The very thought of Vidya brings a smiling face in front of me. I still remember her with two long plaited braids with white ribbons in blue and white uniform. We were classmates in school. She used to come to school by bicycle. At that time none of us had bicycle and we used to walk to and fro to school. So, while returning from school, Vidya used to walk along with us towing her bicycle.
After school days we couldn't meet each other for a long time. Luckily both of us got selected by RRB and got placed in the Railways, but in different Departments and different places. I was working in Egmore and she was working in Central. So, the chance of meeting each other was very rare. At times, we used to meet in the St. Thomas Mount Railway station. We used to enquire about each others family, especially parents as my mother was also working in the Railways like Radha aunty, Vidya's mother.
The meetings and contacts increased only after the school group was formed and we had many get togethers. Whenever we happen to go for a get together or a marriage of our school mate's children, I and Vidya used to meet in the auto stand near Murugan temple and from there we used to go together and return together.
I got transferred to Hindi section,Hqrs. Office in Jan.2021. After that, once in a while I used to have a chance of meeting her in the lift or at the entrance of our Hindi class room in the 8th floor where her office was located. She was Hindi section's liaison clerk for her office too. She used to partake in many competitions conducted by the Hindi section and she used to give articles also for the magazine Dakshin Dhwani published by the Hindi section. Hindi section staff fondly remember her for her contributions to Hindi section.
As she could not make it up to our last get together in Phoenix in December 2023, I spoke to her over phone. Only then I came to know that she is not well. She said that the doctor has assured that she will be alright soon. I expected to see her back in our office premises. But, God had a different plan, I think.
I will ever miss you Vidya !