NAUKA

It was an arbitrary thought, sparked off by a casual conversation between two old friends who'd not been as close as they'd be by the end of the trip. Kabbu and I were batchmates in Baha'i and so were Anoop, Nandi and Ujjwal. Of the four, I'd been closer to Nandi and Ujjwal. In fact, I was not at all close to the other two. Anoop, I personally used to find a little too snobbish. Just how prejudiced a human mind can get!

When we came up with the idea of a reunion, it was envisaged at a scale larger than what it turned out to be. However, at the end of it, each felt that it couldn't had been better. It wasn't easy, of course. At times, we faltered. There were two basic impediments—cash and leaves. Kabbu was going to manage the leaves anyhow, and I needed a desparate break. Anoop and Ujjwal, however, were finding it difficult to manage their managers. Nandi had her own problems. Finally, for the good of it, everything was settled—I killed my dead grandfather, Ujjwal and Kabbu became ill, Anoop was honest, though not for long. He later fractured Ujjwal's hands and hospitalized him to extend his own leave.

Anoop also paid for our flight tickets to Bangalore. I don't know if it's because I started my first air trip without paying for it, I haven't had to spend my own money for any of my air travels till date. Get me a wood! But before this happened, we'd to decide upon the destination. It'd to be affordable and easily accessible—easy enough for people from Sikkim, Delhi, Bombay and Bangalore to manage. But once Prashant, Udai, and some others opted out, the five of us decided on Bangalore. Kerala had long been on my list of tavel destinations and I let the idea seep into Kabbu's mind. She spoke to Nandi and suddenly, we were all set for Kovalam. Ujwal and I reached Bangalore on Friday night and the next evening we were on the bus to Kovalam, much to the annoyance of the elders in the bus as we were creating a raucous there. Already, we were the best of pals.

The next few days were full of fun as we cooked, ate, drank, and played. We were back in school!

Coming back was tough, emotionally. We promised each other to meet once a year no matter what. We failed to keep the promise as Anoop flew to Shanghai, Ujjwal started his momo business, and Kabbu left for Gangtok. Though we've managed to meet each other after the trip, it was never with all of us together.

Though we don't mail or speak to each other every week or every month, I know we remember each other every now and then.

P.S.: The reunion took place almost three years ago and I'd written this a few months later. Today, it found its place here with minor necessary updates.