Chapter 3

The vacation was over and Sonia was alive once again. She still had hangover of her vacation so she
stayed at her friend’s place. Sonia was tired of her journey so she slept at 11 am and woke up with a ring
on her phone at 7 pm. She sleepily checked the phone, it was her father. She answered the call and was
immediately brought to senses with a startle. Her father and brother started scolding her for going on
the trip. The guy story was still hanging around and she was not aware of it. Her parents assumed that
she has gone on vacation with her alleged boyfriend which is not acceptable. Even though this was not
true but the thought of something like this would brought shame to the family and Sonia being the flag
bearer of respect of her family. The icing on the cake was her family pushing her to marry the alleged
boyfriend. The whole thing turned messy and melodramatic. While her father and brother were yelling,
her mother was sobbing.

An hour later her sister called and informed that nobody has eaten for the past two days. She told Sonia
that two days before her father got call from relatives and informed that they are suspicious about her
vacation. Without understanding the situation the entire family was immersed in guilt and shame.
Sonia felt disgusted at this. She could not understand how a small trip could be a reason for such a mess.
Pleasing society and relatives can sometime take a toll and destroy families.

Sonia could not handle this anymore and started sobbing. With a heavy heart she reached back home on
Sunday. She had thought that this trip would ease her mind atleast for some time but rather this
brought even more stress to her life.

She reached office with a very low mood and was sitting quietly in her seat when her boss called in. She
got in the cabin and saw boss in a very calm mood. He ordered tea for both them. Sonia felt awkward as
there were no files or cases to be discussed yet boss is making her sit.

He started conversation in a very soft voice” How was your trip”

‘it was good and quite refreshing’ Sonia replied with a pretentious smile

‘So that means you had a lot of fun. Do you have any cases pending at your desk’

She was startled with a sudden change in tone of conversation but continued, ‘I don’t have a lot of work
pending. Only two cases are under process which will be disposed of within a week’

‘Good, finish all your filing work and prepare handover of your portfolio. Keeping in view your poor
performance at work you shall be transferred to some other location very soon. I hope that at least you
perform there.’

Tears started rolling down her eyes. She stormed out of the cabin and went to the washroom. Anita saw
her teary eyed and she followed her there. Anita was already aware of the news but she did not have
the courage to tell her. Sonia looked at Anita and started weeping.
Sonia was hurt not because of her sudden transfer but for the reason of transfer. The label of non-
performer would destroy her career and that too without fault. She could not understand how a
transfer would improve her performance. She was not even told the reason or asked any justification
before giving her this label. The most disgusting thing was there were no defined parameters to rate
someone’s performance. Someone didn’t like her and because of this Sonia is now the non performer.
It had been just one year when she was selected among the lot to be awarded such a prestigious posting
and now all of a sudden she is non performer. In one year she is downgraded as inefficient and her
portfolio will also be downgraded.

After a while when the news sinked in completely she realized the price she had paid for her decisions.
She had seen many people in her bank opting out of promotion just to escape transfer but never
understood how dreadful it can be. But today when she is suddenly thrown under the bus she realized
how the authorities can exploit the power vested in them. Transfer is not a policy decision but it is a tool
to keep people down the line under check and make them work like puppets. After all who would like to
thrown out of their sphere, making life tough for them and their families also.

She came back and sat on her desk forcing herself to continue the work. It was really tough to even look
at the documents after being tagged as non-performer but still she forced herself into work with moist
eyes. She sat alone during lunch hours staring blankly at the ceiling. Just then she felt somebody is
standing behind her. She turned around and saw a lean man with short height leaned at the side panel
near her desk. She had seen him many times in corridor but she had no idea as who he was and her
expressions couldn’t hide the fact.

The man introduced himself in a meekly voice ‘I work in the compliance department across the hall’.
Sonia nodded patiently as if mattered but her eyes bore the disdain expressions. He continued ‘I heard
about your transfer’ and suddenly she became attentive.

‘What have you heard about my transfer?’

‘ for the past one week we have been hearing news that you shall be transferred from the head office . I
just came here to say that we all know the actual reason for transfer so don’t disheartened yourself with
these things. Just try and convince your boss to give you a posting closer to your home and start fresh.’
With this he just turned and left.

Now Sonia got one more reason to worry about. She was already living 500 km away from her family but
at least she has some one known here, what if she is sent to some remote location. She is still not
completely settled with life here and moving to a place meant started everything from scratch again. It
was like a nightmare. All she wanted was the day to end so she could just sleep and wipe off everything
but no one can run from the reality. She was in trouble and she had no idea how deep it is. Her mind
was racing faster than the fastest animal on the planet and when she could not bear this anymore she
just left the office and went back home. After 2 hours of painful journey she finally reached home and
collapsed.
Next day when she reached office, she skipped the lift and went to the backside of the building. She did
this to avoid people, she wasn’t ready to add any more dimension to her existing troubles. Sometimes
ignorance is bliss. She sat on her desk trying to recollect the pending work. She tried really hard to focus
on the work but her mind still couldn’t kept wondering what lies in store for her future and nothing
seem to be good at the moment. She left her desk and went to the balcony for some fresh air. she was
staring blankly when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned and saw anita there.

