What Would You Expect From a Buddies Meet ?
The year 2020 witnessed technology showcasing its exceptional abilities, thanks to a tiny organism, micro in stature, which sneaked in without notice and went on with the role that it was entrusted upon. It was about disrupting harmony, and no location was spared from its radar. Yes, a sneeze could clear a crowd instantly. Does it sound weird? It would have, probably at the start of the year, definitely not in December.
Are we in again for a long lecture featuring personal hygiene with masks and sanitizers donning significant roles? Is that what you feel now? Relax! You have a different script to look at, a short story on a memorable trip to a city that I am so used to.
The plan was to be part of a gathering to celebrate one year of a blockbuster get-together, a sequel to a memorable event that happened in January 2019. Sequels are always a risky proposition, many a time, they fall short of the expectations, not in our case, though, as meeting buddies was the only objective.
Richie’s home, my first destination, was a refreshing spot. After a brief stay, he took me to his guest house, a place that posed like a cafe in the woods. When Vijay called me to check on my whereabouts, I did realise that we had spent close to three hours talking on diverse topics; it was time to move on.
A thirty minutes drive after indulging in some of the best delicacies from the most sought restaurant in the city put us in this resort where fun was slated to start in a few hours. Suren, Mani and Subra were already there. It was the turn of Vijay and Sanjeev to step in; the two from the three men army. Goddy who was supposed to arrive in a few minutes completed the trio. We knew that Prem was on the move, and he would turn up any time.
The swimming pool at the resort was an attraction to many. Vijay was seen working on an exercise recommended to strengthen his ligament. He was enjoying the process as well as posing for the lenses. Sathya joined him and so did Goddy with a loud sound; it wasn’t his actually. It was the sound of water that he replaced with his famous dive. Sanjeev was walking around the pool; he had his reasons to stay away from the action.
It was 4 pm and we were already twenty-five in number; a few more were expected to join later, but the party had already begun. Vijay did announce a surprise addition to the proceedings; an EMCEE it was, the host for the evening. Senthil was keen to welcome the host and work on the programme for the evening.
The sun was calling it a day, and the mood in the camp was upbeat. Francis was in his elements, and Mani was enjoying the show. He did have a reason to smile. Suren was ready to shake a leg and so were Jay and Jeevan; one had travelled from the United States and the other from Australia. Vijay Ram remained a quiet observer, Srini, Manoj, Chandru and Shankar followed suit. Annush had to leave as he was committed to travel the next day.
Songs from the movies Petta and Darbar kept Richie in high spirits, with Suren, Adarsh and Subra for company. It was unlimited fun. Kumanan could have given these guys a run for their money if he had been there; he knew his moves and was a master in executing them. A sudden burst of energy saw Jeevan and Jay go on a rampage; the naughty boys of the nineties were back.
It was a busy evening for the host with Francis calling the shots and Suren cheering him for more. Vinod arrived in style and left in a jiffy. It was Vijay’s dance that kept the host engaged. He was a man who knew the tricks of the trade.
It was 1 am. The guys decided to return to their rooms for a well-deserved break. They knew that the event had already reserved a page in their book called beautiful memories.
Would you ever say no to a cup of hot coffee by the poolside at 6 am with friends by your side? That was how the next day started. By around 8.30 am, we were getting ready for breakfast; a few were still enjoying their stint in the pool.
When it was time to part, we knew that this sequel was another success story crafted to perfection by brilliant minds. Pictures were clicked, hugs were exchanged, we were a happy lot.
As Richie drove me back to the airport, we felt that the defining moments of the get-together were something that we wanted to recreate time and again. Back home, I was happily sharing my experiences and wasn’t interested in the schedule for the next day. It was a Monday, though.
