Episode #6

Years back....

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. I didn’t want to miss anything, by entering late to the class on the very first day.

Such a big college it was! All my efforts to find my new class were in vain. I knew that I was getting late, but I didn't want to ask directions from any other student, because, I didn't want to get ragged at any cost. At last, I found someone, an attendant, I suppose, whom I asked, “Where is the first year IT department class?” He pointed out in a direction, where there were nearly 10 classes in a row and he walked away. Big help that was! God!!!  I almost banged my head against the wall in despair.

Suddenly a voice behind me called, “What pa…? Which class are you in?” I wasn’t going to turn back, but something about the voice made me turn. I told, “1st year IT class.” With an encouraging smile he told, “Come with me, I will show your class.” Hearing his warm tone, 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 the first class of my college life.

Finding the right class is just one part of your first day. Finding the right place in the class is yet another important objective that needed equal attention. 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 did not intend to sit in the first bench even if it was 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 accommodate only three people. At last I found a place, near two 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 to 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, albeit in a whisper, “Hey boss! Come here. Have a seat.” Gratefully, I took my seat next to him and the friendly guy whispered “Hi macha… I am Ashwin.” Eagerly I started to respond, but another voice from the other side of our bench came to my ears like a cool breeze saying, “Hi! I am 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 your class mentor.” He is a great person and I never met anyone like him in my life before. 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 towards ourselves. In every class, I heard the chattering and mocking noise from my next bench where Vishok and Bibu were seated. Vishok used to get slapped around by his friend Bibu for every small and sundry issue and I really didn’t know how he could bare that pain. However, they remained good buddies and Bibu, despite all 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 and as I turned, I heard her voice, “Hi Ashwath!, I am Jessica…. Jessica Magnus. How are you?”

to be continued..