Last Friday, at the local bank, the lady at the counter
looked up at us but not through the reading glasses resting on her nose.
We were there to withdraw some money and the lady was
processing our cheque. In the meanwhile, I asked my daughter if she would like
to work in a bank.
The lady said, “I had told my children to choose any
profession related to food, shelter or clothing”.
“What do they do now?” I asked.
“My daughter is still in college. My son has graduated
from a Hotel Management Institute” she stated proudly.
She looked at the computer screen again and checked our
details through her reading glasses.
“I see that you are NRIs. In which country do you stay?”
she asked.
“We are presently based in Oman” I answered.
She smiled.
“My son has got a job offer from Crowne Plaza Hotel in
Muscat. He cannot make up his mind. Is it a good country?” she asked.
“Congratulations to your son!” we said.
“It is one of the best places in the Middle East.
Muscat has got all the facilities of a big city and yet has the feel of a small
town. The locals are respectful of the expats. It is just about 2 hours away
from Mumbai” we told her.
The lady smiled again. She fished for her mobile phone
in her bag and showed us a picture of her son.
He was a handsome lad with a SRK haircut and had a face
full of hope and optimism.
“He will do well in life” we said.
“Do you think he should take up this job?” she asked.
“It is a nice hotel and we can see it from our house.
If it is a good package, why not? Some overseas experience will be good in his
field, don’t you think?” we told her.
She called her son and told him about us. Then she took
our contact details.
“The only drawback is that the public transport system is still developing” I said, “it would be great if your son gets his
Omani driving licence soon after he arrives.”
“Oh, the hotel will be providing transport service. Let’s
hope he takes up the offer.” she said.
“Inshallah!” we replied.
