Never ask me what the word means. I had not heard of it until Khaja mailed me with this word in the subject. And this mail was about a grand getting together of lots of people from Johnson Grammar School – the 2002 batch.
Excited though I was upon receiving the mail, I was a little apprehensive about attending it. I am not really fond of meeting new people everyday, and not tons of them on the same day. Khaja’s mail had names which I had never even heard of. And these were supposed to be my schoolmates. Not only would it be awkward not recognizing them, it could become embarrassing if the other person recognized you.
Another reason that I did not want to attend was that none of my close friends from my section were coming. Almost everyone is in the USA, doing their masters, except perhaps two who are concentrating on their phds.
And a third reason was that if they start talking in telugu, I would be left all alone. Somehow, almost 16 years in Hyderabad, and I never managed to learn the language.
I tried talking myself out of the reunion, but I must admit, some part of me wanted to be there, to meet the people, to look at those faces which always brought a smile on my face. I perhaps wanted myself to miss the school and relive all the memories once again. The decision to go was thus finally made!
But amidst all these things, with the emotions gripping me, not letting me think properly, I forgot one basic factor – there were going to be lots of people, and that I would not know how to interact with so many unknown people!
Well, in my case, company matters a lot. I am not the same around everyone. I prefer small groups of people, with mostly known faces. That is when I am myself, being silly, childish and naive. But you include me in a group of 20 odd grown ups, who present themselves with dignity, with an aura of educated men and I’ll be confused. This was exactly the case on that fateful day. Shaking hands, greeting each other formally, introducing themselves, and I was wondering if these were friends meeting after a long time or me attending some Alumni meet.
Now the place chosen by Khaja was the school. The school! Its far away from anything remotely interesting in Hyderabad. But his intention was to meet our teachers first. So, we entered the school and started hunting down our teachers.
Anybody, anybody you find, just attack !! We are here for blood. There’s Shauri .. don’t you let go of him … Round him up .. See there Shivalingam .. Bug him … Gods of war arise … Ooh .. we have our new Principal in sight .. err .. but since she doesn’t know us, let her be .. The haunting Annapurna ma’am here .. But where’s Malathi ma’am .. ohh wait .. what did you hear .. has she moved out of the city ? .. so sad … but where are our other teachers .. dont let anyone escape .. we the tyrants are here … charge into the next building .. smoke out everybody … There comes Surya Kumari teacher .. we need more men .. reinforcements .. please .. But who is to deal with Vijay Gauri teacher .. we are split .. the divide and rule policy of teachers working again … and here comes Shanta ma’am .. now we are really stretched thin … Help !! Help !! Tattered banners and bloody flags … 21st century breakdown …
Production at any price
Admiration of those who earn
With blood on their hands
We will never learn
A gift of today’s world
Heroes to us, heroes to us, heroes to us
Heroes to us, heroes to us, heroes to us
Tired from our assault, we decided to climb up the stairs and rest our aching bodies. Into the classrooms we escaped. Photos we merrily clicked, playing out a scene from a classroom.
All the merry making had tired everybody. A lunch buffet was voted and we started for the place on bikes. Luckily, there were more seats than people. A mister Karthik Sharma took me to the 100 Degrees on his Pulsar. I must admit here that he drives very safe, not at all how you would expect a guy with Pulsar 150 to ride.
And this is again where we slip into the grown up costume. The lunch for me was a subdued affair. I was already half desiring to run away. A few scoops of ice-creams later and we were all done and ready to leave. There were lots of photo shoots then. People got busy saying farewells. Hmm .. I did not see anybody cry. Well, people have matured atleast.
Well, I don’t really think this was how I would have liked to meet my friends – ever. I am hoping to meet them again, but few at a time, and certainly without any formality. I want the meetings to be fun, fun like freaking out crazy. This is how I have always imagined a get-together with friends from school. Till that day, I wait.
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