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March 2000, we were at the end of our school career and were ready to give our 12th board exams anytime. This, after a myriad cycle tests and revision exams. During my higher secondary, my two best buddies were Jagan and Anand. I got introduced to Thirumal through Anand and Jagan. The four of us were classmates. One fine day, after a revision exam, I and Anand went down to Annanagar where Thirumal was put up. Jagan did not accompany us for some good reason of his own.
Thirumal had a Tata Estate car at his home and that was the first time I saw such a big car so close. He said that starting the car and keeping it on idling for a few minutes was a part of his daily routine. Although he knew to ride it, he was not allowed as he did not have a license and the right age for obtaining the same. It was around 2 p.m. Anand and I joined Thirumal in performing the daily routine. With I and Anand around, Thirumal was excited much and we could see the sense of pride in his face. He felt pride in showing off that he knows to drive. Thirumal started the car and explained us the difference between ordinary steering and power steering et all .We were awed by his knowledge and induced him to move a few yards with the car. Thirumal could not resist the push of pride and moved the car a few yards in the cramped street of AnnaNagar. With the glee of school children, we started praising how good a driver he was and he should not stop it there. I suggested going to the petty shop AnnaNagar Roundtana (one of the busiest traffic signals in Chennai) and buying the Rs.10 book. Anand joined me and we planned it seriously. Thirumal was trying to make a right turn and he could not control the steering wheel. Bang! the next thing we could see was that we had rammed into a lamp post, with the post at the car bonnet. The three of us were out in no minutes. People started gathering around us and seeing us in school uniforms, everyone started their own lecture. That’s when I really sensed what is meant by fear. Million things ran in our minds. I feared of getting detained by the police, missing the twelfth grade exams. Thirumal feared of getting belted from family and did not know how to bear the expenses of the broken car. Anand had his own fears.
After a few minutes, we started crying on the road and there was one young fellow who offerred us help. He brought an auto-rickshaw and asked us to board it so that we can go to the Chennai corporation. Anand and I were reluctant and that is when the young chap told to Thirumal - ”Are these guys your friends? Do you now understand what friendship is? ” Thirumal was not in a position to think on those terms. I felt like someone slapping me hard at my face. The auto went away to the corporation office and we were left stranded on the road. After a few minutes, coming back to normal, we caught a bus and went our own houses. I felt feverish and was unable to sleep. Switched on the TV to find the situation song “Mustafa, Mustafa” from the movie Kadhal Desam was aired on some television channel. Could not tolerate it and switched off the TV.
Next day, we met Thirumal at school and he was casual and explained how it all went. He spoke as if nothing happened and said ok to our million excuses for not staying with him. I just could not imagine what a gem of a person he was. I took a oath that If I ever become someone’s friend, I will never leave them when they are in distress. I have succeeded in it till date. Days passed and it was time for us to bid farewell to each other and someone gave his slam book to me to write. It had a question, “What is friendship ?” to which I wrote ,
Friendship is to stay with the person though you know that hitting the lamp post with the car you drove will bring you troubles.
Whenever I see or hear the song Mustafa, this little episode runs as a flashback in my mind. I am still in touch with Anand and where is Thirumal? I am dedicating this post to you my friend.
