Hostel

14 August 2007

That was a Rainy day. I was happy because I got into Navodaya. That was really a matter of excitement. Everything went unusual when my parents left me. I felt almost lost. Tears fell like rain drops. I saw someone approaching me but that didn’t make me nervous because I was lost in the world of tears which overwhelmed my emotions. I later then realized that he was my senior and I expected that he was about to rag me.

But as the figurine stood near me I expected some kind of question which turned out to be this

“Kid…are you in Nilgiri ?”

I later then realized that Nilgiri was a house to which I was assigned into

I responded by blinking my eyes. He understood that I didn't understand anything. He caught my hands and pulled me to a building along with my big bag. Everyone in that building-what they called “House”- was looking at me like they saw some wild animal entering in there room. It was a big long room with double cot beds aligned in  rows. Moreover beds were all guarded with mosquito nets. He guided me to a bed with no mattress and in a corner I Kept my bag aside.

“This is your bed. You can keep your things here. I will get you your mattress.”

I kept everything over there. Many came and asked my name. I was blinking still. I saw my friend coming from distance. I became happy because that was the only face I was familiar till that time. He came with my mattress.

              “I didn't tell you my name. Isn't it? I'm Cyril Joseph from 8th grade.”

I was surprised to hear that. I gave some respect after that…he-he.

”This is Nilgiri House. Beside this house there is a building, that’s Siwalik”.

I got almost everything. Somebody was staring at me from the top of my bed. I looked at him.

"Hi this is Aswin....I'm from your batch"

I got a new friend. He was quite bold than that of me. He understood my feelings at the first site. He assured me that he too was having homesickness when he first came to school and then everything changed. After his big dynamic conversation, I really got some relief.

Time went by and It was time for me to report. We were asked to gather in a room to discuss regarding the day. Usually they take attendance and send everyone to their beds. But that day was different. Report was made in our house itself. People were lined up for their attendance and I was running here and there. At last I went to line of about 10 people. I was standing at the last. There was someone standing in my front.  I understood that he was the captain of our house .I saw him searching for someone in our line. After sometime I realized that it was me. He called me.

Is this what people call ranging? I don't know….