Anita stood with her in silence for a while and let her get comfortable. Just then anita saw a Mercedes
coming in the compound. Having a premium segment car in the compound wasn’t a usual site, it meant
someone is really high profile. She nudged gently to Sonia. They both looked at the car and were
stunned to see the people comping out of the car.

It was sonia’s boss along with the CFO of the company which Sonia was reluctant to give money. Sonia
could not help but stare them. CFO looked upwards and his eyes met Sonia. He smirked at her
announcing his victory. Sonia started breathing heavily. Noticing this, anita interrupted.

‘what’s going on in your mind’

‘what you expect’

‘there is nothing to expect. Transfer is an inevitable part of our jobs and you are going to get one’

‘with a label of non-performer.’ Sonia interjected.

‘do you think people are even worthy of putting a label on you?’ anita said pointing towards the boss.

‘so what you thing I should be expecting or doing’. Sonia replied looking quizzically at anita.

Anita calmly replied ‘why do you even want to have an expectation about anything. You are not in a
position to control your circumstances. Stop hurting yourself for these morons. You have worked really
hard to be here.’ Sonia nodded at her with eyes closed. Anita continued ‘ we are all suffocated here and
you know this very well. In a good way or bad way at least you are getting a chance to escape. Use this
to start fresh. Just go with the flow’

Before Sonia could reply they saw boss arrived at the floor. They immediately dispersed in different
directions. Sonia went to file cabinets and started arranging files. Boss crossed by but she chose to
ignore him and continued her work. After a while she heard a familiar voice but couldn’t recall who is it.
She left her work and went to main gate where she saw virender Joshi. This instantly brought smile on
her face.

Virender Joshi or Viru sir as he was commonly known was in his mid 6os. He was here to represent the
company he was working in but before joining the company he use to work in the bank and retired from
here. Sonia was the relationship manager for the company when she had just joined the bank. She was
raw to banking and he knew every aspect. He was like a father figure to her and guided her in the best
possible manner. Meeting him again was very comforting for her. They both greeted each other and he
noticed that she isn’t the chirpy girl she was. He took her to the canteen and they both sat for a cup of
tea.

Sonia has a comfort zone with him so she need not think twice before telling him what was actually
going on with her. She narrated the entire incident to him. He patiently heard everything without giving
any reaction. He then took a long pause and calmly replied ‘Next time you get into any kind of trouble in
office you will tell me immediately. The situation here has worsened to such a level that it is better for
you to leave this place. As far as your transfer is concerned just don’t think about it. I will do something
about it.’

The conversation ended their and they both resumed their work. Sonia felt comforted by meeting him
and it somehow gave her the strength to carry on with her life. Day ended and she travelled home with
her head full of the events. There were just too many ups and downs during the day. She was glad that
the day is over.

Next day morning Sonia was pretty calmed and engrossed in her work. Later in the day she got call from
Viru sir. He told her not to worry about anything and her transfer shall be done within the city. He has
managed things for her. This was like a miracle for her but she trusted him so she was convinced with
every word he said.

There was no change in the things around her but the assurance she received somehow comforted her.
She believed that this shift to a new place will fade away all her problems. She cleared all the pendency
on her desk in a week. She was left with no work so her favorite was to have tea with anita and chit chat.
They even started gossiping with her and it was quite juicy.

One month later she got transfer order and though the exact location was not defined but it was quite
similar to what Viru sir had promised. So now she knew the zone she would be moving into. She took
the farewell in a healthy spirit and left for her new journey.

She joined the zonal office next day with the letter next day. She wasn’t aware of any procedure so all
she was wait for further orders. It was around lunch time and there was no development. She was
desperately trying to be calm but her patience was fading away. She got called in by the zonal manager.
She reached in his office hoping for a good news. The moment she entered the office the zonal blurt out
in a taunting tone, ‘ Are you the girl thrown out of head office in just a year.’

Sonia was shocked to hear this. She had not expected such a hostile behavior but reality hit her hard.
She gave no reply and sat absolutely frozen. He gave a cold look to her and continued, ‘posting in head
office is a very prestigious affair. Normally people who get posted their won’t leave the place until
retirement. I am surprised that you are made to leave in a year. Must be a really awful performer. Is it?’

A lump was formed in sonia and she could not reply. She was just trying to hold back but it was getting
difficult. And he started again, ‘ Keeping all this in view we are giving you a comparatively smaller
portfolio to handle. At least don’t disappoint with us this time.’
She looked at him with moist eyes and left without a word. Later she went to HR officer who handed her
letter containing new assignment. She tore open the envelope and read the letter. Though the location
of the branch was convenient but it was a very small branch compared to assignments she has handled
so far. So in a way her profile was deliberately spoilt. She might have been shielded in awarding her the
location but even then it was what is commonly known in banking terminology as “Punishment Posting”.

She took the letter and her myth that everything will be merry again was shattered. Like it or not she has
no choice but she had to accept this. With a heavy heart she left the office to report on her new
assignment on Monday.