Mornings were a welcome change for Yatin Sehgal, a 30 year old happy-go-lucky guy who lived in the capital city of India, New Delhi. Living alone has its perks. His maid, a mother of three, saw to it that he got a motherly touch whenever she cooked for this single guy. His interests revolved around sleeping late on weekends, movies, loud music and spending time on the terrace once the sun made an exit for the day. He loved nights in his own company and thoughts that ranged from change of country when it was due, a bachelor pad of his own in his mid forties and somebody with whom he can be himself. Colleagues at the office were fun, work was just fine and life was good. 

He hardly partied but occasional hanging out with friends happened. His family back home in Varanasi, a city in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, time to time sent proposals to help him settle down. Twice he was unlucky in love so he was pretty lackadaisical about it. He was not averse to marriage but it was important to fall in love first to take it to what it deserves. His family took this as a hint and efforts to look for girls took a hit and they stopped bothering him for many months. Once in two months an escape to the pub brought with it a friend with benefits as she too was too ambitious to settle down. Sex happened with no attachment whatsoever. 

Work meant dealing with auto parts. A mundane routine of selling sometimes over the internet and mostly in person. It was a huge store that had a lot of variety. Manpower too was in good numbers to manage such a store. Every section had a team leader and that section demanded at least three people. As time elapsed Yatin felt there would be no growth but recession was in full swing so he pushed himself to stay till it was time to leave. Canteen food didn’t excite him much as two years is not a short time to get bored of the same menu. Colleagues had a love-life that revolved more than sex. Unfortunately, Yatin had nothing to share with his co-workers. He used to smile fakingly on their inputs in pure boredom. 

One fine day, he saw a new face in the store. An enigmatic tall man was being introduced by the owner of the shop when he returned from the canteen after finishing his breakfast. Before he could say hi, mails had to be attended immediately. For a couple of days the routine was the same. Mails, customers, pending orders to be sent right away and checking on fresh stock of the day. On the third day just before he was leaving for home that tall man came to his work desk and introduced himself.

‘Hello, I am Sandeep Singh, the co-ordinator of the store. I guess we would be bumping into each other a lot in the days to come. Hope to be of some use till my tenure here.’ concluded the new co-ordinator.

‘Hi, Sandeep, I am Yatin Sehgal, glad to meet you, I will do the best I can to make you feel at ease here. I am one of the team leaders here at the store. Welcome and all the best.’ added Yatin with a smile.

‘Thanks Yatin, the feeling is mutual.’ said Sandeep and headed back to his cabin. 

Months rolled and work kept the two men busy with occasional crossing of paths whenever it was due. Both were workaholics and focussed at their own productivity. Idle talk never clicked for both. Sandeep preferred eating his lunch in his cabin though for refreshments it was always with the colleagues. Sandeep was a happily married man and the year he joined, his wife was expecting their first child so through lunch he was there for her thanks to the video calls while eating. From a distance somehow this sight cheered Yatin who was doubly bored by the work and off and on was losing his cool. Often both men ended up wearing the same color combination of clothes then smiles exchanged were effortless.

Sandeep was very surprised when within a fortnight he heard that Yatin had resigned through one of his colleagues. One of the days with a very stoic  expression he surprised Yatin by keeping a note in his shirt pocket and retreated to his cabin after carrying the printouts from the printer which was kept beside the smoking zone of the office. It was so quick a gesture that hardly anybody could notice. Without much ado Yatin too headed towards his work desk and started reading the note. It made him smile the moment he read it and kept it back in his shirt pocket. The note read, ‘Why leave when you can still make waves. A good sailor sees it through the storm and makes his way no matter what. Perseverance pays always’

Yatin worked in the store for a year more after that. He found a guardian in Sandeep but on the surface they were co-workers where authority was respected yet friendly vibes surrounded them. Mails and texts kept them connected as here stuff away from office related to family, interests, dreams, fears and anxieties were shared comfortably without any scruples. A couple of times after Sandeep became a proud father both even went for a movie and an occassional eating spree too which was full of fun and laughter. Yatin felt he found a soulmate in Sandeep who was five years older to him. They were different yes but yet so much still was so similar. Food, color choices and love for music did it. 

Fast forward to the present day, Sandeep is the head of consultants for the Ford Cars office in Mumbai, a metropolitan city of India. Yatin has his own canine shop as he loves dogs and is married too. 14 years have passed but they haven’t met. Both are updated about what is happening in each other’s lives. Whenever Yatin is low or confused he approaches Sandeep and Sandeep obliges him by lending an ear. This gesture fills Yatin with strength, energy and life everytime. Sandeep like a true guardian angel is there when Yatin needs him. Yatin checks up whenever Sandeep is in two minds but never approaches Yatin but Yatin just knows that he needs to check on him. Their bond is beyond words and magical.