Mind Your Own Business!
This is an old incident but still fresh in my mind. This was when I was working in a University, I got into a fight with one of my staff in the office. I felt so irritated that at once I wanted to get up and leave the office, but I couldn’t as my work called me back on my desk. The stupidest thing in my office was that the seating arrangement was just one desk in front of the another and there was no boundary. We could just literally see what the other person is doing. There was a space in between the desks so that you can exit. (Thankfully there was a space. Phew!)
The person sitting on the desk in front of you could stare you very easily. It happened all the time. Sometimes I ignored, sometimes I stared back with angry expression, sometimes I made my chair level below the opposite desk level so that I could not see the front person and sometimes I literally told the person not to stare and do their work (which happened only twice).
I had to take leave the next day. I informed my boss and came back to the sitting area. I informed the staff about the leave.
The staff started asking questions. Not that it was the first time, he always did that. But it was so irritating at times, and I really wish I could say… Mind Your Own Business and Leave Me ALONE!!!!!
Well, the argument started. He said, “you are taking leave every week. Are you going for an interview at some other place? Are you going home? “
I ignored but I wanted to tell him why he is bothered where I am going and how many leaves I am taking. I am not taking salary from him.
I just mumbled. The next thing he says. “You go home every week. You must be spending a lot in just travelling.”
How does it matter to you Mr.??? Wherever I spend or whatever I do with the money. It's my money and I am not borrowing it from you. All this was just playing in my mind.
Next, he said, ‘Did you inform the boss’?
At this, I really got irritated and said, “Don’t you listen, I just told you that I have told boss I am on leave, and I am informing you the same.”
He started shouting then. “So, what, if I asked you this question.”
Now was the time to answer back. I bluntly said “No need to shout. You are only asking stupid questions. It's my life. Wherever I go, whenever I go, Whatever I do, it's none of your business. You have no right to ask me any of this.”
At this he replied, “Why do I care? Why don’t you go and die somewhere?”
I said, “Mind your work and next time don’t expect me to inform you, if I am going to take a leave. I was just informing you so that you know that you have to see the work in my absence.”
After that he kept his mouth shut and he was called for some other work.
“Thank God! Silence” My mind said to me. For some time at least I wouldn’t have to see him. The inner turmoil inside me started to calm down a little.
I wished if people would focus on their life and career not on what the other person is doing, the life would have been so simple. But... NO... how will their food digest then?
