As soon as, David stepped outside, Mr. Darrel's office, the first thing he did was, he reached for the phone and called his lovely wife.
Three rings
Beep... Beep... Beep__
and on the fourth, Martha picked up the call.
"Hello, David"
"Sweetie, guess what happened?"
"I suppose something good.... It's been a long time since we had some good news to come by"
"Our prayers were heard"
"Now I'm intrigued.... Blow me away with the fantastic news now.... Don't keep me waiting"
"I'll be getting a hike"
Martha went silent for a bit, and it was not out of stress or anxiety, rather it was sign of relief, but she did have one last thing to enquire.
"How much?"
Martha thought it was not worth expecting much and the hike might be small one and their debts will still need some time to settle, but she was not ready for what was about to come.
"It's 150%"
Martha was ready for a small hike, but she was not expecting this. She felt like it was a dream and she must have taken a light nap during her household and what she thought would be a lite nap turned into a deep slumber. She genuinely thought she was dreaming.
"Martha.... Martha.... Martha.... Hello.... Hello.... Hello"
David thought maybe the connection is weak, as kept on speaking on the receiver's end for half a minute and Martha didn't respond. As he was about to end the call.
"Are you joking?... If you are, tell me now, because I can't believe what I'm hearing right now"
"First of all, I'm not joking and second, if you can't believe it's true then pinch yourself and confirm if it's a dream or not"
Martha put the phone on the desk and pinched her left wrist with her right hand, with tears of joy in her eyes, she reached for the phone.
"It's not a dream"
After saying, she broke down into tears of joy and David told her.
"Dear, maybe it's a sin from God that good days are on the way"
David ended the call and put the phone in his pocket. Then, he raised his head and started searching for Mitch over the cubical walls and when he finally met Mitch's glance. He signalled Mitch for another smoke break and Mitch understood the assignment immediately.
Both of them with quick foot steps exited the office area and arrived at the smoking area. Mitch broke the silence first.
"So, what happened?…. Wait, don't tell me what happened first…. First, tell me, is it positive or negative?"
David crooked his head and contorted his face while simultaneously scratching his head.
"It's both"
A virtual (?) appeared on Mitch's head and he started to look at David's face with a look of a man who couldn't solve the crossword section of the newspaper on a lazy evening.
"How can it be both?"
"What do you want to hear first, the positive or the negative?"
"Since wise men say that sadness is eternal and happiness is an occasional guest…. Let's, begin with the negative first"
"Okay, but I suggest you find some happiness first…. You sounded jaded, man"
"You're a married man…. You don't know my pain"
"Forget me, let's hear your's"
"I'll be leaving this branch and joining the newly opened Kashville branch"
"So, I'll be losing my best friend and how is that negative for you"
"You, sly bastard, I'll be losing my best friend too and also I hate snowy mountains and I have to live there for God knows how many years until I get the next transfer order"
"And the positive?"
"I'll be getting a hike of 150%"
"Okay, I'm jealous and leave before I take off my mask of 'I'm happy for you', but, jokes aside, you deserve this"
"Thanks, my guy"
"How bout' we celebrate this after our shift ends?"
"The usual spot"
"Yeah, the usual but with expensive booze this time"
"Hey, man, the hike is still due, you know, right?"
"Yeah, I know, but if I don't rob you now, you won't be here tomorrow"
David smiled, Mitch smiled and both of them took their last drag and headed to their respective cubicals and waited for the shift to end eagerly.