Perfect day

I woke up feeling tired and sat on the bed for a couple more minutes before I made myself a coffee. “Ah! The one thing that has never failed on me”, I think looking outside the window. ‘Ding’ goes my laptop turning my thoughts back towards the project I’m working on. We (colleague and I) had decided on working over the weekend to have the presentation ready for the Monday meeting. I check the message she has sent – ‘Morning Maya, how far are we from the finishing’ “Gosh! How does she do it, it’s only 8 am and a Saturday, how is she so punctual?” I mutter irritated. After a couple of pleasantries exchanged, I get cracking on the presentation.

It took me nearly two hours before I could send her the presentation and actually begin the weekend. Lina was a tough taskmaster and who would know it better than me. Sometimes I wonder how I got the job…….‘Buzzz’ went the buzzer and threw me off my chair as always. “I should really get used to it by now.” I tell myself sternly as I go to answer it. Parcel for you was the answer. Just out of habit I checked my watch ( whenever there's someone at the door I check the time, till date I never know why) and it was close to 11 in the morning. I took off my glasses (a ritual I always follow especially before answering the door and being photographed) straightened my tee and pyjamas and went to open the door.

I could hear the guy walking up the stairs and waited patiently as my mind somersaulted with ideas of the parcel content. I caught a glimpse of the parcel from where I was standing and exclaimed –“Oh, something huge… red, wow this is wonderful, Oh it’s got a ribbon and something pink too…” This all raises my expectation and I almost miss tripping over as I go down a few steps to see the parcel. Just then the guy is on my floor with a grin on his face and a beautiful bouquet of red and pink flowers tied together with a shining red ribbon. He hands it to me with the note and asks me to sign the book. Embarrassed and blushing at the same time I sign it and thank him like a million times and wish him a nice day and all that jazz. I now, try to be as poised as ever only till I’ve shut the door. It’s only after am in the flat that I could hear my heart thudding and the excitement build up. I place the flowers on the table by the window and then go back to my chair, put on my glasses and begin to read the note.

‘Ding’ – “Oh! Lina,” I groan. ‘Hey Maya, good job, have a terrific weekend and see you on Monday.’ Now this is the first time ever that a job has been passed at the first go by Lina. I thank her and wish her too and log off.

I stand up to stretch myself, giving the bouquet another glance. I read the note again and wonder –“Some days are so unpredictable and so perfect.” I smile and place the note on the laptop telling myself, “This is my reward for working over the weekend. It just couldn't be better”

© Trina Sarkar-Mohapatra, All rights reserved