It’s 26 of Feb Thursday, 2009; I suddenly got an invitation from my friend to attend his cousin’s reception party. The day had been hectic and I was in two minds whether or not to attend. At 5:30 pm I finally made up my mind to attend the party as this would also be a good opportunity to meet up some good college friends after my joining office. That would be a good break. The marriage reception was at Koramangla, Bangalore. I took a cab to Koramangla where one of my friend would be waiting near Sonyworld traffic signal.
From there I and my friend started walking down towards the reception hall, collecting a bouquet on the way. We were lost in discussion about college days, friends, office etc and many other things- a typical thing that happens when two friends meet after a couple of months.
The road was dark -the street light was out, the moon too was hidden behind the clouds. Suddenly from the other side of the road
Somebody(not visible in the dark): excuse me !!! .
I (halted): yes- thinking the stranger was searching 4 some place- some address…
Stranger: are you from De Nobili School
Me: yes.!!- shocked and little worried about how the stranger knew about me-with the kind of events making it in to the news headlines these days.
(Stranger’s face still not visible in the surrounding darkness).
Curious to find out who the person is. Is he an acquaintance that old as from school days- if not how is it he knows so much about me.
Stranger: Digwadih, Dhanbad?....yes…sss..
But..
Me: how do you know me?
Reply: He came near the divider of the road. …. Hi Som!! -knows my name too!!. – How come …..
Cant see the person, though straining hard to do so.
My friend looking blank with confused eyes and trying to understand the situation
Now He walks towards me….
Am able to see him now .. don’t exactly recollect seeing him though… What is he after…
Doesn’t look suspicious though…
Finally
Me: Sorry do I know u… ???
Stranger: I am Shanish……
Shainish!! familiar name someway.. brain reeling down memory lane.. gradually recollecting an old friend.. way back ..almost Sixteen longs years back.. Std VI –just imagine..!!…. Slowly recollecting his face as a childhood friend.
He…llo!!! Shanish!!!.
What a joy of meeting such an old classmate… someone you can associate with your childhood .. grand feeing..!!.
Finally jolting back to present:
Me( him in the lonely dark road): Hey, how did you identify me after 16 long years.
He (smiled): Som, I Identified you by your voice.
What by my voice !!-after so.. long.. cant believe it….
He: YES..It sounds the same. When you were talking with your friend. I felt I knew this voice and couldn’t stop myself from inquiring.
Sixteen long years not enough to weaken our friendship.
We were both looking at each others face- completely moved to meet in such a way. The friend with me watched silently.
Finally with a few words- we exchanged our numbers with a promise to meet up sometime so….on.
A few minutes was just not enough to chat with such old friend..
With that… we two parted – me continuing with my walk towards the marriage reception hall.
This is not the end though:
Looking back, I feel..
How 5mins incident can change the whole way u feel..
Even a minute before the incident happened I was just eager to meet friends I had not met for a couple of months after a tiring day’s work..
But, meeting this person revived my enthu, took me back to my sweet childhood days.. I was elated beyond limit.. whole tiredness vanished into the thin air….
I kept recollecting the incident over and over again.. thinking with pleasure thank god:
It happened – there’s something of childhood still left in me- he had the strong ability to identify to something that long back in life (and could recognize me!! )….. the list continues..
From this, I developed a strong belief which I thought of sharing with you guys:
Friends are there to last… even if they are separated by time or distance … they are something you will always connect to…
So, guys keep making friends- not just for the present.. BUT also because,.. years later… they would be enough to relieve your tired minds in a matter of seconds …
