Aji has gone back to India; which means one place less for us to go during our weekends. Is that all?? No...it's more than that. It was not just a hang out place for us; it was a place where we could just rush in any time without thinking much. When you live in a foreign land, away from parents and relatives, such people and places are something that gives a sense of security, a feeling that you are not alone here.
A train of thoughts comes to my mind when I think of her. We started our acquaintance during our B-Tech days. Aji was famous in college for her PJ's then :).Those days we were in different classes and had our casuals talks during our bus journeys etc. We came to know more about each other after B-Tech when we both joined a construction firm in Trivandrum. It was a site office and we were the only girls there, needless to say that was a bonding period for us.
Later, whatever happened in our lives were such that we were destined to be together. Both of us got admission for the same course and in the same college for M-Tech. We stayed in the same hostel for one year, but in different rooms. This was the time when we became more close to each other. We ran the mess committee, our small fights during that, did combined studies, shared the deepest secrets in our lives..... Also for the next one year project, both of us were lucky enough to get guides in VSSC, Trivandrum. During this time, we also joined for music classes in the same place - Aji for guitar and me for keyboard. Can't forget the small small funny incidents during our car journeys these times.
Our course finished and we passed out with flying colours. Both of us applied for the same job abroad. Aji had always been fascinated about Dubai since she spent her childhood here, and also her father and uncle were working here, and she really wished for this job. Whereas, I din't have anybody here and so was not much fascinated in coming to Dubai. Parallely, we were also trying for other jobs in India. Both of us got offers from firms in India. I decided to take up the job while Aji got married to Sinu who was working in a reputed company in Dubai. I felt so happy for her that God had planned in such a manner that Aji, who herself is a great believer of God, could get to the place where she wished to be.
Meanwhile, M-Tech classmate and would-be, Naveen (now my husband) got a job offer in UAE and flew to the desertland. Can't forget the fact that it was Aji and Sinu who received him well and called me 2-3 times to India to assure me that he had safely reached there. Also can't forget that it was Aji's mobile sim that Naveen used till he got a new one.
Aji and Sinu made it a point to gift me a beautiful present a few days before marriage since they were flying back to Dubai by that time. I flew to Dubai with my husband after marriage and should say, our friendship with Aji and Sinu strengthened once again after that. We used to discuss all sorts of things, go for movies, outings,get-togethers and what not.... At this point, I must say that these people could be so much relied upon that they were always ready for outings and movies irrespective of day and night; really treasure those moments.
Time passed by, dear God blessed the couple with a cute baby. They named him 'Chris'...We had the opportunity of seeing him even before Sinu saw him, since we were on our vacation in Kerala then. And Sinu got his leaves ready days after the baby was born. They came back to Dubai with baby Chris. Recession time was here and Aji lost her job in UAE. But she was happy looking after Chris and decided to search for jobs after some time. Sinu decided to go for higher studies since this is the best time for it.
Leaving back a lot of memories, its time for us to part. Sure,we are also getting back to our homeland in not much time and we still can have our get-togethers all over again. But, a bit depressed to accept the fact that Aji,Sinu and Chris, who were more than friends to us has left Dubai....
Picture Courtesy : http://www.photoree.com/search?q=time%20to%20depart&l=-
