Kabini, as beautiful as ever!
2 birthdays, 2 friends.. 2 very different days
Exactly a year ago, I wrote a similar article about the same people. Time flies by, people change, surroundings change but friends and feelings hardly wither.
Uday still doesn't care about his birthday so I didn't waste my balance.. though I wished him I hoped that ManU wins on his birthday (which did happen!). And Uday still remains indifferent to wishes... :P. Well, thats him.. that the fellow I have always known. Now its 13 years and counting. This entry is about my other friend...
For the other, Bhavani, I had bought a card 364 days back and have been carrying it along with me to all the places I have visited. I couldn't get a gift for her... no reasons, just didn't know what to give. In the last one year, several things had happened... she chose to take up a job. I am touch with her but its never the same we were. We are no longer team-mates at the voluntary work, we no longer have chats over nights, no ice creams and coffee treats. We have moved on in our careers but I am still stuck at Satheesh's lab for the team meetings, Coffee day for the treats, Higginbothams for buying books for the library at Natham, British Council for taking membership, OAT for watching movies with other gang.. the list would go on. Not complaints.. just memories!
On April 18th, when I was travelling between Sargur and Mysore.. I was still having the card with me.. too late! I found out that there was a bus travelling from Mysore to Trivandrum and 2 tickets were left... GAME ON. Within moments, I decided to travel 750 km to deliver the card and meet my friend. That evening I found myself travelling in the last seat of the bus. It was a wonderful journey.. I always enjoy travelling and this has been my best. I have never felt so emotional or never has any trip brought back so many memories. When I did reach the place after a few hiccups and over 14hrs of travel, I finally saw her running from place to place in the bank.
I sat down and started reading a book... for almost two hours I was there but she never noticed me. When I saw her settle down in her chair... "Excuse me ma'am... your card". A flash of silence... I couldn't speak anything. I think that was the best feeling of a reunion I have ever had. She was equally surprised. I left the place immediately and we met later after the office hours for some time. And then I started back...
That was it. Nothing special happened.. but I came back with a heavy heart. I could barely sleep all night - I just didn't want to have only memories, I knew thats what I would be left with. I traveled over 1500km to meet my friend on her birthday. No one has so far asked me if I was insane after this incident (I have been careful not to tell such people). I know I am not, I have just had the best journey of my life - through the green, hilly landscapes of Wayanad, through the memorable days at college.
We have never been friends for long, we have never been long lost friends. We have just been special friends. Bhavani's blankness, when she saw me, is going to stay with me for a long time. I can never write about my happiness and satisfaction about meeting my friends. But, why not try... I might just inspire myself to meet another friend. Promises made, promises kept and promises to come.
I just love all my friends... some people are just too special. Always for them.
--buddi
1942
21-04-2010
Went and came back in the same bus
