Memories of another day

Thirty-five years ago, just after appearing in the 12th Board examination, five school-leaving boys took a journey outside their home town for the first time without parental supervision.

- SANTANU ROY

They headed for Puri, an overnight distance by train from Calcutta (now Kolkata), and stayed in a holiday home on the beach front. Endless plunges in the sea, eating local food, smoking without having to look for cover and fun-filled chatting under the stars with intoxicating sea breeze made them forget the passage of time.

On one of those days, they took a day-long bus trip for local sightseeing. A brief romantic encounter (in today's world it would definitely be called hilarious) took place during the day between one of the boys and a co-passenger, who travelled with her parents. The coach had 2x2 seating on either side of the aisle. She sat next to the window, and the boy in the same row, in the aisle seat across. About 15 minutes into the journey, she exchanged seats with her mother and occupied the aisle seat. Already smitten, the boy found his heart pounding, now with only the two feet wide aisle between the two.