I was riding my bicycle and was on my way to take the 8 o'clock morning tutorial class but had started a bit earlier than usual as I had to stop by my lab office room to pick up the attendance sheet. The route between my hostel and IITK's academic area happens to offer a view of the shiny tennis courts. Somehow, whenever I cross the road facing those courts (everyday) and happen to see some people playing, I feel an impulse to stop by for a minute or so and watch their game. And I always end up disregarding that desire and instead settle for a glimpse of a few rallies by cycling at a slower pace. What I saw today made me reduce my speed more than usual.
I saw two professors, probably in their 50s or 60s, having silvery hairs and mustaches and noticeable paunches, playing opposite to each other. Very interestingly I think I saw them there after a very long time. I do remember seeing the pair on the court many times in the past but can't put a numerical approximation to the minimum duration elapsed since the last such encounter. Unfortunately I do not know their identities but I am quite sure that many other students would also vouch for having seen them there often.
Due to my blurry memory this spectacle gave me a peculiar feeling. The two respectable professors seemed to share a lovely bond together. During the remainder of my short cycle journey my mind was distracted by contemplations of life of an academician having reached an age such as theirs and the difference that the companionship of a colleague sharing some common interest, as in their case, may likely make in keeping life from getting drab. I do not remember what other conclusions I drew in that short duration but I do remember thinking about my own future prospects in the event I end up in that profession and how I might similarly find myself playing table tennis with one of my colleagues.
The tutorial class went well, by the way!
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