Hey JUDE...

This one's long overdue. It's a lover's tribute. I have always wanted to do this. But it was so overwhelming. I'm not sure I'll ever be ready to write about you. But I will try. Because people deserve to know what you mean to me.

Five years were too little. But then again, they were more fulfilling than a lifetime of ecstasy. Lifetimes. I still remember my first day. Stupid ragging session. 50 scared teenagers. Scared and excited witless. Wasn't it just wonderful? Yes it was. Those first few days of slow growing-up. Little jolts of friendship. Some became eternal promises. Others will always remain. As memories. Pleasant, beautiful, sunny rememberances.

My first class with Professor Swapan Chakravorty. Swapanda. Everything about him is an enigma. Separately and as a whole. He inspired every kind of positive energy within you. I was no exception. Fell under his charm immediately. Haven't been able to get over him yet. Will never be either.

Amlan Dasgupta. Lycidas. And the way he calls "Satan" "Milton" when he is engrossed in teaching Paradise Lost. Professor Sukanta Chaudhuri. All living legends. And you gave me all of this. And so much more.

Those were the days. Days of bunking classes and cramming 8-all in a cab to go to Nandan. Desperately short on cash. And watching a film I didn't understand at all! Film Studies. CCB. Fear of getting caught. Yes we had those fears!

Yes. I won't ever forget a single moment. Let alone a day.
Those days at the Maath. Tipu remembers. I do too. :)
The Bridge. Well. Can't say enough. Will not try. Grudges lifelong. Never to sit there again.
And now comes the loveliest bit. This is where I talk about all those wonderful people you have given me. Those I can call friends. The best. All of them.
Aveek, no words. Only feelings. Ever to be loved.
Amartya, the man.
Bibaswan, the experience. The growing up.
Bodhi, my love. :)
Aritra, steady. Rock solid. Friend then. Friend now. And friend forever more.
Saumava, the first. Always the instigator. Himself the saint.
Srijani, the lady.
Azeem, the dude.
Jogu. Well. Just that.
And.
Sunayani, the eternal. The family. The topping. Your biggest gift.
There were so many others by association. All through you. Some were wonderful. They still are. The ones that aren't weren't worth the while. And hence no regrets. Never any.
I had the most fulfilling, the most remarkable love affair with you. And I know we will always be in love.
She and I. An eternity passed. My Elysian Field. My Paradise. Never lost. And Regained everytime.