Modern World

"Hi, how are you doing?"

"Am fine dude. You tell me.Whats news?"

"I called to remind you about the re-union. You are coming, right?"

"Not sure buddy. You know i am a busy man and every second is valuable for me. There are lot of things out here which is more important and needs my attention. I had called Deepak and he is yet to decide. Anyways, lets see. Ok. i got to go now. I will call you back later."

Anil was highly disappointed after Bharath disconnected the call. From morning, he had been calling all his childhood school mates to make sure that they are coming for the re-union.Date and venue was informed to everyone well in advance. But it seems that all of them are busy with their lives and have much more important things in life than meeting their old buddies and catching up with some good old times.

"Am i the only one who is left behind in the race of time? Everyone had caught up with their dreams and goals. All my friends are running in a high pace in the modern rat race. Is it only me who is outdated in this modern world?" , Anil asked himself.

He got out from his shady 1 bedroom old house and walked through the long path aimlessly. For a moment, he turned back and looked at his 50 year old home. The house which witnessed a thousand laughter. The house where Anil's classmates used to come during the lunch break everyday to eat the delicious food which his mother used to make. Yes, there were hardly one or two dishes.But Anil and his friends were more than happy to have it. This house had kept a 100 secrets deep inside its heart. This house witnessed the tears, which were flowing like a river on the last get together, which was some 15 years ago. The house which saw what friendship really mean. Now it has become really old and colorless. The faded cement bricks still remain as a monument of some everlasting memories.

It was getting dusky and the sun was trying to hide behind the clouds. Anil reached the old banyan tree on the way to their school, which took him back to 15 years. Birds had reached their home and started chirping. Even this tree had its own share of stories to tell about those 4 friends.This is the place where Kiran proposed to Maya unknowing that Maya is already in love with Deepak. Me and Bharath already knew about their Relation. But since Both Kiran and Deepak were our friends, we could not take any side. During exam times, it is beneath this banyan tree, they used to make chits by asking me which question is more likely to be asked.Being the topper of the class, i never had any problem with exams and i was just happy to help them. Yea, it may be true that i was good in learning the letters printed in textbooks.But i am a failure in learning the lesson of life and i couldnt pass the exam called "Life". May be, the things which never changed after these 15 years are just me, this cool breeze and the music of these chirping birds.

Anil was brought back from his memories by Sankaran Sir.

"Oh Anil, how are you? what are you doing here?"

"Nothing Sir, I was just... " , he mumbled while standing up from the cement platform

"How is your work going on? Now you are..."

"A Clerk at the Secretariat,Sir. Work is going on well and i am happy with that"

"Good.Memories are fading away my son. A sign of ageing. Health is also not so good now a days. Even now, i am returning from the hospital"

"What happened sir? Anything wrong?"

"The usual health problems of a man whose biggest enemy is his age itself.Anyways how are your friends?"

"All are fine Sir. Deepak is an industrialist at Mumbai. Bharat is now working in a Software company and Kiran has taken up his father's business.do you remember them?"

"Yes, mildly. Most of the names are faded from my mind, but still i remember the faces of you naughty kids. Happy to hear that my students have succeeded in life. I am leaving. I have to be at home before it gets too dark. Even my eyes have started to fight against me"

Anil just smiled and Sankaran Sir walked away with his trademark old umbrella. Anil remembered how he and his friends used to make fun of this Sir and his umbrella when they were at school. But all of them had liked him as he was the most friendly teacher of the school. All those lovely days of school flashed like a movie in front of Anil's eyes. The first day in school which was filled with fear and tension. The "Good Morning Sir" chorus which the kids wish when a teacher enter the class.The youth festivals, First Crush, Lunch time where all kids sit in circle in a corner of the class and share their lunch boxes.The teachers whom they were afraid of and the classes which they were eagerly wait for.The compositions, impositions, cane strokes and the prayer assembly. The fight for the window seat in school bus and the pain of departure once the final exams are finished.Everything flashed right in front of him and Anil realized a drop of tear in a corner of his eye.

