SBOA Revisited!!

Last weekend was what we all were waiting for a real long time. It is not that easy to make a meeting of old school buddies possible after being out of touch for almost a decade. But IX A was all for it and ready to do it. So the time and date were set and all roads lead for Bengaluru on Christmas Eve 2005.

We all met at Forum, a mall much smaller than a single phase of Spencer's. It was so good to see those people with whom you had spent your innocent days of adolescence, trying to know about the adult world. The groups which we had started with an ambition of being together after school was dormant until the arrival of our dear Lawyer Saab, Thomas. Thanks to him.. and his evident skills of convincing people.. all that we were talking for the past one year was happening finally!!

I was as usual late for the meet cos of Jazz who had some work to do at home. The first person I met was Thomas. Our dude hasn’t changed much in the past 8 years. Still looks the same and still talks the same. Couldn’t believe he was a lawyer in Supreme Court. The fun we had in school was awesome. He was there only in 9th n 10th with all others. The Biology Lab decoration, Fish Tank Maintenance (yeah we had a big one at school!!)
Or the fun we had during THE ENGLISH FAIR by BRITISH COUNCIL were re-lived. At a time when bunking classes without being absent to school were even unheard of, Thomas, Me and Muji pioneered the process which was followed by so many people in succession. It was so good to be back with him. The eternally cheerful dude!! He rocks!!!

Then Shri… though we had been in touch after school, on and off, it was Chennai that saw us getting along very well. Though he lived a few houses away from mine, BITS n PSG TECH had different cultures and timings to make us meet and stuff. From a naïve and studious guy (I never knew about M!!!) to a rocking SW professional, BITS PILANI had played a great part!! Kaxxxxx (Me and Thomas were in a shock when we heard about it!!!) too – yeah some actress who acted in a couple of tamil movies. I expect him to be back in Chennai for new year. He was talking a lot about marriage. Maybe its time for him to settle down. We had an awesome time in Chennai before he left on deputation to BLR. So there is a lot of stuff to be added about this guy. Some of the particular ones are the GREY GOOSE episode, Three to Tango (Me,M n Sri) and then the smashing T-Lounge. More on these later!!!

Updated - after 2 hours - SRI valavaru... Nallavaru!!! Remember our PACT sri!!! dont break it!!! ok???

Jo – The ASPL of our school. Madam hasn’t changed much. She was one of the girls who created a storm in the school on the very first day. I still remember the IX A class being upgraded in this section popular among the guys that time. You know what I mean. From SBOA to BLR and Citibank – Wipro – Patni… madam has carved her niche as an HR Executive. Though her ambition was to do something in Astro-Physics or something of that sort – as told by herself during college time. She was cool about all the commotions happening around and maintains that till date!!! We got to see it first hand in BLR. It was nice to see her getting along well with the greatest adversary of all times – Thomas. The tire tearing episode was one of the funniest ones ever happened in the school. And not to forget her convincing skills in getting a free period for playing in the hot sun!!(which was no skill.. the PT masters just gave it whenever she asked!!!). Nice to meet you Jo and Sushant (her husband). Have a rollicking year ahead!!!
Nithya – mother of all surprises!!! Nobody was able to recognize her!!! Though she hasn’t changed much from her own self, she was completely different from what we had imagined. GK who is in USA had a hard time to spot her in the pictures and kept asking me who is this girl?? She is still the same goody goody girl who compares a Beer Pitcher to a Round Bottom Flask!!! And not to forget the always- ready-to erupt temper!!! Not even one guy was spared during school days except me (I was a good boy.. u see) but I fell victim too. For writing a post in the blog!!! She is awesome.

Thiru – our mappillai hasn’t changed a bit. Still the same guy he used to be but a slight improvement though. On and off he would disappear in the crowd to take a phone call from some Airtel Executive. Hope we get to hear about it soon. And also he was instrumental in proving the arbitrator in Thomas. And Thomas showed us why he is a Lawyer. You could even convince a girl to try on Bacardi n Vodka… but not Thiru. But it was smashed and Thomas had Thiru in his hands!!!

Vivek – Still the same silent guy as he was in school. Though TCS has made him travel a long way around India. So he knew most of the places we were talking about.

One person I missed in the meet was Lallu!!! Lavanya was away on honeymoon to Mangalore. Too bad we couldn’t get her to be in the meet. We all missed you Lallu. Hope you will make it for the second one in Jan or Jul. And also Ferozia and Siddhi.

Not all friendships stay long... but the ones which do stay cannot be valued. "Long lasting friends are ones whose names travel through the address books you change. Acquaintances are lost in the old address books"

This was very much visible in our case. Hope to keep it strong for many many years to come. Nice to see all of you guys!!! Lets meet very soon….


Picture (L to R : Thiru,Vivek,Jo,Nithya,Thomas and Sri)