Rule Breaking

There is a saying ‘To err is human, to forgive is divine’. But some mistakes will be considered as offense and you will have to face the consequences. Sometimes though you know that you are committing a mistake you just let that happen. If you are lucky, you will get through it, else you will have to face the music! Some blunders will be forgiven but some mistakes will be punished depending on the circumstances and your luck.

Today I had an experience of breaching the office security rule! It was not intentional but committed out of sheer impatience and incognizance of the consequences. The story includes 4 of us (Sh, N, U and S), office receptionist and the security guard (A). Story has got some fun, some confusion, some anxiety, some lessons, etc...

The Story:
Yesterday we had team lunch at Wagamama. One of my colleagues(N) had left her ID card at her desk, while returning back to the office, she squeezed inside the pod situated at the entrance (Some of the RPA offices have got this kind of entrance system where only one person is supposed to enter at a time) along with the other colleague(Sh). The receptionist, who noticed this act, followed them to warn about the act of breaking security rule. I (S) was coming just behind these two friends of mine and swiped my card oblivious to the fact that the other side of the pod is still open. My side of the door didn’t open so I swiped my card once again. It didn’t work. I remembered the receptionist saying on my first day at this office that – the card doesn’t work if you swipe it more than once!! I thought receptionist has gone for lunch and I didn’t have the patience to wait for her. So I decided to use my friend’s idea! I squeezed in along with another friend of mine (U) in spite of his opposition.

Guilt, Confusion and Fun:
Today morning while entering the office building, the receptionist didn’t welcome us (S & Sh) with her smile. She asked Sh about yesterday’s act and I pitched in and apologised for my mistake (I wonder why someone should be so proactive in confessing!! Miss ‘S’ good for you, if you use your hyperactivity for some other purpose!!). In the afternoon while coming back from lunch, the security guard asked us,’ were you the 2 ladies who broke security rule yesterday’. My heart sank while answering ‘yes’ to this question. He asked us to send him an e-mail with our names. While walking back to my desk all I could feel was guilt (probably I was overreacting)! My mind was thinking about the following:
1. I represent my company in the client office, if I breach the rule here that will put my company to shame.
2. I epitomize my country in this foreign nation, tomorrow if someone says ‘this girl from IDC (India Delivery Centre) infringed the security rule’ that will be too much for me.
3. I was offended for making someone else to be part of this offense.

But thanks to all the friends who eased my mood by contributing to the lively environment of fun or by consoling me. Sh sent an email to A, the security guard/officer (Am not sure about his designation: P) for no fault of her. Still she kept herself composed and being witty at times especially when A replied to her mail expressing his confusion!! The confusion was receptionist had seen 2 ladies (N,Sh), S apologised to the receptionist along with Sh, A had spoken to 2 ladies about this (S,Sh) but in the mail there were 4 names :P. So he had asked her to send 2 names who entered the pod at a time. It was really fun to decide which 2 names to be sent now. People enjoyed the free show of others getting screwed up and gave some suggestions!!! Finally Sh took the bold decision of “Let us not confuse the confused people”. The decision was - to send the names of Sh and N. Later if they ask about other 2 names or the girl who volunteered to apologise, we can tell them about the story of other pod!!

Now I don’t know what turn this incident is going to take, but I feel that what was meant to be happened has happened and it cannot be undone. So there is no point in worrying about this!

I asked this question ‘n’ no. of times, being remorseful
Why did you run afoul?
No answer to the question, my soul is screeching
With the pain of guilty feeling...
I told my heart you can’t control the happenings
Let bygones be bygones...
I dreaded the worst, am praying for the best
With never ending trust...