By Abhishek Haridasan
Menaka! Yes, that was her name. She was a gorgeous woman; well-read, almost completing her Master’s degree and was positive about landing her dream job. She had her targets and life goals sorted out.
A job for four years, then a year to prepare for a Business Administration degree, followed by a possible placement in Europe or the Western World, and finally settling down after saving up a corpus and buying her first apartment. Quite a plan! I believed so, too!
When we met…
I befriended Menaka for roughly 60 days many moons ago. And she knew her way around the world. She was strong, assertive and completely in control of her emotions. She was perhaps the friendliest person in a crowd of 100, as she smiled, shook hands and inquired about everyone’s well-being.
Menaka was a woman of the world. Courteous in front of the public, outspoken while debating and warm in her discussions. My first conversation with her was on breathing exercises and yoga, and yes, it was interesting, considering that both of us were openly realizing the positives of the exercises for the first time.
On the same day, after a mid-day break, I, along with Menaka and a few of her friends, sipped tea and munched onto some refreshments, as we counted the hours remaining for the session, which was to last for two weeks.
While interacting with the trainer and everyone involved, I used to pass a gaze at her – figuring out how she would take every yoga challenge with ease, even helping out others in the process. We would chat about the writing assignments, which I excelled at and would share notes, and at times, add in our perspectives. Menaka had opinions and the sweetest smile I had ever seen on anyone. It felt like the crack of dawn, brightening the earth with its presence.
My jokes were hilarious – considering how Menaka and her friends laughed at them, clutching their tummy in a reverse reaction – trying hard to avoid the guffaws that would emanate from overflowing laughter bouts. Over the next few weeks, as we came to close of the session – we received certificates and a mark of approval from the trainer through the hours we invested in the yoga asanas and breathing sessions. While there was no grading examination towards the final course, if there were, Menaka would feature in the Top-3 of the cohort, with me possibly featuring in the Mentionable-5 as well!
Next was better…
The next few weeks got better! Menaka and her friends, and I hit up a great chemistry between each other – watching movies, indulging in QSR meals and of course talking about life in general. We understood about each other’s perspective towards life, and why – individual opinions mattered in the larger scheme of things. These conversations opened new avenues of honest and honourable intuitions, seen mostly between trustworthy friends.
Menaka was pleasantly different…
Although, 5-7 years my senior, I sensed a positive connect with Menaka, during face-to-face conversations and even over the phone. I remember much later, how our conversations were free-of-judgement and uniquely different from the discussions I used to have with my other close-friends. What I cherished with her, was the opportunity to be unique, with her ability to be accepting of views and countering them with logic, whenever necessary. Everything clicked, everything between us hinged on humane understanding.
However, life happened…
Yes, the age-old adage, where suddenly out of sight leads to out of mind, and we were the result of work-life, education, career and life-in-general keeping us apart. While there was an odd opportunity to connect via social media, e-chats, and emails; where we relived those fruitful and fantastic weeks that we spent, life has different plans for us.
While none of us ever blames each other for the inability to stay in touch, once or twice every year, I, at times, recall past conversations with Menaka, the yoga sessions, and most importantly the discussions and debates were participated in!
I am still hopeful; that one day, we might meet! Perhaps the universe shall make us cosmically connect in the near future. Human relations, after all, are built and nurtured on happiness, kindness, and hope!
By Abhishek Haridasan
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