The Chance

Liza was worried. For the past one week, she has been under a lot of stress noticeably. Her co-workers were wondering what might have been the reason for a jovial happy go lucky young lady to brood and brood. They even tried to coax her to get a reason for her melancholy but in vain. She kept looking out of the window every now and then during her free time.                

Now let us rewind the incidents that led to the present situation.   . Liza after completing her course in hotel management, had joined a reputed hotel in Goa with a decent Salary and perks. She was quite a sincere hardworking young lady who got appreciation from the guests as well as the others among the staff too. Everything was fine and she got along well with everyone as the entire staff was new owing to the revamp that had been done by the hotel management committee except for the Senior most staff consisting of a very sober and well-meaning chef and a mean manager who could not be moved due to the binding contract of employment.

Liza during the course of her duty observed that an elderly lady in her seventies frequented the hotel almost every day, sitting at a particular table and ordering the same menu. The lady seemed to belong to a well to do family as she was accompanied by her maid and a driver daily. She would sit calm, have her breakfast and watch the hustle-bustle around. This had been her routine for the past many days. Liza had become the elderly lady's favourite among the Staff. She used to serve her the food and gradually they became close. This ritual continued until recently when the lady was not visiting the hotel so as to make Liza worried about the elderly lady's health.

After a fortnight Liza was happy to see the lady again Hale and hearty. So this was the present situation. The lady calls Liza and hands her a cover with a card that had belated birthday wishes to Liza. Liza was happy for the obvious reason. The lady even hands her an envelope consisting of currency notes that were her birthday gift. Liza was overwhelmed at this expression of love from someone who was not related but became related to time spent together. The lady wishes her good luck and goes away for that day.

As soon as she is gone the manager, shouts at Liza for wasting her time and grabs the gift cover from Liza citing the reason that since the lady gifted her at the hotel it was meant for everyone and not to Liza in particular. He gives her only a hundred rupee note and keeps the rest of the amount in his pocket. Liza is hurt by this act but was silent as she could not go against him for the fear of losing the job. She forgets the matter and continues with her routine work as sincerely as ever. The old lady continues to visit the hotel and all seems normal.

Meanwhile, Liza had to attend a marriage in her hometown and was absent at the hotel for a week. She bade bye to the old lady who says something very striking. She says to Liza good luck child, come back quickly. A big surprise is in waiting for you. Since Liza was busy with packing, she did not ponder what the lady meant. After a week Liza returns, joins duty, and waits for the old lady eagerly and affectionately as usual.

The Old lady comes along with her maid, driver, and a young man. She takes her regular seat, Liza serves her breakfast as usual and suddenly the young man is directed by the old lady to announce something that was indeed a Big bang surprise to everyone in the hotel, and Liza in particular. The news was that the manager was sacked as his work contract had expired and Liza was appointed the new manager in his place. Liza was shocked and pleasantly surprised at the turn of events. She sees a smile on the chef's face. Wondering how the old lady could make these changes. The young man announces that with due permission from the owner of this hotel Mrs. Lobo (elderly lady) these changes have been done after a lot of observations. So this was the pleasantest surprise anyone can get. So sincerity always gets paid anytime, every time.