Page 42 - Seniorstoday December 2023 Issue

relationship and endured the test of time getting a companion of the same calibre
notwithstanding that they were starkly
different personlities with different
interests and likes and dislikes. If
Brihadish was an atheist, Ninad was a
theist. Brihadish was voluble while Ninad
was reticent. Brihadish tended to be self-
righteous while Ninad had chinks in his
armour and did not see the world in black
and white. Brihadish never married, though
he went through several affairs, while
Ninad had a family. But both were practical
in their outlook with an ability of a detached
response to various stimuli, be it politics or
world affairs or economy or social issues.
Both liked travelling to exotic locations and
classical music. Brihadish loved making
his annual visits to India in December and
spend time with Ninad and his family and
travelling together to unexplored parts of
India and attending the annual Carnatic
musical festival in Chennai. It was an
interaction of enrichment and experience
for Brihadish and Ninad and a lasting bond
over the years.
As a close friend, Ninad often used to
ask Brihadish about his single status and
urge him to find a companion at least at
this late stage when he was to retire in a
few years. Ninad and Vishaka had never
tired of offering to find a suitable match
for him, which Brihadish always promptly
dismissed and didn’t allow any intrusion
in that space, while appreciating the
good intent of his friend. Brihadish had
everything going for him; fame, fortune,
friends he had in surfeit, but he was loath to
admit that he was impacted in any way due
to the absence of a fellow-soul in his life.
In a moment of weakness, he did admit to
Ninad that none of his relationships lasted
or worked due to the intellectual gap and
the dissonant views. Brihadish realised that
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would be tough and had reconciled to a
lonely ride to the dusk. He always said that
his close friends more than make up for the
absence of a companion in his life.
Some years flew by and it was yet another
December month and Carnatic music
times. Brihadish wrote to Ninad as usual
about staying with him in Mumbai enroute
to Chennai, but surprisingly asked him
if it would be okay if he brought a friend
along this time. Brihadish explained to a
curious Ninad and Vishaka that over the
past couple of years, he had happened
to meet an highly regarded academic at
a few science and technology seminars
and had been impressed with the acuity
and acumen of that person. Thereafter
they had been in regular touch and at the
last one such conference, they happened
to be in opposite panels to argue for and
against Chat GPT and its ramifications.
Brihadish sheepishly admitted to Ninad
that the panel headed by him had lost out
to the panel headed by his friend. Brihadish
finally had met his match.
Brihadish said that he and his friend
have kept the developments away from
their families and Ninad and Vishaka
would be the first to know about it, given
their deep friendship. Ninad and Vishaka
were overjoyed to hear this and happily
conceded to Brihadish’s request and looked
forward to receiving him and his friend in a
few days’ time.
In the early hours of December 1,
Brihadish landed at the doorsteps of
the Agarkar’s home. An excited Ninad
and Vishaka opened the door, but were
shocked and surprised like never before.
Accompanying Brihadish was Vinita.
Life indeed is wondrous and joyous with
all its twists and turns.