BET, NOBODY HAS EXPRERIENCED THIS: It was my first job- my first baby step into the world of advertising. Was jus a junior copywriter..6 months into the job, n was doin great. had a double promotion jus in 6 months...n then, one fine day, my first guru, my mentor and the one who gave me my first break- Paul, he decided to quit. And moved to another agency. Ooops, I was left behind. A new creative director took over. First day, first showdown. I din’t like him, he dint like me. Without a reason. Hatred was stemming from within. It was as if the typical hindi film where NAAG, or NAAGIN, which was killed in his/her last birth, now is back in human form to take revenge. All of a sudden, from hearing compliments, lots of encouraging words, and having fun on the job- each day now, began with a gaali, n would end up with tons of ideas simply being thrown away- and rejected- by this new boss. Day in day out. And mind you- he was an amazingly popular guy otherwise- full party animal, freako, and woah, a guy who everybody loved. The mental torture continued for months. Couldn’t take it anymore- and almost reached a nervous breakdown. Then one fine day, got this job offer. And man, I jumped. Took it up imm. My HR manager called me. And she asked me to attend the exit interview. Silly me, I blurted out everything that I felt, about the new creative director- as I was assured that exit interviews are confidential. Having wrapped up formalities- I moved on to the new place, new agency. After 3 days, the Monster CD called me up and said- Hey bugger- I think u left many bad comments for me in the exit interview. I’m gona see you some day. I was shivering when he called. But I assumed he will be history. Or maybe I will be. Lets see. Life began in the new agency, where I was my usual mad self, fun self……and never knew how 2 months passed. Then…..One fine day( or bad day) I am just entering office in the morning… and I see this Monster CD sitting at the reception. I missed a heartbeat. Still, we exchanged pleasantries. I still remember that gussa on his face. Next morning, I hear, that Monster CD joining my agency. O shit, I said. My daymares and nightmares started all over again. Morning firing. Afternoon tearing ideas. Evening loading you with briefs- just when you’re about to leave. Repeat. Repeat the cycle- next 8 months. N I had just got married. And this man, knowing this- started calling me on sat and Sundays also. Couldn’t take it. Every idea I churned out was shit, horrible, and worth only the dustbin. As per my monster CD. Started hunting. Got thru the line of one agency head- chairman. Interview scheduled in next 2 hours. Rushed with my portfolio. Interview over in 20 minutes. And appointment letter in hand, in next 20 minutes. It was a miracle. Just a miracle. I went feeling like Alexander the Great. Just went up straight to my Monstor CD and announced my resignation. New job started in 15 days. Tried to forget my CD, tried to come over all those rejected award entries, rejected ideas- which otherwise, a lot of ppl praised, and which actually gave me my other jobs….anyways…I said…its better to move on. Started my 3rd job. 3rd year of my career. Awesome guys, brands, and work culture. rocking at new agency..Hardly spent 2 months, when lightning struck. The same Monstor CD was joining my agency as Executive Creative Director. Will I survive this time, I told myself. Same torture cycle started. I survived. 9/11 happened and WTC didn’t survive. I did. Silently. Well, here, I was praying that this monstor cd never gets up this morning. That he gets caught under drunken driving and is sent to jail. That he should fall sick etc etc. 6 months went by….. He was not in the agency today morning….and I learnt that he is unwell. I said to myself- Ahh….one day of peace……Just then, I got a call on my cell. Vyas- I am at Haji Ali- come down right away. What flashed across my mind: Is this guy going to kill me today> Is he going to throw me in the sea? Is he going to…..God knows why, I called up my wife…and told her…that look, this guy has called me to so and so place…and if I don’t return in 2 hurs, then go to the cops. Ok? There I was. Standing at HAJI ALI. Trrring. Call comes. He said- Have you reached? I said- Yeah. Ok, just cross the road, and walk into Heera Panna…Shop number xxx. In 5 minutes I was there. It was an opticians shop. Vyas- he said: Choose any frame you like. Gucci. Versache. Anything you like. I was speechless.Thought- is this some plot- to make me buy the specs, and then box me in the face to turn me blind? Whatever. He said- yaar I have been thinking a lot about u. And ur specs. I don’t like em. Seeing my reluctance- in choosing a 4k and 5k frame, he himself- chose one for me- it was I think worth 3,900 buks. That was- some 15% of my monthly salary 10 years back. I was still in state of shock. Got it packed- and then he says- chal, les have some coffi. Did you get the news, he asked me? What news…I muttered… He said- I’m leaving for the UK. And you’re the first person am sharing this news with. I dint know whether to feel sad, happy, jump in joy…or whatever. Sitting by the coffee table- he said. Vyas, I really love you. I love your ideas.Love the way you think. You have too much potential, if u put it to use in the right way. You are the most amazing chap ive seen, met, known. My coffee got cold while just trying to digest what he was saying…. He said- all these years- im simply trying to make u rock solid, trying to extricate the very best out of you. Trying to make you better and better. He got up from his seat- and gave me a very tight hug.That moment, I remembered Shivaji story and Afzal khan’s story- of how Afzal khan had tried to crush shivaji with a bear hug. Here, I dint have any weapon like shivaji. I burst out crying like a baby. I saw him in a very different light that moment. I couldn’t understand him ever. I saw a tear drop in his eyes also- as we got into the car. He dropped me till the office gate……and said- Vyas- no hard feelings. Till this date- I don’t know many of the what’s, why’s…of life.
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