Departures
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"Twenty five long years," he said, with a mix of contemplative frown and assured smile. As he bent to shed the ash off his cigar, sun came on his face from the glass of the window and his spectacles reflected the sunlight into his eyes. He didn't seem to mind. He paused briefly as he gently tapped the cigar against the ash tray, moved back in his chair and became his reserved self again. Vince is a stable headed wise man. He usually has this smile on his face, the smile of an unassuming, thinking and blessed man, one who always knows what is right. Vince is tolerant, forgiving and for all his qualities, he is much too humble.

"And it'll be ten more soon". Sam loves attractive faces and money; he notices people, cuts through their instincts and exposes the most private of their prejudices. Sam likes shooting and boxing. He is ambitious, impulsive and headstrong and wants to continue looking mature and powerful. A decent watch and a good pair of shoes to match a man's physique, and there's nothing more he thinks a man needs.

"Life has been generous", said Chris, seated with his hands folded, shoulders drooping and back bent a little. Chris is a modest man, he walks modest, talks modest. He's never been heard loud. He loves people: all living beings for that matter.

Vince, Sam and Chris have been pals ever since they remember. In spite of all their differences, something binds them, keeps them together.

They are the same age. Todays their birthday.

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"The flight LH 069 to Berlin is now boarding," the announcement at San Francisco international airport came.

"Thats me gentlemen. I should go check in," he smiled. It was Sam's first trip to Berlin. He was attending a workshop with the European Delegation of the Hotel Managers Association. He was asked to give the keynote speech. For long he had thought about expanding his luxury suites in Europe, and this was his chance, he thought. A business administration degree at Harvard had polished the business acumen in him. In spite of his determined and seemingly strong disposition, Vince had never been unscrupulous or unjust in his dealings. That is perhaps why with all his wealth, looks, and charms he never felt empty inside.

"It make me happy watch him be himsef," said Vince as he watched Sam pick up his coat and leave.

"Do you remember the day last month when he got in a fight?" Chris smiled gently, adjusting his posture.

"Oh yeah. And that certainly was not his first time. He kicked the hell out of those pranksters, I heard."

Sam was famous for his scuffles, certainly among the cops in the area. He prevented robbery at seven-eleven twice, saved a women from being raped in a dark alley, got in a fist fight with the drunk boyfriend who hit his woman in public: the list was endless. The cops always let him go, the witnesses almost always supported him.

"He could do without all that fighting. There are other ways, you know," said Chris.

"Yes there are," smiled Vince, as he crossed his legs and buried himself in the newspaper.

Chris got up to get some coffee. It was a busy day at the airport, the weekend rush. His flight was due in an hour. He was traveling to Varanasi in India, to spend some in the Vedic meditation center and then live for a month with people from an international voluntary organization helping local children in a small village near Calcutta. It was not the first time he was visiting India. He had always been fascinated by the diversity, the country had to offer.

He took his chai latte back to his table, and started browsing through the map of Varanasi he had. Although at the back of his mind he knew very well that the map would not help him navigate through the city very well. The chaos in Indian cities amazed him, and he coundn'€™t help being surprised at the harmony that prevailed underneath the hustle and bustle.

"I should probably get going now," Chris got up. Vince folded his newspaper stood up and gave him a pat on the shoulder, "Take care of yourself".

He watched Chris collect his luggage and disappear into the crowd. The world needs more people like him, he had often said to himself. Chris had given several years of his life to serving humanity. He spent several years helping the cause of children born with AIDS in Africa. During the period, he spent hours at a stretch every day mixing with natives, working with bringing in medicine from the UNICEF, while he struggled with his own health trying to adapt to the food and water in remote locations. Last year, he spent almost all his savings on financing the teaching program for educating street children in Calcutta.

Vince looked at his watch and realized it was time for him to get going as well. He was looking forward to visiting Rome again. Selected people from around the world were gathering in the Vatican City for a debate on human values and the impact of technological advancement on society. Dalai Lama was going to be there as well. Vince was also invited over to the Vatican Museum to look over some recently discovered artifacts which seemed to give a whole new interpretation to Michelangelo's depiction of the last judgment. Vince's latest book on the renaissance per and its reminiscences in the modern day society in Rome was had him many accolades.

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