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Here it is Folks!
The Northern Conference!
The Attendees (in alphabetical order):
Krithika Ketkar
Somu Palaniappan
Peter Cyril Jones
Suresh
Location and Date:
Chicago, 7th August 1999
The plan for the foursome was to meet at Krithika’s Place on 7th morn. Palaniappan driving from Detroit picked
me (Peter Cyril Jones) up at Lansing, which was on the way to Chicago. Palani and I made a 300mile trip to reach
the place. Suresh had to drive 175miles to do the same.
All of us had some inhibitions in meeting our own people after a long time. Palani knocked my door and I was surprised
to see him look the same as he was in the Twelfth Standard with some vertical and lateral improvement. Though he
looked the same, he didn’t talk the same. He has developed a perfect American accent that may lead to confusion
for people talking to his answering machine.
However, he did not find anything new about me except for a distinct moustache.
On the way to Chicago, lots of topics came up but I was happy to know that Palani is one of the guys in
this world designing Airbags and Seat belts for cars.
We reached Krithika’s place around noon. We had a warm welcome from Ashutosh and Krithika. Krithika and
I had no trouble identifying each other, but Palani and Krithika were happy to get their doubtful mental pictures
right.
Krithika looks charming as ever, but there is a tinge of seriousness in her face. She offered a light snack and
was getting ready to prepare Pav Bhaji (Channa and Bread)
We were waiting for Suresh, famished, which the hostess found out soon and started hurrying up things in the kitchen.
Then Suresh arrived. He still has the "Chubby Cheek, Dimple Chin" look. He identified me easily, or at
least that’s what he said. He was happy to recognize Palani, and then the thing happened. He could not get a clue
as to who was Krithika and said "Krithika! I don’t recognize you". Then we tried giving cue incidents
of the past for him to refresh his long lost mental picture of Krithika, but were of no avail.
Then we started our gossip, going back up to the KGs. Incidentally, all four of us started our schooling
right from the KGs at RSK. Suresh and I were a little vocal of our past secret desires than the rest. Yeah! Krithika
and Palani are married. We were talking about KG II classes when we were all supposed to sleep in the classroom
during the first two periods in the afternoon. I guess we all mastered that art by the time we were in the Main
School. Suresh was sharp enough to recollect that during those sleeping sessions, bed-wetting was a frequent issue
generally among the kids.
Krithika and I were claiming that we joined school before we were three years of age owing to our working
parents.
We talked about Evangeline Turnbull Miss, Geralyn Miss (the lady I wished to marry when I was in III Std) and many
other primary school teachers. We talked about Shamshath Begum and other kids who left our school earlier. We talked
about punishments we received. We even discussed primary school politics and how Premjith/Bhaskar became the Captain
in primary school. "Thirumalai and his nicknames" for almost everyone was an interesting topic. That
included DurBurKhan, Grenshaw and many other wildest and vilest names. Another topic was, who all had crush on
who all. This topic was amazing, so it is better we don’t put on Black and White.
Other things that came up in the gossip was:
- Anjali Leekha- Making of a Girls SPL
- Gopi Chandran and his Brigadier talk
- Sports Days, Parents Days, Favorite teachers,"English Teachers"
- NCC washing allowance, 3-Parottas and gravy from Bharat hotel
- Girls NCC and Siji Joseph, the best cadet
- LDA, Main School Elections
- Bro.Augustine Novello and Bro.Vincent
- Cane Kings Bro.Joseph and Britto Sir of "Go and shave cats and dogs" fame.
We sure talked a lot, guys. It was fun. It would have been more interesting if many of us were there.
After hours of gossip, we decided to check out Chicago. We went to the Navy Pier all in one car discussing
about future goals all other ambitious stuff. Suresh wants to pursue higher degrees it seems, Palani is quite happy
with his Masters and Krithika, is doing a variety of courses, and I feel, I cannot take books anymore. Then, we
parked the car on the top most deck of a multi-storey parking lot. We then went for a Boat Ride at the pier. We
were through with it at around 9.00pm and were strolling till 10.00pm. Then went to Downtown Planet Hollywood,
had Cocktails and dinner. We were the lasts to come out of the restaurant, and by then we were preparing ourselves
to part. In fact, all of us wanted to talk more, mind was willing, and body was weak, so we decided to split. We
checked our watches, it was 2.30am, Krithika and her husband were good enough to accommodate Palani and me at their
place. Suresh left for his friend’s place and in the morning we left Krithika’s place.
The Reunion was just a matter of hours, but it mattered so much for us when it ended.
Take it from me, when we meet it is real good.
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