well, to be extremely honest, I've ABSOLUTELY no clue how to run, or for that matter, even write a blog...but i guess everyone needs a punching bag, so here I am! Initially the first post was supposed to be about something totally different..will get there in due course of time. But then, as the title suggests, i realised that I'm almost there...there being the end of this experience ( I say this due to lack of a better word for something so complex) called engineering. And though I'm gonna miss a lot of things (again, due course of time), the most important thing in my life and what I'm gonna miss the most is playing soccer, football, TnM (inside joke!!), FTF, call it what you may. Oh before i actually write what I want to say, I have to thank Mallika (though I've absolutely banned her from reading this!!! :P) for influencing me into blogging! [Thanks Mallika!!]
I had actually reserved the following for a speech I planned to make after my last match, when I had promised Tejas a treat, but realised that may be a lil too corny and well...lame, to say the least. [LOL!!] Hence, it comes out this way! I have to say, the last 4 years have been a lot easier to endure with the ray of hope of playing football as the sun rises...literally! We've played in every possible weather, be in the freezing cold of December-January to the sweltering heat of May and well, even in the pouring rains, which is my all time personal favourite. Absolutely nothing in the world beats playing football in the rain. To quote Aru, it makes me feel very "precious and child like!". And nothing ever dampened my spirit to get up and come each morning, not even when Madhura Marathe and me were the only two people for the longest time!! [Gosh, those actually WERE the days!!!]
And this is actually an emotion I share with Aru, when I say that what i will actually miss more than actually playing (which rest assured I'm gonna miss like hell!), is playing with this team, these people, these friends! I have to say I miss Madhura atleast once a day. when someone [read: 99% of the time, Kshitija] whines, or someone bullies me, or someone spontaneously wants to go eat chicken, I miss Madhura!
And very funnily I have such fond memories about each and every one of these wonderful (and some not so wonderful ;) ) people that I will cherish them forever! [What's with me and exclamation marks is a mystery i cannot fathom!!] There are these little things that I remember about everyone which is what makes each of them a lot more special to me. Some of my vividest memories are those related to this wonderful sport. I still remember when I first met Sai. I was nursing an injury and wasn't practicing just then so i forwarded Tejas's number to her and Sai was so incredibly sweet. And I remember the next time I met Tejas and i asked her about Sai and the first thing Tejas said was, "She talks so much!" Hehe! Which is so so true, but it is also what makes her her! She is so free of guile that it actually makes her very endearing.
And Aditi and Manisha! We were all so surprised to find them together all the time...ALL THE TIME! It also makes us realise how things change with time, touchwood! And they also were THE most sincere people on the team. I think what makes us all click is that we all atually like each other, genuinely. And we can hang out without feeling awkward off the field as well. Though I didn't have any special feelings for the team we played with when i was in SE (except a few o' them :P), playing was fun even then. But past that, ever since Aditi, Manisha, Kshitija et al joined the team, i.e. the last 2 years, playing has been a lot more fun!
And the newest additions to the team are absolutely brilliant. I swear, I never thought we would gel so well so soon with them, but man are they fun! Pooja and Sanya have got to be the cutest FE's I have ever ever met! And I totally love their camaraderie [Cartoon! hehe :)] And we have a new addition to our chicken eating group, Rinchin Tintin!
Though Kshitija refuses to admit it, she was extremely mean to me for the longest time. It was after a long long time that we actually started talking and became good friends. And I am gonna miss her craziness a lot once I'm gone from college, cuz contrary to popular belief, i still love her lots! Kanchan! Though very reserved she is one of the most sporty people I've ever known and the best goalkeeper ever! And she's opening up a little more now, which is a good thing. There are people I know both on the team and outside of football, but again, due course of time...
And finally, saving the best for last, the one person I'm totally gonna miss is Tejas. And one of the reasons for that is that she's the person I've been playing with for the longest; ever since a team was actually formed. And as I told her in her testimonial, I think i will always consider her amongst my closest friends. she is totally and completely unique, one of a kind, if you know what i mean! And in these three years, absolutely everything from buying studs, to eating out to cold coffee to university practices to planning the absolutely insanest antics has been a lot of fun with her and I know she's not quite the word-queen, and words are not enough but nevertheless I have to say, I am gonna miss her most of all.
And the point is I don't expect anybody, not even my closest friends to understand what i feel for the game. It is not about playing in the team or not. It's not about winning a tournament or not. It is not about the accolades, the laurels, or the pats on the back. It is purely and totally about playing the game the way it ought to be played, with pride and unselfish love for the game. It's about loving the feel of the ball at your feet and playing with all your spirit, even if you suck at it. Being a part of the team was never a criteria; Being able to play is what matters (though with the kind of injuries I have had, that too is becoming something of a rarity!) And that is how it will always be; for me. The love for the game will never die and I think that's what makes it so special for me.
But four months is not enough time with these people I've come to love more than anybody else in the world. Two months is not enough football. Time is gonna fly and before I know it I'll be playing my last match. The most dreaded moment of all. And I am almost there...
