Prologue
Some nights are really haunting. “Seconds” pass like “Minutes”, “Minutes” pass like “Hours” and “Hours” pass like “Days”. Sometimes we are so much stuck in a situation that nothing is in our hands and we feel helpless. Maybe this is the time we realize the importance of God. Everywhere my eyes could see, they were seeing people praying to almighty. And at one corner of the hospital, was a man of twenty one years, sitting on his chair, waiting for some miracle to happen. His eyes were full of tears and he was just seeing photographs of himself with a girl and every time he saw those pictures, his eyes got even more drenched with tears.
That guy was trying to sleep, but the memories at the back of his mind could not let him do that. A Surd was also sitting on a chair next to him. He had the same expressions on his face; was gloomy and dull. Doctors were going in and coming out of the Operation Theatre and were trying their best. But, the boy was caught in his own world and his own memories. The best memories of his life. It was a flash back of the memories which he shared with someone so special; someone he did not want to lose at any cost.
THE DAY OF ADMISSION
Even after scoring more than 90 percent, you are not sure whether you will get a college of your choice; that’s Delhi University. With the cut offs rising even higher than the Sensex; one is lucky to get a course of his/her choice; forget about the college. Those were the words of Ayush’s father when he was going along with him to secure a seat in B.Com (Hons) at SGND College.
Conversation between Ayush and his dad:
Ayush - “But dad it’s a Khalsa College; how will I handle so many Sardars. Ek Karanvir to handle hota nahi, itne saare sardaro ko kaise jhelunga”.
His Dad - “Oh come on, Sikhs are the best community of this country. They are helpful, have a jolly good nature, are the first one to help someone in need/danger. I know they are just a little too senti, but other than that, they are the perfect ones. It is important to secure a seat at Delhi University. So, do not think much and just get admission in the college.
The first look at the college
“Haan yeh B-1 Kapur Wali Road seedha ja kar, teesre cut se right ho jaana. Vaha seedhe hath pe hi hai College”. Those were the instructions of the Auto driver when Ayush’s father asked him for the directions of the college. And in next two minutes time, they were standing right in front of the college gate. “Dad!! I think this is the building of Khalsa School; not Khalsa College. Iska toh Campus hi nahi hai”, said a confused Ayush. His dad reply was the most common one, “Agar beta Campus wala College chahiye tha toh thode aur marks le aate; and don’t worry when you will get your degree, name of the college would not be there.
Soon they were standing in the queue where the forms were being submitted. There, Ayush saw a girl, wearing a red kurti and a white salwar. She was one of the most beautiful girls he had ever seen in his life. That girl had applied minimum or no make-up at all. She was also standing in the queue along with her mom and all her documents.
Ayush was not able to move his eyes, even an inch away from that girl. She looked at him with her big and beautiful eyes and gave Ayush a sweet smile. Ayush’s father was watching all of this. He poked at Ayush’s shoulder and said to him, “Ab toh tujhe SGND acha lag raha hoga; kyun beta sahi keh raha hoon na main.” Ayush just smiled and after completing all the necessary formalities regarding the admission process, he was about to leave for home. While leaving college, Ayush saw her the last time, thinking and praying that she was also taking admission in B.Com (Hons).
Yes she is beautiful, Ayush was talking to himself, all smiling and blushing. He also got to know that Karanvir, his chuddy buddy had also taken admission in his college. There is no better feeling than realizing the fact that your best friend in school will also go along with you in college. I felt that I will not be a complete stranger while going to college; I will have my best friend along with me.
THE FIRST DAY AT SGND
“First day at the college, feeling excited”. This was Ayush’s Facebook Status as he waited for Karanvir at Janakpuri East Metro Station. Karanvir was a bit late and in the meanwhile, Ayush updated his FB Status. Most of his friends had the same status posted on their FB wall; how excited they were to step in the new phase of their lives.
Suddenly, Ayush saw Karanvir coming, all dressed and looking very handsome in a check shirt, blue denim jeans and blue turban. Ayush was wearing a White T-Shirt and light-blue jeans which he flaunted along with his new Puma Shoes he bought specifically for the college. Seeing Karanvir, Ayush said, “Oh ho!! Someone is looking handsome in Turban Shurban (That’s the normal slank we guys use while talking to our friends). Karanvir who use to wear turban very occasionally (only at family functions or his school farewell party) said, “Bhai, hun SGND waale ho gye hain, now you will be seeing me in Turban every day and by the way today SGND girls are not safe; Puma shoes, Polo t-shirt, hmm hmm, kya baat hain. Ayush sir, pehle hi din koi bandi patani hain kya”. Ayush just smiled back and the journey of twenty minutes passed by without much of a fuss.
