LEAVING THE OFFICE

Planning and persistence has been the key area of my focus when I take up any work, but these areas are related to smooth nature of tasks. Some tasks creep up suddenly demanding quick address and so prioritizing becomes another key area. My profession “Training” pertains to service sector and therefore customer satisfaction becomes more important. My job demands efficient handling of persistence, planning and prioritization.

Heading for the days end, every minute passing by counts and I get more focused in my work, the target that I set at the start of the day needs to be completed. These targets are self-set in anticipation of the work that needs to be finished by a target date.

A white board hang on the wall on which certain statistical data are displayed, these data are updated every day at the time I leave my office. It relieves me from answering anybody who comes looking for them. Someday I am able to complete all set-task and achieve the target. A feeling of joy and satisfaction grips when all of the tasks get done right on time; all days are not same and sometimes a backlog happens which automatically sets the target for the next day. At times I get so much engrossed in work that it takes Abdullah to remind me “Dear it’s TTGH” (Time to go home). Sometimes his flavor of calling off a day would would change and would ask me “Whether I am going home or not?”. That ends the day with laughter. The computers are shut down, air conditioned switched off and the door shut.

Me and Abdullah climb down the staircase and arrive on the road, the sun is bright and comparatively soft, he is gentler now a day. It is a five minute walk to gate # 04. Having crossed the gate, wishing each other good bye (Masalama) we approach our cars.

Though being in the open for more than 08 hours; this lady (Toyota, Yaris) has been waiting patiently till now, she is a bit excited and I need to cool her down. I pull down the glasses to ventilate her anger (the trapped hot air) and slowly joggle the key into the ignition lock. She has been an excellent companion on the road, never ditched me and always made commuting an enjoyable experience. 

Gate 04 is left behind and I am on the verge of taking highway # 218; approximately 800 meters towards Jubail 02, I have to take a left turn to join the Al-Khafji-Dammam highway.   A matter of few minutes can increase the traffic on the highway as employees from the industrial area rush to reach home. Once shouldn’t be surprised if a car behind flashes light asking one to give way even if there isn’t. One needs to get accustomed to the road realities of Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia is known for oil, for two holy mosques, for dates and for highest number of road accidents. Driving is a passion for Saudis, I saw a video on car driving, showcasing a dare devil feat which no person of any other nationality can do.  On the highway I could see some tyre marks, may be these are marks of such feats. It has been windy today. A gust of wind at times push my car on one side; I need to be cautious not to dash into the car beside me.

Within few moments I will take the exit and be on the King Faisal West road. The round-about is an accident prone area; having passed it, few minutes of driving takes me to my building. Yes I could see the gate of my building; as she comes to halt again I need to pat her. Once in the home it would be time for a hot cup of ginger tea, news and getting lost in my own world till next morning.

Day in and day out as I commute from home to office and office to home, I find that Saudi men are white (Tope) and women are black (Abaya), whether is hot and the roads are wide, economy is rich and people are generous.

Not to forget Saudi Arabia is a land of opportunities and surprises.