A toast to someone special

                                                                  

   MEMORIES are the only things that remain unchanged when everything else changes. A walk down the dark, rusty memory lane obviously lights the chandelier of past. Memories are the funniest things in life. They make you cry, about the happy things and make you laugh about that silly things. Single moment becomes a treasured memory; needless to say I have made a castle of memory. A castle it is, not a built just like any other... it is a castle built with the bricks of friendship, care, studiousness, stupidest fun and every single thing that makes one proceed building the castle.

                     It started as a strange acquaintance one fine day with butterflies flying in the pit of my stomach some day in July and today we stand at the end of the road. Every good thing has an end. Time flies. Never did I realise that this end would come so soon and so hard. Since the first time we met, every other word uttered still rings in my ears crystal clear. It hurts to even think now that we will not be able to spend time again to together, where we have together spent every hour, minute, second and moment lived a larger than life...  I cannot believe that we will not be meeting again. The first time we meet it seemed a like a mystery, and after so many days it amazes me to see the depths of strength, grit and how all of you have given a small place in your huge life and have become a huge part of my small life.

 It was a brief period of time that we spent together but not something that we can memorialise with anything for that matter. You shunned that age old theory of being strict seniors. You accepted me on par your shoulder, heard me out, guided me, celebrated my success and stood by me during my failure. You have shown me what team work is? How things come out with flying colours when each and every one joins hands. ORBITCE 2K11 was the first technical fest that I actively participated but it was not a burden at any point, it was a something I craved to work for even after the end of the fest. It was solely because of your effort that made me want to work more; the dedication you put in was so amazing to watch. In all at the end of ORBITCE instilled a fear in me that we may lose the connect with you people. You did prove us wrong again just the way you proved us wrong about the myth of strict seniors. You continued letting me join you post the successful event, at every point in time you were there just a call away. In the hostel and in the department it was more like friends rather than a formal relationship that existed.

Time is a like a mirage that seems to be, but is never there. A realisation that I have made as the time of parting gets nearer, our relation gets stronger and harder it gets to let go of you people. At this juncture words fail me. I will fail if I do not apologise for the infinite mistake I did and the times I ended up hurting you people. For what it is worth AM SORRY.

 What I have written is not even a meagre of my respect and the bond I share with you.

A chill runs through my spine at this very thought that I will never ever walk as easily into your classroom as I walk into my home. When I walk through the corridors of our department, it makes me realise that my sub conscious was also conscious and it made sure I took the flight of stairs that was closer to your class room rather than mine. There is not a day when my legs paused as I cross your class for the past week, stare at the doors that always welcomed me into the most phenomenal people in my whole life. Not a day passed without moist eyes and hidden by the fake smile because I know there is nothing more luxurious than being with some people who look out for us and it hurts to know that I will not seeing them again as the same lovely seniors.

This is to raise a toast to the smiles, love, care, friendship, inspiration, kindness, pack of cards, lunch also the treat sponsors that you have bestowed on me.

                   Thank you for everything.

He is.....

                                                                   HE IS

Fair and lean he is,

A face meant to flame

Unique are the attributes of his,

A fierce tongue and yet we cant blame

Like everyone he meets success and failure,

Yes , he is the same one in a million.

Essential it is to recognise his calibre,

He has the power to brighten the lives of a billion.

He makes a few awe, and for some he instils fear.

Adds a glow on the special day of our dear.

Life is short , not his, even our’s.

He is short and small, still he lights a candle worth hours,

Life like a lifeless MATCHSTICK is worth living,

Not for himself, for others he dies burning.

To find people like him today is rare.

Who live selfless and for others welfare.

Complexion even today now draws a line of separation among us.

The issue not worth discussing, yet we make a huge fuss,

Birth brings him fair, when he dies he is all black and burnt,

Yet a vital lesson remains unlearnt.

Life is valued in terms of the service done from heart,

It is not the complexion but character that sets us a class apart.

Questions

As he looked at the faded photograph placed on the tea stand in his large living room, tears rolled down his cheeks. Was it my fault? Was it something I said, did that you went away? he asked to himself, not just today but every other day for the past 3 years.

