I am Sorry... Episode #6

#YearsBack

Chennai, September 3. My first day at college. I was so excited and filled with joy to get into that new place. I started searching for my class on each floor and in every wing, like a passenger searching for a train, as like I am gonna miss everything, if I am late to the first day class.

Such a big college it was and all my efforts to find my new class were in vain, I know that I was getting late, but I don't wanna ask directions to any other student, because  I don't wanna get ragged at any cost. At last, I found someone, attender I suppose, to whom I asked, “Where is the first year IT department class?” He pointed out in some direction, where there were nearly 10 classes in a row, and he walked away. Why is everyone giving a vague answer here?? God!!!, unknowingly I dashed my head on the wall.

Suddenly a voice behind me called, “What pa…? Which class are you?” I wasn’t going to turn back, but the energy in that voice made me turn. I told, “1 year IT class.” With an encouraging smile he told, “Come with me, I will show your class.” Hearing his words, I got back my lost energy and followed his lead. He showed me a class already filled with students and got in with me. I realized that he was going to take our first class of my college life.

Finding the class is just one part of your first day and there is this other important part called, finding the place in the class. That’s the important duty of all the Engineering students, as the seating position decides the path of one’s future. The friends, fun and memories that we will make in the future depends on where we sit in class, that was my belief. I am never gonna sit in the first bench even if it is totally empty and definitely not in the last bench. I started to look at everyone’s face in the class searching for my new, yet to be friend.

Every face had different variations of the same expression called excitement. When it comes to seating, The thing is every bench can accomodate only 3 people. At last I found a place, near 2 guys, Vishok and his friend Bibu. Bibu moved a little, making space for me but Vishok didn’t budge. I realized that Vishok didn’t like any more addition in his bench but the lecturer called, “Please, settle down everyone”. I was helpless and so I decided to push Vishok and sit near him.

Suddenly someone on my right called, “Hey boss!, come here. Have a seat.” Finally I was seated and the guy who called me talked again, “Hi macha… I am Ashwin.” With excitement I started to reply, but another voice from the other side of our bench came to my ears like a cold breeze saying, “Hi!, this is Aasha!”

Yes, I met my two best buddies of my college days that day and that was my bench. Usually, when a girl casually introduces herself to a boy with a pleased expression, most of the boys will be speechless. I too had the same feeling, after all I was also a normal boy.

Our introduction session was disturbed by the person on the dais, “Ahem!” Of course, that was our lecturer. Being caught by the lecturer, we smiled sheepishly and turned our attention towards the class. He smiled and introduced himself as, “I am Kathirvel. And I am gonna be your class mentor.” He is a great person, whom I've ever met in my life. I always liked his courage and the way he communicated with everyone. He always said, “I am your teacher and you are not kids anymore.” This meant that we need to be more responsible to ourselves. In every class, I heard the chattering and mocking noise from my next bench where Vishok and Bibu were seated. Vishok was getting beatings from his friend Bibu every time and the sound stunned us all now and then in every class. I really didn’t know how he could bare that pain but they were 2 good buddies and Bibu had this kind and helpful habit and would do anything for his friends.

With all these new people around me, my first hour class of my first day got to its end successfully. All of a sudden, I heard someone calling me from behind, as I turned, I heard her voice, “Hi Ashwath!, I am Jessica…. Jessica Magnus. How are you?”

to be continued...

Categories: I am Sorry