Life is full of Surprises

We must have all experienced the sheer unpredictability of life. There are numerous instances in one’s life which make him realize that life is a journey full of unexpected events. Just when you are sitting on your laurels and feel everything is hunky-dory, something will happen that will take you out of your comfort zone. Similarly, just when you feel that life is going on in a pretty routine manner and you are quite happy with the situation, something will happen that will take you by surprise and bring even more joy and happiness to your life. Well, I was fortunate enough to experience the latter.

I am here at Patiala for my technical training. I have been quite lucky in the sense that I am able to live with my parents, while pursuing my training. Everything was going on fine. We were getting ready for attending a marriage party. There had been a meeting in the bank that day and hence top executives of State Bank of Patiala had come to the city. A close friend of my father Kazmi uncle (who had come from Delhi) was also to go with us for the party. We were about to leave. Just then, Kazmi uncle gave me his phone and said: Yeh lo beta Sarah se baat kar lo. I was taken aback for a second, not because I didn’t know who Sarah was but the fact that childhood memories suddenly came to life.

My father was posted at Bhopal some 18 years ago and so was Kazmi uncle. Both families visited each other very frequently and were like family friends. Their children Sarah and Amir were just about the same age as me (about 3) and my sister (about 8) respectively. As is so often the case, children of the same age group mingle well. So I used to play with Sarah and my sis with Amir bhaiya. We had a lot of fun moments together and were best friends. She used to call me Gyom (as she could not pronounce Vyom). As Mummy tells me, we used to hide behind the sofa and play together. We also never fought with each other and played peacefully.

Well, then my father got transferred to another city and never got the posting in the same city as him. Still, they remained the best of friends and met often in meetings etc. Mummy too remained in touch with Aunty. Mummy also used to tell me about Sarah and our bachpan often. Everything was still the same. But unfortunately, I had never talked to Sarah even once all these 18 years, let alone meeting her. Yes, that is quite bizarre and unimaginable but it is true. You can call it my fault, her fault, my stupidity, you can call it whatever you want. Or you can call it LIFE.

We were supposed to talk for the first time in 18 years on 13^th February, 2009. I am saying this because when uncle did give me the phone, it was not planned in advance. Uncle had met me many times before in all these years and even Papa and Mummy had talked to uncle and aunty on phone many times. The talk had just not happened. It was a sheer coincidence that uncle was talking to her at that moment and incidentally gave me the phone. We talked for some 10-15 minutes and could not believe that it had been such a long time.

After the talk, I was really excited and wanted to renew our childhood friendship (not that friendship had been broken, it had just been invisible). For the last 5 days, I have been talking to her on internet, by SMS and even phone. We are getting to know each other and just can not stop talking. We have found that we have a lot of similarities too. She says that I am her photocopy. Isnt it amazing? Well, I can not believe it. She still calls me Gyom (remembering moments from childhood). She is just as excited as I am and she has already informed friends in her college about this. While talking, it doesn’t seem that we have been out of touch for 18 years. I am very comfortable talking to her (those who know me can understand why I am saying this). Life has come up with such a pleasant surprise and has made my days so much happier.

Well, I have not been able to see her face yet. She has sent some photos but those are not the latest. Her webcam isn’t working properly either. Honestly, I really want to meet her in person. When that will happen, I have no idea. Well, I will try and ensure that it would not be long before that moment arrives.