RIP “SBS”… January 16, 2011
Posted by nikitasood in Uncategorized.add a comment
Place: Delhi LTG Auditorium
Event: English Play “Are you Single?”
Date & Time: December 25th 2010, 7:00 pm
Neel had invited me to watch the English comedy, trying to bring some spice in my otherwise mundane weekends, in an attempt to get me back to my interest in theatre..And I didn’t think twice. Just booked the ticket, caught the metro and headed off to Delhi in the evening. I was a little anxious about finding my way to the auditorium from the station, that being an extremely cold night.
After almost 200 metres of walking alone in the night, I managed to find Neel and felt so protected in that moment. (I mean I am not a kid, but never sure of the Delhi streets) We headed to the auditorium and I took my pass. A single middle corner, next to a stranger and I had no intention of sitting there. So after a few exchanges, I managed to find a place next to Neel herself. And then he came from behind. The same tall figure, unshaven and the monkey cap, the same curious smile. I had seen him almost 5 years back, when I was receiving my Engineering degree in college. The same guy.
I was surprised. It was unexpected to see him again. Then we said our regular hellos and I got back to watching the play. He was sitting in the last rows, and I was still thinking about, how time doesn’t seem to have an impact on some people. That was the first thought I had when I saw him.
The play started and we abruptly stopped our chatter. Good performance, a nice light evening, I was thinking about how I would go back home, and Neel helped me find some people who would drop me back to Gurgaon.
When I left the auditorium, I bumped into him again.
SBS- “Hey, so what have you been doing?”
Me-“ Just the usual, MBA and the job thereafter. What about you?
SBS- “Me went to Europe, travelled a lot, studied Rocket science, now I want to do an MBA so I am back….(some more)…hey where’s your husband?”
Me (totally taken aback with an unexpected question) – “What husband? I don’t have one yet “ (grinning and looking out for my companions on the way back to escape the conversation)
“Come on Niks, lets go”, came the much awaited call for me, and I ran from the scene, saying good bye to SBS, thinking will I ever see him again in my life or what?
On my way back,I thought about this strange encounter. I remembered the guy in the Publicity team in college, who would create great paintings, who would come up with weird dressing styles, who would roam around alone, smiling to people, humble and honest, no malice. I remembered, talking to him in college, I remembered some of my friends laughing at me when I spoke to him. I remembered myself laughing at him many a times. I remembered, not valuing the creative genius he was, and I remembered envying him sometimes for just being himself, for just being SBS.
And then life came back to its normal scheme. I forgot the play, the experience took a back seat, work took over and so did other things. Until today when I realised he is no more.
The feeling when I go to know was weird today. There was so much he wanted to do, the child was still there in him, daring to do what he wanted and it all ended.
I don’t know SBS what happened, that you left the world for a new journey ahead, I don’t know why it had to happen now when you had so much to do.. But I know that wherever you are, you will bring an air of freshness. May you Rest in Peace SBS. And may God give strength to your family to bear this loss.
There is nothing certain in this world. I don’t know if I will see the dawn of 2012 or even the next month or tomorrow for that matter, I don’t know if people who I care about would be with me for long, then why do I need to be sad about things I don’t have. I don’t have to.. I did rather value the moments I have and live them fullest.
This is an ode to you SBS, for being the child you were and the creative genius. I wish I would have known you more. God Bless you!! I am happy that I met you again after such a long time..
