the secondment

is this the first time i am sensing loss bcos a colleague is leaving, and it is not even really leaving, just a secondment, and it is just the building next door.

i remember first hearing it from other colleagues abt a year ago about that routine pick-someone-to-go-over for rotation that it may be him, and made it a point to talk about it when we finally had some time together to have aftnernoon tea at national art museum. it would have been perfect for network building for that age 35 plan, but everything still in discussion only. we went on with our busy, separate work after.

suddenly covid broke and we got cohorted into different teams. he joked tt team a was the team that really needs to work, and team b was the never mind one. we didn't know when it would be implemented at that time, and didn't bother to have any last meals - totally forgot he was/may going to be seconded.

in the flurry of rushing for the brought forward project deadline, chit chat with other colleagus also seemed that yup, he is indeed the chosen one to be seconded out. it didn't quite sink in until i came in to office this week, and saw his packing in progress cubicle. it will probably be empty when i return to office tmr.

then in came all the flashbacks of the moments over the years. we were the kind that were never really close like always talk whenever we meet, sometimes he would give this cold smile when we walk past each other. but he was there to give and share career and technical thoughts at all the impt checkpoints. and so i penned my first "farewell" tribute with all the favourite defining moments in our careers, beginning with that moment i got so impressed that i started calling him future director, to which he would jokingly call me CEO. the tribute ended with the meme that made me laugh out loud at cintech food court, and thanked him for being someone to laugh with at the workplace.

his reply on why he hasn't told me - he only heard of his reporting date this week, and haven't even got the posting letter. "i would be the director, only if you would be my CEO."

then i remembered the plan he shared with me during that (only?) tea break we had in canteen, crafty plan if i may say but i like. at that time, i thought he is only joking when he asked if i would venture out with him. tho i also came back to tell alex about the plan, and i remember telling alex, that i don't dare to start up with yp cos he very high standards, will die one. is it still on his mind? plans that he have, probably will happen, but with alex being so busy busy now, i don't know how could i be involved. anyway, i also cannot think of how i can contribute and not just leeching :S

the end of the secondment in 2+1 years - my mental countdown timer has already begun. i will definitely be missing you too.

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when u asked me, do i look at others the way i look at you? i said no, but after that, i realised i do look at yp that way, when he is unrolling his thoughts. that full, undivided attention cos, too interesting, too thought provoking liao.