It happened today for the first time that I had difficulty in identifying a person. My memory has always behaved very well with me. Seems even that too has failed me, hopefully just for this time. While travelling back home today in the bus, I saw an young man and immediately found him familiar. I did not spend much time studying his face, I simply averted my gaze as he noticed me checking him out. I can assure you it was not a dejavu feeling, but a true memory. I often face situations from which I only absorb the dejavu sense leaving the reality to others. But it is not the same this time.
So, after a little struggle with my memory and few more glances, I came to the conclusion that, if not with him I am at least familiar with his facial features. He is someone with whom I spent considerable part of my life not personally, but professionally. It is very clear that no emotions are attached, for emotions need not be searched; they are carefully hidden treasuries. I once again tried focusing on my virtual memory map, but soon realized that it was all a flash of images and within seconds I find myself looking at him trying to register his face into my confused mind. Remembering him took an eternity just like my journey on the roads of Hyderabad, jammed by traffic.
His thought reminded me of 3 things: Non-Telugite, sandalwood tilak on his forehead and husky voice. Keeping this information in my mind, I turn to take one last look at the guy before getting down at my stop. Oops, he was already gone.
The time I spent trying to remember him, has only weakened my confidence. I started writing this article on the day I saw him. I spent one complete week tracking him, with the only weapon I have, memory fossils. And one day I or frankly saying, my memory, did succeed. It had betrayed me only for 7 tiring days. That person in the bus appeared similar to a male nurse I met at a hospital or may be it was him. I had interacted regularly with him, during my stay at the hospital. This memory came back to me not like a boomerang but as a result of my long lull. With a smile of victory I walked my way off.
Few days later, I met a girl at an office. She stopped me and said a hi. I smiled recognizing my Intermediate friend and opened my mouth only to stammer s-s-s-...
