Page 128 - Musings 2021

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Memories down the Lane
Ravindra Singh Shekhawat
2017A7PS0146P

As he bolted down the lane, Tommy stepped on the pothole and splashed water over his black
trousers. Round the corner he turned left into a narrow street. He could barely see the food
joint, due to heavily pouring rain. As he moved closer to the end of the street, he could see
the board with “Freddie’s Lamb'” written over it along with the iconic chef’s cartoon. Just
with a bare glance at the place behind the glass, all the childhood memories flashed before his
eyes, and he gently smiled, peeping inside. He opened the cranking door, and there was old
Freddie on the counter, with grey hair, wrinkles on his face and yet again with the old smile.
Tommy went to him and introduced himself to Freddie, who failed to recognize suited- up
Tommy.

Tommy looked through the place for his friend Arthur. The place has not changed a bit in all
these years. “There he is!” exclaimed Tommy seeing Arthur in the corner wearing a grey
t-shirt with earphones plugged in. Tommy made his way between the chairs. On seeing
Tommy, Arthur stood up from his chair. They shook hands and hugged each other, Tommy
removed his brown overcoat and put it on the chair. Picking up the menu, he asked Arthur
“What did you order? Wings and coke?” Arthur laughed in affirmation and Tommy asked
Freddie to make that two. Arthur tried to pay but Tommy stopped Arthur from paying the bill.
Tommy sat in front of Arthur, carefully hiding his gold watch with his shirt’s sleeves.

“Never expected to see you here, after all these years”, Arthur told Tommy.

Tommy laughingly replied, “There is nothing like this Freddie’s anywhere.”

Arthur slowly sprinkled the spice powder on the wings, Tommy wondered if anything
changed at all.

“What’s going on?” asked Arthur.

Tommy, biting on wings, said, “Everything’s going fine”.

Tommy remembered when they used to come after Arthur’s football practice, and while they
both had their wings and coke, Arthur used to write his songs. He talked about it to Arthur
and told him he was always in awe of his talent during childhood. Arthur was never serious
about his studies unlike Tommy.

“A degree has not done anything bad for you. You’ve made some serious money”, joked
Arthur.

“How is Julia?” asked Tommy.

Arthur replied, “Never have been better.”

“And how is May?” asked Tommy, to which Arthur just nodded.

Clearing the air, Tommy asked, “So do you know why I called you here?”

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