The true test of love.

If you're rich, you wonder if 'they' like you for 'you' or the 'money.'


Luckily, I face no such problems!

#appraisal #career #hike

Drama in the life of a copywriter. A Rohan here. A Rohan there. So many Rohans everywhere.

Day 1

I just joined an ad agency as a junior copywriter. Armed with a brief at 7:29 pm, an account manager, Rohan landed at my desk. Sweat rolled down his forehead. "Alita! It’s super, super urgent!! Client needs copy for this emailer NOW!!" Being new to the system, I stared at his face. Guy appeared sincere enough about his job. So to help him, I thought of 3 different concepts, wrote emailer copy and left at 8:15 pm. A train and an auto later, I got home at 9:45 pm. 

Day 2

Wanting to play it smart, I decided to leave early. 7:15 pm precisely. I had bailed him out yesterday. So Rohan decided that I was his closest friend. At exactly 7:15 pm, he sprinted at me. "Chal na, Alita! Let’s go for a smoke. I have a new brief for you after that." I scanned Rohan’s expressions. Maybe he’s pulling a prank. He wasn’t. "This is on fire. Client just called. He requires the emailers ASAP. Or we’re screwed." I put my bag down and open my shut laptop. 3 coffees and a dairy milk later, I bang at my keyboard like a maniac. As the clock struck 8:55 pm, I submitted 6 concepts and content for 2 emailers. Grabbing my bag, I dashed home. Skipping dinner, I slept at 10:30 pm!

Day 3

Finally, Friday was here. I reminded myself of the relaxing weekend. Funnily enough, our ad agency had a back door. I told myself, "Before Rohan finds me, I’ll sneak out early today. At exactly 6:45 pm." I imagine the expression of pain in his eyes after hearing that I left. No bonded labourer for Rohan to torture.

6:45 pm came soon. I flung my heels into my handbag, put on my running shoes and raced towards the secret door. As I took my last step outside the gate, a known voice screeched "Alitaaa." I froze. It’s a voice that I knew well. "Come have chai. Lots of work for you today. We were just talking about you!" Cursing my luck, I wondered, "How do I flee?" Then, the startup owner joined us. "What are you guys chatting about?" Of course, Rohan answers him. "Alita is going to write a 1000-word blog. How to celebrate your happiest Christmas." I’m close to firing the choicest of bad words. Boss chimes in, "Well, it HAD to be written, designed and emailed to client by EOD today."

Dutifully, I wrote the blog and reviewed design. Then, I emailed both to Rohan. It’s now 3 am. I walk up to his seat. He’s busy watching a video; a kitten riding a toy scooter. I join him. Video over, he quickly closes his laptop. From the corner of my lazy eye, I already spotted the client’s incriminating email. It had requested a blog. Sent 14 days ago. I shriek like a woman possessed. "Rohan!! You tricked me! Purposely, assigning me all tasks at the last minute." Rohan moves back a little. Unashamedly, he speaks loudly so everybody can hear "Aree! Isko kya hua suddenly?" No compassion for the poor designer or writer.

Did you ever come across a Rohan or two?🙂How did you handle it? #copywriter #worklifebalance #deadlines