Suspense of Good News

A short story by Kandarpa Kalita

 

Illustration by Arup Baishya

The office canteen was buzzing with the news  for sometime  that  ‘five days  week’ was on the offing.  In one evening he hesitantly revealed this to his wife.  Without asking for any details, she quipped “OK, will agree when it happens!”. Their teen daughter smiled for no reason.

One of his junior colleagues told him that the matter would be considered in the board meeting  next week.  That night his wife was angry for something else. He couldn’t gather the courage to tell her that there is some real progress !

The day before the board meeting he thought of breaking the good news, but finally postponed. The  meeting is on Friday and it would be better to reveal next morning with the  proof  by staying back home.

On that day, a positive vibe was visible among all employees. The receptionist looked prettier and was in all smiles. The office assistant provided a new crunchy biscuit with morning tea and that was offered without his regular grunting about the other assistants coming late. By the late afternoon, they became  anxious to hear from the other  office assistant serving coffee in the meeting held in a hotel.  He will break the news to the admin in a WhatsApp message. In case it was an order from her -“First message  me for sure !”. The agenda number nine came up after the refreshment was served. The office assistant could follow English a bit. He was  going very slow while collecting the cups and trying to listen what “Director Sir” was saying.  The message came- “It looks like done!”.

That day the employees, who earlier would have already left at five were also staying back, waiting for the Finance Manager’s call for confirmation. He was not expected to call or message during the meeting. Finally he called “It is fifty-fifty again, will go for Trustee approval”.

Next morning, he noticed at home that the mother- daughter duo were whispering something. Did he reveal anything ? Did they overhear any call ? He hurried off to office  to avoid creating any further doubt about the suspense of good news.


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