Chaper 2: there is always a way out!

It was my first dinner at the hostel. i had sworn to myself i would not complain about anything in hostel. i would ignore all bad things n just concentrate on my studies. I survived the dinner.

After my dinner, i looked through my timetable for next day, my first day in academy. N it scared the hell out of me.

First class was at 6am, n it was English. I made quick plans like i would sleep immediately. N get up at 4.30 am. N i had decided i wouldn’t go late for classes like i did all my life. i kept all things ready, my books, bag, pen, id card. Everything.

I caught glimpse of sam staring at me smiling.

“what are u staring at?” i asked her.

“Nothing” she said, “i too did what u r doing now for first few days.. :P now i run to class with a book i catch first! Hope this lasts for at least a week with u.”

I smiled back. "I too hope so... I was pathetic with all this in engineering. So what time you have class tomorrow?” i asked her.

“I have at 6 am. Software engineering. May be i won’t attend. That sir puts u off to doze anyway. So maybe i’ll attend my next class.”

Shikha was busy reading. I found out she didn’t mingle up with anyone. She just stayed to herself. it was good for her n me too in a way. I too didn’t want a person who would blabber all the time for a roommate. Everything was perfect, i thought, except fan of course. I stared at it again. Come on it was really hot. The fan had its speed more reduced because all other rooms were having their fans running at full speed at that time.

I finally said. “Its really hot shikha. Can we have fan run little faster?”

She looked up at me n said.. “pls aparna i can adjust to anything u say. But pls help me out with fan. it blocks my nose i can’t concentrate next day in class.”

They say it is difficult to beat someone at his/her politeness. And i understood the meaning of the verse perfectly that day.

Hmm.. I said good night to both n then to fan. sam giggled. Her phone rang again.

It was just 10.30 pm. Light was on in the room. I could feel it with even my eyes closed. i felt i was not getting sleep. I tried to sleep... i told myself i need to get up early. but sleep was just so far away. I remembered my home again.

It was 11.30 pm. Lights were off in my room. I had not yet slept. It was so damn hot. I was swetting. I thought, i have had it! i am goin to speed the fan up. i saw shikha was sleeping nicely shooing away my sleep. I remembered what my mom had said – adjust, be nice to people. I tried to sleep back. I saw sam was still on phone. She was talking slowly trying not to disturb us. How on the earth she is surviving without fan???? For split of a second i wished if i too was in love, if that was the reason behind sam’s ability to survive without fan...

It was 1 am. I was still awake. Sam was messaging i saw. I checked my mobile. I had no messages to reply.

I heard some voices. distant voices. someone was shouting my name. Was there an earthquake in hostel, i mean in hydrabad.? what was it? I heard voices again. This time more vividly. Aparna.... aparna... GET UP!

It was sam. she shouted. "Ur alarm!! its 4.30 get up. else u won’t get bathroom n u ll be late for very first day."

"No no.. i am getting up." i was up rubbing my eyes. I remembered how gently my parents woke me up at home. i was missing it already.

Hostel was already up. shikha was reading again. Yuccckkk! Was the only thing i could say. I hated those who read day n night.

I reached in time to the class. I walked slowly and found myself a decent bench. I sat next to two girls. We smiled at one other. i just looked around. This was a fresh batch that had started just that day. People were introducing themselves to each other. There were not many people in the class. And i was told another batch would join this class soon after English, making the strength around 150.

Sir entered the class. The class went to pin drop silence state by the time sir reached the podium. He was a man may be in his early forties. He was balding already. Hullo every one! A thumping voice echoed from mike. N slightest of my sleep left in me ran away.

"Good morning every one. It is nice to see another fresh batch of youngsters with so much energy oozing out. I am ur English teacher!"

He reminded me of physical education teacher at school.

“They left us 62 years ago, but still we are here to learn their language. British.” He started.

“But mind u! We cannot ignore English ANYMORE. Its an international language. And good communication, good vocabulary and presentation skills today are must for survival.” He stressed further on it. He finally said he would try to get us learn or improve these skills in a more enjoyable way.

The class went on nicely. He talked about grammar, common mistakes made in day today life etc. I was on my best attention for about 20 minutes. Then my mind started wondering. I had hardly slept last night. My head was kind of heavy. This was not going to work without fan. i was sympathetic to shikha, call it even empathetic. But somebody think about me too, scorching hydrabad heat n i am asked to live without fan.

everyday sacrificing my sleep! it was not worth leaving two jobs n leaving home. i had to do something. Well i had tried all my ways of convincing her. n for my nature, i couldn’t fight with anyone either. it was mission impossible. N i was not in love too, like sam. it was really impossible. I was searching for options of leaving room now.

