Immobile Communication

It was 11 pm on a Thursday night. I was vehemently typing the last lines of my script to head back home before midnight as I still hadn't come to terms with the dogs patrolling the streets of RT Nagar.

O.K. I have Cynophobia. It kicks in usually at 10. I become so restless that sometimes I end up finishing the exact amount of  work in 2 hours for which I would take nearly 7 on a regular day. And in the process of finishing work real quick, I misplace important sheets, pens... and on that day - my cellphone.

I was done with writing, got the VO done and put the script on edit at around 11:45. By that time, after the 11pm bulletin most of colleagues were in the canteen for a break. While doing a final check on all my belongings, I realised that my cell phone was missing. 

I searched for it frantically as the deadline was nearing [Dogs after midnight :(]. None of my colleagues was present in the newsroom to give a ring on my number.

As I was going from nervous to crazy, in walked the office housekeeper. I immediately asked for his help. He obliged. But what I saw next left me dumbfounded. 

He put his hand in his pocket and took out a swanky Micromax Canvas HD phone with a cool flip cover. Swiped his fingers on the screen to unlock the phone and asked me for my cell number. He dialed my number and my phone started ringing near the editor's suite. I realised I would have left it there while I was submitting my script to the editor. I rushed towards my phone. And as I was picking it up - something hit me.

I am a journalist with a degree in Electronics and Communication..but I look ridiculously outdated. While the office housekeeper had one of the fastest-selling smartphones in the last 2 years.... My phone is a basic,dual sim, Samsung Guru phone with absolutely no smart features. Forget a camera, it doesn't even have an mp3 player. 

Don't get me wrong. I have utmost respect towards him and the job he's chosen. I am sure he would have worked really hard to earn that phone. But what intrigued me was his inclination towards a high-tech phone.

I inquired if it were an original phone. It was, indeed... He bought it from a retailer after seeing the ad on TV.

He even had a 3G sim with a 1 GB dataplan. And mind you, he was well-versed with all the operations of the phone. 

As we hit off an hour-long conversation, discussing the features of the phone... what caught my eye was the Kannada Prabha news app. 'It helps me stay abreast of all the happenings in the world' he said.

At that point, a feeling of embarrassment seeped in me. I was wondering who needs that sorta app more - a office housekeeper or Journalist -that's me?

I thanked him... for several things that he wouldn't understand. Left office at 1AM. The dogs decided not to disturb an already-disturbed man.

BTW, haven't bought the phone yet. Confused... Any suggestions?