                             The gong went in the 9^th time. He wiped his tears and began to head towards the huge oak door. He grabbed a key from the key bunch. Locked the door and he walked to the silver sedan that was twinkling in the rays of the sun. It was a dream car. He smiled as he got into the driver’s seat. The engine woke up to the dance of the key. Out of the lonely road into the busy streets of Mumbai, the sedan became another prey to the traffic like any other car. He arrived at his office. As he walked from his car to the lift across the basement lit by the sun rays, he managed to slip his hand and take his phone from the inner pocket of his blazer. The elevator gave a beep telling him that his floor arrived. He walked like every other day with a broad smile greeting everyone in his office and adding a smile to everyone of their face overloaded with curiosity about meeting deadlines, anxious about pay hikes and making their presentation work. He opened the clean glass door, the gateway of his cabin. He walked to his cabin, unbuttoning the three of his blazer, put it over his seat and sat down. He pulled up the left hand cuff and stared at the watch the he wore. A watch that he adored so much.  Sheer craftsmanship- metal strap, black dial, grey hands and roman numerals in silver. He then looked at his desk. Made out of wood was his name plate. A triangular prismatic one. He slowly took it in his hand and with a faint smile read “MANAGING DIRECTOR” his designation. He then turned it the other way. In golden beautiful cursive writing was a name that defined him “Rithwik Shah”.

                                                               Just then, his secretary walked in and read out his schedule. Nothing was new, it was always the same. Meetings, presentation and tenders. As monotonous as every other day, even today ended. He hit the shut down on his laptop, stood up, took his blazer wore it and walked out of his cabin. He was the last person to whom the very weak, old security serving the company gave a salute every evening. He stepped into the elevator alone, and walked alone out of the elevator at basement. Got into his chariot, the engines roared and he was on his way back.

                                                                           It was almost sunset as he reached one end of the QUEEN’S NECKLACE. Horns and potholes welcomed him. He drove ahead and pulled over. Stepped out of his car, locked it and sat where he used since all the way back till his memory could go back, on the stones...those cylindrical rocks that bordered the entire stretch of the beach. Sat alone, staring at the endless blue Arabian Sea. He reluctantly walked from the stone that was DHRUV RASTOGI’s favourite.

Time flies, especially when someone is lost in the world of admiration....so it did...every other day since he was six years old. For the last 3 years he has been sitting here alone. He then walked up to his car, and drove till Juhu beach. His next favourite destination. Again he pulled over his car and this time he walked to the famous WADA PAV stall. He bought himself his favourite snack. And relishing the maharastrian delicacy he walked on the sands of the beach. How things turn topsy turvy? As he munched into his WADA PAV, he could see two hazy figures walking with the same delicacy in their hands, walking along the beach. His smile, how his eyes closed when he smiled broad.  “Where are on earth are you lost DHRUV?” a question RITHWIK asked himself tirelessly. A question that was lost in silence, it was not a random question that had no reply. This place was his date for the past so many years. RITHWIK’s family had moved to Mumbai, then. Opposite to his flat was this young little naughty fellow peeping at his newly moved neighbours. DHRUV’s family welcomed their new neighbours with so much warmth. They became very close to each other in a very short period of time. DHRUV and RITHWIK went to the same school, shared the same interests. Years passed, city changed, people changed but if one thing did not change it was their friendship. They walked with WADA PAV in their hands every evening after college, spoke about everything in this world from girls, country, environment, movies, matches, politics, corruption and you name anything it was there in their discussion.

