Ooops

Mr. Patel’s business had expanded over last year and was unable to manage with only Mr. Munim as his assistant. He appointed one management consultant who advised him after study of his working and charging heavy fees that he will have to adopt new management tools to save time and money on paperwork for communication.

He advised computerizing correspondence on computer using internet for fast communication and changed old filing patterns to files in computer in form of folders under various heads.

Patel employed one young computer savvy person Mr. Kadakia. The management consultant taught both Mr. Kadakia and Mr. Munim about process of generating documents and folders for filing of documents for various subjects and customers under different sub-folders. He taught communication by using internet and e-mail and generated e-mail I. D. for the office, Mr. Munim, Mr. Kadakia and Mr. Patel. The consultant arranged internet connection for the office as well as Mr. Patel’s residence so that he can check e-mails at home also. He provided detailed training with trials to all three for fresh e-mail writing and sending, receiving e-mails, forwarding, replying to e-mails, etc. He also taught them good etiquettes for e-mail communication. He further got the accounting software installed and trained both Mr. Munim and Mr. Patel for its proper use to maintain accurate and prompt accounting.

They were all thoroughly trained within six months and the business started going on smoothly. Patel still had difficulty in sending mails, but he could receive the same easily and read. This was ok to him since he did not send mails himself often. The consultant assured him that he shall be ok with it after some practice. He advised him to try sending mails of personal nature for practice.

One fine Sunday evening Patel was relaxing with his wife Sharda in the front yard of his house enjoying evening tea on a swing when Sharda reminded of his friend Chagan’s father’s demise.

She advised him to write him consolation letter. Patel also remembered reminding Shyamal Sheth for the money he had not yet returned since it is long time and overdue. Sharda suggested that he can instruct Munim to send these two letters tomorrow morning from office. Patel laughed and said,” Madam, you are living in incredibly old age. Now we do not write letters but send e-mails.

Your Honourable husband knows how to send e-mail even from our home and we need not wait till Monday for Munim to dispatch the letters. Come inside and I will show you how!”

Patel took his wife Sharda inside the house to his study and opened his computer which he had rarely done so far! He could barely manage to start computer and connect internet to get to his e-mail I. D. He started writing mails. He remembered advice of the consultant that it would be better to write important letters separately on computer desktop as a file and then either copy the contents on e-mail as a text or attach the file as an attachment so that you do not waste internet time. First, he wrote a letter to Chagan offering consolation for his father’s death and assured him any help he needs including financial assistance to complete last rites after his father. He wrote another letter to Shyamal Sheth sternly about his dues. He wrote to him that he had given him credit for a big amount and also helped him with loan of substantial amount to meet with his financial crunch last year only due to close personal relations, but this is not good business etiquette for not returning the amount till now. His lame excuses to Mr. Munim whenever he reminded are also not appreciated by him anymore. He threatened him that he does not return the amount in two days, he will take legal actions.

Patel read over the letters and was satisfied. He opened his internet connection and typed e-mail I.D. of Chagan to write the text. Just at that moment his phone rang.

Sharda told him that it was a call from TV salesperson offering new TV with exchange scheme. Patel asked her to say no and come back.

Then he opened letter and copied the contents in the text. He pressed “SEND” and the mail was delivered to Chagan. He repeated the same for Shyamal Sheth! He was pleased at the speed at which he could deliver the letters!

Patel triumphantly looked at Sharda. She was amazed to see her husband becoming so modern! Patel took her back in the drawing room to watch television.

Patel was pleased at his first experience of sending e-mails. They later on had good meals and after watching TV for some time, retired for the day, and slept.

Next morning Patel went to office as usual and was smiling inside from his heart, waiting to tell Mr. Munim that he is able to send e-mails on his own. He asked Vithu- the office peon to instruct Munim to come to his cabin as soon as he arrives.

Just then he was surprised by loud shouts outside his cabin. He heard someone shouting at the top of his voice and asking to see Patel. He heard Vithu telling them to wait till he intimates Patel Sir but one of them pushed himself inside Patel’s cabin forcefully. Patel was surprised to see Shyamal Sheth shouting at top of his voice! He said,” Mr. Patel, I considered you as my personal friend and appreciated your timely help when I was in big financial trouble.

