THE REUNION
All of us know what joy a reunion brings…meeting people after ages.
My class reunion was scheduled on January 8Th this year. It was announced a month ago and the venue decided was Chennai. When I first heard the news, I liked the idea but still thought, ‘Should I go all the way to Chennai (a nine hour journey from coimbatore) just for a get together?’ I had to get my parents’ consent and book a ticket. When I first told my mom about it, she was all advising. I knew not everyone would turn up and my absence would not make any difference. Then Joanna, my classmate, called up and asked if I had plans to go to the reunion. She told she’d join me if I was going. I finally got permission from my mom. Now, it was ours to plan the rest. Joanna and I decided to go together. Luckily, our tickets got confirmed. The only thing I worried about was how I'd get permission if we had our review that day. We had our project review coming up for which the date was not confirmed. By the end of December, it was announced that we had days to work on our projects till the 17th of January. Wow! I could make it. I was excited and began making plans. My friends at the hostel know how excited I was… like I began exercising every morn to burn a few calories. I often called up my classmates and made sure they would attend the reunion. If people gave excuses, I tried persuading them (well, nothing worked as many dint turn up at the last moment).
Joanna and I met on seventh of January. We had a nice evening…we shopped and had dinner together. We hardly had an eye on our watches and reached the station the moment the train arrived. We reached Chennai very early next morning that we had to wait for our friends who joined us in a couple of hours. We took a nap as we awaited their arrival. By seven, Ann Navina gave a ring and we had a little difficulty spotting each other in the crowd. I even waved to a stranger who gave me a weird look L.I apologised and continued the search for my classmate. We finally met…after a decade. Ann’s hair was tied up and the lovely curls rested on her shoulders. I liked those curls. We had a cup of tea and started out of the station to meet the rest of our classmates.
The little group headed to a hotel for breakfast. We wanted to say a Grace reminiscing the good old days at school, where we were taught to say a Grace before every meal. We dint say though. Breakfast was done and we hurried to the van which would take us to our destination, SU campsite, Mahabalipram. The journey on the East Coast Road was great. We were moving away from the city, the coastlines were in view, the sea breeze blew past our faces and the clouds hid the sun making the weather all the more pleasant. By eleven, we reached the venue. In a group of twenty, we were just three girls. We still made a good company. We had lots to chatter…recalled the quarrels and naughty acts we did at school. In a short while, Nightingale and Getsy joined us.
After lunch we gathered under a shade. The guys led the worship. We sang a few songs we used to sing at school…like ‘the blind man sat by the road and he cried’, ‘O sinner man’, ‘red, yellow, black and white’. All of us shared how God had led us this far. It was good to hear what everyone had to say. I loved the fellowship.
It was decided we spend the evening at the beach which was less than an hour’s drive from the camp. There were rocks (not that high) to climb and I wished I had worn a pair of jeans like the other girls. We had fun clicking pictures (many were trying to click good shots. It could be their next profile picture on face bookJ J). A few let the waves sweep their feet while the rest bathed in the sea. We left the beach as the sun was going down. We returned to the camp and packed our paraphernalia. We left the camp bidding adieu to all and thanking God for the wonderful day we had. The day was gone…so soon. All I hold now are memories which can be cherished every time I reminisce those good times.
Nostalgic :)Time flies by. But you guys should stay in touch and continue cherishing those good old days.
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