Will the wait end?

WAIT...! THOUGH a simple word, the experiences pertaining to it, are not as simple. Just as we have the Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, there should be a 'waiting day' also and yesterday was one for me.

I began the day 'waiting' for the maid and looking at the pile of dirty vessels for the hundredth time. Finally when she arrived, I realised that the milk-man had not come still. The next VIP who kept me waiting was the newspaper boy.

The endless wait over, I rushed inside, as it was time to see my son off to school. Standing near the gate, I was put off to see the roads all dug up, creating inconvenience to the public and adding to the chaos. When I asked one of the workers, how long they will take to complete the work, pat came the reply, "Wait! It will take some time."

Realising that it was futile to proceed with the conversation, I got back to my day's work. My first job was to go to the tailor to collect a dress.

Seeing me, instantly came the expected words, "Wait for few more days". The tailor went about concocting plausible justification which could have put even a seasoned politician to shame.

In this situation though we inwardly fume and fret, yet, we try to sound polite just to get the work done.

My next halt was at the post-office to buy a few stamps. As luck would have it, the person at the window was merrily sipping (nah! slurping) tea and noisily munching some snacks. I grudgingly 'waited' for him to get back to work and from there, headed towards the bank. Fortunately, the bank was not crowded.

But my relief was short-lived, as I encountered a pair of stern eyes which conveyed that I had despicably intervened in their animated discussion on spiralling prices. Another 'wait' followed.

I often wonder whether it is that over-powering inertia coupled with a lack of empathy that makes people delay things (that too with an uncanny knack). Nonetheless, if these intimidating 'waiting sessions' could drive a passive home-maker like me insane, I appreciate the predicament of those managing home and office and for whom such unceremonious delays could send their routine haywire. It is all the more pathetic when poor people and the aged are harassed by such a long wait to get things done.

More than half our life is spent in 'waiting' at some place or the other, either for someone or something. Everyday you see people waiting for buses, caught in traffic jams and at traffic signals, cinema halls, also those waiting for the right job and the marriageables for the right partner et al. But the most 'gruelling' is waiting in the hospitals. It is only during such insipid moments that we discern the value of relationships, for, we crave for company to pass time. We are ready to make instant friends and ready to laugh at poor jokes.

Wait! I have to stop here as my husband (at Vishakapatnam) would be waiting for my phone call.

MEERA SESHADRI

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