Let me tell you however that I did not expect you to take revenge for my delayed repayment by such mean way and wishing death of my father! You know that my father is healthy, and you had expressed your condolences for his death in advance!” Patel was astonished!

He was about to pacify him and asked what he was talking about when his friend Chagan rushed in. He shouted,” Patel, I considered you my best friend, just like my real brother.

But instead of coming to my house for condolence of my father you just raised silly allegations about not paying your due amounts and threatening to take legal actions! Just go ahead and take legal actions. Let the world know what kind of people there are to make false claim even to someone who is considering him as his best friend. “

He started sobbing due to shock he experienced by Patel’s accusations and claims. Patel was non- plus. He did not understand how to tackle these two gentlemen when Mr. Munim came in, hearing commotion and sobbing sound.

He asked both of them to take seat and be comfortable as he knew them personally. He ordered Vithu to get water and then asked for tea. He asked both of them once they were a bit quiet.

“What has happened Chagan bhai? Why are you crying? I know your father has recently expired but as you know he has died a quiet and peaceful death after satisfied life. One has to go once, and the almighty has already decided the time and place of departure to heaven for all of us. Only we do not know about it and hence we are shocked.” Please relax for a while.

He turned to Shyamal Sheth and said,” Sheth, you took trouble to come personally to our office. It is our pleasure. You could have called me to your office if you had any work. Anyway, now that you have come, please let me know what I can do for you.”

Shyamal Sheth erupted,” Mr. Munim, I am not here to enjoy your tea or gap-shap with your boss Patel. I will arrange to pay all dues within two weeks personally here in this office.

That is when I will visit this office for the last time and say goodbye to Patel once for all. I do not like to keep relations with persons like him anymore.”

Munim was astonished. He looked at Patel. He went to Mr. Patel and asked him to whisper in his ears about the matter with both the gentlemen close to him. Patel whispered him that he has sent mails to both of them last evening, offering condolences to Chagan and asking for re-payment to Shyamal Sheth. Munim grabbed the situation. He went out asking for excuse of both visitors and took out prints of e-mails sent by Patel.

He gave print belonging to Shyamal Sheth to him and the other to Chagan with a smile on his face. They read the same and were surprised to read the content. Munim explained to both of them that Patel Sir while sending the mails to both of you from his home had by mistake interchanged e- mail ID of both of you. Hence Shyamal Sheth got letter of Chagan bhai and he got letter meant for Shyamal Sheth!

They both realized what has happened and got up embracing Patel affectionately asking for excuse for the outburst. Patel asked for pardon for mistake on his part and the trouble they are put in because of the same. He remembered receiving a telephone call while sending the mails which distracted his attention and he made mistake in sending the mails.

Munim laughed and said,” All is well what ends well. Now that the misgivings cleared now, let us celebrate refreshed relations between the parties by enjoying good cup of tea with Pakora! They all laughed, enjoyed tea with Pakora and departed. Patel decided to stay away from sending e mails before he learns it perfectly!

When all visitors returned happily, Mr. Munim saw the boss Mr. Patel in his chair, a bit dejected for the mistake made by him which could have been a disaster for relations with his friends.

Mr. Munim cheered him by saying that the mistake was done during your attempt to learn new and try it out which is really good rather than not learning or trying to use the knowledge.

He made Mr. Patel laugh by narrating a small story of few dumb students and assured him that he is not dumb!

Vishu also joined the party listening to the story of the maths teacher Malavika Madam who asked one student Savitri, “Please get up and tell me how many chocolates you will have now if Ramesh gives you two chocolates and Kishana Gives Three?” Savitri answered promptly,” Two.”

Malavika Madam was surprised and asked,” How? I just taught you additions.” Savitri replied,” Madam, Kishana never gives me Chocolates, even on his birthday.” Madam frowned and asked her to take her seat.

Malavika Madam left the class and requested the principal not ask her to take mathematics classes now onwards!

All the three laughed and went back to their work forgetting the awkward situation.