Sir was throwing interesting questions on English and whoever answered won a pen for prize. Sir had brought a pack of them with him. Nothing was interesting me. i was in my own world. I was worried. He said it was an early morning class n if he went on with the grammar for some more time some of us would fall for a nap. “i’ll tell u a story. hows that?” he said.

Whole class cheered up.

His story began. I told myself lets listen to story we ll worry later..

Once upon a time on a bank of a river in Punjab lived a karate hero called dhara singh. He was champion of all martial arts. Everyone got scared of him in the village. He won all championships, all medals, every game. he was invincible, unconquerable.

There was a boy called ramu in that village. He had grown up seeing, listening to dhara singhs triumphs. He too wanted to be like him. But whenever he looked at himself his own body of only skeleton and skin, it disappointed him. To add on he didn’t have his right arm. Poor boy... sir sighed.

I was engrossed in the story. sir went on...

His only dream in life was to beat dhara singh. And it was too difficult for him to give this dream up. so he decided to visit a “khusti” teacher. All well known teachers in the town made fun of him when he put forth his wish. They mocked at his inability, they all ridiculed him.

I noticed sir was using new or less often used words now and then. I noted few of them here and there. I was back in class. More than that i wanted to know what happened to ramu. I had forgotten shikha and also the fan.

Ramu finally went to the last teacher in the town. And to his surprise he was accepted as student with due repect to his wish of defeating dhara singh. Ramu was grateful. He started his practice in full rigour. He practised day and night tirelessly for two years, when finally his master declared him ready for the battle with dhara singh.

The whole village turned up that day. Everyone wanted to see ramu beaten up badly for his insanity. Whole village was on one side. Ramu n his master were on the other. The game began. There were five rounds. N to everyone’s shock, ramu won all 5 rounds. Every one stood speechless. What was going on.?

Dhara singh left the court horrified. Ramu was declared the winner.

Ramu broke to tears. He couldn’t believe it. He had lived his dream. How had that happened? He runs to his master.

“Master what did u do? How did u do this? I won.” Ramu asked his master with teas f gratitude, a choking voice.

Master said calmy... "yes ramu u won. I applied a trick."

"What was it master?"

There is a trick in kusti called “mallabandha” when u apply it on ur opponent, only way he can overcome u is by holding ur right hand. And u don’t have a right arm. So he could never work out of it.

"And u won."

The whole class was silent as sir finished his last sentence of story.

Now that was a story!!! i thought... Nice one. Really refreshing one! Early in the morning.

Sir continued... "Now my dear friends just tell me in one sentence what u got from the story." I noticed so many hands shot up in the air.

A boy said. Hard work and intelligence is the way to success.

"Not bad! Anyone else?" sir asked.

"If u really wish something u can achieve it."

"Correct... next..?"

Some boy stud up n said. Sir something we wish really in life, something we desire truly, something we want from bottom of our heart, we should never leave hopes on it sir. It will come true one or the other day sir!

"Oh sir. I asked in one line... anyway... sit-down good attempt. Anyone from girls?"

I said it... not to sir but to me, to myself... but it came out little louder than I had intended.

“There is always a way out”

What? Sir had heard me... I was in second bench. "Louder please..."

This was it..! this was it..! i had got my solution to the fan problem. I had got my way out... I suddenly knew what i should do.

I said louder this time. With full confidence and a smile to entire class.. “there is always a way out.. sir.."

"Excellent! excellent kid! Come here n take this.."

i walked to sir, he gave me a 50 rupees note..

"this is ur prize! Brilliant answer! whats ur name?"

"Aparna bhat sir..." And i took the note with gratitude. I was grateful for the story!

"Yes friends there is always a way out! Nice way to say it aparna congratualtions. Buy a book of swami vivekanada!"

Thank you sir was all i could say! About 10 cello maxwriters were already distributed for winners in class but this was the first 50 rupees note. :P i was happy to see few jealous faces..

Sir went on. "friends vivekanada has been one person who had immense influence on my life. so many problems floated across. But i survived. I was a hopeless kid of my parents. a hopeless student at school. But today i am somebody. I take English classes for this institution, i prepare students for many entrance exams across the world, i give talks, i am called at iits and nits all over india as guest lecturer. I am a recognised man in the society today. Just remember one mantra. Jai Vivekananda”.

A wave of laughter was up in class.

"No dear friends it works. Whenever u r scared just say this. Be fearless. As Vivekananda said there is no word called fear in his dictionary. Tell to urself.. all is well.. or as this girl said now.." “there got to be a way out”

Fearless.. be fearless... it was like,the word had hit us like a thunder..

