When I started writing about this most of my fellow nationality was having a sound sleep. I was accompanied by the barking street dogs shocked by the unusual lights in the house, twinkling stars, smiling moon and vacuum walls.
Well, I am doing night shifts and hence suffering from jet lag.. I couldn’t catch up sleep in the routine hours of 10 AM during holidays though that time is not humdrum for me..I rolled on the bed when my brain dragged me to some waste thoughts. I was afraid whether my idle mind would become devil’s workshop. I collected my laptop and came out of my bed room. I realized standing in front of the door searching for something on my tummy area. Phew.. Am I searching for my id card to get access in order to go out of my bed room? Unfortunately the answer is yes. Beaming, I opened the door and sat comfortably on the sofa keeping my legs on the bean bag.
I started writing articles, stories, read something interesting killing the time till my eyes decided to rest over. By then I wondered how many time I have been crazy like that. I started listing down one by one
I rarely go lunch/dinner with my gang. The reason being I have less time to break. Mostly the dinner table will be my desk. Browsing on the laptop for emails, code, documents my lunch box will be emptied in an hour sometimes more than that..At home, I felt very difficult to finish my food in 15 minutes. My eyes started quenching the laptop and my brain refused to allow food without that.
Many a times, I have placed the tumbler on the water dispenser pressed some button and wondered why my glass has not been filled. I smiled on myself realizing I am not standing in front of a vending machine.
I catch sleep easily on the recliner than the bed, can someone believe that? Regrettably, Yes! Because my body has been so used to be in that position most of the hours.
So, my question here is, Am I gaining something or am I losing a lot?. Well, I know the answer by the way.
I missed to prepare my favorite dish as I am so used to eat what has been offered;
I missed to see new shops in my area because when I travel, the shops are closed with shutters
I missed to know the price of onion rise and fall & hence other vegetables as I never do veggies shopping from market
I missed to know there are tennis coaching and gym available just 3 building away from my home
I missed to attend my close friend’s marriage as I was sleeping so that I can go back to office that evening.
I missed to walk with my kid holding his little hand and admire his stories on every object he sees; the best stories that you won’t get anywhere
I missed to notice the first flower of the pink hibiscus plant my husband has gifted on our anniversary
I missed to play the best hide and seek where I could see him hiding behind curtains, covering his head under pillows and under tables only in my husband’s mobile as pictures/ videos
I missed to know that his favorite dish is veg soup and bread sandwich.
My eyes welled up when I recalled all these by then my mobile beeped announcing the salary credited in my account
My bank account grew big but my world has become very small. Little hugs, hurry kisses, exploring new faces, 7 o clock news, serials, game shows, cooking, shopping by entry and exit in each shop were got deleted from my routine long back. I had only 3 items in my list. Go to office, work, come back and sleep. All other basic activities were in parallel with the work life.
Now everything is online and hence life. Shopping online, favourite tele shows online, time pass is online and hence the fun time of family is also online. Being in the same place, I talk with my husband and kid through facetime. Because when they leave, I will be sleeping. When they come back I would have started to office. So only way to meet them is video calls.
I just have one question. When I transfer my entire money to the destiny, will I get those gold olden days back? Can the memories be come true?
With this money, Can I get a rewind button in my life?
Am I earning to live or living to earn? Have I achieved the real meaning of earning?
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by Archana Desai
