacked immediately. But should he? May be I have to give him a chance he said, and called him for a one-to-one meeting, which is not a normal thing that Jack used to do according to his own principals set. Below is the conversation that followed:
Rohit, do you know why I have called you?
Yes sir, but do not worry sir, my performance will improve.
When? After one of us are terminated or may be both, and besides this is what you are saying since past 8 months………..How can I trust you?
No sir, I have that Empire Business / Market solicitation coming shortly.
Not Good enough Rohit, you need to give me something I can trust.
Silence from Rohit's side.
Rohit, is something wrong? Is all Ok with your family, parents home etc,?
Tears rolled out from Rohit and he said, Sir, mine was love marriage.
So what? Most of the people now go for Love marriage?
She is Christian and I am Hindu sir.
So what, both of you are matured and have taken a decision, and now you have two beautiful kids and such a good job, what more you want.?
No sir, since our marriage, our parents have thrown me out of the house, and me being their only son, they are so angry with us. Now my wife does not even allow my children to be taken to my parents even for blessings. My life is ruined sir……. (More tears).
So there lies the problem. Emotional and personal issues have made Rohit non-performer. This is none of my business he said to himself..
However his human values got better of him and he said:
Rohit, you are young, your and your family future is on your shoulders. Have you gone for counseling???
She is refusing sir. She is getting angry with me for everything. She is qualified and not even ready to work.
So what Rohit, I know many of women are working, but many also stay at home and take good care of home, children etc. What is wrong in that, besides you are earning well……
No sir, she is not even doing the basics of the children, In fact I have to do it when I return and even cooking at home and cleaning the house, and that is why I come late to the office often……
Rohit, I can only think of suggesting a counselling.
Sir, can I ask you some thing else
Yes,
Can you tell me how to pray?
What?
This was a shocker to Jack He never thought he was religious, born Christian, his religious activity was restricted to Mass on Sunday at local Church. That's it. Here is a person asking him, how to pray. Very funny or is it? May be I can guide him, may be it will help him, let me try.
Rohit, prayer is something between your heart and your God, Personally I do not know how to explain this. However since you have asked, have you heard God's prayer, Our Father Who Art in Heaven……….??
Yes sir, since I have baptized my sons on my wife's insistence I have heard of it.
Look Rohit, you can say any prayer you want and it is not restricted, however if you do not get any idea, then try "Our Father……., in any case this prayer is beyond any religion since is not addressed to any one but God.
Yes sir. And thank you.
Chapter 2
Jack was really impressed with the following months sales figure report of Rohit. He has performed almost 75 percent of his budget for the month, which is remarkable achievement indeed as compared to 15 percent of earlier months. However following remarks in the finance statement on Rohit disturbed him:
He has not collected the money due, certain customer called and complained regarding his rude behavior, procedures that need to be observed to get any business are not followed, not visiting the customers even after promise, not even calling and giving valid reason etc.
Frightening remarks indeed for any General Manager to take note. This is an open invitation for disaster. Jack started to write a memo to Rohit, warning letter to be issued prior termination can be effected.
Dear Rohit… as he started to write, again the human nature of Jack came in between. As he was junior manager earlier, his then manger had warned him, never to involve in emotional aspect of any staff. Jack remembered this well. However increase of budgeted figure from 15 to 75 percent and his own fat bonus again came to his mind. Let me have second meeting with Rohit and then decide, he thought and arranged another meeting with Rohit:
Rohit, while I know that you have done very well in sales since our last meeting……..
Thank you sir, Rohit cut him abruptly, prayers that you suggested seems to be working
Not that Rohit, but the remarks that follow are more dangerous since you are putting our company's interest in jeopardy.
Sir, I am sorry, I will follow it up
When? After my burial, now what more reasons you have to give me
Silence followed and tears followed indicating that something is wrong.
Jack told to himself, NO, I am not going to fall in the trap this time around. On second thought, the tears falling from one of the finest staff, made him to continue the discussion
Listen Rohit, it is sure I am missing something. I feel that since even your parents are not speaking you, you have no one to listen to. If it
helps, you can tell me, and if possible I will try to guide
Sir, last time I did not tell you the entire story.
WHAT? You are living with that lady without marriage and also have kids??
No sir.
Then what?
She is 8 years older to me.
