Learning Life - II.

The last weekend was different than any weekend in the last decade. I met a friend from high school after ten years. I was thrilled to meet her. The plan was to meet at Hotel Saravana Bhavan in the bay area. As I reached HSB, we called back and forth to identify ourselves in the huge crowd waiting for seating. Finally, we met and there were smiles and “hi”s all along. It was amazing that we were meeting thousands of miles away after ten years.

After a brief period of nervous smiles and introductions (to her husband and my friends who came along), we dove straight into the memorable years of school. We talked about life at school, our classmates, teachers, tuition, exams and a lot more. I have had such conversations with my long time friends who I am still in excellent touch with since school but this conversation felt different and much more fun.

This was not just about beaming back in time and recalling the wonderful times but I was also looking back at myself then. I realized that I am not the same person I used to be. Time and society does have remarkable transformation in life. Back then, I was a little boy trying to fit into the top few academically or otherwise, never really there on top nor too far behind either. Introvert to the core and not easy to befriend. I was reserved in several ways and had very little curio to look over the walls. I stuck to my group of friends and was contented with what I had. At least that is what I see when I look back through the time warp at myself about ten years ago.

Now, it is different and I am different. I am as inquisitive and curious as the crow that looked down the barrel of the gun. I have become much more animated and unreserved. I feel more comfortable with new people around and I feel I earn their trust quicker and concreter (is that a word? :P).

While learning about myself was intriguing, knowing how our old school friends are doing and what they are up to was as much fun as having cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory or pancakes at the International house of pancakes. Most girls and not many guys were married, some are working, some are dedicated to their little ones, some are more pious and some are more whacky. The one who loved chocolate ice creams anytime of the day is devoted 24 x 7 to her little kid. The one who distributed the savories to the class from the teacher’s drawer while she was asleep is now writing codes in Europe.

People have changed with time and changes are dramatic. Life is so complex and time makes it even complicated. But looking back at life is not only memorable, but also makes one recognize the decisions made and the impacts they had on self and others around. It makes one wonder what is in store for the future. Life is worth living. Learn to live as you live life.