C U 2MROW @ 9 (august 9, 2016)

The stage was set. Music was loud. One had to be very close to let the other listen. Boys made good use of it. Girls too didn’t leave the opportunity. All over the place people were talking with their necks half bent towards other’s ear. Soft kisses came easy. The fresher party had begun. Group photographs were being taken. The walk to the ground had to be done in stops. The fragrance of perfumes mixed together made the evening pleasant, romantic and naughty. Greetings were exchanged through shake hands, hugs and soft kisses. Stalls were full of customers. It seemed the play ground was a completely different place. There was no restriction. The show started on time. Some seniors were caught on the gates and had been fined for being drunk. It created some embarrassment for the organizing committee, but the students didn’t mind it as the chief guest, a folk artist of Rajasthan, had not yet arrived. The matter was put to end soon.

And the show started with a usual Ganesh vandana., followed by a sufi concert. There was loud hooting from the back seats and the air was full of energy and groove. The senior faculty, including the Director were on their feet after the performance. The members of the organizing committee were praising each other, exchanging high fives and their faculty coordinator had promised them a retreat in the coming week. The talent round for Mr. And Ms. Fresher began. Hooting was as loud as it could be. Gargi and Vipul were cheered like no other. Mannnu was informed that his performance was to come after the final round. Nervousness over topped him and he found a seat backstage with his guitar to give a final touch to his preparation. The swing of the hoot made him anxious. Expectations were high and so was the blame. A senior came near him, wished him luck, shook hands, asked his name, room number and left. He was totally confused, the focus was lost and the hooting made it difficult to regain it. Nitesh was on stage with Vipul. It was the question-answer round, also the last for the competition.  Nitesh was looking dynamic in appearance and so was Vipul. Questions came one after another and the answers had to follow within ten seconds. There was silence, still one corner preferred to be noisy when Nitesh spoke. They were supporters of Vipul. Mannu and others from hostel number 2 did the same when Vipul spoke. Both were competitive. Their replies were equally good. In the girls round Gargi cleared seemed the winner as Neha had done many mistakes. Mistakes which were visible! Gargi was flamboyant in appearance, swift in tackling the questions. To a question about her vision for the College Neha gave a bookish reply which went un noticed. Gargi replied that the new batch was the vision. It was respected, applauded and the result was fairly evident.

The rounds completed and Mannu’s name was announced. Sweat as usual rolled his forehead. His fingers and palms were shaking. Nervousness crept in. If he missed a chord he knew that criticism would be carried for the next minute and till the end of the performance. He gulped some lukewarm water, washed his face hurriedly, sat on his palms for a few seconds to control the shivering, but it was uncontrollable. What had to go was now a matter of time and chance.