The college days -I

Most of the time “Options makes life easier” but sometime the same options create tough situation. This time had a tough time in choosing the topic for blog. My confusion was whether to write about school days or college days. Both topics are pretty close to my heart and have their own importance in my life. But finally zeroed in on College days. The reason was simple. Its human tendency to remember pain of recent wound much better than older one and of course I am human being. On top of it the depth of wound made by my college days was much deeper.

Yes the relationships that I built over 4 years certainly did hurt me to the core when I was told formally “You are graduated” in a fair well party which was literal translation of informal sentence “your college days are over”. Breaking up all bonding developed over 4 years on single day was unbearable. Activities done during this 4 years regime were so deep into me that they created wound which for a while I thought wouldn't heal. Time is right medicine, it healed the wound but couldn't clear the scar of those memories.

Oops I started story with climax. Let me get back to my initial days. College days play a vital role and become one of the milestones in everyone’s life. No surprise if your friend look at you weirdly when you say “My college days were better than anyone in this world” as he/she feels his/her college days were much better than yours. According to science, maturity is the one which makes us realize and feel the flavor of happiness during this regime and stands accountable for making these days ever cherishing. I consider those who don’t like to recall their college life as Exception.

I still remember the first day at college. Principal and other management giants addressed all new bees in an auditorium and explained achievements of college since a decade. Also assured that college campus is now rag free zone, which bought a relief on all faces gathered there. Everyone rushed to notice board after this event to check which sections they are into.

“Yeszzzz” shouted Prakash when he saw our (Vikram, Me and his) names under the same section. Since we studied together from class VI to XII, this opportunity of being together for a few more years elated us. A smile was dancing on the face of Vikram who stood away from the notice board crowd. Prakash and I again lost in the crowd watching the complete list of our pals.

Vikram the synonym of patience shouted at us “What the hell are you guys still looking at?” I and Prakash managed to come out of the crowd.
Prakash: “We were looking for girls names in the list man”.
Vikram: “You guys will never ever change in this regard I guess“.
Shreekanth: “How come you can be so negligent in this regard Viky? We got to spend 4 years with them. So knowing their names is not a mistake at all.”
Vikram: “Don't you guys think those girls will attend classes from tomorrow and you can get to know them there.”
Prakash: “Knowing names now and guessing whose name what before they introduce themselves will make tomorrow’s session more interesting. Vikram you don't understand all these things. You keep going without any argument now. Shreekanth how many girls names were you able to identify?“ Prakash continued with his million dollar question on the way to room.

That's the end of the day 1 in College.

On day 2 Prakash to Vikram: “Did you really need this much of time to note down Time Table from notice board?”
“Was just kidding buddy” said Prakash to Vikram with an artificial smile on his face after observing his angry looks as an answer to the above question.
Finally we got into class. As usual Vikram continued the history by occupying second row bench as no body was there on the first bench. I thought will sit with Vikram but Prakash told we both would be sitting in the last bench.
Me: Why are you so fond of last bench?”
Prakash: Since it’s our first day out, we got to do some pitch report analysis of our class (Who stands where in the academics etc), which can be best executed by sitting in the last bench, where everyone will be visible.
Me: Dude if you would have put in the same logic in studies, you would have topped C.B.S.E in XII.
Prakash: Are you serious? Funny smile on my face pissed him off.

So called chemistry class started. Everyone started introducing themselves. “I am Krishna Murthy from Bangalore” the tallest guy in the first bench of other row introduced himself. Immediately Prakash started whispering “Why did he travel so long (all the way from Bangalore to Bellary) to get screwed?” I replied him “Whatever may be the reason of his arrival, but am damn sure he will top the class”. Prakash to me “Yea man he sounds to be blessed with that caliber. So he is the one whom we can bank on for notes and any other doubt clarification”. I nodded.

Suddenly Chemistry madam started firing questions on everyone. Some one answered some blunder, which made everyone to burst into laugh. Prakash added a little more sound to what others already made which caught the attention of Madam. She asked him to stand up. Prakash the off screen hero was now shivering. “What does your father do” asked madam. “What the heck his father got to do with this?” is what I was thinking. Prakash kept quite. “I need the answer” madam repeated. “He works for CANARA bank” Prakash told. “You would require bringing him here to meet principal if you repeat these nuisance things in my class” she added. Prakash said “Sorry madam”.
Everyone kept mum till the end of the class. Immediately after class I told Prakash “dude first day out…grand opening with huge six, pitch seems to be good for you” he stared at me and said “Oh My God, college seems to be much stricter than our school man, got to be very careful”. Vikram was laughing from second bench with grand statement in his face “I told you guys will never ever change”.

Day ended with a “Krishnamurthy from Bangalore” becoming a close friend. We were on the way to the room and surprised to see “Krishnamurthy from Bangalore” following us. Prakash turned back to see him as he wanted to ask about if he can give his notes in coming days. “Hi” Krishnamurthy told us with a smile. He started walking with us there after. First question I asked him was “Why did he choose Bellary, when Bangalore was considered to be most happening city?” He replied promptly “VEC Bellary was one of the best colleges among the options that I had. So I chose this”.

Prakash and I smiled each other about our guess work. “Everything that glitters is not gold but Diamond” did suit this situation perfectly as we got a new friend with same wavelength of thinking and great sense of humor. He is literal champ of logic thoughts because of which later his name was changed from “Krishnamurthy from Bangalore” to "Typical Kitta". We got to know many good friends thereafter Ravi - decent guy, Raghuram –the most fun loving guy, Prabhakar – tiger the one who taught me Telugu, Raghavendra(2), Naveen and many more. Now our group had enough members. Still the inconvenience of moving with girls continued.

The other great day we had was when we were ragged. Seniors took us out of college campus for rag and that's when I realized the exact meaning of sentence “College campus is Rag free zone”. We were asked to do College salute (was real fun though) and were asked to play a cricket match without bat and balls. There after I used to smile at the senior who ragged me whenever I used to see him. Smiled at him same year, second year, third year and finally when I was logging out of college :).

The first internal was challenging and rest moved away as passing clouds. Finally the exams dates were posted on the notice board. Preparation was serious amidst Mr. Prakash jokes. He continued his pitch report analysis in Exam halls as well :). So called exams were over and situation was like heavy rain stopping suddenly. Small stint of vacations were real fun. Second semester begun and I Started feeling Bellary heat there after. Everyone were eagerly waiting for first sem results. We used to hit cybercafe as soon as we get to hear "Results are out!!", without even bothering to know whether its rumor or not. This continued for 15 days continuously. Finally results were out on so called Notice board and not all but many were satisfied with their results. Had loads of fun in second semester as got familiar with all friends. Damn sure I will run short of space if I start scribbling all events here. So ending here with my first year experiences. Have loads to share about rest 3 years. Will be right back.