Meeting that never happened

A few years ago I used to work at a pharmaceutical company. I was working with a medicinal safety department. Because of my prior experience in that field, I was the most experience professional in the department. For my capabilities and experience I had been assigned with the most complicated section of handling products from the European market. Overall I was doing a good job.

As the time changed pharmaceutical company also decided to adopt with the qualities standards such as lean and 6 sigma. Though these changes were certainly late by 10 years, still I welcomed this move. HOD had told me that a new person would be appointed to monitor the progress of European section as per the quality mangement principles. From my previous company I did have experience of collaborating with quality management I assured my manager that I would collaborate with them.

A few days later I saw that a young and handsome man sitting at my manager's desk. As a single girl in her 20s I was definitely intrigued to know who this Adonis was. In the department of flirting I was at the very bottom and hence I did not make any move. Additionally I had a scheduled meeting starting within next 5 minutes I did not move an inch from my seat. While my virtual meeting began I saw from that my manager had been pointing towards me. I assumed that he informing the man about me. The man looked once in my direction and then back at my manager. My manager had indicated for me to come to his desk. I indicated that I was in a meeting him would not come.

Later my manager told me that the man was Shantanu, from the quality department who would work with me to streamline the European section. While talking about his qualification and his experience my manager told me to work in close collaboration so that the activities could be improved. I was assured him that I would work with him. My manager was a good friend and he happened to mention to me, "by the way he too is single. I think you and him would make a great pair". I was surprised with this remark, at the same time I blushed and couldn't say anything.

Shantanu and I had been communicating mostly via emails and instant messaging. A couple of times we spoke on the phone however we hadn't yet met face to face. Shantanu appeared to be friendly, mature, and professional. Despite my youthful feelings I to had maintained the professionalism. One day I was providing the progress of our work to my manager he mentioned something strange to me, "I spoke with Shantanu the other day. He said to me that you are very formal towards him".

I was not surprised with that remark, "we are colleagues ain't we? Being formal and professional comes with the environment".

There had been a lot of attempts from both mine and Shantanu's side to arrange a face to face meetings where we can discuss challenges that we had been facing in the European section. We were not able to find an appropriate time for it.

Later I got a better job opportunity and I had resigned from my position. During the handover phase I was still chiefly handling all the matters while the delegate had been kept in the loop. As per my manager's instructions I had not informed Shantanu that I had stepped down from my position. When it was my last day I had informed every department via an email to contact with the delegate for the activities that I had been handling. The very last email was sent to Shantanu. I had cleared my space and had left home.

While on my way I had received a call from Shantanu. I had given him the information that he needed and also told him to contact the delegate.

Shantanu said, "you are still being so formal with me even though we are no longer colleagues. It is unfortunate that we were never able to meet. Anyway it was a pleasure to work with you. I wish you all the best for your future. Let's see if future brings us together for another project or another company".

I thanked him. That was the last of our conversation. The future did not bring us together and I am okay with that.