And the scene unfolds in front of me. It was a scene I had always imagined. The grey road meandering across the little lush gardens to reach her.
The Mighty her. The Monumental her. Our Paradised her.
There she was, seated in her majestic throne - every year, as men and women walked into her pedestals as strangers and walked out connected.
My eyes search for a difference. I smile :) She looks jus the same - unmoved by all those lives she had touched - deeply, warmly and proudly.
I step on to the grey road. Memories flood me racing past my mind. The Memories of a Lifetime.
But my mind freezes on one of them. And the scene in front me changes.
It was in the early months of 2004. Our campus was adorned with lights and decorations. Every tree and every structure was clad in an armor of dazzling blaze in celebration of their ever-reigning queen. For she was the most joyous part of the evening. With strings of quivering bright beads strung across her entire massive structure, she was glowing in her defining red luminescence. That day, our proud Goddess was celebrating herself. And her every year of existence, essence and significance.
I was walking the road with a friend and I remember being happy.
The road was crowded. Groups of friends roaming around, posing and clicking snaps. Gigling and smiling, everyone seemed to be celebrating. She seemed to be so contagious!
There was not a single face around me that was not reflecting the refreshing luminosity of our dear campus. Radiant as it was!
As we walk the road, there is silence between us. We were savoring the evening to our souls. And our silence. Like every of my close ones who found comfort in my silence.
It starts to drizzle. Yes! Rain would be her most adorned ornament. With slow steps, we move towards the huge gates. Stepping out we turn to have a final long glimpse of the celebrated. She looked as wonderful as ever!
The drizzle was now a full-formed shower. And silence was still our companion.
As it rained on her and so on us, we stood there for a long time celebrating her. Celebrating our world! Celebrating us!
I smile again. I have learnt to smile at this. As I took every step, my heart created a vaccum that my breadth was filling in patiently.
It was not a moaning. It was not a longing. It was the feeling for the place. And the feeling for the past.
As i moved towards her, I wondered about the many people who had rejoiced this campus - as a home away from home.
About the 'they's of the we. About the 'he's of the them. And the 'she's of the us.
About the tears of the smiles. And the pains of the happiness.
About the solitutde of companies. And the company of loneliness.
About the friends of me. And the me in friends.
I walk the road. There is silence here too. But now today .. I wish I have a hand to hold.
__
PS :
Her - The Red Building.An imagination ( and so an exaggeration!!) of how my visit to college (College of Engineering, Guindy, Anna Univeristy) would be after a few years.
And pics of our college on one such day.