It was a day to remember, for all my life. Funny how I don't remember the date though. Sometime in the last week of November. Or it could also have been the first week of December. I didn't know then that one walk would lead to something special, something much more magical than what it seemed then. Else I would have made a point to remember the day and date (though I think it was a Thursday).
Maybe it was November 27 when it all started. A raging storm, almost a cyclone. Continuous rains and howling winds. Palm trees swaying in the distance, the sky looking grim and foreboding with dark gray clouds skittering across it like spiders. We were out reporting, just the two of us. And had no idea the walk we would take would lead to a bond that simply refused to be broken after that.
We boarded an autorickshaw (then called a "rick") from Ellis Road to the Secretariat. Sitting on the right inside, I was drenched by the slanting rain sheets that lashed out at me even inside the noisy vehicle. I sat huddled up while the guy beside me looked out, tried to make small talk and plan out our stories and assignment. 'Damn!' I thought. I couldn't even move closer inside and save myself from getting wet. We looked at each other from the corners of our eyes, had nothing much to say. He was snugly enconsced in a scarlet red Ferrari jacket that drew most of my attention.
The driver 'anna' stopped near a flyover and refused to go any further. The road was a river and we stepped out into it while the rain hit us with its fury. Making our way to the office of the Chennai Port authorities, we waded through knee-high dirty muddy water, trying to share a bright blue umbrella (though it was me who stayed under it most of the time while the guy tried to hold it up like a chivalrous gentleman). I noticed how his all-weather light brown Woodland shoes turned darker and darker as we walked in the rain. I remembered the water dripping off the umbrella, the droplets sometimes suspended in inactivity, sometimes falling thick and fast.
We met the authorities, plonked out wet selves on a plush sofa, left trails of water inside the office. The senior officer was kind enough to provide us steaming hot cups of tea. I remember scalding my tongue in my hurry to sip the comforting liquid. We asked questions that were suitably answered, jotted down the responses in our notepads with trembling hands and pens that refused to work. Stole furtive glances at each other. He prompted me to ask something more. We chatted casually with the portly, avuncular officer for sometime and then made our way out after thanking him profusely.
Stepped out into the 'cyclone' again (that is what we refer to it now!) Decided to prolong the walk by going to the Coast Guard office and getting their version of the story (which dealt with security around the Chennai coast after the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai). We walked and chatted and cracked jokes, both of us in a zone of quiet comfort and friendship. Reached the roundabout where King George V proudly shows off his sword and royal stature, mounted on a marble structure. We had to cross the road and reach the other side. Skipping over streams of sewage flowing along the length of the pavement, we jumped into the water. Pulled myself back as the water rose higher and almost covered the lower part of my body. He looked back. Thought. Contemplated for a split second before tentatively offering me his left hand. I looked up at him, accepted his offer and clung onto it. Two wet children slowly made their way across the filthy water, wishing the other would not get washed away (though the current was not that bad and our fears were a bit exaggerated!)
Reached the white, colonial-looking bridge that ran over the river near Marina. Walked along the edge, staring down into the water that seemed to be in full spate, carrying everything along in its path. We spotted footwear, trees, branches, tons of polythene bags. Mercifully we did not see bobbing heads and waving hands, life forms fighting for existence. Joked about throwing each other in the river, blamed each other for the terrible walk in the inclement weather.
Had no luck at the offices of the Coast Guard, situated at the end of a tiny lane near the beach. Came out, stood at the coast for sometime, marvelling at the dark and devious beauty of the waves and the rain. Unsuccessfully tried to spot the horizon, but the sky and the sea had blended into a single shade of stormy gray. Enjoyed the silence we shared, even though all around us the elements of weather howled and sang out in full force.
Started the long walk back to college. Spotted Karunanidhi in his creamy-white Ambassador, a posse of security guards and cars zipping by speedily. Talked throughout the way back. About football and Formula One and silly things that college kids talk about. We were children, after all. Immature, gullible, cheerful, with no worries or tension about anything on that day, except enjoying the company and the weather.
My mind takes me back a whole year as I sit at my computer. Dreaming and thinking of everything,with a broad grin on my face. That was the day I realised I had discovered a wonderful person and a new friend. Not just an acquaintance but a person you can share your thoughts with. I discovered my best friend that day. And the expedition turned out to be more than just a "cyclonic walk". I found love, laughter, company and a very special person. A year back.
