Zapped By Zoom

Today was a big day for Vijay. Finally, after eight years, the company had recognized his contribution and he was getting the Best Team Leader of The Year award. Best Team Leader, Best Team Leader, Vijay repeated to himself over and over again. It felt so good how the words rolled in his mouth. Best Team Leader, Yesss! Vijay pumped his fist in jubilation several times, elated at the prospect of receiving the award at the hands of the hard-to-please Mr Rao, the division head. The position and the award may have come a little late, but what did it matter now!

The award ceremony was scheduled for today and Vijay was well-prepared for it. All those people at work who considered him sloppy and clumsy and a little slow, and laughed behind his back, would have to eat their words. Today was HIS day. So what if the ceremony was online? Thanks to the pandemic, online meetings were now common and Vijay had attended several of them on Zoom. He was ready for the occasion.

Vijay had gone all out to make the day a memorable one. From his attire to his speech of thanks, all was taken care of. White shirt with a plum-coloured silk necktie and pocket square to go with a black suit that he had got tailored especially for the occasion. The printout of his speech was sitting under the keyboard on his desk. He had spent hours writing and practising it in front of the mirror and had it by heart now; the printout was there only as a backup.

The online function was to start at 10.30 in the morning. It had just turned 10, but Vijay was ready and raring to go. He looked at his sparkling white shirt and smiled, patted the tie and pocket square in place, and then put on his jacket. His hair was gelled and neatly arranged. He was pleased with the face he saw in the mirror; oh my, how dapper he looked! All those who laughed at him for his clumsy appearance, well, he would show them.

There was still time for the event to start, but Vijay started his computer and clicked into Zoom. ‘The meeting will start in 30 minutes. The Host will let you in, please wait,’ the message flashed on the screen. Vijay sat down, impatiently drumming his fingers on the table, eager for the event to begin. Time passed slowly, but the programme finally started, and after the mandatory welcome speech and address of the division head, at last, the names of the awardees in various categories were being announced. Best project, Best Manager, Best Project Leader… the emcee droned on. Vijay was getting restless. After what seemed ages, his name was called out. ‘Best Team Leader, Vijay Kumar.’ Vijay almost fainted with joy on hearing his name.

Time to rise and shine. It was his moment to receive accolades; Mr Rao said a few words of rare praise. Now it was time for his own victory speech. Forgetting it was an online event, Vijay stood up in excitement, a big smile on his face, but the smile froze when he looked at the horrified faces staring at him from the computer screen. For some reason, their gaze was turned downwards towards his legs. Vijay looked down at himself and stared blankly at the crumpled, untidy shorts he was wearing. His newly-stitched black trousers were carefully hanging in the cupboard; he never bothered to change into trousers for zoom meetings and had forgotten to do so today.

The sheet on which thank you speech was printed slipped from his hands and everything went black as the Best Team Leader thankfully fell into a faint.