Catching up with friends!

I had an amicable time in Delhi. Occasionally I would call upon old school friends on weekends… most people are occupied with their occupation on weekdays except Rajiv who is a pilot.

 

On Friday afternoon I happened to call upon Sirinivas Tiwari. He lately got transferred to Delhi and stays nearby although we hadn’t met. “Let’s go to the school” Tiwari said.

 

My previous plans for a school visit since my friend Maj. Manoj was transferred there never materialised. This too seemed quite unlikely as Srinivas planned to leave tomorrow… while I expected a call from my UAE office.

 

Srinivas mentioned the pip ceremony for Manoj being promoted to Lt. Colonel in his alma mater. This happened to be an occasion worth attending.

 

Evening the families met at Srinivas residence. Rajiv too dropped in.

 

Next day afternoon at 1.30 P.M we were on our way to airport to pick up a friend of Tiwari who too was enthusiastic to come on the trip. Initially these two guys had planned to go. Now it was four of us on our way to Agra.

 

At the beer shop I realised that Rajiv was a disciplined pilot and also drove the car well. 

Tiwari hails from Agra and with him navigating we crossed over Agra and had to a turn back asking directions from passers-by, shopkeepers and autowallas.

 

Manoj was shopping with his family in Sadar Bazaar (most of the cantonments in India have a Sadar Bazaar). 

Our classmate Sarabjeet too joined us. We drove to the army mess for the night stay. 

As the geyser in the room was not working Rajeev continently postponed what was a chilly water bath.

 

Udaiveer too joined us for a chat. The chitchat, catching up with the old times went past midnight. It was 1.30 a.m. we ventured out. At such an odd hour meal could only be found at the railway station.

 

The Punjabi da dhaba was still serving. We finally slept at 3 a.m.