MY THREE MUSKETEERS

Recently there was a book fair at Cochin, Kerala. Since we (me and my husband) are avid readers, we did not want to miss this one. Roaming around the various stalls that were built in the fair, we reached DC Books stall and our search for good books began. After selecting few of them (when I say few, that was around 10-15 books, I guess that is few for both of us) and while standing to pay for the bill, I came across a book which I was always inquisitive about : The Three Musketeers. It was a book I wanted to read not because it was famous but, for a reason that takes me back to my college days.

We were a group of seven girls; a group of strong seven friends. But by the time we reached graduation year, we were shuffled and got separated into two different classes. Poorni (Poo), Alpa (Alps) and I were in one class and the rest in another. Since we felt aloof without our group, we made sure that at least we three were always together. Gradually we became inseparable. Bunked classes together, worked for projects together, sat on the same bench together throughout the year.

Our then Business Communications Professor was Manoj sir. I must admit, he was our favourite one, in spite of his skinny physique. But I think, we liked him more because he made us felt that he was one amongst us.

Due to our inseparable nature, Manoj sir titled us with the name “The Three Musketeers”. At that time, we did not know what these three musketeers were. I thought it was something related to Mice (isn’t that funny) just because musketeer rhymed well with mice. Please excuse me for that thought, because I hardly read any books then. We did not know if it was something good or bad? Was he making fun of us? We felt embarrassed but I guess nobody in that class knew what this “three musketeer” was about. As years passed, we all forgot about it.

Today, when I saw that novel at the DC Book stall, I remembered Manoj sir, I remembered Poo and Alps. Without any second thought, I purchased the book just to know what this “three musketeer” is about. Is it actually about mice?

Well, Poo, Alps, just to let you guys know, I read that book today. And guess what, it’s not about mice...ha-ha...Thank god. And sir was not making fun of us. Three Musketeers is about strong friendship and bravery of three men: Athos, Porthos and Aramis during the Seventeenth century in France. Sir titled us with this name for our strong and inseparable friendship. I am sure not for our bravery, because he never saw our brave deeds, though, we did do few bravery acts.

Its five years after college today. All of us are in different parts of the country but four of us are still in touch with each other. Though we cannot meet, we know we are there for each other. We hardly call but we never complain and when we call or meet, it’s a blast. I guess this is true friendship. These are the people who have been in my ups and lowest lows. These are the people who never judge me. They accept me as I am.

When I finished reading the book, I realised that there are not three but four musketeers in the book. The fourth one was D’Artagnan. I would definitely like to add Avani (Avi) as our forth musketeer. She was not with us in our graduation college but that made no difference to our friendship. We were always together outside college.

I remember how we called a reality TV show “India’s Most Wanted” to inform them about an absconding criminal whom we saw in Mumbai. We were so terrified to call the show that we finally ended up sending a letter to them through speed post with our false address, because we did not want them to contact us back. But we definitely wanted the criminals to be arrested.

I remember how we caught a boy who was madly in love with Avi and was a trouble to her; how we cornered him and finally he apologized for what he did and eventually ended up calling us sisters. Ohh…that was so funny.

I remember how you three stood by me when my mom expired. I remember you were with me throughout the day and night. You never wanted to leave me alone until my brother and father informed you that we would be leaving for Kerala through early morning flight for Mom’s cremation. And I also remember how after we came back from Kerala, you guys bought food for us from your homes. My relatives never felt tired praising you. I also remember how you guys helped me cope with that loss.

Thank you guys for being with me. I know I hardly call you all but this is just to let you know that you all and always be special to me throughout my life. One of the best things that happened during my teenage life is having you guys.

We all are married today, poo settled in Chennai, Avi and alps in Mumbai and me in Kerala. But no distance, any boundaries can ever come between our friendships.

This small write up is dedicated to my three friends: My three Musketeers and our strong friendship.