My last day in the Campus...

It was the beginning of summer of 2006, and I was packing my bags to start a new phase of life in the well ventilated room on the second floor of GITAM Boys Hostel. The lobby was almost empty as most of the guys have already left for their home after our final trimester exams. Oh, I just cherish the memory of my concluding trimester of MBA in IB from GIFT, Vizag (I would say the most underrated holiday destination in India). What were those days, not even me everybody loves their last year / semester / trimester, It’s all because it’s last and we all enjoy what comes last only after it gets over.

Now it’s the time to work... studies are over... a new platform was getting ready to call me on the stage and perform the act for which I have been trained for two years in the college. I was about to join an unheard company “Expeditors” as an MT. Life was a big time fun when we were in college and I was expecting a change...

While packing my bags I looked at the clock which was showing 3:15 Pm and hurried myself as I need to reach railway station by 6:00 Pm to catch my 7:10 Pm Vishakaptnam–Korba Express. I just stuffed tightly all my belongings in the bag as I don’t want to miss anything for a mere reason of space scarcity. I had a trolley bag, an Air bag and 2 Cartons full of the books that we got free from our college for study purpose (as we normally used to use internet as the best knowledge library). I was so busy in searching and jamming in my holding that I completely forgot that I am getting late for my lunch. A sudden consciousness reminded me that I should have something now, so I rushed towards the mess, as I didn’t want to waste my money to buy some junk from outside for filling my empty belly.

It was now 5:30 Pm and I was still in the hostel playing around my luggage. It was the time to depart but I din’t want to cry as it does'nt suit the cool image, and I am definetly a cool guy. Then a call out like haphazard noise took my entire attention as my dear leftover friends were so happy to see me going that they were approaching with full gang to kick me out from the hostel which it seems I have taken in possession. Abe oye jindagi idhar hi bitani hai kya... saat ki train hai... beta aaj chhutti to general me jana kal... somebody quoted... Though it was a humourous quote, but it din't excite me to show a blushing face... as I was sad...!!!

I took the auto after the hefty bargain and left the campus with a final look along with my dear batch mates, my eyes were moist with the over-emotional touch. In that half an hour travel from campus to Station I hardy spoke anything to anybody... my heart was drooping but I was almost successful in saving my kewl persona which was in jeopardy. I reached station by 6:45 Pm, well before the departure of Korba Express. Now I was able to see the same feeling in the eyes of friends... No body was saying anything buy everybody was aware of the alchemy of the going away. Suddenly one of my friend took out Rs 10 from his pocket, wrote a note on it, torn it in two pieces from center, and handed over one to me saying keep it, when we meet next time I expect you will have this. I could have said, we are just wasting a piece of currency and now the currency market would be missing Rs 10 from the market, which will contribute in adjustment of inflation. However, I was just dampening with more sensible touch of friendship which is a controlled relationship between two human beings.

I boarded the train at 7:10 Pm as soon as the train started moving. With the waving jazz hands I thanked everybody for their support, love and caring. The journey was ON, and I was not just going to miss Vizag but also my previous life because the track was going to change.

Shivendra Singh
May 10, 2008