My High School

 This post was written  for GBE 2: Blog On -- Week #55: “High School”

   

Our High School

   It had been 45 years since I sauntered past the wooden stairs, the assembly hall and out of the front porch of our high school in Nilgris, a hill station in South India to start a new life, college life.  Since then, I’d never met or seen my class mates! So naturally, when  four and a half decades later, our High School Reunion was organized, I was thrilled and appalled!

  I was thrilled at the prospect of going back to our school after 45 years and meeting my class mates. How can I ever forget our school, nestled in the blue mountains, surrounded by tall eucalyptus trees, silver oaks, clean chill air, dew drops on the lush green grass, chirping birds, our school principal, Mr Fox, my classmates- the girls in navy blue skirts and blazers and boys in grey with navy blue blazers and of course the red and grey striped ties? 

  But then, I was appalled that I’m a much older woman at present (signs of vanity)with tinges of grey hair, expanded waistline with maybe a wrinkle or two! Anyway, with oodles of self doubt and uncertainty, my curiosity about my classmates got the better of me and I attended the reunion.

  As I arrived at the school campus, I saw the present students seated under trees and laughing. Was it really 45 years since I too sat with my friends under those trees? Seems like just the other day!

  Anyway, meeting my batch mates and my schoolmates was an awesome experience! What amazed me was the fact that nothing had REALLY changed, in spite of expanded waistlines, grey hair and receding hairlines! Though time had separated us and perhaps time had changed us, I could still see the same mannerisms, the same smile, the same boisterousness and the same zest in them. It was like picking up the threads of yesterday and not of 45 years. Maybe that’s the power of the bond that we form, sharing childhood and early teens!