                                            It was like every other day, yet today was little different, long walk along the beach and RITHWIK was stunned at the strange question that DHRUV bombarded him with “DO YOU FEEL HAPPY WHEN SPEND TIME WITH ME?” RITHWIK gave a wild stare, DHRUV smiled. He laughed and laughed seeing RITHWIK’s shell shocked expression. His stomach ached really hard. He said “ DUDE... his signature way of addressing when he cracks a joke, he said Am asking a question as if  I am your girlfriend and you stare back at me as if I cheated on you. Though it took a few seconds for RITHWIK to understand the logic and the prank, RITHWIK was so embarrassed that he could feel his jaw drop in the shock. DHRUV paused all of a sudden. He stared at RITHWIK and RITHWIK returned the same look. They both burst out laughing altogether. Making sure RITHWIK did not notice DHRUV’s hands went into his back pack, his hand tightly held something with great care, it was perfectly gift wrapped. DHRUV stuffed it into RITHWIK’s hand. He said “this is a day I eagerly await every year, your birthday. Wish you many many more HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DUDE”. RITHWIK was taken aback; it was something different not how DHRUV would do. A gift in advance was not so unacceptable. RITHWIK  felt as if he was with a stranger. A person you believe as all the time since you were able recognise things being so different and your prediction going wrong never made sense. But it really never mattered, DHRUV’s gift, was timeless. He quickly unwrapped it, it was a wrap of the time since the day it all began till the last birthday...a photo collage.  A memory collection of all the pictures of RITHWIK, starting from his first birthday, first in Mumbai till the picture that RITHWIK posed for last month during their midnight walk. DHRUV put his hand around RITHWIK’s shoulder, RITHWIK felt as if he was on top of the world and had no fear as the person who stood beside him was the one he could trust with eyes closed. DHRUV said “DUDE, am saying all these nice things because you know I am nefarious. I need a treat.” RITHWIK punched him in his stomach, and  said you completed enjoying the treat and his eye balls rolled down and sarcastically looked at the empty WADA PAV PLATE. RITHWIK ran, and DHRUV caught up and now the by-standees were witnessing a wrestling match. Finally they two mutually called it off.  RITHWIK dropped DHRUV at his place, the large mansion; they bought post DHRUV’s dad’s promotion, about four years back. DHRUV was alone in that huge mansion. DHRUV said a week ago that his parent’s went out of station. RITHWIK insisted a lot asking him to stay back in his place overnight, but DHRUV was stubborn he said he did not mind staying solitary in the huge mansion. RITHWIK woke up next morning, and he saw speckles floating space on the path enlightened by the sun’s rays that landed softly on his cheek. His mom walked into his room and wished him. He got ready in a jiffy... carefully took out the photo collage that DHRUV gave him and placed it on the large tea stand. A chunk of the memories that defined RITHWIK SHAH he said to himself, pride in his thoughts and smile on his lips.

                                                     He rushed out of the door and looked at his watch and told to himself that he must make it on time to DHRUV’s place. As his turned at the street corner into the busy road that lead to DHRUV’s home, his eyes searched eagerly and kept staring at the door to see that one person who meant the world to him. He continued searching for that one person, but there were no signs. He walked to the door and the bell screamed at that top of its voice unable to bear the force of the index finger. His ears were trying to be precise to make sure they could hear movement of the person from inside of the house. His eyes looked at something and he never realised what was happening. His eyes stared at the lock, his hands moved towards the lock. His fingers were trembling as he clutched the lock. He was feeling the entire world of his was locked behind the door. He thought DHRUV’s new way of wishing me. So he pulled out his phone from the right pocket of his pant and pressed the speed dial 2. It read dialling DHRUV. There was no response. He called, called and called. Was it a joke? Enough of it DHRUV come back he thought. His legs never let him place his foot on the way back to his home. He did not walk, he was dragged by his parents who frantically called him about 19 times, still not even half way near the number of time the number 2 button lost its life in RITHWIK’s phone. May be DHRUV is busy?? But Busy?? He thought... his inner voice spoke busy so much so as to not attend your calls RITHWIK? There was this war of conflicting thoughts as he waited outside DHRUV’s home. His parents managed to take him home.

                                              The hazy figures were lost in the sands of time. RITHWIK never remembered how he survived the aftermath of this shock. Something’s were there that RITHWIK  got in memory of DHRUV. His car was never his favourite, it was DHRUV’s dream car, his watch that ticked every moment of life bringing the uncertain future, and horrific past together was what DHRUV tirelessly admired every day as they walked down the road to the beach on the showroom roadside. More than that, his parents were glad that their son was alive after such a JOLT. He could do nothing else but re live each and every moment he spent that he defined as life by doing everything the same way. He searched for the answers to the same questions that he asked every day after that day every morning and moment in day when he could possibly question himself.

                                        SOME QUESTIONS IN LIFE DO NOT HAVE AN ANSWER, SOME MUST BE LEFT UNANSWERED, SOME MUST RATHER NOT BE ASKED, SOME HAVE ANSWERS WITHIN THEMSELVES AND SOME QUESTIONS ARE WORTH ASKING FOR THE ANSWER ATLEAST, BUT THOSE QUESTIONS REMAIN AN UNSOLVED MYSTERY, JUST LIKE THE MANY QUESTIONS THAT RITHWIK HAD.

