My First Day in New Office - Amidst COVID -19

Today has been one of the most awaited days. I was longing to go back to work. It has been a long wait. Last day at old organization on 31st Mar 2020. No update on the joining date from the new organization onboarding me for almost 45 days.

The preparation for today started at least a week ago when my HR sent the weekly roster scheduling who in the team is going to attend the office on which day. The email had a long list of instructions, a form with details inquiring the safety & ensuring no symptoms was mandatory to be filled & a screenshot with the 'Arogya Setu' App was asked to be shared.

For a change, it was pleasant to wake up so early to go to work ( I am exaggerating it was only 6:30am, pandemic made me wake up later than this, don't judge me please). The long period of isolation has taught me at least to value the daily office going routine. The clothes, the footwear, the fragrance & other stuff to be carried were already packed a day in advance, unlike other days when we are 'ok' packing it while leaving for work.

During the pandemic, all my family members including me have been at home, so the question of using gloves didn't arise. Today, it was crazy, the rubber gloves don't allow you a firm grip. Imagine water/oil and its another adventure to handle them. I couldn't answer phone calls, could sip a cup of tea due to the smell rubber emits (I don't like the smell of 'rubber')

Mom & sister started rushing their thoughts over what should I carry for my lunch. The list of things I should carry consisted of tiffin, water bottle, a kettle of tea, coffee sachets, biscuits, khakra, bread butter, sanitizer, masks, gloves & it doesn't stop here though.

The first day always comes with a of excitement and curiosity filled with questions like 

1. Where will I sit?

2. How will my cabin or cubicle be?

3. Will I get parking (Mostly all Mumbaikar's think of this when they take their personal vehicles out, on normal days too :p)

4. Will I receive roses from my beloved?

5. Will I receive a welcome kit?

Out of all of this, I was only excited to drive to work cause there wouldn't be much traffic. Being in Mumbai you get used to waiting in long queues of traffic with honking and pollution. Today, the roads were clear. I managed to cross the distance of 11 km in less than 15 mins.

At around 3 checkpoints they examined my temperature with the infrared thermometer, it has been an awesome experience (trying to sound positive). Another battle was to ensure a vehicle finds a parking spot. The security obviously trying to make some money says 'aapko challan kaatna padega' I was like why I am an employee that's when he said the parking lot is empty. 

In the hustle of life, we have genuinely forgotten smaller freedoms that we enjoyed. Being able to drive at any time of the day, peacefully working on your work desk, being able to relish the street food, visiting the chowpatty or a Juhu beach seem a luxury now. This day has refreshed a lot of habitual memories, while the happiest moment for me is being able to drive to the work instead of public transport or cab pooling (shhh its a luxury to find parking outside your venue in Mumbai).

It was after 2 months of not having a stable job, I received an opportunity work with India's largest chain of Pre-Schools, there was no salary that was coming in. I had to think before I could spend.  My family, loved ones stood by me firmly. Remember, life will always gift you with opportunities, what you make out of those totally depends on your attitude. This day is filled with so many thoughts that it has actually compelled me to pen them down. While today is my first day in office, I have also completed 1 month here as an employee. 

Life will always teach you, what you took for granted, someone somewhere is praying for it silently! Value it now, before its too late.