CONFESSION

Last year, around the same time, I did a course in Hospital Management.  On the last day of our class, one of the classmates had written a poetry describing every student of the class with suitable adjectives.  In the poem, he described me as “endrum seradha Charusree” which means, that I generally don’t mingle.  Someone perceiving me thus, was a rude shock to me. He used positive adjectives for everyone else. I always felt I am a very amicable and social person.

I had these classes in the weekends and in addition to my regular job, I was doing programmes for the local radio on Sundays (I do them even now).  These in addition to my domestic responsibilities, kept me fully occupied.  I was so tired I preferred to relax in my seat with a cup of coffee during the class intervals, instead of chatting and giggling at silly jokes, in the corridor.  Also, after the class, I never stayed back to speak to the teacher or interact with other classmates, as I had a radio programme scheduled for the next morning.  Probably, this is what made them jump into such a conclusion.

I first heard of the term “Friendship Overload” while I was doing a course in Advanced English at the British Council.  It was mentioned in the study material.  To be honest, I couldn’t comprehend it then.  But, I am able to now.

Every now and then, there is a get-together, reunion, function or a wedding.  My mother complains that I am always busy socializing and I have very little time for my parents.  My colleagues too started asking me “where is the party tonight?”  Though basically I am a People Oriented Person, I should be honest, I am very tired these days and when someone mentions a “get-together”, my spontaneous reply is “please exclude me”.  There is always some pending work or social obligations.

My best friend is back in Chennai after many years and he is surprised that I haven’t bothered to either meet him or invite him home.  I was very different earlier.  Even during his brief visits, I made it a point that we met either at our house or at a coffee shop or on a few occasions, in my office.

I am afraid, I am slowly becoming a workaholic and true to the description by my classmate, becoming “seradha Charusree”.