May 1996:
A tall and beautiful girl walks into my dorm with moist eyes and sits on the empty bed next to mine. I watch her silently for a while and say "Dont worry, once you get involved in the hostel fun life, you wont miss your parents much". She forces a smile and says thanks. There begins a new friendship.
Over the months, I realize she is not only sensitive but also smart, down to earth, quick-witted and she doesn't take much time to become anyone's friend. Effortlessley, she becomes a sweetheart of everyone in the hostel and a very close friend of mine.
March 1997:
All of us are done with the board exams. Its the end of high school and time to depart. The same girl who had entered the hostel with moist eyes is crying again! This time she doesn't want to go back home leaving her friends, especially me. We dont know if we will ever meet again and even if we do....dont know when! But we make sure to exchange our contact addresses and phone numbers so that we can stay in touch. Everyone bids a tearful adieu to the alma mater, wishing that time would just rewind and we all go back to hostel.
From the day one at home, I start writing letters to my hostel friends. I start expecting replies though I know snail mails are not as quick as emails! I jump with happiness when I receive a letter from my dear friend. I waste no time in replying back and start expecting another letter from her.
One month has past and I dont receive any reply from her. I call her at the contact number and someone says she has gone out of station. "OK, let me wait for some more time and then write to her" I think. I write another letter to the same address. This time again hoping she replies.
Its been a year now. I am busy with my new school in a new place with new people around. I dont think about her often; but yes, I do sometimes expect a letter from her. I think about her whenever I feel lonely and wonder, she was such a wonderful friend; where did she disappear?
Its Graduation Day! Everyone is partying and rejoicing. I have graduated too. Even though I have made lots of new friends here, I can't forget that tall and beautiful girl who had walked into my dorm that day. Still wonder where on earth she is? Why can't she write to me? The old phone number has changed and there is no reply for my letters. None of my other hostel friends also know her whereabouts. I silently wish I get to meet her someday; maybe today, maybe tomorrow, maybe in the mall or in a cinema hall! anywhere.....but I want to meet her again.
Now I have a new life in a new country, so far away from home. The thought of meeting my mysteriously disappeared old pal still sometimes linger in my mind. With the Internet, VoIP, Cell phones, online friends' community etc etc, am getting in touch with lots of long lost friends. Thanks to the improving technologies for shrinking the globe! All the good old hostel pals who had lost touch with each other have suddenly got back together and busy updating about each others lives; remembering the old days, old pranks and sweet memories. Am really delighted to get back in touch with all of them. But one question remains unanswered among everyone: Where did that girl go? Nobody knows.
Sept 2006:
It has been 10 years now. I am sleepy and about to hit the bed. My dad calls me and says "You have received a Wedding Invitation and a letter from this girl named........" Oh my god! I don't believe my own ears. Did I hear her name???? Yes, it is from her.....that tall and beautiful girl! Yippieeee......I rejoice to glory. This is what I wanted from such a long time, finally she has written a letter to me. Wow, she is getting married now! Its none of the new technologies which did the wonders, its the old style of "Keep in touch through snail mail" which brought the friends back in touch.
Luckily in this letter, she has mentioned three contact numbers instead of one! Am wide awake now and I waste no time in calling her. I don't believe she remembers me just the way I always remembered her. I hang up and smile to myself for me having moist eyes this time :)
A tall and beautiful girl walks into my dorm with moist eyes and sits on the empty bed next to mine. I watch her silently for a while and say "Dont worry, once you get involved in the hostel fun life, you wont miss your parents much". She forces a smile and says thanks. There begins a new friendship.
Over the months, I realize she is not only sensitive but also smart, down to earth, quick-witted and she doesn't take much time to become anyone's friend. Effortlessley, she becomes a sweetheart of everyone in the hostel and a very close friend of mine.
March 1997:
All of us are done with the board exams. Its the end of high school and time to depart. The same girl who had entered the hostel with moist eyes is crying again! This time she doesn't want to go back home leaving her friends, especially me. We dont know if we will ever meet again and even if we do....dont know when! But we make sure to exchange our contact addresses and phone numbers so that we can stay in touch. Everyone bids a tearful adieu to the alma mater, wishing that time would just rewind and we all go back to hostel.
From the day one at home, I start writing letters to my hostel friends. I start expecting replies though I know snail mails are not as quick as emails! I jump with happiness when I receive a letter from my dear friend. I waste no time in replying back and start expecting another letter from her.
One month has past and I dont receive any reply from her. I call her at the contact number and someone says she has gone out of station. "OK, let me wait for some more time and then write to her" I think. I write another letter to the same address. This time again hoping she replies.
Its been a year now. I am busy with my new school in a new place with new people around. I dont think about her often; but yes, I do sometimes expect a letter from her. I think about her whenever I feel lonely and wonder, she was such a wonderful friend; where did she disappear?
Its Graduation Day! Everyone is partying and rejoicing. I have graduated too. Even though I have made lots of new friends here, I can't forget that tall and beautiful girl who had walked into my dorm that day. Still wonder where on earth she is? Why can't she write to me? The old phone number has changed and there is no reply for my letters. None of my other hostel friends also know her whereabouts. I silently wish I get to meet her someday; maybe today, maybe tomorrow, maybe in the mall or in a cinema hall! anywhere.....but I want to meet her again.
Now I have a new life in a new country, so far away from home. The thought of meeting my mysteriously disappeared old pal still sometimes linger in my mind. With the Internet, VoIP, Cell phones, online friends' community etc etc, am getting in touch with lots of long lost friends. Thanks to the improving technologies for shrinking the globe! All the good old hostel pals who had lost touch with each other have suddenly got back together and busy updating about each others lives; remembering the old days, old pranks and sweet memories. Am really delighted to get back in touch with all of them. But one question remains unanswered among everyone: Where did that girl go? Nobody knows.
Sept 2006:
It has been 10 years now. I am sleepy and about to hit the bed. My dad calls me and says "You have received a Wedding Invitation and a letter from this girl named........" Oh my god! I don't believe my own ears. Did I hear her name???? Yes, it is from her.....that tall and beautiful girl! Yippieeee......I rejoice to glory. This is what I wanted from such a long time, finally she has written a letter to me. Wow, she is getting married now! Its none of the new technologies which did the wonders, its the old style of "Keep in touch through snail mail" which brought the friends back in touch.
Luckily in this letter, she has mentioned three contact numbers instead of one! Am wide awake now and I waste no time in calling her. I don't believe she remembers me just the way I always remembered her. I hang up and smile to myself for me having moist eyes this time :)
