Please do not unfriend me…

And the leaves have changed their shades yet again..Days have started to become shorter – the periods of dark tranquillity longer.The weather too has made the makeover.Cold crispy fall mornings are gradually making way to the bitter frosty ones.Sending reminders to me -Yes life goes on .Nothing had actually stopped .And nothing ever will ..

It is just me ,tired and desolate standing still since 1972 .But never did I feel so omited from you all,that I feel now. I feel so isolated,almost abandoned ,unfriended.Will you not agree that it’s been just way too long that you all have gone?Is this still not the time for you to come back and greet me a big ‘Hello’?

I sit back reminiscing yet again.It was a beautiful spring day; The good nip in the air was freshning.Trees had just started to get their colors back. With the snow having melted and the new leaves unfurling,colorful birds chirping their way back seemed to spread a happy vibe,a feeling of rejuvenation, hopes for a new beginning.That was what the day I remember of 13th March 2020. Little did I know, neither you nor anyone amongst us had the slightest insinuation at that point of the extent, or what a sinister plan the destiny had actually woven for all of us.

Alas! If anyone of you had cared to stop by me that day before leaving, patted the pillars,whispered to my high and impenetrable walls -“ Friend, do take care. We shall be back; soon; very soon. Just to let you know the White House has just sent out a circular intimidating us of a severe pandemic that has hit the world.Hence we have been advised to stay away and report here in office – alternating in groups.Till then stand strong.🙌We will see you soon”.

Honestly I couldn’t vouch that I would have followed the direness of the situation, but at least I would not have been on the anxious look out for a known soul from the following weeks.

Thus started my earnest lookout for you all for every single day.Friends who helped to make sure that everything was clean around were discussing how things had worsened and plans of return to work in alternate groups were called off for the current times. I also overheard that the decision to get back to work would be contingent upon how the pandemic would fare.

I understood- but I hoped to see you all some time within a few weeks time.But sure that did not happen! The Spring of 2020 gave way to a lifeless, secluded summer – leading to another morose, tensed up Fall’20 which gave way to a stony cold winter which I heard came with the good news of some magic word – “Vaccine”.

Yet 2021 rolled by. Another spring,summer too passed by – yet none of you came; Well I saw a few of your group during summer, but again another Fall has just rolled in and yet I am still waiting.There is another month and half to go before this year comes to an end too. How I cherish every memories. The morning and the post lunch rush to get to the elevators looked nothing short than the bid to win in a 200 m sprint race. The six elevators on either side of the floor now stood still, motionless with pin drop silence for almost 20 months.The haunting silence reminded of all golf discussions between the colleagues.some brief ‘Hi s & Hello s’, some discussing the weekend golfgames or The football matches or , brushing up on the key points of the meeting all within the 20 seconds elevator ride.

Ranita- I miss your day long giggles,the daily banters which you had with the kindest Ms Peggy. The treat days which all of you enjoyed. How you all gathered around the candy dish by Mr. Yale’s desk (and sometimes sneakily stole as well!😳).

The quiet,poised & ever helpful Ms.George &how she always lent her ears to you – whenever you were upset! I recollect all the sweet memories-believe it ir not; of all the fun kids’ activities arranged in the conference rooms on ‘Bring Your Kids to Work Day’😊. How once you had used your coffee warmer as candle warmers & accidentally spilled molten wax all over !! Funny that the entire carpeted area exuded of the wonderful fragrance of ‘Cinnamon Apple ‘ and how much you all laughed trying to clean up the mess.I still remember your blushed cheeks from embarrassment when your manager Mr. Cairns (the polished perfect gentleman that he was) came to ask a question at your desk & found you beneath the table,down on the carpet scrubbing the wax off!.Mr. Cairns was shocked and amused .He laughed out loud only to be joined by all. Silently I laughed too ( at your idiosyncrasies..shhh)😀

That was it . Always something funny, interesting happening on your side of the floor. The daily conversations happening amongst Ms. Brown, Mr.Davis, Mr. Cairns, Ms. George,and your frequent visitor from across the street – your friend – the exuberant Ms Gordon along with Ms. Peggy and you , kept the mood vibrant alongside with the work .

The office space which Ms Peggy teased & jokingly called the ‘Kingdom of Her Majesty’ referring to you as the ‘Queen’ lies all quiet, unattended .Yes indeed a deserted kingdom – no king , no queen, no soldier ; only the fortress stands upright. No hustle bustle in the kitchen; no more queuing up in the cafeteria.I truly miss those beautiful Holiday parties and how I used to be decked up for Christmas.🎄🤶🎄🎅⛪️

But I know one day , very soon , I hope to see you all again.

The way it used to be before.

I have heard that a couple of our friends have left us forever to their safest haven. I am sad that we won’t meet ever again, but I pray that they rest in eternal peace with the Lord.

In this ‘New Normal’ age where ‘Virtual’ has taken precedence,my only apprehension is that I will be washed away completely into oblivion and Remote Work Place takes over as ‘Queen Ranita’s newly Established Kingdom😀’.

Well I ardently hope that shall not happen and you all shall come back to me what you rightfully felt as your own kingdom 👍😊. Your own.

Well afterall hope is the only thing that keeps one alive.

“And this hope
That keep me holding on
And on
And this hope
That makes me carry on
On and on

There’s hope, yeah
Hope keeps it alive, yeah, uh
Hope keeps it alive, yeah, uh
And it strikes an iron, uh
Hope keeps it alive, yeah, yeah
Hope keeps it alive, yeah
Only the strong survive, yeah
Keep it carry on, keep it carry on,”

Hope by Shaggy

Note:Names of individuals other than the author herself have been changed to respect the privacy .