Raju meets Saraswati

In the run for living, world has become very busy and contractual. And the nature is revolting in various shapes and forms devastating lives. When the neighbour cries a part of you stands to empathize and rest once more starts running behind the lust for power and pleasure. Yes, only a few have thankless time for others. In the spree of giving others happiness often they give right gift, right time and turn them precious.

It was early summer 1992. Yes, I distinctly remember. Am sure many of my generation would remember the ‘Dhak Dhak Karne Laga…’ fever. I was by then familiar with the home demographics of my close friend in the engineering college. She was a semi day scholar; I say so as she used to stay with her grandparents way away from her home where her parents lived. Off course a generation break creates a sense of sweet indulgence that only grand relations know it the best. Her grandmother was remarkably friendly and was terribly patient to bear demanding granddaughter’s mood and occasionally bear her friend – that’s my presence for hours before the college semesters. Her steaming tea during those preparation hours and blessings had helped us manage some numbers more than the ‘ask’ for subjects where we stood borderline case.

I had boarded the bus and tram of various routes with her and visited almost all her immediate aunts and uncles house in Kolkata, predominantly south of it. One among them was her fun loving uncle ‘Chayan Pishe’. Yes, that was the relation. Some people can break all barriers very fast and be a friend very soon. He was one like that. They had a neat house with a few fancy stuff. The home had a touch of elegance of her aunt and simplicity of her uncle. The missing element was a child in their family photo frame. I sensed how they indulged guests especially young ones. May be that was how they filled in the unseen vacuum in their life. Being a hostel dweller you crave for that little homeliness and extra was simply a delight.

And the great offer came when “Raju meet Saraswati”. Anil Kapoor and Madhuri starrer block buster Beta got released. He promised to sponsor us a matinee show at Menoka on Deshapriya Park, heart of the city. I had to add a name into the sponsored list and she was with whom I shared my hostel room.  Three in a team - we reached the cinema hall and as instructed by Chayan Pishe had to meet a man who was essentially loitering in front of the ticket counter. Then on, it was a royal treatment. The red curtain unfurled and romance ushered. The real was even better than the scripted one. Three course snacks covering crispy fish fry, saucy chicken rolls and spicy Muglia accompanied with aerated drinks of our choice reached our chairs. Cineplex experience will faulter for sure. Clueless we digested all that came our way.

On screen the battle between the step-mother and the step-daughter-in-law ensued and we were buried in hospitality of a man behind the scenes. The evening got embossed with memories of food, fun and friendship. It was for months that we recapped the experience and several times plotted to bag a similar sponsorship for the rest few years we spend together in the university. The strategies never got executed. The peppy number of Madhuri remained specially connected with this gentleman who fueled all ingredients to unveil a precious afternoon among three friends, which only time can treasure.

We graduated and life moved on. As friends stayed connected predominantly digitally across the dream country of the generation we live, Silicon Valley of India and the city today I dare to call a city of joy. It was yesterday that over texts learnt that our friendly uncle was over with his script. Dude stay happy where ever you are!

In this whirlpool of life one happens to cross some such personalities who takes a mind space for a special afternoon fiesta that youth loves to flaunt with and time can only cherish. They are never lost as they keep a little bit of fun and frolic in lives of many in their own way. A small tribute for the lofty sponsorship that we received back in university days and treasured.