today I met Mr. X after about a year and half. We exchanged grievances about the company we work for, ogled at a beautiful lady passing by, i think all guys are biologically programmed to check out potential mates even if they have a lifetime mate. Any ways, we had some good laughs and then were back to our own ways
Before this I had met Mr.X only once during an offsite program. During the offsite program, one of the tasks given to us was to blow up balloons and to make something innovative out of it. The whole group was divided into 4 teams of 8 members each. Me and Mr.X were in the same team, and our team was surprised by the speed in which Mr.X was inflating the balloons (with his mouth). Needless to say we won because of Mr.X who not only inflated so many balloons but also made a unique castle out of it (it was an innovation task remember). During the task, I was teasing Mr.X saying - looks like blowing and selling balloons is your part time job and that is why you are efficient at it. Whole group started laughing, some added saying why don't you come and setup a counter during my kids birthday. To all this Mr. X replied - "actually my father was a balloon seller in my village and i used to accompany him at times when I was a kid" and then Mr.X continued with his job of inflating the balloons. Silence followed his statement, the whole team was embarrassed for making fun of balloon sellers, I too was ashamed for my insensitive comment, in my mind thousand hands slapped me one after other non-stop. I felt so guilty that I could not speak to him during the whole task. I kept cursing myself for speaking low of any profession. I thought I should walk up and say sorry, but I could not.
After the end of the task, Mr. X came up to me and said, don't worry and don't feel bad. He said - "I am what I am because of my father, my father was not educated so he had little options, his only aim was to educate me and he did everything for that, he sold balloons, worked as a driver, watchman, cleaner, waiter, infact he did everything that he could do, to pay for my education. I am proud of everything my father did, don't you think we won this task today because my father also sold balloons". His little pep talk got me over my guilt and we spent some good time during the program.
I do feel like meeting Mr. X's father, Mr. X's father must be so proud to see his son working in an MNC, the result of the education that he gave by probably selling 1 Rupee (~ 2 cents) balloons !