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"Yes, i will be there in another 15 minutes. Bharath will join us in another hour. His flight has been delayed. What about Deepak?Oh, ok.If he calls at your number again, ask him better not to come without what i have said. There is less coverage for my number here. ok. Will c u soon"

Anil was extremely happy after Kiran hung up. Finally, all of them are coming. It is a time to be cherished for the rest of their lives. He got ready without wasting any time and set off to the high school junction.That was the place where they met for the last time.

A luxurious Pajero came and stood infront of Anil. Kiran got out of the car and smiled at him.A heafty man with a golden bracelet, expensive clothing and cell phone, luxury car, costly sunshades; For a moment, Anil couldnt recognize his old class mate. He smiled back and Hugged Kiran tightly.

"You have changed a lot", said anil in excitement

"But you look quite the same. so how are you? where are others?"

"They would be coming soon"

"Then lets go to some good restaurant and wait for them"

"Kiran, they will be here soon. Why dont we go and visit our old school first?"

"Oh, they might take some time and it is pretty hot in here now. I want to relax for some time.Get into the car Anil"

Both of them reached a five star hotel in the town. Anil had seen this hotel many times on his daily trip to office but never ever imagined of getting inside. Kiran dashed into the bar lounge with Anil.

"Chivas Regal Large for me. And you?"

Kiran asked Anil who was looking around the hotel as if he is in a wonderland. The upper class atmosphere was new to him and the neon lights in the dark room gave him a feel that he is in some other world.Bottles of Different color and shape were arranged in the Bar counter and slow music was playing all over.

"Anil, i asked you. what would you like to have?"

"No Kiran, i dont drink.Thanks"

Bearer took the order and disappeared in dark. Kiran was busy sending some mails from his palmtop.It was Anil who breaked the silence.

"So how is your business going on?"

"Oh, Dont ask man.A million tension it give as a gift and require attention each minute. When the game is for high money, the risk is also high. I was getting all cracked up with my hectic schedules and tensions and it is then you called up for a meet and i thought it would be a good change. So how is your work?"

"Yea its..."

A loud howl interrupted anil and he turned back to see what is happening. It was Bharath and Deepak

"You guys are enjoying with out us, huh?" Deepak hugged them both while Bharath asked this.

"No dude, we just came in. Sit down. How was the trip?",asked Kiran

"Oh it was horrible. I missed my flight from mumbai.Then i had to really speed up to catch the next flight and it got delayed because of whether. I have a conference to attend here tomorrow and it cannot be missed.So i thought i will drop in for our reunion", Deepak Said.

"Oh. You can never trust these Airline guys. And hey, By the way i saw your Facebook status. Cool that your industry is top on the list", Said Bharath while settling down.

Anil couldnt understand what they were talking. He asked in doubt,

"Facebook??? What is that?"

"Facebook is a social networking site on internet where you connect with your friends. You can chat, update ur status, put some photos or videos, find some good old friends, Send mails as messages and its quite fun", Said Deepak

By then bearer had brought drinks for Deepak and Bharath. They quickly finished it in one gulp and ordered for another.

"But isnt it more fun to send real handwritten letters to friends and families?" , Anil asked.

This time, Kiran sat straight and told, "In which world you are living in Anil? Look outside its a fast world. Who has the time to buy an envelope and then write a letter and go to post office and send it? You need to be faster in a fast world else you would be left behind"

Drinks poured in to the 3 glasses peg after peg. Music has changed from slow track to some western rock band.

Bharat lit up a Davidoff cigerette and asked,

"Anil, so whats the plan?"

"I had plans to visit our old school, that Banyan tree near to my home and..."

"Oh, cuhmon man. What is there at school now? You dont expect our old batchmates or the same teachers still there, do you?"

