The Long and Winding Road that leads to your door

 

Summer has been scrumptious and lights me up with impish glee. I am thrilled about reconnecting with my school friend after a long time. I must catch the 9’o clock train. Even though there is only an hour left, I have to finish all chores at home and start without further delay. The weather seems dismal making me tired and irritable. I am almost done now. Oh, dear! I’m late. I somehow reach the station and the trains are all delayed. My phone rings and it’s my friend. Goodness me, ‘she must’ve arrived’ I thought and answered the phone. I apologetically spell out the situation and assure her that I’ll be with her soon.
Finally, I reach London Victoria station at half past ten in the morning. It was a rainy day with sunny intervals. We delve into the streets of London, exploring every nook and cranny. The streets are lined up with houses in typical Victorian architecture, some rows completely white and some painted in all shades of pastel colour. We lose track of time, exploring London’s endless network of streets and alleys.
We then go to a restaurant that she recommended. It looked grand, cozy, and suitable for our chitter-chattering. We take our seats, and she asks me how I’ve been, I make the usual formal reply. But soon we start speaking on casual terms as we used to in our school days. Then we order food and talk incessantly mostly about trivial matters and sometimes serious ones with a giggle now and then. Then we both look at the clock and exclaim, “Damn, the time’s flown!”. The whole afternoon passes in the twinkling of an eye. We say our goodbyes, promising to meet again later. Memories disembarking in my head, I enjoy our long discussion, yet we couldn’t recapitulate the entire chasm of 15 years. I realize that both of us have undergone a significant transformation. Our attitudes and personalities have changed a lot. But our friendship has been more consistent over time. On my way back home, I muse over the delightful meeting with my friend.