He fidgets in his seat, and snakes his body down the chair. I smile at him. He hasn't changed one bit.. Has he?? Arms spread across the chairs around him, legs wide apart, and so oblivious of the people around, he looks the epitome of laziness.. My eyes move to the business card in my hand... Somehow, I can't seem to picture this pal'o'mine as what his card depicts...

I involuntarily go down memory lane... Its been almost 3 years... We had many things in common.. Colleagues we were, both from a similar engineering background, joined at the same time, and... at that point of time... were also struggling with our careers. We both were ear-marked as performers in our budding days.. However, this was where the similarity ended.. Our methods were entirely different.... He used to carry himself with lazy panache growing with leaps and bounds... so characteristic of him.. while I took the laid-back approach.. Taking what came my way...

Time rolled... He quit and joined a similar organization... I quit and joined a sotware firm.. Time rolled... and we kept in touch.. occasionally.. a lunch... A cricket match... Time rolled.. till today... we meet again...

My eyes move towards his card again... The smile doesn't seem to leave my lips...

'CEO...'

"Life has been good... We have expanded from 13 to 70. I am relocating to a new office... and would you believe it??? there hasn't been any attrition in the last 6 months... What more could I ask for?? Except for... maybe for 2 more hours in a day..."

He hasn't changed one bit... not one bit... A believer and self-motivator as always...

Or has he?? I look at those eyes... The fire is there... so is that mischievous glint... hidden behind a mask of tiredness... but there nonetheless...

Life has taken its toll... But that had always been a choice... A personal choice he was willing to live with....

Would I have been able to make that choice??? To put myself on the line??? To make all those sacrifices???

Would I????? Maybe...

Maybe not.. I would have in all probability taken the laid-back approach... I am lazier than my friend...

This, I am sure folks... You all will concur...