Flashback at river side

A beautiful river flows at the bank of our town. It’s around 2 KMs from my place. There is a bridge over it. As bridge is at the ground level, every year in the rainy season water flows out many times causing sort of small floods. It puts vehicles on both sides to halt for 1-2 days. People come with their family and friends to enjoy. It turns out to be a good gathering. Hawkers get chance to earn some more. In my childhood these were the only times when we would visit the river with parents. Otherwise 2 KMs was also considered to be very far.

When I went to high school, restrictions were loosened up a bit. I got a cycle. We friends would often come here in the evening and sit in the bank for a while- Just plain sitting and occasional talking.

It was long back. I completed my high school there and went out for higher studies. Then Job followed. Again going back to that place in some evening remained a wish, which I fulfilled this time, when I went to home.

One evening, me and my old friend (currently involved in his family business) took a bike and headed to that place. My friend was not able to fully understand why I was so excited when we came close to it. The town has changed a lot with new buildings and shops. But river scene was almost same as it was earlier. As if time has stopped there. The same bridge, a small home just at the edge of it(I still don’t know why is it there.), the big banyan tree, the cemetery, long stretched crop fields, mango garden on one side- all looked same as a picture of my memory. I was really delighted. We found a clean place to sit on the bank.

 Sun was about to set painting one part of the sky deep orange. Birds were flying back to their nests in a kite shaped flocks. Occasionally some vehicles were passing by the bridge. Some dark skinned, poor boys were enjoying river bath fully naked. Quite amusingly, they were jumping into the river from the bridge. Then they swim towards the bank, again come up to bridge to jump. We both sailed in old childhood memories. We discussed our present- tensions in work life, future plans, how childhood was much better. In between conversations we had long pauses when we only looked at the far away horizon.  Despite staying in the town my friend also had not come to that place for long time. The hectic work pressure, tight schedules have turned us into machines- totally devoid of emotions, unaware of the happiness found from small things.

Gradually it grew darker. Street lights glowed and light fell on river. It looked beautiful. We sat there for some more time keeping all tensions and deadlines and responsibilities of the world at bay and catching up some fresh air and peace of mind.

Suddenly I heard some music. It was my mobile ringing- call from home. It was time to go.