Raison D'Etre

Life went on as usual. Once in the groove, it had the stereotype Monday to Friday schedule, most of which would be in school, listening to lectures, completing assignments or working in teams on presentations. The axiom of friendship between the trio of Sameer, Riya & Anamika stood still at times, as each would be busy with their respective team members. Sometimes, they would resort to catching up on phone, G'Talk or Skype. At other times, they would head out to usual joints for their chat in recluse. On campus, Subway was also a twice-a-month destination for Sameer and Riya. More than sharing things and exchanging thoughts, the probity in their friendship gained ground in leaps and bounds, each passing day. Some usual fun moments on campus could be proliferated thus:-

'Olives'-Branch Odyssey!!!!

Sameer patiently waited at home for Riya's arrival. She had promised to take him to Kroger for groceries and other provisions. He was away for almost a month and needless to say, all he could lay his hands on in the refrigerator, were a few packets of frozen food. Having greeted each other, they headed out towards Clifton in Riya's blue sedan. A little ahead, she stopped by to pick Kashish, another classmate and friend, who was trudging along Jefferson Rd. Incidentally, Kashish & Prithesh were one of Riya's first friends at school whom she had helped and taken for shopping in the initial days. The serenity inside the car was suddenly obliterated by a strong aroma which almost ripped apart Sameer's nostrils. Kashish seemed to be drenched in an entire bottle of cologne. Sameer was taken aback when Riya turned around and mentioned to Kashish, "Hey that's smelling so good, what brand is it? I want to get the same for Adarsh". Sameer looked out and giggled away in privy. Although enough reason to exacerbate her with, Sameer decided to wait for an opportune moment.

Riya was very scrupulous of how she went about things, be it her assignments, building strategies to usurp the best grades or buying things from store. This was an added help for Sameer as it evinced that he wouldn't waste money on unwanted things. In school she was the only one who could exercise the liberty of correcting or reprimanding him and she could care less if he felt odious. Somehow, Sameer too felt a sense of one's own, when she took him to task. For him, to bask in the glory of this friendship was truly precious.

True to life, their friendship wasn't devoid of its share of the usual ups and downs. Once there was a misunderstanding between the two and all they would exchange for a couple of days was a mere wry smile. On the fourth day, it culminated in a spat in the basement of their school. What was amusing was the fact that both found it difficult to carry on being ill-at-ease with each other for more than a day. Eyes moistened and their voices broke. In sullen aggression, Riya asked, "Don't you know I don't have many friends here in school other than you and Anamika?" Sameer was only too glad to make amends and Riya suggested a celebration of the 'reunion' at Olives with Adarsh, in the evening. Little did Sameer realize that would be the beginning of a long trail of future visits to this place for the trio. Irrespective of whether to make-up after a spat or catch up on good times, the umpteen number of visits to Olives that Sameer, Riya & Adarsh together had, bore testimony to their lookout for something more than a mere 'olive branch'. Each of their joint visits assured them of a state of euphoria, away from the binding etiquette of school, twining their ephemeral moments to a strong eternal friendship!!!! 

Miss U, My Son!!

Sameer was back at Houston. He was glad being able to spend 3 weeks at home in Hyderabad, with Simba, Mansi and his Parents. At the same time, monotony of daily routine ahead pushed him to the verge of a shudder. Yes, there was Sarika, Priti & Riya and their respective families around him, but they too had their own lives and priorities to be taken care of. With solitude and boredom for entourage, his thoughts were devoid of purpose or direction. Once he sallied out of India this time, Sameer was unsure of how soon he would be able to head home. With obnoxious thoughts pounding hard, he laid his rattled mind and tired brains to forceful rest. As he closed his eyes, the melancholy of internal verses made him realize that he missed many a thing, foremost of which was his Son's presence and touch. Desperation and longing for Simba's company vented out in a trickle of words that exhumed Sameer's pain, laying bare the gash, deep within .

Alone in a solitary hamlet

Vying with yearnings & thoughts

No dear ones in the vicinage

Only good memories held aloft

The ire of feelings

Covered by the selvage of patience

Raking up a glimmer of hope

Through this semantic pretence

A human mind so forlorn

Craving for a soothing touch to embalm

Hope is all but a mirage

And none to make me calm

Human relations so intense

With hedonic feelings to soothe

But a journey in solitude

Is life’s eternal truth

It’s been a while thus far

Simba, with you in my thought

Wish you could be here with me

Since I miss you a lot!!!