Half Alive

Staring at the nonstop drop ,
That descend from the top,
The harsh wind that blew,
A slow but, deep sense of
Unrest that it began to brew.
The clouds were getting darker,
The sun was setting faster..

Everything seemed to go away farther and farther
To put my thoughts together seemed harder...

I stood giving a wild stare at the sun,

The clouds towards the sun, they ran.

Alone I stood and stared
As if for me no one cared...
My eyes were focussed wonder at what???
Because I was thinking about nothing at heart...

.

JOURNEY WITH GEMS

                                                  This is a sequel to my previous note UNSEEN and UNTOLD. As a matter of fact, when the boarding call was announced, I was lost in the thoughts about what awaited me. Then I walked to GATE 2 as announced by the Staff. As I made my way through ocean of people who stood between me and the gate, I tried to observe and memorise a lot of things happening there. But this thought was completely washed away when I saw cute, chubby baby seated in a peach coloured perambulator. He sat as if his majesty ruled the world, and stared at each and everything that his tiny eyes filled with inquisitiveness would see. I then realised that I need to move to gate 2 and not 3, where I ended up standing because I was more attracted towards how the little world imagined the world to be. And it seemed strange for me to accept the fact that, we all crossed that stage when exploration and eagerness about everything dominated us, and we made fuss only about either candies or cerelac. I saw a queue already there, and decided to join to end of this short queue. Short it was, I said to myself. My vision was troubling me I thought, but soon realised it was not my vision to blame. The chain of passengers extended till the entrance of the lounge.

                                                  After exiting the gate and stepping outside to board the bus that would take us till the plane, there was a harsh gush of air that blew against me seeming to push me so that I step backward. Finally, I arrived at the plane. As we drove past the plane to reach the ramp, I watched the eyes of the bird that stood in front of me. I felt as if I saw cat’s eye. But soon realised it was nothing and the resemblance to cat’s eye was due to the reflection of the light from the opposite side the same lounge where I sat all this while. We got down and I saw in awe the rows of planes that were taxied in a perfect straight line.

                                                  When I entered the flight, as every company had a signature style, so did this one. I felt on seeing the head rest covers that had alternate white and blue, in a way seemed like pearl and sapphire placed in alternation. I made my way to my seat 11A. I wondered why I was so happy? Soon I realised the reason, simple , I got a window seat. After the boarding was complete and the doors were shut tight, the crew began its monotonous explanation about the security procedures and everything they could to advertise about their company. The ground steward stood below the wings of the flight and held emerald coloured light indicating that the flight was ready to move towards the runway. After the flight taxied to the airstrip, it made a halt for five minutes. This halt did not bore me, instead it kept me engaged. I got to see 2 planes take off and 1 plane land in immediate succession. The head of the cabin crew finished their briefing. The flight made a U-turn and the captain asked all his crew to standby for take -off. I could feel the brakes being released slowly, rather the throttle being pushed to maximum. The blades of the fan making noise and it increased and reached maximum in a matter of few seconds, and the wheels parting from the runway, smooth like a knife cutting through butter. The huge bird sped like a bullet shot from a glock pistol across the airstrip. As we ascended slowly, I stared down at the glitz that adorned the capital city. Thousands of millions yellow lights, from above seemed like a sky below me with infinite stars that brightened the city. Stars of yellow sapphire spread beneath me as far as my eyes could span and much beyond. Slowly everything seemed hazy, time was right to conclude that we attained cruising altitude. The carpet of clouds stood barrier between me and the earth below.

                                                I got engrossed in my laptop so much so that, I failed to realise that the flight flew at the speed of the time. The head of the cabin crew announced that we were about to descend. I shut down my laptop and waited to catch a glimpse of the earth, expecting to see another yellow sapphire studded city after being cut off so long in the world up so high. The descent began and to my utter awe appeared a city studded not with yellow sapphires but with diamonds and there was only a tinge of gold here and there. It was spell binding to see the city when, the flight made the final semi circle and got into position to hit the runway.  It would also be appropriate to say it was a STAR studded city unlike Chennai which I would say would be rightly crowned GOLDEN GARDEN.

