so many uncles but all the same

before even starting to write this, i had to switch from my 'Gatekeepers' anime opening soundtrack to 'The Hot Gates' from 300 OST.

one day, uncle leo asked me to come to his office, saying there are some things to do. of course, as obedient as i could be, i went over to see what possibly could be up in his head, again. he sat down behind his desk, started clicking through his computer seemingly trying very hard to locate a certain file.

we all know how uncles work with computers. and the time wasted was mine as well. just when i was about to ask if i can come back later, he found that damned file.

showing me what he has found, "i have here a list of things i need you to bring back and design into a brochure."

i peered hopefully into the computer and replied almost very systematically, "yes, uncle. when do you need this?"

"3 days, all you have."

i knew very well 2d designing works are not my forte. and i knew too that this task is not going to be that easy. so i waited for more.

"the rest of the files are with uncle sufri. call him and retrieve everything from him before you start getting to work."

there you go, i thought. instead of a task, uncle leo gave me a quest. i must locate uncle sufri, who is generally known to be away for a certain course and will not return for weeks. and also, at that point in time, anyone of my calibre would know very well: i have been arrowed and its one time good one.

i asked a colleague for help. luckily he is a god damn saint. but i needed to source out all the possible materials uncle sufri might have. so i started calling him, then dropping him texts, and finally go to other people. mind you, at any point of these 3 days, uncle leo would never stop calling me to find out on the progress of the brochure. i know very well i needed to say the usual "everything is under control, uncle. don't worry."

but things were never in control. until one night, uncle sufri called giving very specific instructions. i could not be more relieved.

"hey dharf, i heard you're going to settle that brochure. good, now log into my computer. all the necessary materials can be found in there. the only thing is i will need you to get someone to do a write up for me. this will of course go up on the brochure too. but do not do it for me. just a rough sketch with good english will do.

the very sentence of 'but do not do it for me' rang out and clear down my eardrums to my brain. finally, we have an uncle different from the rest. one would not just throw his work at juniors like us.

the next day, a friend of mine called asking about the brochure.

"hey, how is the write up? is it done?"

i was taken by surprise. how did he know i was doing the brochure?
"oh yeah i am doing the brochure, but not the write up. uncle sufri said he'd do it himself."

"oh really? but i just called him and he said you will do everything."

"oh really? okay then, i will get it settled by tonight."


screw you. you are all the same.