Throughout the metro route, there were talks about our schoolmates and future college friends; who got admission in which college/course. Karanvir told Ayush that they were lucky enough to get admission in Delhi University, even though the college does not have a campus. He told him how two days back his aunt enquired about his college and when he told her that he has taken admission in Khalsa College, she said, “Kede waala?? North campus? “Nahi Nahi Aunty Ji, voh Dev Nagar wala”. To this she gave me such a peculiar look as if I have asked her daughter’s cell number. Ayush just smiled and nodded. The most common grudge for someone studying in SGND is the absence of a proper campus. Yes, there are some stairs {which both of them renamed as lovers point} and the parking or the small playground, whatever you may call it. But there is no proper campus.
Soon both of them were standing at Rajendra Place Metro Station and then took a rickshaw to reach college.
“Jasmine, Jasmine Kaur”. I want to become a Chartered Accountant. My hobbies are music, movies and shopping.” While this girl was telling her name, ambition and hobbies, the boys in the class were already looking out for her on Facebook. “Yes, she is pretty” were the common whispers inside the class. The business law professor was busy asking each and every student their names, aim and hobbies. The boys were busy staring at the girls in their classroom. It may sound cheap, but it is indeed, the reality. After her, it was Ayush’s turn to give a brief intro. He stood up and introduced himself. He told that he want to do a job which will fetch him a lot of money. His basic aim is to become a writer and bring a revolution in the country. “Aaya bada Chetan Bhagat” were now the common whispers. From a distance he saw Jasmine, who was also smiling back to him. Karanvir also introduced himself and told everyone that he want to become a CA and his hobbies were watching English movies and listening English songs.
The whole lecture passed by with students giving introductions. After the lecture, there was a gap of 20 minutes before the next lecture. Like all other boys, Ayush and Karanvir got busy talking and introducing themselves with other students. Simultaneously, Ayush’s eyes were looking out for Jasmine. Suddenly, Ayush heard a confident “Hello”. It was Jasmine, standing right behind him. “Oh HI”, replied Ayush. Karanvir also said “hi” to jasmine, to which she replied back. Slowly and finally, Ayush and Jasmine started their first conversation while Karanvir was just looking at them.
Jasmine – So, Mr. Writer, What kind of stuff do you write?
Ayush – Well, it all depends on the mood, but I prefer to write about the current burning issues; the most recent one being the madness about college admission.
Jasmine – You know, I also like to write, but I am more into poetry stuff.
Ayush – Wow!! I must admit that writing poetry is a more difficult task since one has to convey the thoughts and feelings in a few words and that too in a rhyming tone.
Jasmine – Well, thank you for the compliment. It would be fun having someone in the class having the same interest, although the genres are different.
Ayush – If you don’t mind, Can I ask you a question?
Jasmine – I know what you’re going to ask me. My WhatsApp number; right? Well, frankly speaking, I do not give my number to anyone in the first meeting, but since you are a writer as well, here it is...99945xxxxx. Chalo, the next lecture is about to start. Will catch you after some time.
The next lecture was started; same was of Financial Accounting. An old-aged professor came into our class and started teaching non-stop. “Bhai, kal se iska lecture to bunk hai, yeh to shakal se hi khadoos lag raha hain”, Karanvir said during the lecture. He taught for about half an hour with the whole class taking minimum interest. The rest of the day went on without much action. Ayush went ahead and said good bye to Jasmine since she was also about to leave for her home. During their way back in Auto, Karanvir teased Ayush a lot, while Ayush was all smiling and blushing.
THE FIRST OUTING TOGETHER
“Bhai, I won’t be able to come to college today, so please leave as per your convenience.” This was Karanvir’s message for Ayush. So, Ayush was standing at the Janakpuri Metro Station, waiting for the metro to arrive.
The next station is “Rajouri Garden, doors open left, please mind the gap.” Suddenly, Jasmine arrived at his coach. She was wearing a black kurti and blue leggings. Like always, she was carrying no/minimum make-up at all and her hair were tied into a ponytail. She looked beautiful and Ayush forgot everything that was happening around him. Since he was all lost, he didn’t know that he was standing on a man’s feet, who literally yelled at him.
Seeing this, Jasmine started laughing and then their conversation began. Jasmine was interested in knowing what Ayush’s future plans were. To this Ayush replied, “See, I just want to do a job after graduation, maybe will do it for ten to fifteen years, and then will look forward to complete my dream of becoming a writer.” Jasmine asked Ayush what he wants to write about.
