On the 14th of November 2004, the ex-students of VIT, Pune met at the Vaishali Hotel, FC Road. It was supposed to be a re-union of the 2003 batch pass-outs. With Diwali festivities around, many people had gone home. So, very few people managed to turn-up. The attendance was not compulsory. VITians being accustomed to the habit of doing everything under compulsion, failed to comply, when there was no Compulsory tag attached to the meeting!
The meeting started off on a very nice note. Afroze, Ketan, Dheeraj, Damle, Deepak, Swapnil and Vignesh arrived at Vaishali, at scheduled time of 4 pm. Suyog and I were yet to reach. All the guys were talking with each other, but the eyes, I’m sure was hovering around. All of a sudden, there was a miss in their heart-beats! A slightly old man got of a rickshaw in-front of the Hotel. He had a look at the guys. The guys felt the same old thudding of heart, which was a common syndrome of Prabhuophobia! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the old man in front was Vaishali was none other than our HOD, Prabhu sir. It seems, he gave them all a smirk and told, “So, this is how you people pass time, looking at the people coming at Vaishali”. Before anyone could answer, he walked away.
Coming to Suyog. He told me, that the meeting was at 4 and he’d be coming to my place and then, we’d leave together for the FC Road. At 4:10, he called saying, he’d be coming in 10 minutes. I got ready, packed my bags and sat waiting for him. My bus to Hyderabad was at 9 pm. So, I’d decided to get all my stuff to the Hotel itself and leave from there. So, I was all dressed and ready to go. But, Suyog’s middle name is Punctuality! At 4:45, he called to say, that he’d mysteriously locked himself out of his house. He’d had to perform some death defying stunts. With God’ grace, he was saved and the door had opened. Now, he told me that he was really coming in 10 minutes. So, in exactly 10 minutes, at 5:15 pm, Suyog turned up at my place. Catching a bus, we finally reached the venue at 5:35 pm, local time. That is exactly same as 4 pm, IST. By then, frustrated at our display of time-consciousness, Afroze had left.
After the initial talk, we all started to comment on our figures! The conclusions were, Dheeraj has grown thin, compared to the past few months. But, overall, he’s grown fat. Incredible, though, people concluded that Ketan has grown a little plump. I do not agree to this! All others, it was decided are more or less of the same shape and size. Suyog of course, is getting into shape, after all, round is a shape. (I too am in the same category!)
The initial bantering completed, we all entered Vaishali, expecting some good sights and eye-pleasing moments. Alas! We were hopelessly disappointed. FC College was shut down for Diwali. So, there was no sparklers or sizzles at the Hotel! So, we all consoled each other and managed to get on with the business of the day.
The menu was taken, a cursory look given and seven SPDP’s (Shev Puri, Dahi Puri) and one Burger was ordered. With the stomach getting fuel, the mouths started to work. All of us updated each other about the projects, the lack net access at Infy, Security at Disha, Device Drives in Linux, pirated games at Microsoft and Annual Day at Cogni. Of course, all the talk was laced with a few harmless, pure vegetarian jokes, which only the mature audience amongst us can enjoy. Since, there are many who probably do not consider themselves mature enough, I shall refrain from recounting those refined moments.
The bill came and people had to find a Bakra. That turned out to be me! I had to pay the bill for all the guys, as it was a treat for my Award. It was only at this point that I was really happy at the low turn out. Or else, I would have been looted.
Then, we all went and continued the discussions, right at the entrance to the Hotel, until the security guard shooed us away. At this point, all of us were pondering over the work habits of PSPL guys. I mean, how can someone be so interested in work, that people go to office on Sunday evenings, during Diwali day and even on Diwali day, that falls on a Sunday. Vignesh was supposed to go to the office after the meeting. Jury’s decision: Daal mein kuch kaala/kaali hai! The probe is still on. Keep in touch for the updates. The sensational news will be out soon!
While continuing these discussions, we all went to an Ice Cream parlor and got double scoops of almost all flavors. This time, Ketan had to bear the brunt of the bill!
After a few more mature jokes and updates, we left, agreeing to meet again, as soon as possible. So, guys and gals, who missed this once in a lifetime opportunity, please do not miss the next chance!
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