Coffee, Tea or Us.nay! have no doubts.the answer will always be Us.
Ask any of the MSians who met on this great thankful Sunday.the 15th of April, 2007.
I could not have missed it even if I had tried my best, maybe an official decree could have tried to dissuade me but I would have launched a stolid protest against it.courtmartials be damned. I wonder if I have become an addict for these meets.I guess the temptation of meeting the wonderful people I get to interact is a more correct explanation.
First there is this sms from sujata about the meeting.she being just frank about the fact that I have to attend. Some more messages followed giving out some more frank facts like the date, time, venue and attendance of ’our lady from chennai’.Yet some more messages about who all are likely to join.Now, how can one ever forget to keep up with such an appointment especially with the sweet’aftertaste’ of the previous two meets still lingering in the memory.
*The Arrivals
*Though it has been certified by dost Anuj.I hereby do declare that I was the first to arrive. No! I didn’t want to steal Itika of her grand entry, I just happened to reach there fifteen minutes ahead of the frank time 10.30 am. So there I was playing’crouched and hidden bookbrowser’ at the cute book corner of the Barista cafe when I sensed the arrival of the two scientists and the guest of honour from Chennai. While the frank scientist gave me a nod of approval( yes m’aam.tick my presence), mermaid scientist gave me a warm smile and Magical Summer had a genuinely’glad that you could make it’ smile. Before I could get that familiar sensation of my legs about to get pulled, Magical Summer decided to tell everyone about a msg I sent her ages ago.about the alternate adjectives she can use to address me other than’hey soldier’.and I was already two inches taller.
Then arrived Anuj.thou dost are a true gentleman.though you prefer to be termed geek.
Frank scientist was about to close her rollcall roster when there happened a storm and some lightening and suddenly there semed to be festivity unfurled.Itika was there and she had Megha’organiser in absentia of the previous meet’ with her. Time for the coffee to flow.
*The Morning made magically mellow
*The first round of coffee was cool and deliciously frothy and the meet warmed up due to the cozy interactions in the cozy corner of the cozy cafe. Disscussions and light talks that accompanied had the following results(only a few are being mentioned):-
1. Frank scientist was once again certified Beautiful by Itika. Yes! Itika, we all second your opinion with all our heart and with whatever coloured eyes we have.
2. Both the scientists look much younger and preety and definitely not mothers of two children each.
3. Itika is wonderfully lively, vivacious and full of life.
4. Magical summer looked grand and regal in her saree(ask the girls for further details) and her purse is equally magical(being all-encompassing).
5. Megha found her ol’classmates as also the exact colour of her eyes.
6. Shyam was missed.he can forward the bill for the hiccup-cure he must have undergone.
7. A certain invisible Sumal’s absence was explained by yours truly( Sumal.please bring the medical certificate at the next meet).
8. The discovery that the two scientists as also Itika and Megha were twins was made.( Reference report of Kumbh Mela circa.).
9. Add-ons to characteristics of sun-signs.can be found in the next edition of Linda Goodman’s book on the subject.
*The bitter Tea-off
*The second round which was of iced tea and the stuff which looked so alluring when Megha was having it in the first round didn’t really make the drinkers high. And as the frank scientist was blaming the terrible after-taste to my suggestion of having told the waiter to add fresh mint to the order, I was desperately trying to explain the recipe of making a good glass of iced-tea. Believe me girls, the concoction you had was a disappointment and nothing compared to a good glass of real iced tea.yes with crushed fresh mint .
*The Adieu
*The much discussed photography session with promises of exchanging them pronto was followed with parting. Yeah! parting after the partying. Chief guest left to attend a wedding while Itika escorted
Megha back home, the two scientists, dost and yours truly spent some more time infront of the cafe chit-chatting which turned out to be a tad bit costly for the four of us. A waiter with a sheepiest of grins quite apologetically told us about the goof-up in the payment; the first round of coffee got omitted in the bill. We graciously paid the amount but not before I demanded a discount for the embarrasment that has been caused because of their slip-up which was readily agreed to.
It’s been two days since we parted and got back to our routines and grinds.but memories that linger on will surely be sought by all of us everytime the need to relish a good’aftertaste’ is felt.