An Unexpected Tear

"RRRRRriiinnnnnGGGG!!!!!!!", goes the shiny silver alarm clock. It definitely was the biggest nuisance one cannot do without. The moment Benny hit the 'Snooze', serenity was restored as he submerged back to deep slumber. My My...that extra 5 mins..how much we all treasure it.

After a few more 'Snooze' buttons and "5 extra minutes", Benny finally woke up. So Benny once again has to compromise his bathing routine and shave in double quick time but nevertheless, he still looked exquisite in his sharp Italian suit and his well- combed hair.

Benny managed to make it in time and it didn't take long for him to immerse himself into the sordid world of work. Benny is the new head of an advertising agency.

After 5 long years of learning from the best, Benny is ready. Motivated, driven, inspired and robust...there was no stopping Benny from his insatiable desire to succeed. Benny brought a new dimension to his line of work. Despite inheriting the suitable traits of his predecessor, Benny's ever increasing hunger for contentment made him vile.

No one dared oppose him. Like an evil ruler in medieval times, Benny striked fear in his employees. That made them slog even harder... sometimes even beyond the beastly hours of the night. Within 5 years, Benny's advertising agency won top honours. Benny's thank you speech was endless for he gave credit where it is due and thanked all in the firm whom have made it possible.

The speech did not alter the employees' views about their young boss as things went back to normal. No bonus. No holidays. No token. Just a simple thank you speech. Soon everyone had forgotten about it as bigger and more important projects come knocking through the agency.

"Sir, don't forget your meeting at the orphanage this afternoon," the prissy secretary reminded Benny, referring to the firm's plan to adopt an orphanage in an attempt to improve their publicity. "Oh Shit!. Do I have to? Can you ask Ashikin to go instead? Do I look like I have time to go to such places!?," Benny revolted back, to the shock of Dewi the secretary.

"But Sir, It's imporant that you go. Its for the sake of the company's image. You know the firm has already achieved so much success. It's only right that you go in person. Anyway it's for a good cause", Dewi tried to argue.

"You know those kids. They're so dirty and noisy and they like to cling on to you. I ain't built for that kinda stuff you know Dewi," Benny grumbled. "Sir, it would only take about an hour. Common, I'm sure you'd like it", Dewi reasoned out. "Well Dewi, you're coming with me since you think you're so smart", Benny replied. Dewi smiled sheepishly and before she could say anything, Benny barked, "What the hell are you smiling about?". "Well nothing Sir. I'm just glad you decided to go. It would do you some good. Trust me. It would warm that cold heart of yours.", Dewi said in a cool manner.

For the early part of the morning, Benny pondered about what Dewi said. "Am I that bad?" Benny mused. Dewi made Benny sound like he wasn't human at all. Like a man without compassion. A man without love. All these years Benny worked for himself and his company. He sacrificed his social life and time and hobbies. For what? For whom? Does it make him a better person? Does it make Benny content?

Benny began to mull over the way he treated his employees over the years. He knew he was hard on them, but deep inside, Benny meant well. They have never tasted so much success till Benny took over the firm. "Doesn't all this mean anything to them?"

Benny stepped out of his room and gazed around him. It was defeaning alright. The sound of the printers and computers and his employees rushing from one point to another. They seemed like busy little bees. As Benny paced down the aisle, he looked hard at their tables one by one. Posters and drafts lie scattered in a mess. These are the things that are blind to Benny's eyes. yet these are the things that make the company what it is today.

Benny continued pacing down till he reached Shelly's cubicle. Cute little pictures of Shelly's family decorated the cubicle wall. Based on the small gallery that Shelly has created, Benny gathered that she has a beautiful son. Sure Benny knew Shelly by name. But what kind of person is Shelly really like? What is the name of Shelly's son? Where does Shelly stay?

It was then that Benny realised that something was missing in his life. The element of compassion. The human touch. Love. Benny knew all his employees by name. But not in person. Benny stood in front of Shelly and blurted out, "Shelly, am I a bad boss?".

"Well you are OK I guess", Shelly said unconvincingly. "Common Shelly. Tell me. Do you guys talk behind my back? Do you guys hate me?", Benny quized. "Well Sir, is everything ok? Is there something wrong?", Shelly sounded concerned. "Well nothing", Benny whispered as he turned away. "By the way what's his name?, Benny pointed to the picture where Shelly's son has chocolate all over his face. "His name is Toby", Shelly replied in between smiles. "And he has chocolate all over him. Toblerone to be exact. It's his favourite", Shelly continued.

Benny smiled and hastened his way to his office. He grabbed his car keys and stormed out of his room. "Common Dewi. We're goin", Benny exclaimed. "Sir it's only 10am", Dewi said as she looked at Benny in bewilderment. But Benny grabbed Dewi by her hands and they were on their way.

Benny stopped by Marks & Spencer's and bought the craziest amount of candies. He bought so much that the staff there had to help him carry the load down to the carpark. Dewi was wondering what was going on. Benny was acting the strangest ever and Dewi must have thought her boss has gone bonkers.

As they reached the orphanage, the children were having lessons inside so it was calm and peaceful. There is a huge playground in the middle of the compund and cute little drawings looked like wallpapers outside the classroom walls.

Benny carried the bags of candies with the help of Dewi to the main office. The people there were just as suprised as Dewi was when they saw how much candies there were. "The kids are gonna love this!", one of them blurted out. "This is the first time such things happen", she said. "May God bless your kind soul Mr. Benny", she remarked.

Benny walked toward his car to get the last bag of candy. He noticed a boy sitting on the steps at one of the buildings. He was wearing a tattered Manchester United jersey. "ROBSON" was printed above the number 7 on the jersey. Bryan Robson used to be Benny's football hero when he was growing up. "Gosh that jersey must be over 20 years old", Benny thought.

The little boy then ran toward Benny and grabbed as much candy as his little hands could contain and cheekily hid his hands behind his back. "Common Son, put it back. You will get your share later on", Benny said to the boy. The boy shook his head and smiled cheekily. "You know boy, there is so much more candies inside and you and your friends are all going to get it later on when your teachers distribute them", Benny tried to reason.

Out of nowhere, one of the staff came out said in a raised voice, "Tommy! Put back the sweets. Now!". The boy dropped the sweets and ran towards the playground. "I'm sorry Sir", the lady apologized. "Tommy has a toothache and could not eat candies. In fact he is going to the dentist now to get his tooth pulled out. So I guess Tommy could not have the candies at all. Maybe next time", the lady explained to Benny.

In the office, Benny felt bad. All little Tommy wanted was some candy and Benny had a part to play in crushing Tommy's fragile heart. Benny grabbed a handful of candies, filled his shirt pocket and walked out toward the playground.

Benny sat on the swing next to the one Tommy is on. Tommy asked, "Are those sweets you carried just now for all of us?" "Well yeah. There is so much for everyone. Including you", Benny said. "No. I cannot eat sweets. I got toothache. I am going dentist now and dentist won't allow me to eat sweets too. But its ok Uncle. If I don't get to eat the sweets, my friends can eat my share", Tommy said innocently. He was so pure. As pure as the grass is green. And his heart was clear. There is no trace of selfishness in young Tommy...unlike adults.

Benny emptied his pocket and Tommy gleamed in delight. Tommy gobbled up the candies so fast that he failed to notice Benny shedding a tear of joy. Benny made someone happy today and that was the best feeling he had in a long time. There and then Benny pledged to be a better person...inside as well as out.

They say that a pot of gold awaits you at the end of the rainbow. People spend a lifetime searching for their pot of gold. If only they looked closer to their hearts. They probably could find what they've been searching for.