This was it! I had got my solution to the problem called “shikha”... i was fearless now... i knew wat was my way out now... J

I literally don’t have any work to do. So this is what i love doing i.e scribbling. But question is what to scribble? I cant go out of home as i have broken my leg out of my own stupidity. So all i’m thinking now is to write my hostel story with little masala added into it.

Wow! Hostel life!! Now that was something. It’s a long story, too long to be put into a single article. So i’m thinking to post this in terms of chapters. Yeah got that rite! Kinda mini novel. Inspiration is of course THE Chetan Bhagat, i assure u this story won’t be even 0.01 percent of his stories. But i do want to write about my hostel life. Because experiences i have had there are worth sharing. May be its a chance to improve my writing. Let’s see how it goes. I promise to make it as interesting as i can.

Well all characters here are imaginary. But well they have been influenced by characters i met at siri residency-my hostel!

I met different kinds of people, few of whom i could understand n others i still don’t know “wat” they were. Lemme try n write down this story of 7 months as interesting as i can make it so that u can yawn little less while reading it! :P so here i begin. It is basically what it is like being in girls hostel! it includes struggle to survive in hostel, emotional dramas, study at India’s No. 1 GATE coaching academy, the lessons i learnt, lessons i taught to others, successful and flop love stories here and there and so on...

Chapter 1: “the decision!”

It was like a bee in bonnet, i was just not ready to listen to any one. I was thankfully placed in infy and Accenture. But i knew this was not something i wanted. I had no guts to leave the job, but on the other hand i was not ready to accept it either. I wanted to go for my higher studies. People told me a bird in hand is worth two in the bush, don’t act stupid!

But i wanted to join India’s No.1 gate coaching academy. The ACE institute. It was just some stupid gut feeling that was leading me. i had heard the news that iit-chennai is going to set paper this time and it is expected to be tougher than we have seen in recent years. But for me nothing of these worked. I just wanted to go to Hyderabad. Thank god my parents supported me because they knew I would not listen anyway. N dad arranged for best hostel around. My luggage was sent too. Only i was left to be sent!

It was hard leaving home. Mom suddenly stopped talking to me that morning. I knew if she talked she would cry. I was no stronger! I too was on a precarious edge. I didn’t want to cry. I just left quietly. Mom hugged me n asked me to take care of myself. She told- “be safe. N try to adjust at hostel, it won’t be home to be listened to whatever u said or to be done whatever u wanted. Have some patience and let others live”. Alright!

My hostel was on the fourth floor of academy. Dad and I got into the lift.

“So we are here finally”, dad said.

I felt there was a sudden lump in my throat. I wasn’t sure i would be able to speak. I just nodded. i thought- What did i do. Why am i here?? Crap!

Take me home. I didn’t want anything I felt but didn’t dare to say it. Everywhere around there were so many students of my age, moving here and there. I caught glimpse of them as lift stopped at every floor. Finally lift stopped at fourth floor. I was supposed to get out.

"Okay all the best!" Dad said.

i wasn’t able to speak. Lift man was smiling to dad and then at me. He must have seen that scene countless times. It was common scene for him. But damn! Not for me.

"Thanks dad" i said as i walked out slowly.

"Take care kid."

"Yes dad."

I watched the lift go down, hoping it would come back and take me home. Nothing happened. I turned around to see my hostel. Warden was a dark lady may be in her forties. My eyes weren’t very dry. She had noticed it.

"Ayyo amma, idhr aawo"

she said as though she was speaking hindi in telgu.

"Hello"

"Tumhara naam aparna hai na.?"

Yes maam i said politely.

"Okk tumhara room dikhata aawo."

She asked a woman to get my luggage to room no. 402.

402? Thank god, just saved by position of digits. Not a bad start I thought. I followed her quietly.

Geez! It was not even half the size of my room at home. n there were three beds to three walls of the room. There was a shelf by the wall. There was so less space in the room. Rooms were like bogies of train. There was a small corridor. With just one window, thankfully window was just in front of my (i mean our) room. This was the only good news i had since morning. Warden pointed to three doors at the end of corridor and i was informed they were bathrooms. She told me my roommates had gone to class and they shall be back by evening. She told (warned i can say) me to use less water, not to posses any electric heater or kind in room, and to put of lights when not in room.

"Yes mam."

"Happy staying" she said to me as though she was telling- i would be watching u.

It was a steel bed, with an old mattress torn at different places. I opened a bedspread from my bag and covered it best way i could. I tried arranging things on an empty rack on the shelf. My roommates were kind enough to make space for me before leaving for their classes. Warden might have told them that someone was arriving. I was feeling sick. Tears rolled down from my eyes as i sat on my bed. Some girl was at the door. I looked at her. She was kind of good looking. She was in her night dress. It looked like she was sleeping and warden’s voice must have woken her up. I don’t know.

