Silence

by A. Thiagarajan

I come to my head office after thirty years '
taking over as CEO '

Pattabhi is still there in the
executive mess
serving coffee and lunch
for all above GM
in the penthouse

He was there when I joined as a trainee,
saw him when the then CEO
gave us all trainees
a luncheon speech
exhorting us to work and work

He never stepped out of the penthouse
except to take the lift
going home

His manners still the same
and continue
to somehow remind you
of the club-house employees
serving the British
in the colonial days

Impeccable well starched dress
well paced walk
firm greetings
a smile on his moustache
solicitude when he bends to listen

I have never heard
anyone complaining
of his carrying tales
overhearing the bosses
at the lunch tables

He should have never
once violated
the sacred silence
of the corporate governance

Never breathed a word
that I am his daughter
though with a Christian name
on account of my conversion
on marriage.

16-Jul-2006

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