To this, Ayush said, “Hey, why are you sounding like Ananya of two states”. “Because, you are sounding like Krish of two states”, replied Jasmine. Ayush playfully told Jasmine, “Don’t tell me that you are also a Tamilian Brahmin”, but I guess Jasmine is not a South Indian name”. Jasmine frantically replied back to him saying, “No No, I am a Sardarni, so do not even try to flirt with me; U know what, my dad runs a security business”. They were so busy in their conversation that they did not even realized that next station was “Rajendra Place”.
The weather was good outside as it started to drizzle. One cannot predict a girl’s mood and the climate of Delhi; it changes without any prior warning. Both Ayush and Jasmine looked into each other’s eyes and after a moment, Jasmine asked Ayush if he was also thinking the same thing. Ayush nodded with a “Yes”. Both of them did not get down at Rajendra Place Metro Station. Instead, they decided to bunk the college; which was officially their first bunk at college. They decided to go to Connaught Place; the favorite tourist destination for anyone living in Delhi. They decided that first of all, they will be going to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and thereafter will have a lunch at Coffee Home. So, they reached Rajiv Chowk Metro Station and took an auto for Gurudwara and clicked numerous selfies in the Auto Rickshaw.
Ayush had never been to a gurudwara before and it was an altogether different experience for him. Jasmine tied the scarf over Ayush’s head and both of them bowed their heads in front of Guru Granth Sahib. They went towards the sarovar; Ayush was mesmerized after seeing the length of the holy pond. Jasmine told him about the history of the gurudwara; how the eighth guru of the Sikhs, Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji solved the problem of Chicken Pox by taking away all the difficulties of the people on himself and how this holy pond can cure all the diseases of the human body.
Ayush was impressed not only by the history of the gurudwara, but also at the knowledge of Jasmine. They both had their Kadah Prasad and then went out of the temple complex. Ayush forgot to take off the pink scarf and Jasmine immediately took a picture of his saying, “Aur koi pic Facebook pe upload ho ya na ho, yeh pic toh zaroor hogi”. They then went straight towards “Coffee house” which is located at a walking distance from the gurudwara.
When they entered inside, Ayush told Jasmine, “Pata hai Jasmine, this is where most of the intellectual people of the city come and talk about various issues. After fifteen years or so, I want to be one of them; siting at one corner of the coffee home penning down my views and then spreading those views to the people. I know it might be sounding a bit boring, but that’s what my ambitions are, to bring a revolution in this society by my writings”. Jasmine looked a bit puzzled and looked straight into Ayush’s eyes and said him that she likes to spend time with him and he was not one of those typical SGND boys who only talks about two things, namely, Pagdiyan and Kudiyan. She said to Ayush, “At least you have thoughts and you are looking to achieve your goal, god bless you yaar and I hope our friendship grows with time”.
After listening this Ayush got so happy and immediately replied, “Oh, why not yaar, you know the first time I saw you, it seemed as if there was definitely some connection between us. By the way, aap kaun sa soap use karte ho; dove ya lux?” “Whattttttttt??” was Jasmine’s reaction to Ayush’s dialogue. “No, the nation wants to know the reason for your fair skin”, Ayush teasingly asked. Jasmine replied back, “For the answer you should speak to my mother and she will tell you the answer along with the hardest Punjabi abuses”.
Both of them were enjoying each other’s company and were having a great time eating food and clicking selfies. And then they left for the metro station as both of them had to reach their respective homes during the college hours. While going back, Ayush asked Jasmine if any of her family members is on Facebook and will see the photographs, to which Jasmine replied, “Don’t worry, none of my family members is on Facebook and by the way, I have already uploaded the pics on Facebook and one of your friends’, Karanvir has already commented on the pictures”.
As Jasmine told Ayush all this, his phone rang and it was none other than the devil himself; Karanvir. “Bhai, aaj ki classes to bahut hi achi rahi hongi, kyun bhai”; a mischievous Karanvir spoke. Ayush so promptly replied him back, saying, “haan bhai, they were the best classes of my life”. Both Ayush and Jasmine were looking and smiling at each other. Ayush told Karanvir, “Acha bhai, main phone cut kar raha hoon, naya professor class se jaane laga hai bas” as he realized that it was Ramesh Nagar Station and Jasmine had to de-board the train at the next station. The first official bunk for Ayush finally came to an end as Jasmine de-boarded the train; Ayush still had that smile on his face.
TO BE CONTINUED
GURKARAN SINGH
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