Sunday, the perfect beginning of a lifetime!
It was a Sunday afternoon, a bright one at that. Bangalore in August is the perfect weather. In stark contrast, Bangalore is greeted with rains during the evenings and gets chilly. Even though with the mist settling in on the outskirts of the city and a chill in the air, the sun streaming in between the humongous trees floods the path, keeping it warm. Owing to nature’s balance, bamboo was shooting up in its clumps, flowers were blooming and the paths would be strewn with white frangipani’s.
The Sunday lunch at the mess had been particularly yum – the palak paneer had struck the right note. I could never sleep in the afternoon, so I decided to watch ‘You’ve Got Mail’ for the 30th time. I could somehow never get enough of it. My assignment was due, but it was done and printed sitting on my table waiting to be submitted tomorrow. Everybody in the hostel was either out shopping on the weekend or taking a nap before the onslaught of the week began tomorrow. Shopping because, the coming Friday was the freshers night and ‘some’ wanted to look chic.
One of my friends popped into my room and asked me if I wanted to head out for tea at Chetta’s. Chetta’s is iconic with its amazing cuppa tea, bun maska and the perfect cheese chilli Maggi. The luxuries of living in a hostel and enjoying the finer moments it gives you.
We stepped out. The sun was basking in its full glory but never scorching you, just keeping you warm. And there he was, waiting for his fix of tea. We had been classmates for the past one year. We liked each other’s company and could talk endlessly and above all the shared love for music. As I came closer, he steered clear of his friends and waited on the curb to get my attention. He turned towards me to quickly ask if I had some time to meet him this evening. He had something to urgent to talk and discuss, to which I responded in the affirmative. I let him know that we could catch up before dinner, take an evening walk and put the matter to rest.
I went and joined my friends and he did the same. We met up later in the evening for a walk to a nearby ridge where a stream of water sluggishly was winding. After exchanging initial pleasantries, he took the opportunity to remind me that I should put in my hat for the class representative election due Tuesday and assured I might have quite a possibility of winning. Exasperated at this, I ended up asking if that is what he wanted to discuss. He was slight taken aback and then confirmed that that is exactly what he had in mind. He ended up having a good walk and got back to campus before going to our respective dining halls for dinner. Just before turning away, he stated that he had another question in his mind; whether I would like to go to the party with him. I simply retorted that I will mull it over and let him know in a few days’ time. That’s how our story began and it continues even today!
Many such Sunday afternoons have come and gone, we have roamed through many cities together hand-in-hand, cooked, told stories, enjoyed each other’s company and each such Sunday brings in more memories to savour. So looking forward to my next Sunday afternoon.
Contributor: Amrita Paul
About our Writing Program Student
Amrita Paul is a Senior Programme Officer with the Prison Reforms Programme, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative. She has a Master’s Degree in Law (LL.M.) Human Rights from the National Law School of India University, Bangalore. The primary focus of her work is to target unnecessary and prolonged detention of undertrials and work towards systemic interventions to prevent it. She loves watching movies and sitcoms (when she has time), cooking and creating new recipes, reading Christie’s and murder mysteries and appreciating music.
