I had thought that I will not be able to write on the Delhi MS Meet but finally managed to scribble something. So here is my follow-up to Sujata’s rocking post (please read hers before reading this as she has written about everybody so lovingly).
I was very nervous when I was getting ready to go for my first MS meet. There were times when I wondered what I have got myself into. The thought of meeting a dozen strangers, some of whom I had not interacted even online, was giving me jitters. But my curiosity got the better of my nervousness. As I climbed the stairs to Barista in South Ex I reminded myself of the mantra of fighting nervousness – just imagine that the people who are making you nervous are naked!
I walked in and looked around to see where the MSians were sitting. I could not see anybody whom I recognized (Sujata had her back to the entrance). So I decided to go for the biggest group in the room. There were 7-8 people sitting around two joined tables and I made my way to them. They all looked up and there was recognition on their faces so I knew this was my group. Sujata turned and saw me, and welcomed me warmly. My nervousness completely disappeared (and thankfully I did not have to use my mantra). I shook hands with the guys and girls sitting around the table, they introducing themselves and I introducing myself.
Some of them I had interacted with earlier quite often like Sujata, Vishal, Payal. Some I had interacted a couple of times like Sonika and Ateesh. And some were complete strangers like Soma, Prady (ps316) and Alok. We settled down and I found myself sitting between Vishal and Alok. Vishal I knew so we shared some pleasantries with him.
Then I turned towards Alok and asked what his MS ID is. To that he replied that he is not from MS, just a mutual friend of the MSians. He said that with such straight face that I almost believed him. Almost. Vishal enlightened me that he is Alok aka alk_ranjan.
We ordered drinks & snacks and settled down for a chit chat session. The talk was mostly centered around MS. How well some particular people write, how bad some people write, how some star writers don’t deserve their stars, how some MSians spread bad vibes in MS (sorry I am not taking any names). We were warming up to a great gossip session but the music and noise in Barista was so high that we soon gave up and settled down to talking with our immediate neighbours. Shahid and Itika also walked in and there were introductions and handshakes once again.
Over our coffee we talked about a lot of things – careers, recession, movies, mutual interests and of course MS. I was surprised how easy it was for us to talk to each other. In between Prady, Sujata and Shahid took photographs. I wish I could talk more to Sujata, Sonika, Itika, Soma and Ateesh but they were at the other end of the table, so the best we could do was shout a couple of greetings across.
Before I knew it, it was 5.30 pm and time for us to go. We walked out of Barista and had group photo session on the road outside (Sujata and Prady have already uploaded the pics). After that there were goodbyes and one by one the MSians started leaving. Finally there were only Sujata, Sonika, Payal, Shahid and me left. We started talking and before we realized, we had another chit-chat session going on. Somebody honked and we moved to a different spot but did not stop talking. Then a beggar came and pestered us and we again moved to another spot talking non-stop. Again somebody honked and we again moved, nobody wanting the meet to end. Finally, we realized that we should now end the meet and said reluctant goodbyes.
I came back from the meet very satisfied and happy. It was great meeting my fellow MSians. Thanks to all of you for making the evening such an enjoyable one. I have already started waiting for the next one!
