Babe In The Woods

Myra was happy to welcome the tall and thin sari-clad new addition to the team which erstwhile consisted of only her. She quickly showed Jyoti around and led her to the work station that will be hers for years to follow.

That of course, they both would not know back then.

“Jyoti, browse through these reading materials. It will give a fair idea of our company’s business. These are the templates for our reports. And hey, don’t feel shy to shout out to me if you need anything” says Myra and settles at her desk meticulously attending to her reports.

Months passed and Myra is pleasantly surprised at how quickly Jyoti grasped things and committed herself in learning the tricks of the trade, given that she had been mostly teaching with a brief stint at a multi-national corporation.

One early afternoon, Myra was concentrating on her market research paper that she had to submit the next day.

She looks up at Jyoti who was calling out: “ Hey Myra, do you need any western clothes from London?”

 Myra gives a puzzled look and shakes her head “No”. Jyoti puts her head phone, adjusts her microphone and goes back to her Skype call.

Myra stops her work and looks at Jyoti to comprehend what was happening after the bizarre question about western clothes.

Jyoti turns red and was mumbling something meekly into her mic before she hung up on the call.

"What happened?" Asked Myra turning towards flustered Jyoti

“Woah!I did a very dumb thing”, she blurted. “I was talking to Jonathan (our boss in London) and he was asking me what clothes he should get when he visits India next month.

I thought he was asking about clothes for us and that’s when I asked you if you want anything from London. You see I do not wear western clothes”.

Myra, always the quick-witted one,  instantly got the context and burst into laughter.

“Oh my dear Jyoti, you are so cute and naive! Jon was asking you about what kind of clothes he should be wearing in India and inquiring about the weather!

Hahaha.. and you almost sent him on a shopping trip in London”.

“Yes Myra! That conversation was truly embarrassing! I figured out immediately after he asked about the weather in India.  The over enthusiastic me, jumping the gun as usual.  You have no idea how mortified I feel right now!”

“Hey, common. Jyoti. It’s not a big deal..relax...you are still getting used to the work and culture here.. It is really OK.

But yeah, you have given us something to laugh about. Sorry,. I cannot stop laughing”

Jon came down a month later. Over lunch and conversations, the topic of western clothes did come up. Oh my.. How they teased each other and laughed!

Few years later,

“Jyoti, ten long years, we have been working together. Look what you have become! I am so glad everything worked well for you.”

“Thanks Myra, not without your support and encouragement.”

 

“Cheers to us”, they chorused and sipped their evening coffee.