                                           Spoilers were raised on the wings and the nose pointed straight to the runway.  As we neared and I could see ants with wheels and headlights all over the roads that seemed like a floor of garnet. As the flight reached the boundaries of the airport the tallest among the buildings near- by had its name board on the last floor with ruby red lights. Take-off and touch-down surely makes some butterflies flap their wings hard in the stomach. Nothing changed this time, except that this time rather than the butterflies in my stomach it was the blue sapphire that bordered the runway that caught my attention. Now it was that tyres that screamed, that blades of the fans falling silent reducing the rumbling noise, throttle being released and brakes going full on. Even before that captain announced that it was safe to switch on the mobile phones, people were already talking not heeding to what the airhostess had to say. The huge bird made way to its hanger nest were ground stewards holding a red coral stood at places exactly the nose and wings of the bird had to be positioned.

                                  It was glittery journey from where I started to where I finished.

Last words the head of the cabin crew said “THANK YOU FOR FLYING WITH US. WE WISH TO HAVE YOU ON BOARD AGAIN VERY SOON.”

And here is how it goes my way “THANK YOU FOR READING THIS NOTE. I WISH TO HAVE YOU ON BOARD AGAIN VERY SOON.”

*****LIGHTS DIM*****

UNSEEN and UNTOLD

                                  The “TAKE DIVERSION” boards welcomed me rather than the WELCOME board itself at the Chennai Airport. I entered the airport, and I was amazed at the site that my eyes popped out looking at. As a child, teacher who was furious at our class used to say that we were worse than fish market. I assumed that she meant to say that we were way too noisy but to my sheer shock when I surveyed the airport I felt like addressing it as a fish market with the same expression my teacher meant we behaved in her class. I will give the explanation as well; it was noisy and crowded. Here I must not fail to add; I felt railway station synonymous to fish market at some point, now it was the turn of airport. Credits to increasing richness of the people, flying has become more affordable. There was a continuous flow of passengers in the airport. What also drew my attention was the fact that the passengers were of different genre yet had one thing in common. Get in or out of the car, get in or out of the plane and walk. If given some free time open the laptops work on it, like a horse with blinders follow this procedure as if a program written and the chip inserted into the head. Such is the mechanical life of the people.

                                  I realised that I had ample time to, check-in; buy myself a cup of noodles after which I walked the lounge checking all the stores there. Am not going to complain about the prices simply because even if I do, there is nothing that will change. Thanks to the loads of time I had while checking in I made sure I got a window seat.  There was too much of time, and people were too engrossed in their phones or laptops. So I decided to finish my security check and now all I had to do was to wait for my boarding call scheduled almost two hours fifteen minutes later.

                                  Of the many things that drew my attention first was the MERCILESS MURDER of the names by the ground staff announcing the last call. Some flights were on time, some were behind schedule. I had to do something to kill time, so I decided to be an over smart detective sort of person, which I failed miserably as always. The other thing which drew my attention was the two humongous Chinese, Japanese; Korean which ever nationality of the eastern countries they belonged made me no difference. They had the trademark traits small eyes that seem closed even when they are awake and SUMO bodies. They sat beside me and I tried to make sure I don’t end up in an embarrassed situation where I stare at them and they find me staring at them. They were busy munching into their chicken burger; I swear this is all I managed to notice about them. Their flight was ready for boarding, so they had to leave.

                                  I sat back and noticed the seat in front of me was occupied by a blonde around the age of 22. She wore black pants, with a pink t shirt and a black over coat. She wore glasses that had a broad frame. Our seats were facing opposite each other. Then came the great moment when she looked up and caught me observing her. I gave an embarrassed, rather I cannot define that smile or the expression I gave her. She gave me smile and I was relived and gave her a broad smile. She took a book from her hand bag, there was a book mark, it meant she was already reading that book and was not starting afresh there. After five minutes all of a sudden she started laughing a loud, I guess the humour in that book must have been a real hit. She was not worried about what people would think if she laughed aloud. I smiled seeing her laugh. The ground staff made an announcement and she had to leave. She was a different person, who seemed not much bothered about anything. Happy she was when she came and when she left. She had something in her, she seemed happy and someone who would spread the smile to everyone around them.