She smiled from door. She had noticed my tears. She came closer to me n put her hands on my shoulders.

"Ohh dear! First time at hostel?"

crap! how did she know. “Yes” i said.

“Oh kiddo..It will be alright. You ll have fun.”

“Yeah thanks.” Why kiddo i thought? Yes.. i agree i do look like an overgrown baby because of my weight n Fatso, kungfu panda, lord ganesha were few of the names by which i was famous amidst my friends. But common she couldn’t call me kiddo right away!!

“My name is rinu.” She said and sat on my bed beside me.

“Hi my name is aparna. M from Karnataka.”

“Cool. M from goa. I stay in next room. Department of electrical engineering. U?”

“Well... computer science. Nice to meet u.”

“You are a fresher?”

“Yeah. Just wrote 8^th semester exams about 15 days ago. Waiting for results.”

“Yeah i guessed so.”

“how can u guess that? its written on my face??” I was not so happy now!

“Haha.. i just guessed. i was working at Infosys for last 3 years. Now i want to peruse my masters may be in an iit. So m hear honey.”

“Ya u can call me aparna.”

“Sure kiddo.” she winked. she was really enjoying teasing me. “Chalo U get fresh. cya around.” she said.

Thank god. All through journey i had been telling myself, that m 21 now. I should be strong. N such a welcome from fellow hostelmate was depressing. Anyway

"yup."I closed the door behind her. N suddenly i couldn’t control myself anymore. N i realised i was really crying finally. I wanted to cry from the moment i had left home. it had mounted up. This was the time i just wanted to leave everything n run away. This was not the place i wanted to be. I looked into a small mirror which was on the wall. My eyes were red. I had cried a lot. I thought of washing my face, this wasn’t the face i wanted my roommates to see. I walked towards bathroom. I languidly pushed the door.

Trrrr.. it made sound that was no less than a cacophony. Bathroom was clean. Ah... that was a relief. I was starring at the tap. It was some old tap that I had thought they had stopped manufacturing after 1970s. I tried to turn it. Ice chill water came running through it to wet my hands. I took back my hands suddenly. I realised warm water running down through my cheeks. I wanted to go home badly now... it was finally enough. I don’t know why i kept staring at the tap... i don’t have a logical reason to explain this, but maybe i was just hoping following the laws of thermal equilibrium, the water might get warm if i cried more.

There was a bang on the door. A sharp voice came piercing through it.

“How long on the earth will u take?? I have a class to attend.”

It was hardly 5 minutes i was in.

“Ya i’m coming out” i said.

i heard her bang the next bathroom and repeat same sentence. Girl inside shouted. “Ask me after 15 minutes. I’m just in.” I made a mental note to say the same thing next time. It was not necessary to hurry up.

I was back in my room, arranging things. It was damn hot. I put the fan to its fullest capacity. Still it wasn’t making me any comfortable. Hydrabad was famous for its temperature. And now i was witnessing it. One of my roommates was back. She gave me a warm smile.

“Hello m samudhyata from uttarakhand. Call me sam. U?”

“I’m aprana. From Karnataka.”

she is a nice girl, i thought. Her phone rang. And she started talking on phone.

Other girl was back too. She threw her bag, and did something that scared the hell out of me. Damn she slowed down the fan.

“I have sinus problem u know. So we ll keep the fan low if u don’t mind. It makes my head heavy and i can’t breathe.”

Well... what she just did had made me breathless. I looked at other girl. She was busy on phone. I remembered what mom had said- adjust.

My 2^nd roommates name was shikha. I had thought she was from Rajasthan. But later i got to know that she hails from Madhya Pradesh. Fine. We had a small intro session before she left the room. Sam had finally finished with her phone. I was staring at the fan.

Sam smiled at me. “yes she doesn’t like fan much. She suffers with sinus. It gets bad with fan.”

“Ok we ll adjust.” I said.

I was sad, angry i don’t know what.

“Don’t u feel the need of fan?” I asked her.

She smiled back. “I do. But I’m out almost all day. My friends from college are here. So that’s ok for me.”

Her phone rang again. She smiled at the phone. And then at me . “can we talk later..? its..”

“Ah somebody special?” I smiled as i asked.

“Yep. He proposed me just a week ago.. J”

“Ah.. cool.. congrats”.

She left the room with phone. I saw a pretty smiling girl leave the room. N then i stared again at something which was in my room, which was made to rotate with a speed i could measure myself using the formula of speed=distance /time... the FAN..

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chapter 2 comming soon :P