First of all the title of this blog – should I call it part 2 or season 2? I prefer season 2 with the hope that there will be many more seasons just like our daily soaps and reality shows that always keep coming back with different twists.
The part 2 of school reunion took some time to happen but it did happen. Some of us just dint want to bid farewell to 2016 without the second reunion. So after much planning and speculating and collapsing of the plans nothing seemed to be happening. Something or the other cropped forcing us to shelve our plans.
When we reached the fag end of the year and had given up hopes of a reunion in 2016 after the successful first reunion in 2015 we were all invited to the marriage of one of our friend’s daughter. So this became the reason for us to meet again. The wedding was again in the same town where we had all grown together studying in the same alma mater.
But again like the previous year not all of us could make it but those who could did it. Even if we were a handful it still meant a reunion of old friends or old memories of old days but of young hearts.
We have to thank this modern technology which keeps us in touch on day to day basis through whatsapp. If not for this we would never have met, never have known the joy of meeting childhood friends again.
I recall the story by Ruskin Bond ‘The meeting Pool’ in which three friends decide to meet at their favourite haunt – the pool after 10 years. They fix a date ten years on but except for Ruskin none of his other friends turn up. Apparently they have forgotten or something else happened. But those days they did not have any means of communication except snail mail (letters) and that too was not a regular feature which is why old friends never met up much after their paths had parted. And those who promised to meet like Bond and his friends never turned up and there were no reunions of friends. I remember vividly how sad I felt when I read that story for Bond who came to their fixed spot on the fixed date and waited in vain for his friends and went away sadly recalling those bygone days. In fact I still feel bad whenever I recall that story. But our story did not shape up that way, thanks to providence. (And to modern technology, again lol).
However the 2nd reunion was different. Dressed in finery we gathered to bless the bride and groom whose pair was the cutest ever. While all the invitees were busy watching the wedding process we friends were busy catching up with each other and bursting into laughter now and then while people around perhaps wondered, what’s with these women? Dressed as ladies but behaving as ‘kool kids’. Still crazy after all those years!!!
There was an orchestra playing at the wedding and on our request the orchestra played a song of eternal friendship of school buddies.
After the wedding we gathered at the place where we were put up for more chatting, jokes and more catching up. We counted the friends who had missed this reunion and hoped they were in our midst now. And some of them parted as they could spare only a day. The rest of us few in number but great in spirit gathered for supper. And later in the warmth of our lodging rooms where the numbers had dwindled again leaving only 5 of us sharing a 5 bedded room.
And since the number was less the proximity was more and through the night we talked sharing our painful experiences from the past after passing out of school and graduating to a new life. Stories of pain caused by prolonged illness were shared through tears and the hugs that were due from old friends as only these hugs could reassure and heal even after the years.
Someone has rightly said, a hug by old friend is all we need when we are down and broken. Or just to feel alright. Sharing your pain with a friend is definitely a healing process.
Long through the night we talked sharing our experiences and wisdom garnered over the years. These midnight conversations drew us more close which I do not think is really possible through the whatsapp.
In the morning we parted after breakfast back to our routine life with its responsibilities kissing sad goodbyes. Time spent with old friends – is precious. Nothing can beat it.
‘Every parting is a form of death, as every reunion is a type of heaven’ – Tryon Edwards
Till we meet again to experience another type of heaven for the Reunion – season 3 or is it part 3? What do you say girls??
First of all the title of this blog – should I call it part 2 or season 2? I prefer season 2 with the hope that there will be many more seasons just like our daily soaps and reality shows that always keep coming back with different twists.
The part 2 of school reunion took some time to happen but it did happen. Some of us just dint want to bid farewell to 2016 without the second reunion. So after much planning and speculating and collapsing of the plans nothing seemed to be happening. Something or the other cropped forcing us to shelve our plans.
When we reached the fag end of the year and had given up hopes of a reunion in 2016 after the successful first reunion in 2015 we were all invited to the marriage of one of our friend’s daughter. So this became the reason for us to meet again. The wedding was again in the same town where we had all grown together studying in the same alma mater.
But again like the previous year not all of us could make it but those who could did it. Even if we were a handful it still meant a reunion of old friends or old memories of old days but of young hearts.
We have to thank this modern technology which keeps us in touch on day to day basis through whatsapp. If not for this we would never have met, never have known the joy of meeting childhood friends again.
I recall the story by Ruskin Bond ‘The meeting Pool’ in which three friends decide to meet at their favourite haunt – the pool after 10 years. They fix a date ten years on but except for Ruskin none of his other friends turn up. Apparently they have forgotten or something else happened. But those days they did not have any means of communication except snail mail (letters) and that too was not a regular feature which is why old friends never met up much after their paths had parted. And those who promised to meet like Bond and his friends never turned up and there were no reunions of friends. I remember vividly how sad I felt when I read that story for Bond who came to their fixed spot on the fixed date and waited in vain for his friends and went away sadly recalling those bygone days. In fact I still feel bad whenever I recall that story. But our story did not shape up that way, thanks to providence. (And to modern technology, again lol).
