i wake up, shower, get dressed. new clothes that i havent worn since i left home. home. where was that again? back in delhi? mumbai? lonavala? well, its manipal now. for the next couple of years.
it seems like home more than ever now, because i have people to hate here. people to avoid in the corridoors. people that make me cringe when they get too close. class is an adventure, a search for the perfect seat where none of them are in my direct line of sight.
today seems like a better day too. fresher. promises of a long lost friend speak to me of comfort.
interact is deserted when i walk in. ten minutes early. i lounge around on the staricase, waiting. i see him 2 minutes before class begins. 7:58 by my (interact synchronised) cell phone clock. he's walking up the stairs, talking to someone i think i've met before.
just seeing him again makes me feel lighter. like someone's sharing the burden. or atleast distracting me from its heavy weight. he spots me finally and breaks into a smile.
im sure he's going to say 'you look good, dj', thats always the first thing he says to me when we meet after a long while. but there's no time. class starts NOW and we both have to run.
but i reach out, and he understands. he leans in for a hug. a long one, about ten seconds, oblivious to the chattering crowds rushing past. i feel the warmth of friendship, compassion and understanding seep into my skin. and in that moment i am happy again.
transformed for a second. strong in the knowledge that he'll be there when i'll need someone to fall back on...
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