Revisiting Memories

Riyaz looked at the people around him. The chatter of excited freshers filled the hall, its enthusiasm contagious. From soft murmurs of seniors discussing the approaching exams, to the loud and boisterous guffaws of passing groups of eve teasers, the corridor was full of sounds. He grinned as a passing girl batted her eye lashes at him, good naturedly winking at her. She blushed, giggling to her friends.

He walked on.

A weary sigh escaped his lips. Things were different, they had changed. To never be the same again.

Would he ever be as care free? Would time ever have no deadline attached to it? Would his biggest financial decision ever be a four rupee cup of tea?

"Riyaz?" His principal looked pleasantly surprised. His face broke into a fond smile, the lines at the corner of his eyes crinkling in delight. "What brings you here?"

They moved towards the cabin, leaving the white noise of chatter behind. In the sudden silence of the principals cabin, things seemed calmer. They sat, facing each other, recalling their time together. Minutes passed in leisure, the bond holding still, despite the fact that time had moved on.

"I need a recommendation letter," Riyaz said nervously, a man turned into a boy again.

"Sure," said the principal, immediately pulling out a notepad to sketch his thoughts. "Why don't you wait in the library, I'll call you when the letter is ready."

Riyaz walked to the library, smiling at the librarian sheepishly. He probably still owed her a few fines. A chair in the corner was his destination. The smell of dusty old books, the atmosphere of feigned silence; it all brought back memories. Memories that were ingrained in the very being of the man he had become.

He pulled out a book, hiding behind it to study surroundings that were familiar, yet still, strange.

How time flies!

"Ab jab kabhi meri yaadon mein,
hasdunga main teri baaton pe,
phir aaunga jeene main woh lamhe yahaan,
honge yahaan chehre naye sab,
dhoondhunga unmein chehre apne tab,
sunlunga aur deewaron se apni sada.

His smiled tuned ironic, twisted. Ah well!

He collected the letter, scanning it for anything that may needed to be change. A single sentence halted his rapid eye movement. A film of moisture blurred his vision. He blinked, clearing his throat. Grown men did not cry, he chided himself and walked on.

"Riyaz will always be welcome here."

Dedication: To the Principal of Pravin Gandhi College of Law, Dr Dwivedi. The verse is from the song of a very talented friend and senior 'Huzaifa Punjabi'. His website and his songs can be found here; Click here
The song in reference is called, 'Hum chale the jahaan'.