Episode 204 : Love is blind, and truth is bitter

Dear O,

It wasn't love at first sight. But my training demanded I work with you. And so I did. If I had a choice, I would have opted for your less-popular friend D. I don't know why, I guess people who stay in the shadows and let others take the limelight get my attention. Or maybe it was her family name.

I still recall the project we first worked on. I had to spend all days of the week with you, and slowly you began to grow on me. My team members and the supervisor were impressed how well we gelled together.

Then the project ended. We had to part ways. I used to believe good friendships stand the tides of time. I still do, but somehow we drifted apart.

Then I met a more-popular friend S from your circle. The two of you were similar, yet so dissimilar that I forgot what it was in you that was so unique. I didn't fall in love with your friend, but I didn't dislike her either.

A few more years passed. I had lost touch with all of you. I was studying for my post-graduation then. I read about your family's legacy and what the future promised from you, but frankly speaking I wasn't interested. I am pretty sure I flunked that paper because I was thinking of you and was not preparing for the exam I had to write the following day.

The growth of Internet meant newer ways to keep in touch. Emailing, instant messaging and chat became commonplace. That's how I got back in touch with you and your friend S when I rejoined the industry. But O, I must admit that somehow I preferred being around with you more than S.

Peer pressure forced me to look for greener pastures, and I completely lost touch with you for almost two years. Then something happened and I changed workplaces again. I didn't know that you and I would start working again.

It’s almost two years now. You are a lot different today than how you were when we first met. I guess it was merely infatuation then. You are troublesome; you throw tantrums all the time. You hanker for attention and no matter how much attention I give you, you are never happy. I was happy to learn that D was soon going to join the team and I expressed my interest in working alongside. But you threw a spanner in the works.

I thought you would mature over the years. You are maturing, but not as much as you should be. Others proclaim how great you are; they wax eloquent about your capability and your efficiency. But only I (and I suspect a few others too) know what you are really like.

I do not hate you Oracle, but the bitter truth is I have to be with you as long as I work here.

Regards,
Edward Hyde.

Afterthought: Inspiration happened after I read this.