Thursday, 18 September 2014

42 YEARS LATER

I finished my schooling in 1972.  I was 18 years old then. After 1972, I did not meet any of my classmates, or teachers for a very long time.
In every period, there are some favorite teachers. For our class, we had 3 teachers whom all the students liked. They were; Malathi  madam – our English teacher, Meenakshi madam – our Science teacher and Susheela madam – our Geography teacher. The three of them were good at heart and kind to the students and very good at teaching. Therefore, they remained as everyone’s favorite.
I kept in touch with Malathi madam. Once I met her while travelling in the local transport, the Chennai bus. I used to talk with her by phone. I visited her, at her home, as it was close to my residence.
When one of my colleagues, Muthu, wanted to improve his English, I sent him to her. She gave him free tuition.
When another colleague had some health problems, I referred her to Meenakshi madam , who  was also a healer.
Susheela madam’s son was my age, and was a trainer. We met at times, and I used to enquire about her to him.
We had a dynamic classmate, Balakaanthan, who had settled in the USA. He was energetic, affectionate, and full of life. Every time he came to India, he used to meet all the classmates, with whom he  kept contact.
He organized  reunions a many times. He had also called me and had asked me to attend it. But I could not make it, as the schedules clashed with my work.
Finally this year, in 2014, almost 42 years later, I could make it to the reunion. None of us could recognize each other. We had changed so much in appearance. But, the voices remained the same. We recognized each other by the familiarity of our voices. It was a time for rejoicing. There was laughter, hugs, and recall of the golden old times. Our favorite teachers had come too. They too had aged, like us. But  Meenakshi madam ,  was looking unbelievably same; youthful, energetic and chirpy.  Along with the students, some of their parents and some of their children too had come to the reunion.
It was nice to be once again in the student mode.  The party ended by 11 PM. We had the group photo taken. It was mostly with all the oldies, all of us who had aged together, while sharing a common memory of a more pleasant and youthful days.
 

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