The Beginning

When I look back, the journey seems so mysterious and strange that it becomes difficult to judge where am I heading to? It is totally impossible to comprehend the occurrence of certain events which ultimately affected (if not changed) the course of my life. There is no merit in digging up the past, as the future will be based upon my present. But the 'experiences' and 'memories', which bridge the gap between my today and yesterday needs to get preserved somewhere; where I, in later phase of my life may revisit and probably understand them better.

It was an unusual early morning which was going to give life a new start. After picking up the newly bought mug and bucket, I hastily walked towards the bathroom with the aim of finishing the morning chores asap in order to avoid any possible rush. The bathroom was a block away from room 116. In no time I reached there, quick enough to join the early end of the queue comprising of hostel mates who seemed far more excited. Life had suddenly got crowded with so many people.

While going to the class I joined a bunch of Mallu guys who were staying in nearby rooms. These were the few people with whom I had my first informal interaction. For the first time we were talking something more than our whereabouts. A bag containing a classmate notebook and an old geometry box was adorning my shoulders. Somehow, a childhood feeling came alive. The first day of the academic life at college was supposedly full of possibilities and concerns. It was this day when some of the very foundations of the future relationships were going to be laid.

The classes were to be conducted in NLHC, a newly installed four storey building constructed on the modern lines. This mighty building was furnished in style with gleaming tiles, pillars and a small aquarium, and housed spacious classrooms. The rooms were surrounded by large windows from all around and could accommodate hundreds of students. Equipped with projectors and sound systems these classrooms seemed paradise for those who had come to seek knowledge. Some of the other similar buildings gave an insight to the national importance of this institute.

People had started to come for the class. This surely was an exceptional day which nobody wanted to miss. NLHC soon became flooded with boys and girls from almost every part of the country. The serious types got settled inside the classroom. Others were busy discovering places, and a few were trying to catch attention and woo the pretty ones of other gender.

The D batch was destined to be on the ground floor for a while.  I had managed to get the second last bench after competing with few friends. The class got commenced at eight o’clock without any bell or morning prayer. Clearly, we had grown mature. The perception about the professors, college and love life, woven in the mind by movies and neighborhood bhaiyas’ college tales was soon going to be tested. The life of possibilities had just begun.