Neeta and Neepa clicked the moment they met. They were as different as chalk and cheese to look at. They had different accents, one was a bengali and the other tamilian. Yet they were in tandem in their strong spirit and sense of duty.
The first day, Neeta was asked by Murthy, the Head of the Department to assess Neepa’s skills and also to introduce her to the tasks she was assigned. Watching her interact with clients and coworkers in a bright cheerful manner, with respect, yet firmness, she was thrilled to welcome Neepa the newcomer.
Neeta was the cynosure of all.Be it her colleagues, her seniors, her juniors, the clients or the publicists. Everyone adored her. Neeta Ma’am could never be anything but right. Her pure joy in giving could not be missed by even the blindest, battiest, nastiest person on earth. But who can say anything about humans?
There were a couple of people who did envy Neeta. They envied her knowledge, her confidence,her magic spell on all people she met or rather who were privileged to meet her. And who were they……. The department head and his pet honcho.In fact Murthy was plagued by dreams of becoming Neeta. Like a body swap.
Neepa too was soon enamoured with the most popular person in her organisation. She looked upto her and was guided in the right direction, if required.
The Annual General Body meeting was coming up and everyone rushed to complete their tasks, as best as they could and a little bit more. The meeting hall was decked up. The members took their places on the dais and off it. The CEO started with a brilliant address. The hall vibrated with applause and pride.
Soon it was Murthy’s turn. But he couldn’t budge. He desperately looked at Neeta, who realized he was panicking. Responding to his plea for help, she picked up the report and read it out to the audience. The department had worked hard and won enough laurels for everyone to puff up their chests and beam with pride. Another round of thundering applause and surge of endorphins reverberated within the four walls. The meeting ended on a high note.
The next day Murthy was zapped out of his daze by his pet honcho. He implied Neeta had crossed her limits by encroaching on Murthy’s role of delivering the address. The CEo might be overly impressed with her, but she needed to be shown the door. What impression would it create, he hissed, allowing juniors to steal the thunder from right under the nose of Murthy?
Only Murthy knew the truth and Neeta of course! Since he had been accosted on the floor with everyone privy to the whispered conversation, his ego was forced to take action. She would be fired.And so unceremoniously Neeta was asked to leave. It was a bolt from the blue. Collecting her nerves and wits she silently left.No one could concentrate on their work. There was a hush.
Murthy strutted around like a peacock , preening his feathers, smug in the knowledge Neeta would not spill the beans. She had far too much character. He also knew that even though every person in the office wanted to ask him why, they lacked a backbone. No one would stand up for her.
Sometimes we become too smug! Back in his office gloating over hoe his office got its due recognition in the public eye, the previous day he was also aware of his loss. Neeta had risen up to bail him out when he had a panic attack. She was his strength. The reason all those accolades adorned on his shoulders. As wave on wave of guilt and shame inundated him, he looked up at the knock on his door.
There stood Neepa! Ah she would replace her! All was not lost! What was she saying?Resignation? She would not like to work in an organisation where people were not given their due worth. She looked at her colleagues and realised all was not lost. She was leaving the company of the spineless. Her conscience would let her live in peace. She would just call up Neeta and together they would start something coz they were born to win!
