Live a Little "MAN"

 

It was a holiday, and all my roommates had gone home. All of us are from Kolhapur, so we decided to meet the next day in Kolhapur to have the famous Misal together. We also planned to visit a well-known pilgrimage site before returning home. The plan was set. 

The next day, we gathered at one of our roommates' places and headed out for breakfast around 9 a.m. We ordered the Misal and sat at the table. Whenever we’re together, there’s an unspoken rule—no one touches their phones. These guys, these morons, can’t let anyone in the group go without teasing them. Usually, I’m the one who starts the roasting session, but it always ends with me being teased the most.

Laughter filled the air as we joked and bantered. Some of us laughed so hard that tears rolled down our cheeks. We’re insane, and our insanity knows no bounds. Even the folks sitting nearby couldn’t help but laugh at our conversations. After finishing breakfast, we headed to the pilgrimage site located on a mountain near the city. Even on the way there, our jokes and laughter didn’t stop.

When we arrived, we parked the car and quickly completed our darshan. On the way back, we took a small detour to a nearby mountain. We got out of the car, went for a short walk, and eventually sat on the edge of a rock. From there, we enjoyed the breathtaking view of the city while digging up old jokes and laughing uncontrollably. We reminisced about our past antics, and every memory seemed funnier than the last. As the clouds rolled in, we started shooting timelapse videos and doing a bit of a photoshoot.

Then came the most magical moment. The clouds descended, bringing rain with them. Watching the rain move toward us was surreal. Suddenly, I shouted, “Run, or we’ll get drenched!” We all bolted toward the car, but in my haste, I slipped and landed squarely on my backside. That was it—laughter erupted again. My friends couldn’t stop imitating how I slipped, and the car was filled with endless giggles as we drove back.

We returned to the city around 1 p.m. and stopped near a lake. Sitting there, we soaked in the calming sound of waves hitting the shore. Of course, we continued our photoshoot (one of the pictures is shown above). After a quick realization, I blurted out, “Guys, do you realize? Today, we truly lived.”

We lived for ourselves, leaving behind all our worries, heartbreaks, anxieties, betrayals, and failures. For a few hours, we forgot about the burdens of being men. No one talked about lectures from the boss, breaking up with girlfriends, job rejections, family responsibilities, or the pressure to achieve stability. We even forgot about our families. In that time, we were just us—the boys, the men we truly are at heart.

For once, we didn’t have to carry the invisible load society places on us—the pressure to always be strong, reliable, and unshakeable. We allowed ourselves to simply exist, to laugh without restraint, to relive old memories, and to enjoy the freedom of the moment. It reminded us that underneath all the expectations and responsibilities, we are still human—capable of joy, silliness, and connection. Moments like these are rare, and they hold the power to recharge a man’s spirit, reminding us of what truly matters.

I asked everyone when was the last time, we had experienced such freedom. Most had no answer. That day was not just worth remembering—it was worth living. With this, I want to raise a toast to all the men out there. Screw it. Take that trip, no matter how small. Go wherever your group plans. It’ll be worth it.

The constant voice in our heads telling us we are providers and protectors can sometimes make us forget to live a little. Take a moment, breathe some fresh air, and remind yourself what it means to truly live.

Thanks for Reading

- Suraj