Farewells…it’s only obvious the people hate it. Be it material possession or priceless relationships, letting go is one of the hardest things one has to do. But then again, we do what we have to do, right.
Just today, I bid farewell to a very very dear friend-Hamdiya Makarim. And I want to dedicate this post, just to you Hammy, and spill out all that either I couldn’t, or wouldn’t (for reasons unknown).
When I joined Axact, I had anything but career or professionalism on my mind. Axact was all about Fattu-Shano party time. Shopping, movies, pedicures…this is all that mattered. And then came Hamdiya Makarim, my immediate boss. Very off-handedly she turned me over to Fatma and asked her to take care of all my questions. At that time I said to myself-great! All I had to do was write a few articles daily, which seemed daunting at that point in time by the way, and Hamdiya was off my back.
One unfortunate day, I ran off without submitting the work due at my end and all hell broke loose. The very next day Hammy took me to one of the round table conference rooms, sat me down and gave me my very first, serious to the core, negative feedback session. It was nothing short of a serious kick where it hurts. She told me to grow up, take work seriously or else…
Looking back at that day, I realize I started becoming who I am from that day onwards. She kept a tight rein but often laughed with us-her team. When it came to personal concerns, I could turn to her without a second thought and she would advise me as wisely as possible. But she kept business and pleasure strictly separate. She could be scolding me one minute about missing deadlines and once it’s done, she could be telling me how to manage things at home or amongst friends like a concerned elder sister.
Time passed by and then one fine day, I filed my resignation. Work frustrations got to me and without really talking to anyone, I resigned. Obviously, extremely immature an act at my end. When I told Hammy and others about it, the person who reacted most violently was Hammy! And to-date, I feel touched whenever I recall that day. “Are we dead that you didn’t even bother speaking to me before doing something so major?”…those were her exact words. Anyway, she once again sat with me, sold the idea that I was being absolutely foolish and made me take my decision back.
From that day onwards, I would go to her whenever I came across any obstacle professionally. Be it people management, work management or personal management-Hammy knows the best!
From time to time, we continued to make memories…birthdays, picnics, Friday bazaar, Goldmark-endless venues with innumerable memories.
And last night when she delivered her farewell speech, it finally dawned upon us all that she is leaving us for good. And it was heart-wrenching. I wouldn’t say that we haven’t had our differences…we sure as hell have clashed more times that I would have liked. But beyond that adversity and disagreement is a beautiful person-who is unique, loving, affectionate, helpful and gem of a human being.
Today we bid her farewell and she will be Insha’Allah on her way to Manchester on Monday for higher studies. I wish her very very best in life and pray that you get all that you want and is good for you. Take care of your two chintus…
Love you forever Hammy *hugs*