A Family Room at Gate 56
At Gate 56 of Delhi Airport, I sat waiting, initially weary from a 14-hour flight delay that felt like a test of endurance. Yet, in His mysterious way, God turned bitterness into sweetness. There, I met Jason Thankachan, a warm, smiling coder who shuttles between India and Indonesia, living in Bekasi. Simple and courteous, he sparked our connection with a question: “Do you like video games?”
I chuckled, memories flooding back. “I used to play Dota and Mobile Legends,” I said. Jason eagerly shared updates on characters I still recalled—Skeleton King, Berserker—reviving nights at ITB’s multimedia lab, where I installed Dota, learning software by day and battling in tournaments by night. Then, he showed me a tiny emulator packed with hundreds of games, affordable yet brilliant. I pictured my sons, Miracle and Heaven, delighting in it, their eyes bright with joy.
Sayan Bose, a DOP (Director of Photography), joined us, intrigued. “What’s that?” he asked, eyeing Jason’s emulator. From casual gaming talk, we dove into Kolkata’s culinary treasures: sweet desserts, potatoes, biryani. The three of us laughed freely, as I tweaked slides for my RAW Architecture presentation at FOAID later that day. The air felt light, like a family reunion unfolding unexpectedly.
Then came Pavel, a humble film director with a curious spirit, asking where Jason got the emulator and its price, peppering us with questions about Indonesia. I later learned via Google that he’d produced films like Kolkata Chalantika, Asur, and Rosogolla. Our chat shifted to life’s deeper currents—children, education, growth. Pavel shared that his wife, Smriti, whose name means “memory,” is a teacher. Her work shaping young minds resonated with me, reminding me of my own efforts to nurture through architecture and community. We spoke of Smriti’s dedication, how she crafts lessons with care fostering curiosity and kindness in her students, a quiet yet profound act of building the future.
In one hour, Gate 56 became a family room. We explored politics, history, personal memories, and the preciousness of time. Laughter flowed, even as we lined up to board. “Can we come to your presentation later?” they asked, their warmth wrapping around me like a hug. I nodded, moved by this serendipitous bond.
The next morning, after my lecture at design perspective, I met Pavel again at Taj Kurtir for an interview. Over coffee, he asked, “What are your 7 Wonders of the World?” I paused, then shared my heart’s list: Carlo Scarpa’s Tomb Brionne, a poetic dance of light and stone; Mangunwijaya’s Kuwera Home, humble yet profound; Eko Prawoto’s Home, a living dialogue with nature; Laurie Baker’s CCDC, a testament to simplicity; Aalto’s Home, where warmth meets function; Le Corbusier’s Ronchamp Chapel, a sculptural prayer; and Gate 56, this very moment of human connection that transcended a delay. Each wonder, I explained, reflects a soulful balance of craft and meaning, much like the spaces I strive to create.
Now, with my laptop open, I write this reflection. *The Laws of the Spirit World* by Khorshed Bhavnagri teaches us that where we focus, our energy flows. I learned to choose healing over frustration, to see divine timing in delays. God was present in Jason’s smile, Sayan’s stories, Pavel’s curiosity, and Smriti’s unseen but felt influence as a teacher. This moment, sparked by a humble emulator, is a living memory—a reminder to be patient in life’s process, like the wheel of life turning toward goodness.
Forgive me, Lord, for moments of impatience. Thank You for this family room at Gate 56, a priceless gift born of Your grace. To those reading, I invite you to discover Khorshed’s book, a guide to embracing circles of kindness. Let’s direct our energy to love and healing, building connections that transcend time. Rahayu always.
I am writing reflection for the event, Shantiniketan, and last Indian and Korea trip, please wait, Almighty is with you, God bless u all.
@hiitsme_pavel @mukherjee_smriti @shadow_paint_
My Mayonnaise Jar 