Cane Juice and Chole

There was a lot of enthusiasm since a couple of school backbenchers took the initiative to have alumni of our classmates. With the introduction of WhatsApp, communication is now more efficient and to the point.

Our Xth batch held about 60 students. We were in a co-ed system, with the exception that 80% of the students were guys and the rest were girls. Because girls were in the minority, they received special attention and privileges among us.

We looked at dates that would be suitable for everyone. So, it must be the weekend on all occasions. Dates were set after much deliberation and hundreds of messages in a WhatsApp group. This simply overlapped with Durga puja. There is no need to take additional leave or interfere with the education of children.

Believe me when I say that not a single member of our class declined our reunion invitation. We set some ground rules to encourage.

• Compulsory should come in pairs.

• There are no youngsters permitted.

• Decency over alcohol.

• One couple activity - either sing a song or do a dance motion.

• Finishing by 11 p.m.

Finally, and most importantly, set the dates for the next year's Alumni.

After the first greetings and settling, jokes flowed effortlessly on the planned day. Everyone in the reunion was having a great time. While enjoying delectable treats beside the campfire, the more enthusiastic one gradually became inebriated. Then we started embarrassing ourselves in front of our better halves. I won't say much more about the singing and dancing, but I would want to highlight two beautiful moments that turned my two best friends crimson and made them look down for a while.

This was begun by our wonderful Praji, who described these two incidences one after the other, causing our company to burst out laughing.

The first was a member of our group who was continuously asking the cane juice or sugarcane person to refill the froth or a small quantity after sipping the glass full. "Bhaiya, Jhag ka extra kaun degha," he used to squabble to have that extra 20-30ml of juice. I'm paying you in full, so please give me the entire cane juice. The poor bhaiya did not appreciate this practise of his. But, as a loyal customer, he obliged. Our classmate would then, proudly wipe his moustache and exclaim,"maja aa gaye”.

The second is about a classmate from UP. He used to visit his hometown every year during his vacations. He'd be lavished with cash and fine cuisine. But our buddy had a weakness for Chole cooked over the corner stall. Because the day's money was limited, his Rs.1.50 each dish would get him a mouthful of Chole mixture. He still wants some extra, so he used the tactic of asking to sprinkle some salt. This would make the concoction salty. And his plan was to request more Chole to make the combination edible.

Anyway, those are now memories that we appreciate and will be re-discussed at our next alumni reunion.