A Traveler’s Odyssey: Meeting Strangers
When he decided to go on a trip with a random group of
people, he had no clue what to expect or how things might turn out to be. ‘It would be a new experience’, he had imagined
and ventured out without a second thought. Weeks later when he took the train
back home, all he could think of was the time spent together with this random
group of people and how surprisingly well they had managed to forge a bond.
“What do his parents
do?”
And similar questions his mom asked him when he told her
about achievements of this random group of people. He had answers to none of
them. ‘Why is knowing these things even
important?’ he thought and was
certain they all would have the same thought.
It had simply been the traveler in them that had brought
them together. Or perhaps a mutual friend. Or a common connection. Or a random
facebook sighting of one of their pages.
They didn’t know what background the others came from. They
didn’t know what their families did. They didn’t know how they were as
individuals in their personal lives. The lives they had just left behind in the
cities they had come from.
“Are you on this trip
with us?” someone had asked.
“Yes”, came the
response.
Thus had begun a conversation. There was laughter. There was
humour. There was angst. And there was the thought- ‘Let’s make the most out of this time’. First impressions had just
been made.
Over the course of next few days, they spent time together
travelling, eating out, playing games, having stupid conversations. Then they
returned home only to find themselves more connected than ever before.
They had enjoyed each others’ company. They had touched
hearts at the grass root level.
They met again. And again. Sometimes travelling across the
city, sometimes across several hundred miles. They had grown fond of spending
time together.
Now they had no inhibitions when it came to speaking to each
other. They didn’t have to think twice before poking fun at each other. They
would talk for hours. Sometimes sense. Sometimes philosophical. Sometimes
staying up all night. Sometimes about random things under the sky.
Each one of them came from varied backgrounds. Each one came
with a story of their own. Some with baggage. Some with humour. Some simply
inspirational. ‘Get to know each other’ games spilled the beans and they found
comfort in sharing and keeping each other’s deepest secrets. They could share
without the thought of others having a prejudice towards them.
They learned something new from each other. They never
missed an opportunity to motivate each other if they could. When give and take
didn’t matter, they preferred to shower love in all ways possible.
There were no expectations when they met. Some found someone
weird. Some found someone funny. Some found someone lost. Some found someone
trying to find themselves. Somehow their paths had managed to cross, somehow
their thoughts had managed to match, somehow their conflicts had faded, somehow
their ideas had leveled and somehow their hearts had connected.
The places they visited together were just the background. The
destinations they went to now didn’t really matter. They didn’t know it yet but
when they would bid adieu, there would be a lump in their throats, sadness in
the eyes and dampness in their hearts.
After all, they had met as strangers on a trip. Perhaps in a
bus journey. Perhaps in a different city. Perhaps in a different country
altogether. They had gone there as travelers in heart. For a short break from
the monotony of routine life. Each one with their own objective and interest.
Each one with their personal agenda. They had seen sunsets together. They had
got lost together. They had each other’s back. They had the best wishes for
everyone else. And then they had returned home more connected than they ever
thought was possible. A connection, a thought, an emotion which now they can’t
explain to anyone, howsoever hard they might attempt.
It had been about the late night games and long conversations.
It had been about the bowling alleys and paintball sessions. It had been about
the airport surprises and untold plans. It had been about the impulsive
decisions and the happiness of meeting. It had been about the innumerable
emotional goodbyes at the end of the meet. It had been about the joy of seeing
one another one more time. It had been about the fond remembrances of the days
gone by. It had been about the tight and long hugs. It had been about the
silent smiles that said a million things. It had been about being together
without any expectations.
He had met them very
randomly, he likes to think. Someone happened to be in the same car.
Someone happened to be in the seat across. Someone he had heard of before.
Someone he had read before. Someone he had religiously followed. Someone was
from the same city. Someone was from a similar background. Someone who had
heard of him. Someone he thought was weird. They were all very random meetings.
What they all knew was that the traveler in them had decided
to take a trip few weeks back with a group of strangers. What they didn’t was
that perhaps the universe had conspired to bring them all together.
Have you had a similar experience during your travels? Did you meet a stranger and connected too well? Was there a story? Do leave a comment and share.
Now read:
Antarik Anwesan! when someone puts aside all their work to comment on your note, you can safely assume that it has managed to stir up something inside of them. While I was reading your blog, i could entirely relate to each of the emotions and the thoughts you have penned down here. A lot of times thats exactly how I felt. Never did I feel the need to know about anyone's background or what their parents do, for that matter even what they do. It was just what they meant to me then. They were good people, fun to be with and like minded. Such diverse backgrounds as I discovered later, but somehow we clicked and connected and more. It was just the 'here and now' that mattered. Nothing else from the past. While we started off as trippers having the best of times hanging out with each other, little did I realise that somewhere this incorrigible little thing called emotion was also lurking around. These people who I liked and gradually came to adore with all my heart and became unconditionally attached to. These cool fun loving people were infact emotional fools deep down like me! Incapable of resisting the temptation of booking flight tickets last minute to just be with each other. Notwithstanding the plethora of constraints, we kept meeting. What is it that kept pulling us back together? The conversations, the games the times when we would laugh till out stomachs hurt and then hugs maybe, the strong connect and knowing that of it was genuine and heartfelt. The feeling that these people are mine. Thats all that mattered. And your note just corroborates that!
ReplyDeleteThe length of your comment. Wow. Wish people get inspired by you. (:P)
DeleteHope to see you soon Reshma; until then, let me be happy I tapped you on the head in MRF. ;)
Antarik! I am just left with no words, but on second thoughts I decided I should let you know how your write-up brought tears in my eyes, for I relived all the trips I've done in the last 6-8 months. Little did I know then that the bond I'll share with some of the then strangers (now family) will be so strong that even when we are miles away and don't talk daily, you guys are still thought of fondly everyday and missed each day. The connect is such that no matter how much I distract myself and try not to think of you guys, the second I either see a picture of us or read something which directly or indirectly reminds me of all of you, I'm filled with emotions - joy or sadness, wishing we could all meet soon. And it's with this thought of "I'm gonna meet them soon" I energise myself each day! Here's to all the great times spent and the ones coming up soon.. Love Lav
ReplyDeleteThank you Lavanya. Glad the post managed to break into your emotions. But don't dwell in the emotions for too long. Apply for a job. There are even more trips to be done :)
DeleteAntarik, you have so beautifully articulated what so many of us feel! Some emotions are not easy to express and so many feelings are not easy to describe. But you have managed to do that flawlessly and magically through words.Just reiterates that family isn't always blood. It's the people who you want in your life and the ones who love the imperfect you :) Your writing always manages to touch the heart and bring back wistful yearnings!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jyoti....I didn't know until I read your comments that the post managed to serve its purpose :)
DeleteI got goosebumps. Nicely written
ReplyDeleteThanks Shekar. Great to see you here bro :)
Delete