Mandarmani - Reliving Childhood

Seven odd people raced down their memory lane only to halt suddenly in front of the large iron gate. Beyond the gate, the big building spanned across the open ground, somewhat hidden beyond the trees and well-kept garden. They all belonged to this place. They found themselves nearly 25 years younger, gazing up at the entrance board that read ‘Kendriya Vidyalaya’. They were classmates. They were friends back then; they are friends today and they shall always be friends for life.

As life happens these friends got scattered but their friendship stayed stronger than ever. Flash forward to the present day, this crazy group of seven friends along with three more (their better halves) and a kid were on a weekend trip to relive those bygone days. They were on their annual friendship trip to Mandarmani, a charming little seaside township about 170 km from Kolkata.

Grooving to the songs of the 90s to which they grew up, their minivan sped along the highway. A couple of pit stops for ‘chai’ breaks were good to stretch the legs and soon enough after about 5 hours they reached their destination.

There is something about the sea that always catches up with our inner child. Walking down the sandy beach barefoot, splashing in the waves and gleefully shouting at each other. Time has no meaning here. Their loud chatter filled the air as the smoke from the fried fishes and crabs swirled around tantalizing the gastronomic urge after a long day. The cheap plastic glasses filled with expensive scotch added to the ‘jashan’. With the wind ruffling their hair (for some it is fast receding) and the sound of the waves crashing just beyond the periphery of the lights from the shacks along with the music coming from the portable bluetooth speaker, it is apt to say, this was not just a trip for them, it was to relive their childhood.