PART-3 THE SMALL TOWN BOY
Time: 9:30 AM
Event: Orientation Day
Venue: Auditorium, NIT Kurukshetra
I read the poster for the 16th time, there were some candles and diyas on the poster and some other artifacts were illustrated over it, which I don't get. It was 9 o'clock and there was no sign of anyone in the auditorium except the few janitors who were weirdly looking at me as if I was an alien. So what if I was there at 8:30 for the event to be starting at 9:30 that doesn't mean that you have a right to judge me...
I was excited about my new journey which was about to start in few minutes.
I fiddled with my cellphone for a while, I clicked a few pictures in the hall and posted it on Facebook, #College life... #New journey begins... I clicked on the post. Within a few minutes there were 15 likes on the pictures and people were commenting their wishes for my new life. I was going through the comments section, reading and replying them back with my mind completely engrossed in the conversation.
I didn't realize that the room was not vacant anymore, there were lots of people to be seen there. "Journey begins", I swallowed.
"Nice clicks", a weirdly excited voice said. I turn to find a guy with cute Harry-Potter-style round spectacles looking towards me. He is really lean and short, with fair complexion and curly hair, which falls droopily on his forehead and partially covers his spectacles. But his face gives him a very innocent and child-like aura.
"Sorry... I didn't intend to meddle in... I'm... really sorry... I just wanted to have a conversation... I'm sorry... " He said, while I was observing his appearance. His voice matches his child-like face.
He started panicking so much that I was afraid what if he starts crying now...?!!
"It's fine... Relax" I said trying hard to suppress my laugh, "By the way, I'm Rizwan" I added stretching out my hand.
"Akash, Akash Mishra..." He said grabbing my hand and holding back his tears.
We shared a smile then we asked each other some typical engineering student's questions about our JEE Mains AIR, board result and in which branch we are.?! Which comes out to be the same, that is Computer Science.
The function was already started and there was a beautiful lady in a cadet blue Saree introducing herself. I skipped her introduction during the conversation, which pissed me off a bit. He sensed my mood and fell silent for a while before he started again.
"So... Where from are you...?!" He said.
"Umm... Sorry..?!"
"Kaha se ho tum..?!" He translated.
"Oh... Delhi.." I replied.
But the "Oh" was much like "Ohh... Should I correct him or just let it be...?!" Then I thought, maybe it would offend him if I do that, so let it be.
"Delhi..!! Big city!!!" He exclaimed as if I have mentioned about London, "And I'm from Mahiar, Madhya Pradesh" He added.
And then for the next half an hour he took me to the regional and cultural tour of this place called "Mahiar". Now I know that the Mahiar, a small town in Satna district in Madhya Pradesh,is named after the fallen necklace of goddess Sati when Lord Shiva was carrying her dead body. And also the legend warriors Alha and Udal who had fought Prithviraj Chauhan, were the great followers of goddess Sharda, whose temple situated at the top of the Trikoota Hills in Mahiar. It was like I was watching a live telecast of the show "Bharat: Ek Khoj" that's too in a child's voice.
If the Dean hadn't interrupted I would have gotten the citizenship of Mahiar by now. Or at least I could have easily cracked the IAS exam.
After listening to him continuously for half an hour I was in no state to listen to anybody else. I just wanted to leave the place right away but then again I looked at him, he was looking at the Dean with zeal and dedication in his eyes like a child listening to a superhero story and imagining himself to be like that one day. He's irritating but still cute like a child.
For the next one and a half hour he was sincerely been all ear to each and every faculty and applauded on speeches like they were something rock band's performance. He seems to be so enthusiastic and fascinated by every single faculty, which also fires me up to at least lend an ear to some of 'em.
After the declaming of the honors and awards and rules and regulations of the college the function is followed by lunch, which has a very typical menu including Chole Bhature, Pav Bhaji and Masala Dosa. I went for Pav Bhaji as it's my favorite and Akash just had everything on his plate.
After lunch we were informed about our timing and a few basic rules and regulations and then they called it off.
We left the auditorium and walked towards the hostel.
"So, what's your room no.?!" He asked.
"207... Your?!" I said.
"Oh! mine is 213, the left one near the staircase" He replied.
"Okay then… See you around." I said and excused myself for making a call.
I called my mother as there were around four missed calls from her, how couldn't I have noticed them?? My phone was with me all the time?? Alright, now just get ready with a brand new excuse that she would buy.
"Hello, Rizu... How are you doing my baccha..?!" she said as soon as she picked up the call.
"Whoa... You are not mad..?!" I exclaimed
"No... I know you must be busy... I understand" she replied and added, "I'm not like other strict mothers, I'm very understanding..."
Alright, it sounds good to you guys but for me it was really really surprising... Cause I'm not familiar with this kind of "understanding mother" thing... What I know about my mother was that by now she must have called me back home and lectured me on, "How am I supposed to take my responsibilities...?! When I can't even take her calls on time??"
"Well that's good... Maa..." I said breaking the chains of my thoughts .
"So... How did it go?!" She asked.
"Pretty well... It was good."
"Oh! That's good!!"
"So... Are you in your room now?!"
"No, I'm just walking up the stairs."
"Okay... By the way, how's your new roommate...?! Did he arrives.?!"
"No, not yet..."
"Alright, then take care of yourself... We'll be coming to see you next week."
"Okay, bye for now."
"Bye..."
I disconnected the call and unlocked the door. I looked around the room, the room looked spacious as there were only two beds. Unlike the other rooms on the floor where four students were accommodated in a single room. Warden has told us that this room was assigned to a senior student, gone on vacation.
I walked up to my bed and lay down. My new place for the next four years, I thought in my head.
As I was lying there alone, there was lots of stuff going through my head and I didn't even realize when I fell asleep.