Dear Readers,
Last weekend, I traveled to Bikaner for one last time to gather all my belongings and luggage. I had a few hours at my disposal to finish off my business. As soon as I alighted from the Bus, I found three of my colleagues (Dr. Chayal, Abhishekji and Prabhu ji) and the closest of my friends, all ready waiting to pick me up in their car. From there we came straight to my place where another 'marvel of a man to know and befriend', Dr. Anil ji Chhangani joined us. I owe a lot to this gentleman who hails from my home-town and has for ever shown an elder brother's affection towards me and my exuberance.
The next few hours were spent in celebration, the first after the Jaipur results were out. For some time, we forgot everything professional and chit-chatted like adolescent boys meeting up after their boards exam get over. The next morning I woke up late and rushed through all the packing. I drove to my office and it was then that the nostalgia started gripping me. With heavy steps, I climbed the staircase of that beautiful building where I once started my first University job. A lonely and desolate cabin (for it was a Sunday) greeted me coldly. As I was emptying the drawers of the office table, I foundered over my chair which gave the impression as if my office furniture was making one last attempt to hold me back.
Finally, I boarded the train bound to Jaipur. All these years that I spent in Bikaner, I always admired the incredible beauty of sand dunes and those mysterious orangy sun-sets in this part of the globe. That evening, I believe, the entire environment was out there to see me off because as I was peeping out of the window of that speedy train, each and every atom of that orangy dusk were waving their hands in the air. I will always miss you Bikaner till my dying day. You have entered the privileged list of faces and landscapes that I will revise before I shut my eyes for good.....
