Right next to Buckley Court is the Archbishops’ Residence, in that characteristic dark-grey Deccan basalt, with the spires of the Cathedral reaching skywards next to it. As I approach, the air is filled with the voices of dozens of little girls and boys, in grey uniforms, chattering and buzzing, running around, making way for the tall interloper walking up the street. School must have just let off. There’s the Convent of Jesus and Mary school (more popularly known as Fort Convent)as well as Holy Name High School attached to the Cathedral. Around the corner, on Cooperage, is my alma mater, Campion. Among the young children milling about, I spot a slightly older lad, dressed in a familiar white uniform with blue tie, with a dark red badge in the middle. I smile as I recognize the emblem of archrivals of the Britto House (I was in the Loyola House. There was also the Xavier House. Anyone recognize a pattern? :)). Oh gosh, how I hated putting that tie on every morning! Being caught tie-less meant certain punishment, mild (a verbal scolding) or extreme (a whack or worse)and demerits for the House, depending on which teacher spotted this unforgiveable breach of conduct.
"Uncle, uncle, please take that hanky out from the tree!" a young voice insists in Hindi as I walk into the Cathedral compound. Memories of school, (just yesterday, wasn’t it?) come crashing down as I realize that I’m the "Uncle" being addressed. The boys have managed to lob their handkerchief (which was serving as a ball) high up into a fern. It’s well above their reach, but just within mine. I hand their toy back to grateful squeals of delight and walk into the Cathedral to pray.