"No but... yea and i should say, i saw Sankaran Sir yesterday. He had enquired about all of you"

"Sankaran Sir? Oh..the one with the Umbrella?", Kiran asked while taking in some peanuts

"Yes. He is in a bad condition now.His health is also not so good. May be we can visit him too"

"Are you crazy or something?All of us have come from different places breaking our busy schedules just to relax for a while. Not to visit the old school which is now on the verge of kissing the ground or to spoil some good time", said Deepak in an irritated tone

"But guys, these are the good times which we make for our tomorrow.These little things mean a lot to them.You dont know how happy our old teachers become when they see their students. After today, we would be in our own world and may not see again. Then, these would be the memories which we cherish"

"Anil, Stop being so outdated. What you are telling is good to hear but is there any benefit for us for the time we spend? Look at us. We all 4 studied in same school for years, we lived nearby, passed out together. We 3 have moved on to get our goals and we know how this world is working. But you are still inside a shell. This place, the old Banyan Tree, the Pond where we used to sit when we bunk classes, Temple and all these are the world to you. But you dont know what is happening outside. come with us and we will show you what life is and how to live." , Kiran took another peg after saying this and crushed the cigerette in the ash tray.

Anil was disappointed and quiet. He dint know what to say. He looked at Deepak and Bharath.

Deepak sat close to him and said,

"Look Anil, What Kiran said is right. You were the most brilliant student in our class and all of us were far behind you. But at some point of time, you dint chose the right way to travel in this modern world. That is why still you are just a clerk in a govt.organization waiting for your bills to be passed to get a salary hike. Some guys like you are happy in what you get out here. But there is more to do outside"

"If i am happy with what i am getting, then what more i want Deepak?. All of us are struggling hard for some happiness. That is the final goal. When i am happy with my stupid outdated shell, why should i come to your modern world?" , asked Anil

"because today or tomorrow there would be no one with you to give a company. Now that you have called, we 3 came here for friendship. But tomorrow you would be all alone. This society itself is changing. Fast life, metros, multiplexes, facebook, twitter, Food joints, Corporate life, Business Wars, Industrial hypes, Gambling....People are living in moving in a real fast pace. Who will spoil their life for a banyan tree and a pond?", Said Bharath

"What you guys are telling might be true. There would be fun to race, but there is no point in living like that.There is no "Life" in it. You struggle to earn money, All day long, u spend in office to triple your bank balance.But you forget to smile or to kiss your kid at home. You forget to love your wife and family.You work hard like a dog and might earn millions.When your kids grow up, u retire from the race and take a rest.If you are thinking, then you will relax in life, then it would be too late. Enjoy your life at the right time. The Old memories and laughter which we shared are my bank balance. I might not have a million Rupees in my account. But i have smile in my face when i think about our past. I am sorry, i dont understand your hi-fi life culture and i love to write a letter with my old pen than sending a message through facebook"

,Anil said in a broken voice.

"Anil, we dint mean to make you emotional. All we are trying to say is you cannot succeed with all these stuff. Be Practical for God's Sake. It is mandatory to swim with the flow to live out here. If you are happy with your current life, then fine. Its your wish. We have our own goals to do. Anyways, I gotto leave now guys. Told you right, i have a conference tomorrow. So need to make some preparations for that",

Deepak said while sipping the last drink

"Yea, me too have to go.There is a deal being fixed tonight", Kiran said and Deepak too got up.

"It was nice meeting you guys after 15 years. We had some good time", Anil said and hugged each one of them.

All four came out of the hotel and they got into the cars, except anil.He preferred to walk to his home as it was nearby. Pajero raced off to the highway with a buzzing sound and Anil stood there looking at the car till it vanish from his eye with a blank mind

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Anil thought a lot about what his friends said. He dint know what he had in mind. Was it the joy of meeting his friends after 15 years or was it the disappointment that things dint happen like what he had in mind. He never felt bad about his 3 friends as they mean the world to them. He knew them since childhood and he understand them more than anyone else. Their words were ringing in his ear. Anil had decided something. He got up from his bed and locked the front door. Anil got out of the house and started walking.

Sun was setting and the birds had already started singing their usual song. Anil crossed the Banyan tree and dint feel like he should stop by for a while. He reached the town and got into a cyber cafe which was run by his friend Susheel. With the help of Susheel, Anil opened a web browser and typed in www.facebook.com. He was getting ready to begin the race of the modern world. Anil started a new account and Susheel explained him about the site.

Yes,

"Anil Kumar has joined Facebook!!!"

He started to search vigorously for his friends in Facebook.

-G.Sarath Menon
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