Down the memory lane_ Ruchika

When some near and dear one takes path of no return only memories are left behind. Some beautiful, some sad. Come to think of it I don't have even a single sad memory with Ruchika or about Ruchika. We never had any fights in last 10 years. I don't even recollect having any disagreements between us even on professional matters. It is such pleasure going down memory lane

The other day I had been to Tanishq. The staff was pursuading me to invest in monthly investment plan in gold. And I remembered Tata Communications canteen when we had joined this plan together. Rs 5000 per month. And at maturity both of us ended up buying gold chain. At different time in different stores but same design.

Whenever I share my tiffin with my team members, I remember our old days. Ruchika never used to carry any tiffin. But canteen food is usually boring especially if you have to eat there every day. I used to carry 1 chapati and extra bhaji every day. She used to buy something and then both of us used to finish everything. Later one of my colleagues noticed this and even he started carrying extra tiffin. Groundnut chutney from Solapur was our special favourite. 

During summers both of us used to drink customized mango milkshake with no ice and extra sugar. Our requirement was so peculiar that the vendor started recognising us. Sometimes he used to tell us "Madam, today you should order mango milkshake. We have stock of alphanso today" Sometimes we used to go to restaurant. Peninsula from Sion, Aaram Gujrati thali and Kung Food (Chinese) from Bandra were our favourite spots.

Shopping was anyways our favourite pastime. Sometimes we used to go to Bandra from our office. After I switched my job, Nirmal lifestyle and R City mall became our favourite shopping stops.

We were not much of makeup lovers. But both of us believed in neatness. Basic compact powder, eye liner or Kohl and lipstick was all makeup we would use. She made me experiment with pink lipsticks. Infact she gifted me first pink lipstick. I made her to try brown lipstick. Eventually she started using more brown shades and I started using pink shades. We were living reflections of each other.

Our AS 5 bus jouneys were equally memorable. Our commuting was well coordinated. Every day she used to call me from Bhandup pumping station. Then I used to board the same bus. Once or twice when I was late, she had practically halted the bus for some time. During our evening travels one peculiar gentleman used to board the same bus. He used to pry on our chitchatting. He even tried to talk to us when we were discussing about maids. His behaviour was so peculiar that we made skit on our day to day experiences and presented it during our offsite. Later she bought car. But the routine remained same.

Our chemistry was so great that during one of our offsites we were asked to sit together and our entire team interviewed us. People found it hard to believe that 2 people can be one such great friends even in professional setup. In many ways we were living reflections of each other.

Her energy was contagious. Because of her encouragement our entire cubicle became CA CISA cubicle.

I tried to reminisce so many memories... But so many are still left out. She is everywhere. You talk about food, you talk about work, you talk about shopping, you talk about books, you talk about philosophy... there is no field where we have not created memories... It's so silly of us but we even played jolly. 

I still have her number saved in my mobile. I know that it's never going to ring again. But I don't have heart to delete it. Probably somewhere deep down in my mind, I am hoping that some miracle would happen and her number would ring. Afterall we live on hopes!