MINUTES TOGETHER

Primary and middle school education was at a nearby school. Nearby means a walk of about 3 kms with a railway track thrown in between. Middle school was considered safe enough to allow us to move to and from school in groups. A young chap who was about six months younger to me was forced to study as my junior. Strange are the ways of the academicians who find persons born beyond a particular month mostly, August or September to wait one more year to enter the portals of a school. This young chap would walk about a km and a half to reach our residence and then we would move along together in a fashion which the present BPO vehicles move to pick co-students to ensure that there was an adequately huge group to block the whole road. Cycles were ruled out in those days since it was costly and considered more luxurious than a comfort.

The young chap was a good artiste and an entertainer par excellence. He could carry himself out in diverse roles such as Gandhi to a old woman a la Kamal Hassan in Dashavatara. His fancy dress outfits bowled over all judges and spectators alike. The first prize in these competitions appeared to have a bias towards him and would invariably sail towards him with ease. In retrospect, the guy had tremendous courage to don such outfits and also cock a snook at anyone who dared to even attempt a jeer at him.

He grew up into a handsome man with great abilities of the gift of the gab as well as histionics. He made a mark in the field of marketing and also in acting and had also dabbled on the administrative side by holding certain posts in a company. His sons too have inherited these genes and provide wholesome entertainment.

Friendship however is queer and the fun one has in the follies of one another carry greater treasure value than any of the feats or achievements. For example, I remember that I used to have a hell of a time to spell the word "together". It would be amusing for teachers, parents and friends that I could get the spelling of any other word in a shorter span rather than spell the word "together". Probably, this was an indication of my highly reticent and introvert behaviour. Similarly, this young guy would also have the persistent trouble in pronouncing the simple word "minute". He would invariably intervene in a conversation saying "One Nimit". But the greatest thing that came through was when he came down with his then "would be" to our place, it was such a surprise that he could just tell her how it was with us that he would say one nimit and recounted every minute(pun intended) detail of our association. There was pride in every folly and foible. Credit is due to the lady too who virtually lapped up every word. His was a novel way of engagement too. He conducted a entertainment programme for which he sold tickets and raised the fund from well wishers for the affair. The programme was a get together of all family and friends. The enterprise won him laurels and the wife he loved, loves and will continue to love.

If any one of you cannot believe this please do say " One nimit" and go through the blog again. You will have to see, hear and believe.