dreaming of a white christmas

Last monday (19th december), Roland and I hopped onto a Cleveland-bound plane with much excitement. This was to be the one trip that would save us from the drudgery of life away from all old friends, in Texas . In fact, I didnt think I would make it this far without Lou, Marie, DP and Su, but I'm stronger than I thought I was.

Besides, it was Christmas and the temperature 80 F in the Lone star state.

A warm welcome awaited us. Black coffee, warm coats and hugs. I had to pinch myself to come to terms with being surrounded by old friends again. Can this really be happening?

The days have just been speeding by. As each day passes, I see us all heal a little. To prepare ourselves for another round of separation. Isolation.

A day doesnt go by without us talking about the good old days in Bombay. The rush of finally finding like-minded individuals, of feeling like you've arrived, and of not wanting to move on.

But we have all done exactly that without realising it. I for one had over-stayed my welcome in memory lane. I went through two years in IIT telling everyone around me, the number of ways in which it is different from Xavier's. Refusing to believe that any good can come out of moving on, much like my friends everywhere were doing.
But moved on, we have. What with one of us on the brink of stardom, one getting engaged (!!), and one switching careers. That leaves us with me and Roland. We're moving on too.

Everything's changed.

PS: no white christmas in Cleveland. It was a warm 40 F day here made warmer still by DP's lovely presents.