However the 2nd reunion was different. Dressed in finery we gathered to bless the bride and groom whose pair was the cutest ever. While all the invitees were busy watching the wedding process we friends were busy catching up with each other and bursting into laughter now and then while people around perhaps wondered, what’s with these women? Dressed as ladies but behaving as ‘kool kids’. Still crazy after all those years!!!
There was an orchestra playing at the wedding and on our request the orchestra played a song of eternal friendship of school buddies.
After the wedding we gathered at the place where we were put up for more chatting, jokes and more catching up. We counted the friends who had missed this reunion and hoped they were in our midst now. And some of them parted as they could spare only a day. The rest of us few in number but great in spirit gathered for supper. And later in the warmth of our lodging rooms where the numbers had dwindled again leaving only 5 of us sharing a 5 bedded room.
And since the number was less the proximity was more and through the night we talked sharing our painful experiences from the past after passing out of school and graduating to a new life. Stories of pain caused by prolonged illness were shared through tears and the hugs that were due from old friends as only these hugs could reassure and heal even after the years.
Someone has rightly said, a hug by old friend is all we need when we are down and broken. Or just to feel alright. Sharing your pain with a friend is definitely a healing process.
Long through the night we talked sharing our experiences and wisdom garnered over the years. These midnight conversations drew us more close which I do not think is really possible through the whatsapp.
In the morning we parted after breakfast back to our routine life with its responsibilities kissing sad goodbyes. Time spent with old friends – is precious. Nothing can beat it.
‘Every parting is a form of death, as every reunion is a type of heaven’ – Tryon Edwards
Till we meet again to experience another type of heaven for the Reunion – season 3 or is it part 3? What do you say girls??
13 comments:
I have gone through your down-the-memory-line blog titled school-reunion-season-2. You tackled the intro the middle and the conclusion with eplomb. You have a unique style of yours own - a bit meloncholic though but impressive nevertheless. You have calibre to write a regular column in a ladies page of a newspaper or magazine turning regular banter of old friends or common life events into stories with a touch of human interest. Such stories are read by many with keen interest. I felt sorry to find a tinge of strange sadness in your piece betraying the ups and downs of life. Your narration is such that a reader could feel present throughout the happenings. Its truly impressive. Why dont you narrate other regular incidents of your life. Why only the season series? Keep writing on daily life events. Congrats for such an impressive write-up.
Lovely blog dear friend. Very well written. ��
No one could beat u then in school,or even now in ur writting.Hats off to u.like some one told u in the comments...y dont u write more often.wud love to read.try ur hand in humour which is hidden deep down.watch out Twinkle khanna...my frend is cming.😀
oh its unknown....not really m latha
No one could beat u then in school,or even now in ur writting.Hats off to u.like some one told u in the comments...y dont u write more often.wud love to read.try ur hand in humour which is hidden deep down.watch out Twinkle khanna...my frend is cming.😀
Awesome as always Niki, keep the good words flowing..
Thank you Hussain, Latha, Geetu, Laikh for your encouraging words. Shall write more often as suggested...
Awesome blog, i am so jealous, you at least have some friends with whom you can share, we are the unlucky ones who are left behinds.
Fatima N, overwhelmed by your heart-warming experience. The lucid but touching style you have adopted to recount the event made your piece all the more readable and appealing. Words were pouring out straight from your heart. Hands off to your group that has revived its bond after such a long time. Cherish it all your life, it will prove an asset and give you strength. They will stand you in good stead in in crucial times. Looking forward to read your childhood memories as well. I too have have interesting childhood experiences and anecdotes but unfortunately am not as lucky to share them with those who could value them today. All my school friends have gone into oblivion. All the best for your career and blog.
Marvellous.
Very touching.
Assalamualikum, Nice attempt Fatima
Very lovely piece of writing Nik - the content, the straightforward narrative style and the joyful-sentimental-emotional bits that only friends can experience with each other were all there. Its good that the bonding is still there, I feel happy for you. As they say - friends are the family that we choose. They are indeed life's great blessings.
The Ruskin Bond short story added its own charm. And finally, yes, technology has connected us like never before. Another blessing..
Keep writing Nik, dont you lose this blessing of yours
Thank you for your encouraging comments Nasiruddin,Rasheed Bhai, Fahad, ZAhiruddin and Sharifa. Indeed I am blessed that I have friends from childhood and we are connected.
@ K Rasheeduddin I hope you will find our old friends soon. But please do write your experiences there are others who connect with the same types of experiences.
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