                                   As she left there came a Muslim couple. The lady was clad in a black burkha and she appeared to be around mid 30’s years in age. They sat exactly where previously the blonde sat. The husband made a call and he gave the phone to his wife. He walked and began digging into the internet kiosk. She began talking on the phone. She seemed worried and anxious. As she spoke her voice was trembling and she was breaking down. She said “Pulse is low they said, our flight will take two hours to reach there. After we consult the doctor, I will call you.” This is something she said repeatedly. And then she asked the person on the other end of the call not to tell this to the little one as she said he would be worried if he came to know about this. She added this sentence “Am fine, you take care of everyone there”. The latter was agreeable; the former that she was fine was a desperate lie. Clearly she had not mastered the art of lying to her dear ones. She hung up and began crying. She saw her husband approaching, she was agile to wipe her tears. He told her something and they headed to the gate for boarding. As they walked away from the lounge I watched them. Now she was someone who was enveloped with responsibility, with a fear about things to come. She was fearing the future that awaited. Burdened with tension, she was perplexed. She mustered courage to lie but feared that her courage might be shattered.

                                  It awed me to see two different people sitting in the place right in front of me coming from two different world’s under two different circumstances but they were the epitome of the same thing. THE UNSEEN AND UNTOLD TRUTH OF LIFE . Today we can be the world’s most happiest person defined by the blonde and tomorrow we can be the person to cry with hundreds of thing bothering us. Life is the same, like that place in front of me, only the circumstances change. The bottom line is everyone goes through thick and thin. Both departed, to reach the place life destined them to be in. Precisely as I was thinking this, I heard my boarding call. This meant I leave to go to my destination and see what is in store for me.  

WHITE BLANKET

As I lied down on my bed, drooping eyes tired legs and blank mind...I stared at t ceiling as if I tried to search some hidden treasure...trying to decipher the thoughts that were jogging my mind. In the dark dungeon, 4 walled it was... my room. Mom calls it a junkyard and I will not even try to speak a word in defence. I could hear two sounds, 1. The fan whose blades were ripping the air near it and 2. The ticking of the second’s hand of my clock. Slowly these sounds were dominated by a familiar but not often heard sound. The gushing of the wind, strange it was, the doors and windows were shut tight still the sound of the winds swirling in a tunnel were heard crystal clear. Some other sounded added to this swirling sound... this was the sound of the leaves falling from the branches that held them so strong into the jaws of death...The moment of detachment of the leaves, flowers and fruits is written by destiny and they can do nothing about it but, obey it willing or unwillingly. My fingers moved fingers moved hurriedly and eyes opened lazily...slower than the slowest tortoise. It was my alarm, as always the first thing to irritate me in the morning. I sat on the bed trying to recollect when I drowned into deep ocean of sleep and when my life saver....actually life curser alarm pulled me out of the ocean of sleep. Whatever, it was the crack of the dawn, speaking precisely it was two hours past crack of the dawn, and an hour before the crack of the stern voice of the teacher for attendance. So I over came, my love and desire to sleep and walked out of the room into the corridor...

Lo Behold I saw a huge white block the prevented me from watching my favourite sight every morning of the lush green carpet, migratory cranes on the tree top and the lonely cow that grazed the green carpet. I was not angry but then shocked to watch this sight. It seemed as if a WHITE BLANKET descended from the heaven covering the entire landscape not in its warmth but in its teeth biting chillness. I could feel my lower jaw dropping and parting from the upper jaw as I stood spell bound. I stood like that until, I remembered the fact about something that is my sole reason and drive to attend college, my attendance. In a blitz I was done getting ready that included my breakfast. As I headed out of the gates of my hostel, I could see the college building enveloped in the blanket. It was like a race between my feet, my watch and the arrival of the teacher. Closer I reached to the college building I found that the sun’s rays were tingling the earth. I saw the golden rays on the ground and playing with the grass that was glistened in dew. The droplets were twinkling like the bright stars on the deep blue ocean of sky. I could see few yellow boxes, with blue strips at the base through the mist mirror at a distance. It was not one but many with a roaring sound. It was familiar and the sound was increasing in decibel. I quickly realised it was a long trail of my college bus that were arriving. Then, I looked up, to the first floor of my department to check if there was any one in the corridor so that I have company in case I was late... just then I noticed this wonderful sight that there was a tree that was chopped and it formed such a structure that it looked like that alphabet “Y”. And from the hallow between the joining of the two branches and trunk of the tree I could see the sun. I felt like playing catapult... As I climbed, the stairs of my department, hurriedly walked into my classroom... all that remained in my mind crystal clear was the unclear foggy, misty WHITE BLANKET. Slowly, silently and steadily after the sun took over, the blanket which unfolded itself in the night, binding the world in its sleep and chillness...it went back giving way to the sun to take its place.