The day which a dozen people had dreamed about for quite a long time. As the hands of the clock crawled towards 2PM, last minute checks were made and with one last look at the mirror, all of us left our homes to meet absolute strangers.

Absolute strangers, but for one thing- We were all Iyers. ‘Bangalore iyers!’ we proclaimed proudly. The Venue was ‘Cafe Coffee Day’ in jayanagar 4th block.  As the ‘Attendance’ list was not known, nobody knew the exact number of people coming… As time trickled by, iyervaals of all sizes & shapes approached each other, shyly enquiring if the slowly growing crowd were all Iyers?

As nods & introductions started, the bunch of strangers started small talk and soon were laughing and conversing as if they had known each other for quite a long time! After waiting around in the parking lot of  CCD for an hour, all the ‘iyervaals’ had arrived!

Since CCD couldnt accomodate 16 loud iyervaals, we had to find an immediate replacement. Trust me! 16 iyers, growing cranky with every passing minute[due to standing in the blazing sun] is no pleasant sight.

Suddenly a bulb glowed brightly in someone’s head and it was quickly decided that we should head for a nearby park where there was ample space to accomodate all of us. Jumping into all means of transport available, we zoomed to the park.

Settling down, a bit of awkwardness set in as if everyone suddenly realised that they were all strangers to each other. A more formal introduction ensued and comments were made about our educational backgrounds and once again the ‘comfortability’ factor settled in.

Talks ranged from ‘Sandhyavandhanam’ to ‘Cooking skills’ & ‘Residences’ to ‘Social life’. And TALK we did!! from Aangilam to iyer baashe, the conversations flowed with arguments thrown to & fro.

As the clock struck 5, A few members wanted to leave, so a quick photosession was called into order and the poses began! After the umpteenth picture was clicked, 2 of the members bade a quick goodbye and were off.
The rest 14 of us, with our stomach’s grumbling, made way to a restaurant nearby-Sukh Sagar; which accomodated us quite nicely. After a quick fight over the menu card, orders were placed & this time, the talk tuned more louder and chattier than ever before[maybe it was the food or just that we were more comfortable with each other now, but whatever it was, it worked!].
We did create quite a ruckus[which we were totally oblivious too, except for maybe Mr.Ram, who kept 'sushing' us, advising that loud chatter is bad for the ears!!] Sorry! but no one really listened to it!

After the delicious food arrived, we all tucked in with gusto, still screaming our voices hoarse to each other. From favorite actors to political parties to the specialities of ‘pallakad’, views were exchanged and laughed at. And at last came REALITY, in the form of the Bill!
For a few minutes, everyone acted as if it was just a piece of paper with numbers on it. but then, when the waiter stationed himself near us, we realised ‘the bill’ couldn’t be avoided after all!

With a flourish of wallets and unzipping of purses, the cash flowed; a trickle at first but nearly flooding the table in the end. Matters settled, we decended the stairs to the twinkling roadside, to finally bade goodbyes to those, who, just a few hours back were complete strangers, but now Good friends.

A final cheer was sounded and the ‘Historic’ meet of a Community that ‘never was’ ended with laughter and Blooming bonds of Friendship.

Hearing so many  ‘advance b’day!’ wishes from loved ones made my heart glow with pleasure.. but 2 decades already?!!

It does seem like a real long time when I put it that way, doesn’t it?

On 3rd january 2009, when the clock struck 00:00hrs, all my friends[who are older than me] sent me teasers on how to spend my last day on earth as a ‘teenager’.

Am I supposed to embrace the so called ‘Adulthood’ of the twenties or feel sad that I am losing the Carefree uniqueness of being a Teenager??

I guess, I should let go of this phase eh?

after all, teenage is supposed to be the preparation phase for adulthood right?

No one could really understand how ACTUALLY traumatic it could be! Elders expecting you to ‘Act the age!’ and me, fighting the inner voice[it can be really irritating at times!] which kept on bleating “Move on girl!”

I wont say it’ll be better than teenage nor will I say it will be worse..

It shall be as it always was.. all I need to do now is to put all I learned throughout my teenage to PROPER use as an ‘Adult’ [Feeling grown up already!]

That would be a successful transition..

I did have the feeling that, when I realized this, somewhere high Above, a smile stole across His lips..

 All was well.