I sometimes wonder how many people would have experienced being in an earthquake. This is not about the one massive earthquake Gujarat suffered. When it had, a whole 9 storied apartment building turned to rubble. Apart from this, no other building was decimated by the earthquake.
It is not uncommon for subsequent aftershocks to occur in the coming months after a large earthquake. This is what jasmine experienced.
Sitting in office, 6th floor, in the earthquake zone Ahmedabad, can cause distress under sum circumstances. We were sitting (jasmine and I) with out backs to each other with other staff were close by in the same office. All of us are naturally busy doing our thing. Suddenly, i hear a chair move behind me. I can make out jaybird has probably risen in her chair to go someplace or do something. Then silence. Two steps are taken & then she says, ‘the building is moving, we are swinging,’ AN EARTHQUAKE!
First reaction, i stand up and try to figure out if she is right or its just her hallucination. Everyone who heard her, stand still, each trying to discern the building shaking or not. Slowly it dawns on all in the office, that the building IS swaying side to side. As this realization hits us, the screaming starts, accompanied by the noise of people running down the stairs, with whatever ever speed they are able to muster. Now its confirmed! It is happening.
Before you can say ‘everybody out‘ the room empties, with two exceptions. Me and another Trainee. Just a second back, i was watching J’s face, with the blood flowing to her face, with her eyes wide open, with the stance of getting ready to run, and the next second, SHE’s GONE!!! WoW!! What speed, what reflexes. Exemplary. She’s totally action oriented, doing, not just talking about it, but demonstrating her managerial skill in implementing with speed. This is what every manager strives for but rarely gets. Awesome. Everyone were impressed. Meaning, the trainee and me!!
Walking down the stair ways, i found myself telling the trainee about what she should strive to be like. Be a person of action and action with speed. Leadership and speed of Jaybird were to be emulated. She was fortunate to have a role model in jasmine.
we ambled down the stairways slowly, taking our own time, feeling a bit sheepish and wondering what the big deal was for such a reaction. After considerable time had elapsed and we reached down, the very model of professionalism approached us. Eyes still big, trying to retain her breath, very anxious and saying i was looking for u guys. What we found very hilarious was the reaction jaybird gave, the fear written on her face and the impending doom with the red background was a sight to behold. Its like some fantasy surreal thing was going on she couldn’t believe what her senses were telling her on the Quake. This cant be happening were her thoughts and logic trying to tell her such things dont happen. This dilemma written large on her face, the way she panicked and the speed with which she took off was a sight to behold. Shes awesome.
How can anybody not be impressed with her, or like her? Thank you Jasmine, for giving us a good reason to laugh when u r around us! What more can one ask for?!! I always say that it is rare to be able to laugh with a free heart. People who can make you laugh, are special! Keep them around as much as possible. One of such is Jaybird!!
love
Ragz
jasmineparekhdalal 