℘

I took out my letter-pad and my pen. And I began…
“Hi Didi…”
I had to tell her.
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BACK TO OCTOBER, THIS YEAR

So we are back here, again, after that little interval of nostalgia, and, though my heart yearns for more of it, we must move ahead. I had decided, more or less, if you recall, that I’d skip the Industrial Tour. I waited for the tour dates to be announced and one fine afternoon, I, having enjoyed my siesta in Pappi’s Alternate Fuel’ lecture, woke up to Khosla’s voice. The fat Class Representative had his hands up, and valiantly attempted to control the menacing class.

“Yes, I will tell the dates if you all will allow me to.”
“Who the hell has gagged you?” retorted a voice.
“Okay… We leave on the 10^th for Pune. Reach Pune on 11^th. Leave for Goa on 17^th and start back for Delhi on 20^th. We’ll return here on the 22^nd.”
“Only three days in Goa! Damn the planning!”

The whole class broke into clamour. Groups of friends discussed among themselves what they’d do on the tour. Some darted weird questions at Mr. Khosla who being polite in demeanour could never satisfy the rascals. A friend of mine shouted, “Why don’t we leave for Goa earlier?” and then suddenly the whole class invented a slogan:

“We want Goa! We want Goa!”

For the first time I felt like an outsider. I wasn’t party to their joys. I moved out quietly and no one noticed. They were lost in celebration. Now that I knew the tour dates, I could finalize my plan. I pictured Shreya waiting for me by the sea and felt no gloom on missing out on having fun with my friends.

I felt a pat on my shoulders. It was Sameer, our department topper and my very good friend.

“Tejas, don’t you bunk the tour, as is your habit.”
“No, no…” ii smiled, faking excitement.
“Good, then we’ll have a ball. There’s no fun without you, yaar!” I produce here, as an exhibit, the original specimen of my modus operandi. I would, no doubt, have loved to share with you the detailed discussions it required, but to make the novel lighter, we must avoid them.

1. Departure: 10^th December to Pune, Goa Express, with the rest of the class… as a simple precaution against the traditional habit of Indian families to see off their children at the stations… thus a direct train to Chennai chould be avoided.

2. Arrival: Pune, 11^th evening; call on dad’s mobile showing Pune’s code… thereafter every call on home landline – location concealed.

3. While in Pune: Click as many photographs, changing clothes as many times, at as many landmarks, changing the date fed in the camera each time… Visit – AFMC College, where dad studied and Kayani Bakery to but Shrewsberry biscuits for home.

4.Departure: 11^th midnight, to Chennai Express: Alone, 5.Arrival: Chennai, 8 PM, 12^th 10 days stay.

6. While in Chennai: Call home at least twice everyday – give them no reason to call… keep in touch with friends for their whereabouts in Pune/Goa.

7. Return Strategy: Industrial Tour ends on 20^th… but no satisfied with so few a days with Shreya… so, tell at home that Pritish, Rishabh and me staying back to enjoy Goa for three more days… this gives me more time... Parents expect me back on 25^th but instead I return on 24^th itself, thus eliminating any possibility of them coming to receive me at the station. Thus, station problem at both ends solved.

I distinctly remember the thrill and satisfaction I experienced each time I went over the document. Imagining all that was so exciting… changing trains…traveling the length of the country… it was all extremely exhilarating. Wasn’t DDLJ all about trains? I could hear the whistle of the engine… it beckoned me and the wheels were about to roll.