Excerpt 2: The Perfect Birthday Gift

The morning had something special in store for me today. It was foggy and the grey sky had a stint of chilly wind accompanying it. "Not a perfect birthday gift" i grumbled to myself as I headed out of my building and walked towards my car. I have turned 26 today. I am a day younger than AB DeVillers, not that it has helped me play better cricket, only made me feel worse about my cricketing skills.

I had sorted all my paperwork and filled out the application form for the travel pass. I had to drive down to Tebodin's office to collect my security pass and photographs that had to go along with the application. I once again had a relentless discussion with Celine regarding my travel dates which eventually ended up with either Sunday or Monday. Not the exact birthday gift I was vouching for.

I bumped into Mr. Nabil Tanvir (Sr. Project Engineer). A slim, neatly dressed arabian descent person whose greyish white hair indicated that he is definitely 'senior'. He had been asked by Mr. Mohsen to interview me breifly and if possible allocate me some responsiblity in his project.

He started off with inquiring about my work experience and asked a few quality questions quizzing me on my technical know-how. I had them answered to the best of my knowledge and ability with the Divine Help ofcourse. At times he nodded, at others he raised his eyebrows and nodded sharply. As the coversation developed he started to put up a smile on his slender face

After a while of the question and answer session, he finally revealed to me: 

"I wanted to see your true potential and how we could use you in our projects."

"... and I see that you have what it will takes to be a part of our organization, and most importantly you are very much willing to learn" he nodded and gave a large smile while looking at me.

Suddenly, I felt all the energy recuperate back into me. All the sweat that had been swirling down my armpits and forehead suddenly felt as refreshing as a cold water splash. That certainly was a confidence booster, that certainly was what was needed before I embarked on my journey. That certainly was the perfect birthday gift I was looking for!

Excerpt 1 : The Build-Up

Bilal bhai,

Your security is ready, please come and collect.

Regards,

Amir

Read the email as I was monotonously surfing the Khaleej Times website recklessly sitting out of porpotion on my seat. Though bored from the being a competent non-productive individual of the organization for the past one month, the email came to me with greater relief than sorrow. I suddenly felt some adernaline rush into my veins stiffening up my muscles, twiching them to some extent, that I found myself sitting upright and taking the monitor right in my face. And then it struck me, I was finally ENROUTE TO DAS.

Yesterday, I had had a lenghty medical examination of my entire body, including samples from my urine and stool, to affirm that I am physically comptent enough to face the D(r)AS-tic challenge. I had called up my PRO to enquire the status of my security pass to which he resiliently responded in his thick arabic acsent, "If you're lucky it will be ready by tomorrow or may be day-after". Sigh! I had thought to myself. His lame efforts would buy be another day. Apparently not. His efforts were not as lame as I was hoping them to be. I might be heading to Das as early as Sunday (or as late as Monday). Well, I am going to Das eventually, be it Sunday or Monday!

Nonetheless, I have been preparing myself for quite some time now. I have been covertly making plans on how to spend my time more productively there. Das is known for its exceptional recreational facilities and even more exceptional catering facilities. Theres a gymnasium, swimming pool, outdoor sports like squash and cricket and a whole lot of other things, including an outdoor cinema. I have sorted out, though not comprehensively yet broadly, my activities besides those officially imposed onto me.

Though it does sadden me a bit, I have agreed to come to terms with it. I foresee a much greater prospect that dwells as I take up this oppurtunity. I have always felt myself to be an extremely composed-family-oriented person who would want to be with and for the family. And I believe my experience at Das would only do justice to my ideology. Besides the rather lament side-effect of going bald while staying at Das, I am looking forward to it being a fruitful experience