The campus was a bit familiar to Mannu as he had gone
through the institute’s website several times in the past few days. After
reaching there it was confirmed that the pictures posted there were real and
seeing the real reflection, Mannu developed a sense o f intimacy with the
playground, the class building and the hostels. One of Pia’s relatives had passed out from the
same college. She had suggested several names from the faculty if needed in
case of emergency. After entering the
gates he was greeted by some new faces.
“Hey...1st
year?” came a unanimous query. And Mannu came out only with a yes, moving
steadily towards the admission hall. The grunt of the rolling suitcase accompanied
him. Nervousness too!
“Where’s the way to the admission hall?”Mannu asked a group
of boys sitting at the T junctions of the pathway. A silly chatter began among
them.
“There” said a tall guy pointing his finger towards the
entrance gate of the college.
“I’m asking about the admission hall.”He asked again unable to
decide whether to move or wait for the answer.
“Here we ask the questions boy..Got it?Got it?” A bearded
boy spoke from among them.
“Hmm.” Came Mannu’s humble reply.
“What Hmm? Have some manners boy. Say I got it Sir. I got it
Sir.” Mannu could think of no other option, but to toe his line. The change in
Mannu’s life was showing its ugly face; bearded, dark, surrounded with a puff
of smoke.
“I got it Sir.”Mannu answered and waited in anticipation of
being told the way to the admission hall.
“Boy we are five here not one. Say it to each one of us and
with your right hand on your head. Chal
shuru ho ja.”
And Mannu had to toe his line, again. The start would be so
fatal was not expected. Giggles and clap of high five’s of the passer’s by
increased the anxiety within Mannu. Sweat dripped from his forehead onto the
suitcase. Home was so better. But it was six hundred kilometres away now. The
reality was that there was no running away from this insult. As Mannu had completed
the order given he was told the way. His water bottle was emptied by the group
and he did not dare ask the way to the water cooler. Silently he rushed to the
admission hall without looking sideways.
“Why were the passer’s by laughing, giggling? What were they
thinking about me?” These introspective questions crushed his confidence. Going by the sign boards he finally found the admission
hall. It was a place of discipline. Portraits of inventors, scientists and
plated quotations decorated the walls. And boys, in formals, were sitting at
one side and girls in salwar suits
beautified the other side of the admission counter.
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