Dear Pete,
It was June 20th, 2008 when I first wrote an email to you, unaware of the fact that I would soon form a very good friendship bond with you in the next few months to come. I soon landed in Manila for one of my short but critical projects, Project Pink Panther. By this time we were already in touch for several open items related to the project.
It was exactly 1 year back when I reached Manila (on 20th June, 2008) and met you. You were a charming person, with loads of energy and ‘never say no’ attitude. One would always see you smiling, no matter what the situation would force, be it work issues or personal life matters. It did not take me much time to realize that it were you who could single handedly (and I mean literally) setup technology for an entire center, within no time. Similar kind of setup in India would take me at least a team of 10 resources who would slog to make things happen, somehow. Most amazingly, our center in Manila had only 2 technology resources including you, heading technology operations.
As the project progressed, we worked day and night to fix issues collectively. Resource was always an issue, so we had no option but to work on all aspects, be it small or big. Of course it was you who used to come up with solutions to every problem, no matter what it would take. I remember once entering the office premises along with you on a Thursday afternoon and leaving at around 3p.m. on following Saturday. This is the intensity with which we two worked!
We would often leave office at 7a.m. just to get some rest, return at 4p.m. and continue our endeavors. I used to enjoy the relaxing ride way back to my guest house in your old Mazda, which was a moving house in itself. One could easily find your clothes hanging in the rear, your toothbrush and other cosmetics scattered here and there in the car. You never knew if you would step on brylcreme gel someday while stepping in your own car. This was your dedication towards work, and more importantly, TIME! I still remember that you really liked Suzuki Swift a lot, while I always debated on Mazda RX8 being a better choice for you, because of low cost there. I also remember that you could make out only 1 word in Hindi dictionary, which was ‘Chalo’ which you interpreted really well, always. Not to forget, the freshly baked cheese pizzas which we used to eat almost everyday, along with diet coke to balance the fat intake. I recall you trying hard to find vegetarian dishes in campus food court so that I would at least eat something, rather than eating nothing.
Nonetheless, as a sports enthusiast, you used to dedicate your short weekends to friends. You were fond of battle sports, which your fellow mates used to play with guns that could only fire small rubber/paint bullets. Your other past time included analyzing different cell phones. I recall how much time you took to finally buy Samsung Omnia 3G over Iphone 2G! Pink Panther was a success, with our organization making some good profit. Mine was a short trip in Manila, which ended on 5th Aug, 2008 with my return to Bangalore. I was happy for the project, and also for some good hectic experience which I got out of it.
Time passed by, and everything was fine, until recently when I came to know that you were not keeping well because of some infection. It sounded quite normal to all of us, as we all usually get ill, and then recover. But I guess nature had something else in store for you my friend. It was 16th July 2009 when I got a call from one of my colleagues early morning. The news was sad, and unbelievable. You were no more. You had left us all, abruptly. This was the short 1 year for which I knew you. I last had a chat with you sometime early July this year, when you told me about your bad health. I wished you all the best, but I think it didn’t prove enough.
I would always remember the good times we had. I still cherish all of the text messages/emails that you sent me in the past. I still can’t believe that you are no more. It just seems like a bad dream, and I still hope to come out of it sometime.
My friend, remain happy always, as you were when you were around us. We will always miss you.
Your friend,
Sumit
It was June 20th, 2008 when I first wrote an email to you, unaware of the fact that I would soon form a very good friendship bond with you in the next few months to come. I soon landed in Manila for one of my short but critical projects, Project Pink Panther. By this time we were already in touch for several open items related to the project.
It was exactly 1 year back when I reached Manila (on 20th June, 2008) and met you. You were a charming person, with loads of energy and ‘never say no’ attitude. One would always see you smiling, no matter what the situation would force, be it work issues or personal life matters. It did not take me much time to realize that it were you who could single handedly (and I mean literally) setup technology for an entire center, within no time. Similar kind of setup in India would take me at least a team of 10 resources who would slog to make things happen, somehow. Most amazingly, our center in Manila had only 2 technology resources including you, heading technology operations.
As the project progressed, we worked day and night to fix issues collectively. Resource was always an issue, so we had no option but to work on all aspects, be it small or big. Of course it was you who used to come up with solutions to every problem, no matter what it would take. I remember once entering the office premises along with you on a Thursday afternoon and leaving at around 3p.m. on following Saturday. This is the intensity with which we two worked!
We would often leave office at 7a.m. just to get some rest, return at 4p.m. and continue our endeavors. I used to enjoy the relaxing ride way back to my guest house in your old Mazda, which was a moving house in itself. One could easily find your clothes hanging in the rear, your toothbrush and other cosmetics scattered here and there in the car. You never knew if you would step on brylcreme gel someday while stepping in your own car. This was your dedication towards work, and more importantly, TIME! I still remember that you really liked Suzuki Swift a lot, while I always debated on Mazda RX8 being a better choice for you, because of low cost there. I also remember that you could make out only 1 word in Hindi dictionary, which was ‘Chalo’ which you interpreted really well, always. Not to forget, the freshly baked cheese pizzas which we used to eat almost everyday, along with diet coke to balance the fat intake. I recall you trying hard to find vegetarian dishes in campus food court so that I would at least eat something, rather than eating nothing.
Nonetheless, as a sports enthusiast, you used to dedicate your short weekends to friends. You were fond of battle sports, which your fellow mates used to play with guns that could only fire small rubber/paint bullets. Your other past time included analyzing different cell phones. I recall how much time you took to finally buy Samsung Omnia 3G over Iphone 2G! Pink Panther was a success, with our organization making some good profit. Mine was a short trip in Manila, which ended on 5th Aug, 2008 with my return to Bangalore. I was happy for the project, and also for some good hectic experience which I got out of it.
Time passed by, and everything was fine, until recently when I came to know that you were not keeping well because of some infection. It sounded quite normal to all of us, as we all usually get ill, and then recover. But I guess nature had something else in store for you my friend. It was 16th July 2009 when I got a call from one of my colleagues early morning. The news was sad, and unbelievable. You were no more. You had left us all, abruptly. This was the short 1 year for which I knew you. I last had a chat with you sometime early July this year, when you told me about your bad health. I wished you all the best, but I think it didn’t prove enough.
I would always remember the good times we had. I still cherish all of the text messages/emails that you sent me in the past. I still can’t believe that you are no more. It just seems like a bad dream, and I still hope to come out of it sometime.
My friend, remain happy always, as you were when you were around us. We will always miss you.
Your friend,
Sumit
2 comments:
Hi Sumit! Thank you very much for a heart-touching blog you wrote about my brother... Are you still working in a call center?
Hello Sumit,. This is Peter Bren's mom - Lourdes Ibarra. I read your blog about Bren and I was touched that I was in tears again. I just want to let you know that I am writing my memoir and am quoting an excerpt from your blog for the chapter about Bren. Would also wish to chat with you if you find the time. Thanks again.
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