Two people meeting during unusual circumstances and becoming fast friends

Jairaj was in the administration department and the architectural department was also on the same floor. Jairaj as is quite conspicuous by the name itself is an Indian.

The Management had entrusted Jairaj with arranging the office with a little bit of shuffling of the tables of the various department in the first floor where he himself was also stationed, in order to accommodate a subcontractor specialized in BIM Models with their staff to accomplish some urgent work on BIM Modeling.

It was an afternoon and most of the staff, were relaxing in their respective cubicle when Jairaj chanced upon eaves dropping on the cubicle occupied by an Egyptian, young, Mohandis (Engineer), Mahmoud and found a book lying on his table.

On a closer look Jairaj could notice that it was a novel titled “The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance”. Within no time Jairaj became nostalgic. He started seeing his days in the city of Mumbai a decade and a half ago. He further remembered strolling in the afternoon along Fountain heading towards the Jehangir Art Gallery and Price of Wales Museum. Jairaj’s vision started becoming more and more clear, and he could vividly remember seeing one of his relative coming from the opposite direction. He seemed to be in the lookout for a book when Jairaj asked him how he landed up in this place whereas his residence is in Pune few hours away. Jairaj got the reply from his relative that the book he is searching for is “The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance”. As the relative was also in a hurry and to get the book and that too at a second hand price was not so easy. Jairaj suggested to him to leave it to him and the book shall be sent across to him no sooner he gets hold of the book as he is working in Fort/Fountain area and come to work here daily at the Army & Navy Building. After being convinced by Jairaj’s assurance the relative left for Pune.

Jairaj as promised got hold of the book without much difficulty and was about to pack the book to be dispatched to his relative. On looking at the title and cover of the book, initially it became difficult for him to believe that it could be a novel, a travelogue, as the title seemed like it is a manual for the motorcycle. It caught Jairaj’s interest and he thought of reading a few pages of it before enclosing it in an envelope. Jairaj started enjoying the read, the beautiful mixing of the organic and the mechanic and the Zen philosophy behind it. Jairaj got a faint picture of the ideas highlighted by the travelogue.

The same day in a few minutes before close of the business hours of the post office he sent the book to his relative by speed post but did not forget the interesting contents of the book till date.

Hello sir, someone called from behind and it was Mahmoud, the Mohandis; the BIM Engineer. What’s up? Jairaj replied earnestly, I was looking for some space for the new BIM Subcontractor, next to your cubicle and was surprised to see the travelogue lying on your table which I happened to have read more than a decade ago and pleasantly happy to see you also have a copy of it.

Oh really, remarked Mahmoud, it is undoubtedly a very interesting book and for me it is almost like a bible. Jairaj became curious and asked Mahmoud the reason for it, to which Mahmoud described his keen interest in driving the motorcycle and he drives all sorts of fancy motorbikes and at present has the Kawasaki motorbike and intends to go to Egypt from Dubai riding on it instead of flying during his forthcoming annual vacation. He also plans to carry the book The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and read it during his stops to Egypt.

After this small chat both Jairaj and Mahmoud came to realize that one of the common interest of both is reading books even though the age difference between them is that of a father and son. But they realized the combination could be great and came to an understanding that during their spare time they shall read out books to each other and also discuss and analyze them.

They also started preparing themselves to the forthcoming literature festival, where few renowned authors are expected. They did so by reading the books of those authors and kept ready to pose questions which they felt needed more elaboration and wanted to convey to the authors how much they enjoyed their works and how they wish to emulate it in their own works and life if need be.

Jairaj and Mahmoud became very good friends and many times think of the unusual circumstances that lead to their unconditional friendship which was far above the limitations of age, religion, color, race, education, location, nationality, language, beliefs so on and so forth.

Mahmoud as per his plan was getting ready to leave for Egypt on his Kawasaki motorbike and Jairaj and his friends along-with colleagues arranged a get together to flag off his trip to Egypt which probably would take 5 days to 7 days depending upon how long he wishes to break his journey to refuel his tank and savour the natural beauty of the places he may come across his journey. He also had to take a ship to cross from one end to another for few hours but thereafter he was again on road to Egypt. Similarly on his return journey.

Jairaj and his friends arranged a memento and a small party after Mahmoud returned from Egypt after about a month and showed the snaps he had taken and how the climate was different and many interesting incidents that took place while going as well as returning from Egypt. Mahmoud also promised that he together with Jairaj will someday record the journey in a book form for all the book lovers and bikers to savor and get inspired to undertake such excursions and expeditions and make their life adventurous and soul satisfying.