And so, it begins.

Today was a marvellous day. As I walked out of my uncle's office today after having chatted with him about my prospects at Qatar Airways, I was crossing the street, when I heard someone shout my name. I turned around but didn't see anyone, I kept walking only to hear my name or something like it being shouted again, I turned around again and this time, a guy was definitely walking towards me.

Lo and behold, my friend Saheeb, who I mentioned just two posts ago had found me walking on the streets of Doha. I recognised him as he crossed the street, and he said that he recognised me from behind just by my walk. We walked to a tea shop and reminisced as much as we could in the ten minutes he had before his father picked him up.

Its a funny coincidence and partly sheer dumb luck that having mentioned him just a few days ago, I ran into Saheeb today out of the blue. It was marvellous. We both couldn't stop smiling. He tells me that a lot of our friends are here in Doha and that they all hang out at the same tea shop we were at. A get-together atleast of those that can be reached is being planned for tomorrow when Saheeb and I get in touch.

My friends are still here! What fine luck! Its a chance to renew friendships that were lost all too soon, all too easily in an age when not everyone had clicked onto the web. I think I have kept up with just three of my IIS classmates; Adrian who is currently in Florida, Nadeem who is in Virginia and Noaman who is here in Doha. I hear Noaman (who has not come onto MSN for years) is now married with children, not to mention a beard that would put some mullahs to shame.

I don't have any words to describe my elation at having a chance to see my buddies again. I spent the better part of five years with these guys: sweating, running, studying, playing football, cricket, hangman and pen wars, getting beaten up by teachers, cheating on exams, arguing and fighting. We shared good times and bad, not to mention idlis and dosas and cans of coke. I have nicknames for some of these guys that date back to grade 4. Especially Noaman, I always called him Rubber Band, cuz he would fall so often- he'd be walking and then, out of nowhere he'd just trip on something and collapse. And I can't forget my friend Krishnadas, whom we called Kichu cuz that was the nickname his mother used.

..... As I sit here typing this out, I do so on my own internet connection albeit a dialup one, watching the highlights of the England-Pakistan cricket series on a 29 inch TV. Its as if everything just came together today. Internet, TV, cricket, warm weather and the prospect of reuniting with old buddies- life is starting to look on the up and up.

I can't help but feel that I just got to Doha. It all seems a bit brighter now, a little more upbeat and whole lot more promising. Wait till my friends find out that its my birthday on the 16th. I think I'll bring along a box of Quality Street chocolates for everyone tomorrow, just like we used to when we were celebrating birthdays during the school year.