I was walking in the corridor of the college as it was a lazy afternoon of the second year of my college. I was yawning, when I heard my friends coming from the other end. I was about to retreat before they get me for some mischief but I was too late. “Ronit, guess what! we have the first year collegiates in the canteen . let’s have fun.”, Sushil said. “ no , I am not in the mood.”, I said getting out of the group of my five friends. “ Don’t you remember this is a ritual and has to be followed.Or shall I make you remember our first day at college.”
“How can one forget that day !” , I smirked with the memory. So thought why not I should have the fun , so I was in the canteen, to welcome the fresh comers.
I was polite and genial. It was hard putting on a rough look. Ten boys were standing in casual attire, I went out like a headmaster inspecting and a blue-turban head was standing with a lethargic attitude and I remarked “ so, what you are gonna do to entertain me?” “huh?”, came the reply from him.
“ Bro, are you deaf !! Mr sleeping dude, this is management college, find another place , I don’t think you are meant for this college.”, I said getting the fact that the fresh comers were boring .
I was turning back when someone said in a light voice “Ronit Malhotra, age 20.Secretary Assistant in the management . now what else you want to know?”, he said . “Good. I am impressed you did your homework.”, I said . I was not expecting this reply and that made me look to check out a person that I rarely do! He had a black moustache. He was weaing a blue check shirt and black trousers .and my eyes got his footwear, sports shoes. I could see a candid person but was defensive at the very moment. There was something in his eyes that caught me. I was about to say something when his deep looks lost me my words. “Ronit, where the hell are you?”, Sushil said shaking me. “hmmm, what?”,I asked . that person simply went by me . I felt strange but brush away the subject .
I called Sushil and asked him the name of that guy. He said, “He is Raghav Arora.” I just nodded and thread my way to the library for on the search on the project.
I was leafing through the pages of a book in the library when a girl approached me. I was engrossed in my book when a sweet and innocent voice shifted my gaze to her face. She had a whitish complexion and she asked me, “Ronit , can you please get me the book that is placed on the upper shelf. I am unable to reach.”
First, this girl knows my name. It was not something to be surprised at. There is a rule in the college that the freshcomers have to learn the names of their seniors either by hook or crook. I felt good about my tallness. “ Sir , can you help me?”, she said. Involuntarily my voice coaxed, “Sir?” “ yes, we are told to call you sir .” “and can I get the good name who has told you this?”, I said thinking in my mind that Sourav, Nikhel , Mandeep could only do. I was about to say anything when she said” Raghav” “ God, what the hell he want now. No one can live me in peace. This junior is over excited and I have to rebuke him for this.” but calmly I got the book for her as I got on my heels to do the same job.
The girl said, “thank you.” I just smiled. “I am Panvi”, she said extending her hand for a handshake. She was affable and I admired her confidence with which she introduced herself. She had a smile that eased me. I said “hi” and shook hands with her. Then I excused myself because I have to mend someone.
“Sir, can you name me the person for whom you want to find the birth certificate of?”,I said. I was keenly listening to that guy. He was not similar to the description he had given to me in that tale! His face revealed something else. He was a big goon in early life, but I was also a man approaching to 50’s. I was more experienced, but everything apart I was tired.
“hmmm, it is sure that the file name belongs to the name Ronit”, he said rubbing his eyes while taking off his glasses.
“and”, I posed with an authority.
“And!!what??”, he asked.
“the surname??”
“I don’t know.”
I was irked by this answer. But composing myself I said,”shshall I take it Malhotra?”I asked with little hesitation. Nothing seemed more appropriate. I had to have some reliable resource for the search.
“As you wish.”, he said in a lost voice.
He said, “How much more time??”
“Man, I am not even half way long. Moreover I doubt that the work may take days to complete. But you know what, narrate your tale with the belief what you want not what can happen.”
“I wish I could travel back in time!!”well, this was not the reply I was expecting.
{sorry for the delay, some inconvenience popped up, your comments will be well- received, next issue date of chapter 2 is on 29 february)