WHAT? But it is OK, you were 25 and she was 33, and since yours is love marriage I do not see any problem in that.
Sir, she was married earlier and had a kid from her first marriage.
What……. What……… you are living with a married lady??????
No sir, she is a widow, I must have explained this before, will you listen to me for five minutes……
Yes
While I was working in the other company six years before, I had this meeting with a customer and that meeting was formal, in a restaurant and that time, his wife and kid was with him and hence the introduction was made. After the meeting, customer told me that he will give me the business. But since he was going to India the same night with his family and would return after 15 days, we were to meet him then and start new business. Meeting ended at that note. Following day first call I got was from a friend in India to say, there was a terrible accident while this couple was departing from Indian airport, and both customer and kid died on the spot, and lady was critically injured and admitted to the hospital. She continued to be there for two months, but recovered only to know that she will not see her husband and child ever again.
After few months she returned to Dubai and I met her to offer condolence. She was alone and our meeting increased and relationship reached to the extent that one day she told me she is on her family way. Doctors in India had told her that she will never conceive ever again due to the injuries she had got during the accident and for me, the news that she was carrying a baby was good omen. At that instance I decided to marry. I am the only child of my parents and hence my decision shocked them. Imagine marrying a widow, who had a child, 8 years older than me and from different religion. My parents could not accept that. They threw me out of the house. Since it is difficult to marry in Dubai under the circumstances, we went to India and got married.
Everything was fine in the first year, and then she got those moods and even started remembering earlier life with previous husband and child and even started to compare each action, even the intimate one. She does not want to work in the office or home, do not want to take care of children. She wants the best of amenities and facilities always.
Even my complete salary was not enough and I am broke every month by third week, and as days passed her behavior towards me became violent to the extent that I decided to divorce. But who will help Me.? What will happen to my small children who were tortured by her so that I will get hurt. Just to come out of the situation, even though it was beyond my means, I brought a maid from India, and my wife abused her so much that she ran to the Embassy in the second month of her arrival and complained and as head of the family I was called and issued a warning and had to repatriate this lady bearing all expenses on the same day.
Jack was about to faint, but the story continued. Story continued..
Amidst all this, I was doing my best on concentrating on my job and contributing my best. But all of a sudden, in the last week, she said that she will take kids and go to India. Do you remember you asked me what the scar on my face was? The scar was owing to the slap she gave me when I was trying to convince her to stay back. Now she is not there and I do not know when she has left home. (When I returned home a couple of days ago, she and kids were just not there).
For me the children are so important. It is already two days since she has left. I do not know what to do. I do not have any woman in my life and I loved only my wife. But I am not able to fathom as why she behaved this way with me and abandoned me. How can anyone compare the previous marriage incidents to our present life? For the last two nights, I am going to the nearby beach after my office hours. The ever raging sea looks so tempting, so inviting. Both these days, I wanted to be the part of turbulent waves since nothing is left for me in this life. But just before jumping into the sea, I remembered you and said "Our Father..." Immediately, my temptations fled and I remembered the sweet little faces of my children. Now I want to live at least for their sake. But I do not know what to do. 'Sir Please Help Me...
Jack really had to drink two glasses of water and wished he was at home, where he could have finished one bottle of Chivas Regal or Jack Daniel, (never mind the brand), so he can gain his senses. However the fact that this young man who has got so much to look for in life, who has got a career, who is having entire family but no one to talk to was agonizing. No I cannot allow this to happen. Why did I not listen to the advise of my Senior Manger and got into the personal life of staff? It is my entire mistake. However he said:
Rohit, life is given by God as a great gift and now you have two God's gifts (children) and He will show you the way how to come out of it. Only, what you said should be truthful and I will find the way. Go do your job well. In the next three months concentrate and achieve your budget and rest all I will take care…….
Yes Sir, I know only you can help me at the moment
And Rohit left leaving Mr. Jack to ponder over how I can help this person, Oh God! How can I help this person...
'God Please Help Me...'
Vivian Castelino writes:
Dear readers, conclusion, hopefully a positive one, by God's grace, is in your hands. Any one of you, most probably a counsellor, probably can analyze the accurate problem and hopefully give a suitable solution to this problem which can help save a life and may be a family. Your solutions may also help other readers who are dogged down by similar problems. Thank you
Also read - another True Story...