There, Here, Somewhere!

How quickly life changes! Here is a boy in Bangalore today, far away from his home, far away from any people he might have befriended over the past 20 years, not knowing where he shall be in another 20 days and yet, here he is, enjoying every moment of it. Credit to all his fellow colleagues, no lonely feeling has crept in yet! Flashback: April, 1987 – He distinctly remembers that horrible day his mom came to leave him alone with a crowd of similar-aged tiny tots and a sweet, nice looking young lady. How much he cried! Vividly he can recall that scene, when his mom promised that heart-broken soul an ice-cream, and promised to wait outside, and how that innocent soul believed all that, and promised to be a “good boy”!

How easily do human beings learn to identify with other fellow beings! How many times has it happened, when one befriends someone, only to learn that a school-change, or an entrance cut-off, or parents’ transfer, or placements have separated them both forever. Yet, new friends come one’s way, and “the show goes on”! Blossoms was the first school of this “good boy”. Although he used to dread going to school, especially after those long summer vacations, but once there, games like pakadan-pakadai, wish-amrit, chupan-chupai used to occupy his mind, and he used to forget all the bad dreams about school. He did make a few good friends – but only remembers and knows a couple today! He considers himself to be lucky to know them still. Anyways, as is the case in almost every child’s life, parents played villains, and decided to move him to a better school. He felt odd for a few days, but then got engrossed with clearing the “entrance exam” for that school, and forgot all about his friends and old school. A month down the line – and there he was, in a completely new environment, devoid of all old friends, classrooms, teachers and rickshaw-mates. Yet, it took only a few days before he started enjoying a new game with a brand new set of friends – playing cricket with aluminum foil made ball, and Tiffin box bat. And then began those wailings at home to pack lunch in aluminum foil!

Life seems to be a train-journey. We get a seat, befriend strangers in our compartment. Talk about things, until it is time for one of them to get down. Sometimes, some of them exchange seats. Sometimes, we have to exchange our seat and go to another compartment, meet new people (read: school change), and the whole cycle begins afresh! Sometimes, a few of them do not get seats, compartment gets overcrowded (read: new classmates), yet we adjust and befriend them and talk about stuff. Some become such good friends, that they continue to be in touch even after their journey assumes a path different from ours and they catch a different train (read: friends from old school). What is it that gives us this versatility, this adeptness to change so quickly? Then arises another question: Sometimes we take that extra step, to remain in touch with old classmates, friends - that extra mile to keep bonds with old friends intact. Why? Why not leave it to fate – if destiny has it, the different paths could meet someday, if not they might not meet ever?

Don’t curse me! I can’t live without raising questions and when have I given an answer to my own question! :P