The Storm and The Whisper

He dashed up the spiraling metal stairway, his face flushed with anger and indignation. His coworkers stared at him, stunned, steaming cups of coffee in their hands. He reached the top of the stairs and flung the rusted steel door open. The place was deserted, just as he expected. Fresh air rushed into his lungs and filled his alveoli. He ran to the edge of the building and leaned against the metal railing.

He screamed. The noise of the traffic below drowned out his long cry of anguish and desperation. His blue silk tie flapped in the rushing wind.

Energy spent, he slumped against the vertical bars of the railing. He held his head in his hands and sobbed, tears streaming down.

This wasn’t how he expected life to turn out. He had worked hard for the company for the last five years. He had risen from a junior executive to a senior manager in that time. He spent his weeknights and weekends in the office, putting in extra effort just to get that little edge. And it had paid off so far. Until…

“Joshua,” he caught the warning glint in his boss’ eye that morning when he strode into the office, whistling as usual. The song died on his lips.

“Meet me inside,” came the oft-dreaded phrase.

His boss beckoned to the black leather armchair. He accepted the seat with trepidation and sat down. His boss removed a file from his desk and handed it to Joshua.

“Can you explain this?”

Joshua froze. It was a project that he had handled last month. To his knowledge, everything went well and the client was happy with the results and services provided. His company had made a tidy profit from the job.

“Mark has alleged that you received a nice sum from Mr. Hassan in order to secure the contract. There are also claims that you used cheaper materials in order to the complete the job but pocketed the balance. He has provided photographic evidence and even the copies of the cheques that you had banked in.”

“But boss, you know that isn’t true! I have worked for this company for so long. That isn’t how I do things!” he protested.

“I would like to believe you but the evidence so far is pretty strong. Unfortunately this case has been reported to the authorities and they will definitely need to conduct a probe. I will need to suspend your involvement in all projects until we clear this up. We might also be looking at some other candidate for your current post, especially if these allegations prove to be true. You better be prepared, Josh.”

Numb, he twisted his hands. He nodded and said thanks. He closed the heavy wooden door behind him, a grim faced boss watching as he left the room.

Joshua looked up. Dark clouds clustered overhead and flashes of lightning zigzagged across the purple canvas of the monsoon sky. Flocks of birds flew to their hidden nests, alarmed by the rumbling thunder.

“Why, God? You know I am an earnest worker. I have been honest and trustworthy. Yet there are jealous people who slander me. I have had enough! Perhaps this just isn’t worth it!”

The wind howled and whipped his black locks about his stained face. He stood up and looked at the impending storm without fear.

The rain came. Not in a gentle pitter-patter or a light drizzle. It was a typical torrential tropical late afternoon downpour. The kind that brought downtown Kuala Lumpur to a standstill and inundated the roads with flash floods. The rain soaked through his clothes and dripped off his nose. His hot tears mingled with the relentless cold droplets. The thunder boomed around him like celestial Chinese drums beating in random rhythm, fierce bolts threatening to incinerate him as he watched. A mere finite creature looking on beyond the edge of infinity.

The rain stopped after half an hour. The skies cleared and shafts of sunlight pierced through the swirling white clouds, gently warming his damp skin. Puddles of water left on the rooftop shimmered like constellations of tiny stars pooled on the cement floor.

He looked at his wet leather shoes.

Then a quiet voice spoke to his heart.

“What are you doing here, Joshua?”

“This is unfair, Lord. I am the only one in the office who tries to do business ethically but now, they are trying to slander me and get rid of me. I have worked so hard but now all has been in vain. My reputation is ruined. I don’t even know if I can get sufficient evidence to clear my name since they have falsified the photographs and documents.”

A sense of peace came over him as a comforting whisper provided relief.

“Yes, I will not fear man. I know in Whom I believe in and I will have faith there will be evidence to prove my innocence. After all, I did not do those things which Mark has accused me of. I will not give up easily,” he said resolutely in reply to the still small voice.

He arose and walked towards the open door.