"Hey! The Annual Day is on 22nd!"
22/08/08, Friday, Chennai.
I got up thinking about the fact that I've gotta attend the special classes that evening in the college. And attending it would see me reach home only by 7. I would be terribly late to attend the celebration thereafter! Hoping for the best that day I left for the college...... During class hours I had a feeling that i was developing a sense of flu and wasn't definitely feeling good. It was surely developing into a cold. Things are getting worse now! But it was only after college that I realised that i had a reason to bunk the special class. This is what happened....
03:00pm - The bell rings. The college is over. I am confused whether to attend the extra class or not!
03:05pm - I go searching for the Mathematics Mam to inform her that I wasn't feeling well and that I am leaving! Found her atlast...
Me: Mam I'm feeling sick, seems like I have a fever!
Mam: So?
Me: I'm not staying for the class!
Mam: Even I'm not staying for the class!!!
Me: Mam?????!
Mam: The other Sir is taking the class today. I'm leaving too. So you better inform him and the H.O.D and leave.
Me: But Mam, I don't have sufficient time. The bus is gonna leave in 5 minutes!
Mam: But rules are rules right? Inform them atleast if not through a letter.
Me: Alright Mam. Thank you!
03:10pm - In the H.O.D room (with a pitiable face)
Me: Good evening Sir, I'm suffering from fever, so I need to leave now.
H.O.D: Produce it in a letter and get my attestation!
Me: Sir, but I don't have time. The bus is about to leave.....
H.O.D: Okay! I'll take care about it. Don't forget to produce a letter tomorrow. You can leave now!
(Sucker! He needs a letter for everything!)
Me: Thank you!
03:15pm - I ran in a haste to my classroom to pack up my things and hurried towards the bus with a friend of mine. He was patient enough to wait for me.
And yes! I'll be home early and I shall go for the annual day! My health condition is not gonna stop me anyway.....
05:00pm - I reach home and went straight towards the bed. I badly needed a rest so that I can boost up my energy for the night!
06:30pm - Abhishek promised that he will take me along with him in his bike. I felt more relaxed since I need not take the tiring bus journey which would be a 45 minute travel. I got up from bed and started to get ready. Bharani and Pramod messaged me that they'll join us right there. It was gonna be fun!
07:00pm - I take my bike towards Abhishek's house to join him! (Note that I don't have a license and hence I can't be driving through the city!)
07:10pm - He was waiting outside and I parked my vehicle and jumped onto his. We hurried towards the school!
07:25pm - 1 message received.
Aishwarya: Hey have you reached the school? Shall I leave now or what? Come near the fancy store and pick me up. I can't come alone in the dark streets!
Me: Yeah okay! I'll be waiting.
07:30pm - She soon came and parked her vehicle nearby. We started walking towards the school! And the streets were indeed so dark! But how come in Anna Nagar????
Pramod had already reached there and so were Nandhini and Monica. Abhishek was busy with the other guys whom he knew enquiring about their college life and studies. Nandhini gave me a call and told where she actually was in the crowd. I headed towards them along with Aishu and Pramod. As usual we set our chairs in a circular fashion and started our conversation.....
Bharani calling......
Bharani calling......
Bharani: Macha, come to the fancy store da I'll be there in minutes. (But, no he's not afraid of the dark!)
Me: Haha! Sure da!
I once again went towards the landmark and received him! He's now a muscled guy working out in the gym. But he hasn't changed as a friend though....The only guy whom we missed was Vinodh. He had been to Bangalore to attend his cousin's marriage. We both once again joined our gang and started our work. I met Aparna in person for the first time, my orkut friend who too was in the same batch and also studies in the same college of mine. We never knew each other when we were in school!
Pramod then joined Abhishek and was doing the rounds. Myself, Bharani, Nandhini, Monica and Aishu shared lighter moments and were recollecting our school days, those funny happenings in the class and those never-told-anyone secret crushes! hehe! Indeed those were moments to treasure! Then about the college life and other stuff. Our all time bubbly baby Monica was unusually silent, she took some time to bring herself back to action. hehe! And then............
Wooooooooooooooooooooooooo Woooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!
The power went off and the whole area was pitch dark! The whole school erupted woooooing among different gangs including us. This is the first time I experienced such a thing! Terrific atmosphere...... Then in few minutes the school managed to light the stage and the speakers alone were working with the help of a generator. Then, the power for the entire area was back in 15 minutes!
Gowri joined us after some time and apologised for coming late since she had a symposium in her college. Ganesh joined us too for a while. Our gang was getting bigger and better! We then started to meet our teachers and indeed they remembered us. Our sanskrit sir still remained a bachelor! Haha! Abhishek was mistaken as guy working in a company because he was looking too formal. He came along with his helmet in hand and he indeed looked like one professional! We met our other friends and there was a guy who had been out of control after he had joined the college. He blames it on the college environment and his friends! Disappointing to hear.....
09:00pm - We joined together once again after meeting the teachers and the program was getting over. National Anthem. NCC boy Bharani was erect. Too erect! Well......
We moved out of the school and we kept talking in the streets for almost yet another half-an-hour. Monica bid farewell! But it seemed like our conversations aren't gonna end that easily. Pramod came up asking how do you guys manage to talk for hours....? Friendship matters a lot. Not the time!
09:30pm - Nandhini started and Aishu joined her. Ganesh too was ready to move! Abhishek took his friend to drop him in his home and would be back soon. Myself, Pramod and Bharani stood waiting for Abhishek and he arrived after few minutes. Bharani took the bus since he felt that he misses the route. The city bus had a major role to play throughout his school life! I came along with Pramod in his bike. We cruised through the streets taking shortcuts avoiding the main road and also the policemen.(He wasn't wearing a helmet) Abhishek followed us.
10:00pm - Reached home atlast! Had my supper. And remembered that.....
I HAVE FLU!
Felt sick once again and I fell on the bed!
The day which we waited for a long time was indeed a memorable one. We may have moved away in different directions, but still we stay connected and this is the only day which connects every one of us together. And this happens only once in a year! I just pray to God that we all stay in touch forever. It just feels like heaven when I am in their company and I treasure them a lot. Love you lots my friends! :)