Maybe it was November 27 when it all started. A raging storm, almost a cyclone. Continuous rains and howling winds. Palm trees swaying in the distance, the sky looking grim and foreboding with dark gray clouds skittering across it like spiders. We were out reporting, just the two of us. And had no idea the walk we would take would lead to a bond that simply refused to be broken after that.
We boarded an autorickshaw (then called a "rick") from Ellis Road to the Secretariat. Sitting on the right inside, I was drenched by the slanting rain sheets that lashed out at me even inside the noisy vehicle. I sat huddled up while the guy beside me looked out, tried to make small talk and plan out our stories and assignment. 'Damn!' I thought. I couldn't even move closer inside and save myself from getting wet. We looked at each other from the corners of our eyes, had nothing much to say. He was snugly enconsced in a scarlet red Ferrari jacket that drew most of my attention.
The driver 'anna' stopped near a flyover and refused to go any further. The road was a river and we stepped out into it while the rain hit us with its fury. Making our way to the office of the Chennai Port authorities, we waded through knee-high dirty muddy water, trying to share a bright blue umbrella (though it was me who stayed under it most of the time while the guy tried to hold it up like a chivalrous gentleman). I noticed how his all-weather light brown Woodland shoes turned darker and darker as we walked in the rain. I remembered the water dripping off the umbrella, the droplets sometimes suspended in inactivity, sometimes falling thick and fast.
We met the authorities, plonked out wet selves on a plush sofa, left trails of water inside the office. The senior officer was kind enough to provide us steaming hot cups of tea. I remember scalding my tongue in my hurry to sip the comforting liquid. We asked questions that were suitably answered, jotted down the responses in our notepads with trembling hands and pens that refused to work. Stole furtive glances at each other. He prompted me to ask something more. We chatted casually with the portly, avuncular officer for sometime and then made our way out after thanking him profusely.
Stepped out into the 'cyclone' again (that is what we refer to it now!) Decided to prolong the walk by going to the Coast Guard office and getting their version of the story (which dealt with security around the Chennai coast after the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai). We walked and chatted and cracked jokes, both of us in a zone of quiet comfort and friendship. Reached the roundabout where King George V proudly shows off his sword and royal stature, mounted on a marble structure. We had to cross the road and reach the other side. Skipping over streams of sewage flowing along the length of the pavement, we jumped into the water. Pulled myself back as the water rose higher and almost covered the lower part of my body. He looked back. Thought. Contemplated for a split second before tentatively offering me his left hand. I looked up at him, accepted his offer and clung onto it. Two wet children slowly made their way across the filthy water, wishing the other would not get washed away (though the current was not that bad and our fears were a bit exaggerated!)
Reached the white, colonial-looking bridge that ran over the river near Marina. Walked along the edge, staring down into the water that seemed to be in full spate, carrying everything along in its path. We spotted footwear, trees, branches, tons of polythene bags. Mercifully we did not see bobbing heads and waving hands, life forms fighting for existence. Joked about throwing each other in the river, blamed each other for the terrible walk in the inclement weather.
Had no luck at the offices of the Coast Guard, situated at the end of a tiny lane near the beach. Came out, stood at the coast for sometime, marvelling at the dark and devious beauty of the waves and the rain. Unsuccessfully tried to spot the horizon, but the sky and the sea had blended into a single shade of stormy gray. Enjoyed the silence we shared, even though all around us the elements of weather howled and sang out in full force.
Started the long walk back to college. Spotted Karunanidhi in his creamy-white Ambassador, a posse of security guards and cars zipping by speedily. Talked throughout the way back. About football and Formula One and silly things that college kids talk about. We were children, after all. Immature, gullible, cheerful, with no worries or tension about anything on that day, except enjoying the company and the weather.
My mind takes me back a whole year as I sit at my computer. Dreaming and thinking of everything,with a broad grin on my face. That was the day I realised I had discovered a wonderful person and a new friend. Not just an acquaintance but a person you can share your thoughts with. I discovered my best friend that day. And the expedition turned out to be more than just a "cyclonic walk". I found love, laughter, company and a very special person. A year back.
Comments
Post a Comment