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

Three seniors, whose faces were hidden by their long hair, accompanied by two from first year, stood unconscious, un still near the warden. One of them was Vipul’s saviour. Hissings were heard in the queue. There had been a serious breach of discipline. Why Vipul left so early made sense now. The suspicion of First year got dried down as they saw the condition of the seniors. They had torn clothes. One was bleeding from the knee and had bruised lips. Others had mud on their clothes, also in there hairs. This gave a vague idea that all those lined up have been involved in some fight after being drunk.  Their names were on a list which the warden made them sign. The warden commanded complete silence. Mornings had not been so silly till now. The seniors in front of the queue were spilling liquid and the pieces of food they had stuffed at the roadside bar. But it came out that the case was different from a fight. They had drunk heavily throughout the night and hit a bike rider. Police case had been registered against them. The first year were panicking on what was to follow now. A fight could be solved, but a police case was something that may jeopardise their career. Mannu felt pity, irritated too that he had to miss the breakfast.

The wardens were big machines. If one was 6 ft 6 inch tall, the other had sixteen inch biceps. They hit the drunkards with a stick and out came the dishes and drinks.  The show had really earned them a bad name for the next years in the college. No one said anything. In minutes their baggage was brought down from the rooms and after a second signature on a letter, they were asked to leave. Untold, where! They pleaded, but the warden paid no heed. One among them was crying. But mercy was refused. The chief warden called the security guard in charge of the boy’s hostels.

   

“Listen carefully...”The chief warden came out with the first words.

“Sir.”

“ 8:30 pm sharp the gates will be closed. No games, no outing. Maintain a register for the hostel exit also. Is it very clear?” The warden spoke in his firm voice, hitting hard one of the culprit as his sobbing became louder.

“Sir.”

“And in morning gates will be open only for faculty. No student will exit the college gates before 3pm.”

Without further dialogue, the queue was dismissed. Breakfast timing was over and after this scene Mannu dare not to go to mess alone. Mannu’s problems had compounded. Even if the semester dates do not clash with his trip, this exit restriction was to continue. He had prepared the journey itinery after several visits to the net lab. The departing time for most of the trains leaving for Mumbai was before 3 pm. And to leave the college before 3 seemed impossible now. Back to the room Mannu decided to visit he examination wing again. This time he was accompanied by several other students. And to their surprise the clerk came out with strange words,

“The list will be posted by lunch for 1^st and 5^th semester. No need to come again.” And the students were in a surprise too. What to do now? Time was the scarcest commodity.

“Bhai max to max twenty days left...I told you the date sheet before...I told you all that it would be in the last week of March.” Vipul was heard preaching the girls as Mannu and others went to the canteen.