I still remember the first day at school, papa asking me to go inside the classroom, me in full tears looking at the teacher and the kids around and crying badly. Had my sisters in the same school, me waiting for the break so that I can meet them, had the fear of getting lost. During my primary I was all my teachers pet, each and every one wanted me to be the best in what ever I did, as I moved in to higher levels expectations increased slowly from both the ends. Meeting those expectations was very difficult but I gave my best.
As I moved to college life the fear that was persisting within came out like a volcanic eruption… Fear of getting ragged, fear of making new friends, fear of new people around, fear of my future… all the things flashed at once. Wearing a salwar with blunt cut, with a book in hand and bag behind (Can never imagine I looked so bad). There was this hand waving at me… I wondered who it was??? Thought that it might be my senior who wanted to bully me but she comes close to me and tells “Hi first day right… I know you but you don’t know who I am” was shocked for a moment. She introduces herself as Mamatha… My first friend at college. A sweet, adorable and a caring person who would want to be around so as to make me comfortable. As the months passed by I made many other friends in fact best friends…
Priya, Sandhya, Sumitha, Nanditha, Sandhya, Shubha and last but not the least Mamatha. All were so very dear to me. Still remember the lecturers we teased, the classes we bunked, the fight we had, the test papers with fewer marks, the tasting of lunch during lecture hours, those lecturers who made us stand for our pranks, sitting in the last bench acting as studious as we can. Those memories just flash through my mind.
Studying for final exam, looking out for some ones notes, and trying to have a group study which was impossible for sure, coming out of the exam hall asking how the paper was. The last day at college, waiting for the result to come, praying for a passing mark, distributing sweets for clearing in first attempt. Bidding farewell to friends and college, with tears for friends, with dreams in eyes, wishing each other for a better future and moving on. Still in touch with few and few I’m not, but always want to be a part in what so ever they dreamt of.
Finished with pre university moved in to degree life. Since it was the same college I wasn’t scared of anything and any one around. But my eyes always hunted for my friends, would always return home with tears thinking about the bond that was shared which cannot be erased. Knowing that I need some one made few friends in a very short span, tried being cool, tried being smart, changed my looks changed my attire, shocked by my looks friends asked is this you or some one masked.
Enjoyed my degree with my favorite lectures, English, Kannada and science classes. Language classes are the ones that got me more friends, sitting and discussing all unwanted things, trying to concentrate, buttering lecturers, which would obviously fetch marks during exams. Met my best friend for the first time who was just a lecturer then, knew each other well, met her family her son. She became my best buddy.
Had few fan followers, going by my looks and my dance during the fests, I had these huge bunch of them trying to get a glimpse of mine when I am in my class, writing of names on benches, showing their love with greeting cards, taking my number from my friends, trying to collect my whole bio data, wishing on my birthday and calling when free. Would like to thank them for showering so much of love, respecting me and adoring me for what I was.
Still remember the chikki spot, where we group of 9 friends would stay back after college, waiting to meet each other, asking what happened in the class, sharing the worst PJ’s (as in poor jokes), digging out the cash from the bags and pockets of the jeans, getting a pack of chikki, kurkure or chats sharing with each other, walking on the roads, having a laugh over a topic, getting back home, calling up each other and discussing the same, increasing the phone bill every month.
Crying over small fights, staying away from each other, breaking of few friendships, sitting alone thinking about the lost bond, hiding from the ones who wants to settle things down, praying that such things would never happen. Searching for a solution ending up with a question. Losing of patience, losing out time, just before the exams all the bonds broken. Forgetting about the past thinking about the future, taking out the books and studying hard. Passed out with good percentage. Thinking what next. Wrote entrance exam for masters, got good ranking, got through in a good VTU college.
Started of my MBA with a fear, didn’t know if I would be able to complete since it was totally a different area, had support from family and friends. Studied throughout the course, enjoyed a little. A sudden change in my behavior, forced to change in fact. Made few good friends, tried not to get close to any since had a fear of losing them, maintained a distance hoping that all would be fine if I just concentrate on my studies. Cleared in one attempt. Was happy that I moved out of student life and was stepping in to my work life, but realized that student life was much better when I started searching for job.
Would always cherish the time/moment I spent with all my best of best friends, and also the ones who turned out to be my enemies as well. Cz they were also a part of this small journey of my life. I prefer staying as a student for ever but the only problem is with the exams.
“COLLEGE LIFE ROCKS…………!!!!!!!! YO…..!!!!”Thank you all,
Loads of Love,
Nisha K
