67. IN SEARCH OF THE UNBORN DAUGHTER (1997)

 STRESS, SUCCESS AND EVERYTHING IN-BETWEEN 

The Highs and Lows of A Woman’s Journey in the Corporate World

CARE: This is Chapter 67 of my book Stress, Success and Everything In-Between. These are individual anecdotes but to understand the professional journey in totality, I would recommend reading the book right from Chapter 01 onwards.

Knock, knock, knock...

I looked up as the door to my office room opened gently, and a man with a wrinkled face walked in with the help of a walking stick. Clad in an elegant tweed coat with leather patches on elbows and adorned with a golf cap, he had an air of distinction about him. As the room was large, it took him a little time to walk up to my table. I continued to look at him with patience.

Most of the visitors came to my room to complain about the indifferent service rendered by the staff. I wondered if he was another disgruntled customer with a complaint. But I noted warmth in his smile and twinkle in his small grey eyes that belied my hunch.

He introduced himself with an affectionate smile, “Good morning! I am Brigadier Arora.”

I offered him a seat, curious what had brought him to my office.

"You may probably be thinking I have come to complain about something," he said as if reading my mind. "But I have not. Your staff is wonderful. I saw your nameplate and came in to look at you."

“To look at me? But why?” I was amused.

Sometimes, customers walked into my room to see me. They would say it is the first time since 1922 that a woman was at the helm of affairs in this big branch. This ignited their imagination, and they wanted to personally see the woman who headed it. 

“I have come to meet you because your name is Ranjana,” he said with a conscious smile.

I was confused and looked at him curiously, wondering what he meant by that. He slowly continued, “You will laugh at this old man who has come to meet you because of your name. Are you amused? Do you think I have gone off my rocker?” He chuckled.

"You see, I have two sons, but I always wanted a daughter whom I wanted to name Ranjana. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be. So, I named my younger son Ranjan."

He paused, his eyes filled with a mixture of longing and joy. "Do you understand now why I wanted to meet you? May I call you Ranjana instead of Mrs Bharij?”

“Yes, by all means. Brig Arora.”

An affectionate smile spread on my face also when I learnt of his unfulfilled desire.

A few days later, he came with his equally charming wife, “Meet Ranjana. I have finally found her.” He enthusiastically introduced me to his wife, eyes shining with genuine happiness. I learnt that both their sons lived in the US, while Brig Arora and his wife continued to stay alone in this beautiful city of Dehra Dun.

Over the next few months, Brigadier Arora made it a point to see me whenever he visited the branch, which he often did. He would invariably drop into my room for coffee and to chat.

                                                                  ***

A few months later, it was the annual closing of the bank, a time when the bank officials were extremely busy. Ensuring everything went well, especially when we did everything manually, was quite a challenge those days. Seeing Brig Arora walking in on a day like this was not a welcome idea, but I welcomed him with a warm smile.

“No, I will not sit today. I know you are busy, but I have come up with a request. I hope you will not say no to that,” Brig Arora said with a charismatic smile.

I squirmed for a moment. Anyone putting up a condition before making a request makes me uncomfortable, but I smiled, “Please tell me, Brigadier Arora. What can I do for you? It will be my pleasure.”

“My wife and I would be delighted if you could come home for dinner this evening,” he said, his small grey eyes dancing merrily.

“Today? But it is a weekday! Can I come over the weekend?” I suggested as I was neck-deep in work.

“No, no. We want you to come today only,” Brig Arora asserted rightfully.

I had no choice but to agree, “I may be late in the office today. I really do not know what time I will reach your house.”

“Never mind. Whatever time you can make it, even if it is midnight, we will wait for you,” Brig Arora slowly walked out of the room, balancing himself with the help of his stick.

I was left wondering why he had invited me today of all days. The long day in the bank was so tiring that, in the end, I just wanted to return home. Going for dinner and having a polite conversation was challenging. I stretched my arm to pick up the phone to call him and convey my inability to come for dinner. But on an impulse, I stopped.

After 9pm, I drove into his huge bungalow in the posh Dalanwala. The door was open, and he was talking to someone on the phone. Seeing me, he waved at me frantically to come where he stood. He was saying, “You know she has come. She has just come. Here! Speak to her.” Saying this, he thrust the handset into my hand. Not knowing who he was talking to, I looked at him. He whispered, “This is my son Ranjan from the US. It is his birthday today. You talk to him. Speak…speak.” He was so happy and excited.

As I wished Ranjan on his birthday, I told him what the Brigadier had shared about his not being born a girl. He replied promptly, “What my father has told you is 100% correct. For years, he has longed to meet a girl with this name. He is so excited that he always talks to me about his meetings with you now.”

Telephonic conversation over, I realised I was invited for dinner to celebrate the birthday of their son Ranjan.

At dinnertime, the indulgent couple insisted, much to my embarrassment, that I sit at the head of the table. When the dinner was over, Mrs Arora brought a chocolate cake she had specially baked herself, as it was a favourite of their son. They asked me to cut it on behalf of their son, Ranjan. While I blew the candles and cut the cake, the old couple clapped and cheerfully sang, "Happy birthday to you..."

When they hugged me and fed me the cake with their hands, my eyes welled up with tears.

The joy I saw on the two wrinkled faces that evening was the experience of a lifetime.

(To be continued....)

*****