Every weekend, from a few months, my eyes cannot refuse but look at a few mails waiting in my mailbox with subjects containing the word ‘Adieu’ and their bodies containing ‘… it’s time to move on…” or other variations of these. I cannot really tell if I am tired of watching these or sad. I guess I am more sad than tired. It is painful to see so many people leave the company. You no longer feel at home. The people I came with and the people I came to are all leaving alike, in pursuit of better futures. Each time I look at these mails I smirk at myself and then I feel blood draining out of my heart. But, as they say it’s time to move on.
Sometimes, in the evening, when I walk out of the office someone walking ahead of me reminds me of someone who left the company. And, I suddenly miss that person even though I may not have worked with that person closely. I just got habituated to those people moving around me flashing smiles, stealing glances, exchanging empty stares. I miss all these. I know newer people now, but I am not sure how long they will remain. Not sure of when I will get a mail from them saying, “it’s time to move on…”
The most painful part has been the issuing of sabbatical in my company. Too many of people close to me are a part of the program. In a few days, they will no longer be at office. When I turn on my computer, the empty helpless communicator will stare at me and mock me. I will have to change my schedules. I can no longer do what I used to do first thing at office, ping my friends and wish them good morning. I will may be not even log into the communicator. I know this is not a big change in life, just a small change in the daily ritual. It may be just like not bathing in the morning. How tough can this be? The already very low populated mailbox will keep waiting for the mails it was used to, but no longer will. The enthusiasm with which I look at my mail box will reduce. May be, the only time I open my mail box would be to see another ‘it’s time to move on…’
The thing people say about being close even when apart, is wrong. At least in my experience. When you move far you move far. You will call each other but not that frequently. You no longer will share those little things. The distance will ultimately set in. Losing good friends is not easy. I know you will agree to this. But, it’s time to move on.
The people who have moved out or sent out will try to figure out what to do and how to do. The people waiting to move out will try to figure out ways to continue to work without heart, without soul in a place that was home once till they find another place to make it their new home. In such times, I only wish life was simpler. I wish people will never have to use, “it’s time to move on…”
