Not a post on Liposuction or debate between Ambani baby’s
diet VS Bariatric. Then you may wonder how the 25 years melt? Well, thankfully
we are living in an age where reunions are a rage. And 25
th year of
passing out of a school is HUGE. A milestone that one wants to celebrate
reliving some moments and making some memories.
After school i visited the campus a couple of years later and
came back with a heavy heart. The corridors that we owned, the places we
frequented, the classes that now housed a different unknown set of students
made me realize the transient nature of life. And the cyclic nature of life. It
was almost like I was watching the scenes in school like a distant witness.
However, a 25th anniversary called for a going
back to the same corridors that have witnessed our growing from children to
young adults. After all these are the corridors that have witnessed our first
crushes, giggling phases and so much more. To give the devils the due, had it
not been for the immense drive of Kapil and Sandeep this reunion would have
just remained a dream. These two stood like rocks and pillars driving the
arrangements, recreating the nostalgia, planning on ground, taking commitments
from a now non-committal generation and eventually executing it like a dream. I
think both of them got reunited so many times just to get the plan going, they
almost became a couple and I am sure are suffering major withdrawal symptoms
now that the event has seen a super closure.
The teachers were invited, gifts were wrapped, small
introduction speeches were made, some teachers who were not present were
remembered fondly. What was funny was digging into collective consciousness and
realizing that though we were all together the take aways were as different as
they were the same. Mona, who had been entrusted with the task of inviting
teachers couldn’t get over the fact that this was the longest relaxed
conversation that she had made with the teachers ever. Ashish kept recalling
anecdotes while intros were on and even enacted a small scene from a skit that
was performed well more than 25 years ago. Infact Mrs. Sharma who had written
the dialogues was amazed at the recall. Mr. Bharti, Suman Khanna mam, the ever
gorgeous Mrs Geelani, the voracious Mrs Lumb, the reticent Krishna mam and others
kept laughing and indulging and I am sure were equally proud in the knowing that
their students have fared well.
However, some things never change like the awesome chutney
with the bread rolls. Most of our celebratory occasions were marked with a
treat of these and this was no different. Vivek Ahuja sent a cake all the way
from Canada. Vikram Kalra a student of class ’83 sent inscribed personalized mugs
for all of us as gifts, what was heart breaking was that his wife was in the
ICU and he told Rachna Pant mam to hand over these mugs to each one of us
individually, our hearts went out to his situation.
A fond farewell to the teachers, a round trip of the school and
collection of house t-shirts later we all proceeded to Buzz where the
sundowners awaited. Loud, dark and noisy that was the mood and it became only
better with Mojitos, beer and more alcohol flowing. Ashish had a title for
everyone who was present and that added to the spice. A question that evoked
most oohs and aahs came from Namrata aka Rinku and that was who had a crush on
whom? The responses evoked many ceetees and cheering, ah I am so dying to jot
down the responses but well…What Happened at Buzz Stays at Buzz.
Lokesh took the responsibility of clicking pictures and man
he did a wonderful job, prompt posting too. Kapil was seen nodding his head
with eyes shut like as if a huge task at hand was now successfully wrapped up.
Maninder was teased mercilessly on his comment of “jawan ho gya”, laughter
roared over the din of the music. Shivani was most particular about her drink
and sent the guy back with gyan on how to make it. Must comment that she was
most gracious and sporting when teased by Lokesh. Alok Matta’s dancing
transported me to the reckless era of our bachpan, of course I am not
commenting who his crush was, psst: hint she was present. Rinku as always
peppered up the talks and the gathering with her infectious giggles and smart
comments. Ritu of course again like always was happy being part of the gang and
quietly without creating a noise just soaked in everything. Sudhir’s efforts of
always showing up and supporting were much appreciated, as was the huge efforts
of having put it all together by Kapil and Sandeep. Neeraj told us about why in
Sweden he couldn’t call sweet dish that cause it sounded so like Swedish.
Hemant jain kept wondering till the end who me and Mona were? Sandeep kept the
smirks up and yes without “skirting” the issue, we got to know how much the
length of the skirts were noticed. Ah well, the secrets that spilled out from
the boy gang are notorious enough to not be disclosed publicly. A few drinks
down and all we wanted was some Bolly tadka music to shake our booties too,
nagin dance included.
Those who were there missed those who weren’t there, but
those who weren’t there Missed it all. However, the absentees were thoroughly
remembered and talked about and we know that they were with us in spirits. And that’s
what matters isn’t it?
Bachpan wali feeling. Keep the inner child glowing and keep
spreading the happiness. Hoping to meet in larger strengths soon! Amen.
