The Phantom Gang
We studied together for our 1st degree, and we came together to be a group by means of transport!
As I write this, I think the most tangible common thing amongst us was that we all travelled to college daily on the same route.
We are 9 in all. And I guess we all started in pairs or triples. Then we just coagulated to form this mammoth group. (I say mammoth, because overtime many people have said to me - that's a huge group to be as close as you guys are :)) I met 98 on the 2nd day to college (first by bus, daddy dearest dropped me the first day :), don't know why recollecting this made me smile). I had met her before, in the utterly useless coaching classes, but it was just that - we had only met. In an alien environment, it felt exceptionally friendly. We decided to travel together, and stuck by it for next 4 years!
Then I met 117 in college, she was just as she is now :) Totally a cat :P I think I am more like her than the rest.
We started on a good note and wrote many many stories together :D The troublesome twosome!!
105 - petite and polite, the one in the dariyai aasman. For her I think we just 'happened'. If we wouldn't have happened, life wouldn't have been any different. But I really took to her as my younger sister (Not sure she is younger though ;)) Protective and pushy (OK sometimes bullying too) towards her. She has a special place.
On the other side, 94 and 85 had met and been on the bus :)
For a few months, the 3 (4) of us would see and talk and meet 94 and 85 in college, until one day when we decided to travel together :) I am not quite sure how and when 74, 75 and 88 met 94 and 85. But then, when we had started travelling together, they automatically joined the circle :)
It will be 8 long years since then this summer! We have all been conditioned (I don't want to say changed) and moved on to do different things. Hardly ever any 2 of us stayed in the same city for long after college (barring 85 and 88) but we have managed to keep in touch, to still wish each other, to still write common emails and to still plan common holidays!
And I cant stop relishing this little 'kept in touch' thing of ours :)
Recently, I realised, I might have been talking of a phantom gang - a thing of past. Not a nice thought. Not that bad either - A couple of us have gone beyond this, and got married!! Some are still very good friends. With others its takes a tiny bit more effort, and with some, one can just pick from where you left - always. So not depressed - just yet!
