Of Ramadhan, Self Restraint & Rezeki

Some people just don't know the meaning of self restraint and regard for other people's feelings. I would've thought that in this blessed month of Ramadhan, we are encouraged to exercise self restraint in all aspects of our daily life.

It was just recently that my colleague and I have been discussing and somewhat praising this person, who we shall refer to as Sharif Dol - Gangster Kampung Dusun, for his unusual self restraint during Ramadhan. For the first 3 weeks of Ramadhan, Sharif Dol somehow did not bite people's head off, scream and scold at people unnecessarily (well, at least not at me), make cynical snide remarks about our work, ask us to do unnecessary stuff and other annoying things.

However, yesterday, on the last day of work before we all take our Aidilfitri holidays, we were proved wrong - that old habits die hard. Sharif Dol, struck after a 3 weeks hiatus. He basically crashed into my room and loudly said in front of 2 of my colleagues: "You ni PEMALAS! I suruh you call mamat tuh, you suruh Chombi pulak" (bukan nama sebenar). "Now I want you to call mamat tuh sekarang and pass the line to me!" Sharif Dol then left...

There was an eerie silence in my room. As if a tornado just struck leaving behind its wreckage. Everybody in the room were flabbergasted!!! Shocked to the shell! I was left dumbfounded. I just didnt bother to retaliate although I usually reply or relataliate for such unnecessary outbursts from Sharif Dol.

The story goes like this: Sharif Dol earlier asked me to find the number of a certain mamat and asked me to call this mamat (since when I am his secretary?). Since I did not have the person's number, I went to see Chombi (bukan nama sebenar)as she would keep this mamat's name card (which was given earlier to Sharif Dol). Since I was at Chombi's place (bukan nama sebenar), I said can you help me to call this mamat and pass it to Sharif Dol. Being colleagues, she said ok, as she normally does numerous times before. And then suddenly, about an hour later Sharif Dol struck at my room.... He basically accused me that I was lazy and passed the job to Chombi, when I was supposed to do it myself!

I was severely dissappointed with his latest antic, even though I was not surprised of his capability of being extremely brutal & blunt. I was dissappointed that he chose to scold and humiliate me in front of 2 junior colleagues, made a extremely insulting remark that I was PEMALAS. Implying that I was incompetent in front of the two. My pride was shattered for a while...

Luckily the 2 colleagues understood. They both knew the unreasonableness and brutal capabilities of Sharif Dol. It was an unnecessary. The thing he asked me to do could have also been done by Chombi. It made no difference whether I made the call or Chombi did. In fact Chombi volunteered to help me. In then end, when I did get the mamat's number, he wanted it to be made at my place using my phone (as if he doesnt have a phone )to be passed to him.I just couldn't figure out the reasoning behind such move. After talking with the mamat, he didnt have the courtesy to even say thanks to me for making the call. He just said - "Ok, now you make sure you follow up after this!"... and left my room.

Well, enough said... This latest antic of his further solidified my resolution in moving forward with my exit plans... Sharif Dol is simply incorrigible. I have had enough of his antics and bad temperament. I do not deserve to be treated like this. It just stunts my personal career development, as I had observed with some of the senior managers here. His word is the law, comply with it. You are either with him or against him. That arbitrariness is the order of the day and dissent is not tolerated. There is no more creativity and freedom to make decisions around here. Everything is subjected to his law, and no other.

For me, I always believe in rezeki and that there are always better options out there. All I can say at this moment is my plans seem to be in place. I was surprised at the speed of the developments that have been happening for the past 3 weeks since the start of Ramadhan. 3 interviews within the span of 3 weeks, 2 confirmed job applications. Maybe, this was fated by the Almighty in this blessed month of Ramadhan. Maybe this is the answer to me & my wife's prayer for a better future for our family.

I expect to hear something from the other side after Raya (Plan A), as they had promised. After all, I have completed all 3 stages of the long and tedious interview process. If that doesn't happen or the offer is less favourable, then I may resort to Plan B which also seems to be in place. They have called me last week and I told them I need more time as I am also applying for another place. The person indicated to me that its my choice but they will have to decide soon. I told them I understood their predicaments and will indicate to them whether I am interested or not 2 weeks after Raya.

Meanwhile, I have already prepared the points for farewell speech, all kept safely at the back of my mind...