Nationwide lockdown brought many ITians to their hometown for unknown period of time. I was one of them. Being first software engineer from a farmer's family showered the extra love and respect to my job. Sometimes extra privileges as well. Like nobody's disturbance while working, tea/coffee at my work desk , readymade lunch/dinner on time and many more. Along with this, one more is that 'curious look' to my foreign accent calls with on-sight folks, complex dashboards on my screen or my complicated lines of code. All this brought a special feeling to me... In other words, this all made me 'The Don' of my home.
Normally nobody disturbs me while I am working. But this week was different. It was the harvesting period. The time to bring home the hard-earned crop. The farm field work was in full swing. Resulting many people's increased appearance to my house for grain storage, tractor's work, wages collection etc. The silence began to break. I started getting annoyed little bit. Naturally, I started complaining. The elders immediately started adjusting their work according to me. I felt like Don again.
That was the last exam day of my younger sister's graduation. Due to lockdown their whole year went online. Even send off ceremony was happened virtual. My sister was in conference call with her friends that day. she was laughing, giggling at high volume. Not just that, but roaming whole house keeping mobile in one hand , finding good angle for her face on that video call. My bad, she got that good angel nearby my desk. 🤷 I though she will end up in few minutes but no. The call went long.
Actually my code was not working that day and deadline was coming closer. I was tensed plus worried. I would have asked her to talk in low pitch or just leave that place calmly but I screamed at her. As I ruined her mood, she replied with same anger and said "if you have a problem, you leave. I am not your mom or dad to adjust according to you. Its my home too. I will sit here and talk here." Of course I was not in the mood to listen her so I shouted, called mom and made sure she give me 'my space' there. Unhappily she went outside when mom requested. I felt like Don again.
Fortunately my code worked and I was ready for the demo that evening. Our call started. It was a video call. As it was mission critical application many folks from senior management were on call. One of them was presenting something and suddenly some disturbance happened. His 5 year old daughter was dragging his shirt's sleeves and asking something to him. As video was on, we were able to see what's happening there. I thought he is going to react harshly but something stunning happened. He just smiled and grab her in front of the screen. Asked her to say hello to entire team. Then he calmly said to her, "dear, I am having a call with all of these friends. I will just finish this and will come back to you. we will play then. Allright?" Little girl nodded her head and went back. Our manager then continued with us. He apologized for inconvenience. But one thing he said was made me realized very important lesson. "Nowadays, these work from home culture gave us the comfort of working from anywhere in the home. E.g. lying on bed while working or at dining table while eating or at common hall(living area) while watching TV. Sometimes, we lost in our work, that we forget we are working from home which is not just yours but your family members too. Meaning, we forgot, we already have acquired that 'peace or space of being home' of somebody. So, lets not do that even after realization. Don't forget the home you are living is other's home too. Its okay to delay few things in business but its not okay to take somebody's space or peace"
When he talked on this, within a second morning's incident with my younger sister flashed in front of my eyes. I would have handled that situation in very different way. Whatever I was doing, is my daily job. But whatever she was doing was her once in while moment. Of course she can catch up with her friends anytime but the moment of last exam day or that send-off feeling was indeed special. I thought she was coming in my 'space' but honesty I was in her. I felt very sad and bad for this.
As soon as I ended up with call, I went outside to buy a chocolate from nearly shop. I picked up one, her favorite, Daily milk. I was feeling little awkward but managed to get some courage. Went to her. She was busy in phone. I thought she is angry but looks like she had forgotten everything already. I gave her the chocolate and said "This is your home too." You know what she did? Just laughed and asked "what you want? Why this favor?". Actually she thought, I need something so I am giving a bribe in advance. But she was unaware that unknowingly she taught me a lifelong lesson today. A lesson of home & work from home. I didn't take further efforts to clarify her conception. After all, I was elder sister and you know what's the sibling ego is all about 🤫 (just kidding)
©Aaradhana Khot