Another member of my team left today. Neil said his final goodbyes this afternoon just before lunch. He had come in to complete his relieving formalities and hand over his leave card. He is heading off to Chennai tomorrow night and needed some time to finish packing and buy some stuff for his move.

I remember meeting him for the first time in February 2007. Pretty soon we were in the same night shift at the office and he kept calling me ‘Jack Black’ (from his School of Rock role) and we’d talk about rock music and his unabashed love for AC/DC, Kurt Cobain & Janis Joplin. At times I’ve had to take control as he’d do something a bit silly and immature (he’s only 25) but at times he has been extremely level headed and stable.

A couple of us became sentimental and he cried too. He hugged me and I patted him on the back and told him to take care of a few things and do well, as the others teared up around me. I’m gonna miss the goofy idiot and he knows that. Good thing we have the internet otherwise how would people keep in touch?!