Serendipity, luck, chance, fortuitous. There is no other way to describe such a meeting and all that followed…
Our little party traveling to Varanasi that day had been just in the nick of time to catch our flight out. Of course, being just at the nick of time doesn’t let one be very choosy!
So the lot of us got seats at different parts of the craft and most of them the middle row seats that no one actually prefers!
Well anyway…All settled into my seat, I promptly dozed off (having discovered that this is a great way to catch up on lost sleep!). Next thing I know, I was being woken up by the hostess to be served, except that she has only non vegetarian meals left and would I be so kind as to eat one of them! Being a vegetarian and a stickler for service, this just plain ticked me off! And I think I said something that amounted to “ this isn’t how things are done!”, not the greatest of conversation starters maybe but what followed was one of those really really nice conversations.
Just to clarify, I didn’t end up talking to myself! I was after all seated amidst two people and the person who actually chose to respond to irate me was sitting to my right…Late thirties, early forties and a geologist! From that moment on we had a two hour flight where we spoke of so many many things, everything under the sky from customer service to corporate social responsibilities to the environment, our respective jobs, companies…it was brilliant! Anyway, at the end of the flight we introduced ourselves!! And me being me, googled him! It was more curiosity than anything….
I am usually such a misfit for the way I think and the way I argue and few people stimulate me to argue, think and give me broader views and encourage me to be such a nut! Well I’d just met one such person and if I could, I was certainly going to get in touch! And get in touch we did…writing mails…again about everything under the sun and some on crafts orbiting it, books, movies and life in general….And then we met again, although this time it was planned and not left to lady luck…and had as riveting a conversation as any other time!
What else would one call such a chance encounter turning to such an interesting friendship?
6 comments:
What else would one call such a chance encounter turning to such an interesting friendship?
1. India being a conservative society and it being difficult to meet/converse with like-liberal minded people.
2. An opportunity to say "screw you" to the world you live in and say "hi" to the interesting world that you may have found.
3. There's more to life than just compromise to the society that you live in.
hmmm...well...hi..it would help to know who it is i am addressing...but ofcourse, if u prefer the anonymity..i have enjoyed the opportunity immensely! although i am not as annoyed with society as you seem to be! take care!
You talked about the 'spark' Meera, somewhere else! I bet this co-passenger was ignited by that spark.... And he must be as enthused as you have been about this serendipity :-)
Your blogs are brilliant - I got completely soaked into those, till somebody else pulled me out! I wish you write a bit more than what you currently do. You have been honest about your confused state of mind - and I enjoyed every bit of it (July 23rd, 2006).... stay confused, Meera ;)
It was great to know you here, I will continue reading these.....
Hi Biplob...I am flattered! thank you :) One of the things i strive to be is honest...and i have no qualms about expressing how i feel :)
I ve learnt to believe that we encounter things and we meet specific people for some reason (gud or bad) and for some essential anecdote (sometimes for ourselves or for the other person or may b both ways)...
lax , you are gifted to have a mind of your own .... speaks of the fact that you are not yet another a clone (you are not a typical anything .. you are typically you ).. most people from an Indian background are taught to be too conscious about the way they are looked at and they forget to see & learn how they look at the world...(I do not say that it is bad to believe and act a typical way but it is essential to check out all your beliefs and ways for yourself)
I love the "soul asylum"
India is a free country...we have the freedom of speech but that aint enough unless you have a(n elite) crowd to understand (and argue) your take on matters...
keep writing.... i lov readin (your mind)...
And you taught me to say "go hang yourself" with such conviction :)) ... I love the "if u have a problem go hang yourself" feel that is expressed in your writing :))
Hey sweetie..thank you thank you..But you're bang on spot..i write like i speak..like i think..i can't separate that i guess.. And yes..i don't have anything against all those who tend to be a part of the herd..but it kills me that lots of them don't have a thought process beyond that..i have been proven wrong on this..but those are atypical exceptions.. In any case..i'd like to think birds of a feather flock together..so here's to the bunch of crazy ppl that we are! :)
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