A Fig of my memory

First year was an estranged part of me......

The other day would have been my right start at nitrkl provided everything was put in its proper place.But as things would have it in my dreams of dreams first it was my health which had completely given in.Little did I know what further nightmares awaited .My father was real help.

Not so petty things had been bothering me for over a week before-I really find it difficult making new friends and especially when you are in a strange place,things were going to be impossible for me.I had even apprehended I would have to stay alone which I dread the most.

Regaining my composure back ,the first view of my hostel(Kiran Mazumdar Shaw Hall of Residence) reminded me of my great grandfather’s wrecked house abandoned about some decades before.It seriously needs atleast one whitewash .

The room allotment process was something you didn’t require to understand .Though their was formal allotment we had to settle on our own.My would be roommates wanted their friend to be with them .

I decently obliged them but my migraine was too reluctant to accept such a thing.Then there were several mix matches and then there was a Kavita episode(about which my friends still make fun of me ) and finally I was subjected to my destined room (B-115)already occupied by two smartest people of my our batch.One bengali(Sohini aka Gummie) ,another multicultered personality-keralite(Shashikala aka HER child’s momma :P)-my migraine multiplied.How could I stay with two outsiders ? I doubted if I would ever be able to befriend them.The fourth occupant was a gulti Swetha who joined the following day.

The way they looked at me the first time, sucked all my confidence away for I thought them to be seniors;thankfully they were not because one of my friends was having to stay with two mtech people for shortage of rooms.

They were already ready for a nap.I was dying from fatigue.I still didn’t have a bed . While my dad made arrangements sohi made some place for me on her bed.God’s grace,finally I got a place to sit.Shashi was sensible enough to start conversation among us.She chose a topic from the magazine she was reading-some cosmopolitan about some model something something.I had no cue what she was talking.I felt like saying ‘why on earth can’t we better stop’. I guess she even enquired me of something to which I was all blank from which she must have got clearly I was least interested .

Shashi was patronised as my guardian by dad;she was really trustworthy.

Next day Swetha arrived.I asked her if she was her ,her face expression was worth seeing,I understood she didn’t know hindi.I felt sorry for her more than me becoz she would have a harder time.

The first day , I guess 24th july 2008,of my most unwilled,undreamed ,unacceptable engineering life (I didn’t even know all these IIT JEE or AIEEE untill I was already appearing 10^th exams where I had come to know from the advertisements outside our centre).Like every other student you choose either medical or engineering. Till now even I don’t know what other options are there in case you dare to dislike both of these.

We had to reach at class by 8 am.I had set alarm in my cell at 6 AM and obviously I could not get up that early.At home such things were taken care by mom.Everyday she would scold me or even sometimes slap me (very very strict disciplinarian) to make me get up early.But there was no mom.I had to be all by myself.Thanx to the gifted senses that she has ,she felt like waking me up.I got up shocked seeing her already ready,saw my cell,it was 6:55 AM,then I had a hard time pondering over what do I do next.After 10 mins , recollecting my lost memory ,I went out only to find all bathrooms occupied and lines waiting near each.By the time I was ready it was 8:05.Strange;I had 1 hour in hand still I was late and ironically enough these days I don’t get up earlier than 7:50 and still manage to reach class by 8:10 or 8:15.

Five of us;Padmaja,Anuja,Binita,Aradhana and myself walked down together to class.On our way I called up my dad;he asked me if I went to the temple ,though I didn’t go ,I lied him.We were 30 mins late to class,statics was going on.I found Shashi in my class,I felt happy for the first time in the last three days .

After a hectic day at class ,back in our hostel whoever I would meet in mess or in common room,were having nice time,all smiles and laughter.But I was the saddest lot.Such a homesick idiot I was.I would rather always prefer to be a mute thing.

Sohini was a bigtime help for me.I liked her company very much.She was a very very quiet (UNLIKE NOW)and helping friend and also the most intelligent among us.

With Shashi it was always fun in first year classes.Such a great sense of humour she has!She has an interesting way of talking and she can get anybody involved into it .Swetha used to spend most time with her telugu friends;she understood vry little of our discussions.Slowly everything was fine.

There was our EvS teacher-famous for his unecessary display of vocabulary.He would say for a simple xerox copy-“you are required to take the necessary photocopies from the photocopy operator ”.Also”I will take stringent action against you.”Mr Sentilnathan(our phy prof)-his funny dressing sense and his punchline”You!you give your opinion”could make us laugh restlessly.

Sometime we had our hostel welcome .I had felt such embarassment.I was made to dance to “pappu can’t …”.The lyrics mismatched my actions ;however one senior helped me with that.

*************2 years later**************

Now every other day there is some sort of dj in our room.I can make anybody enjoy my sheer nonsense.Any vague topic can keep us engaged throughout the night.Swetha has learned hindi;we don’t have to interpret our discussions in english to her.Studies are always secondary these days;grades are degrading with each semester;the prospect of being a five point someone is only 2 years far. Two more years are yet to come . Many more things are yet to happen to be written down here.