College Saga

THE ONE OUTSIDE THE DOOR.

It was a sparking Sunday. Shekar was standing proudly in front of the hostel. He wore an uncomplicated Grey shirt and jeans pants. He was excited to be in the hostel for the first time in his life. He was overjoyed by the picturesque view of his engineering college campus. The main administrative block, the auditorium, the lecture halls, the library, and the mess attracted him. Did the College has only these? Absolutely not. The campus had a gym, sports complex, playground, parks, and also a girls' hostel! But all these didn't attract him. You might have already guessed what kind of student he is. But he won't be the same. The College will change him. It definitely will.

Shekar was from a small town and had never been to such a mega-city in his life. But now, he had to stay here for four long years, and furthermore years to work.

His entire family had arrived with him. They entered the allotted room for him on the first floor. It had two beds, two reading tables, and two wardrobes for two students. He was amazed by the scene in his room.

'Wow, Shekar!' Archana, his sister, said. 'You are not going to miss home living here.'

Shekar tittered.

'Wish I too could stay here.' said Ajay, Shekar's younger cousin.

'You need to work hard to come here, Ajay. Shekar has done it, and he's here. You score well and come here.' said Shekar's uncle.

'Yes Ajay, I neglected and missed the chance. But you work hard, and try to get better College than this.' said Archana.

'Yes, sister.'

'Who is staying with you here? Who's your roommate?' Archana asked.

'I don't know.' Shekar said. 'I'll get to know soon. Ahh... Leave this luggage here, let's go out for lunch.'

'Yeah, let's have great foods!' said Girish, another cousin of Shekar.

The group went to the college canteen and had lunch. The College served great food. After finishing lunch, they went for a campus round. They came across other hostels, playgrounds adjacent to the sports complex, swimming pool, different department blocks, staff quarters, and many small parks. Overjoyed by the view, Shekar started dreaming about his four-years long stay. They halted in one of the gardens, but Shekar and Ajay returned to the room.

'Shekar, the campus is awesome! Really, you are a lucky man.' Ajay said.

'Yeah, it really is. Can't wait to start my day!'

'What should you wait for more for? Your day has already begun!'

'Yes... Come, let's take a look at other hostels.'

They went to another hostel and noticed hostelers. Many rooms were empty. They moved further and found a noisy room.

'Shekar, all are here! Maybe a party is going on! Come let's join,' Ajay said in excitement.

'Hey, wait! They are seniors! They will be dangerous, and will make use of us! They will rag us!' Shekar said, stopping him.

'Oh! Then be careful Shekar. They may come to you soon!'

'No, they won't come to me. If they come to me, I'll report it. The anti-ragging committee will take care of it.'

'Oh, okay! But when did you know all this?'

'I know it! What do you think that I only know about the syllabus and nothing else? Now watch me how I will become cool! Next time when you will meet me, you will see a different and changed Shekar.'

'Wooh! Different and changed Shekar. Let's see how you will be changed, and what will be changed! Now let's go to our group, or else they will be worried. It's already late.'

'Yeah, yeah, come let's go.'

The group got ready to go to Shekar's room and help him arrange the scene of his room. But he didn't want that to happen. He now wanted to be free; free from his family, small-town-personality, bygone memories, past friends, and whatever he had had in his past life. He wanted to roam around the campus alone in a stud outfit, pretending himself high. He wanted to send his family back home. He wanted to make new stud-friends. Totally, he wanted a complete transformation from Old-Shekar to new, different, and changed Shekar.

I said to you, College will change him. But, never thought it could do this early.

He tried to send them back.

'No need Amma, I'll make it myself. You better leave now, or else you will reach home late.'

'It's okay Shekar, we can manage it. And you are more important to us. We will all stay with you as much more as possible. If we leave, you will feel alone. If you feel bad, we also feel bad. And you will feel strong and good...'

He interrupted his Mother.

'No need Amma. I won't feel alone. And I'm not a small-school-going-kid, I'm into College now. I can manage everything. And Uncle can't manage his hunger till late, and Aunty will be alone there, waiting for all of you.'

'Yeah, she would have reached home by now, and even I can't manage my stomach too late.' his father said.

'I think Shekar also needs some time to make friends here, and he's not wrong.' his uncle said.

'Shekar it's better we stay here, or else those seniors will rag you!' Ajay said.

'No! How can they? Their hostel is separate, and they are not allowed to ours.' Shekar said.

'It's just a say! They can come, and they will come!'

'Never!'

'Stop you two. Don't start your arguments here.' Uncle said.

'I think Shekar is eager to move around the girls' hostel.' Archana said chuckled.

'Shut up' Shekar said and turned away.

The group decides to return home.

'Shekar, be calm and energetic. Don't be shy. Open-up with your friends, and don't be neglected. Be active in other things, don't only keep studying. There are many other things to do here. Just enjoy your college days. Make memories...'

Shekar's Mother interrupted his father.

'What are you saying! Don't study! What will he do other than that? Shekar, don't listen to your father. He will keep on saying anything. Study well okay?'

'Arrey, he kept studying always before...'

Now he was interrupted by Shekar.

'Don't worry Appa, I'll manage it. Amma yours too! I'll enjoy and also study well.'

'That's my boy! Do anything, but be happy. And make us proud.' Uncle patted him.

They left the hostel and reached the exit.

'Arrey, how many more ice-creams will you eat! You will feel cold.' Shekar's father said to Girish.

'Uncle, it is not available there, and it is so yummy!'

'Shekar learn to eat more. Don't become weak. Eat whatever you get okay?' Shekar's Mother said.

'Yes, Amma...'

'Aunty, he said to me, he will be changed. And challenged me also.' Ajay interrupted.

'Hey, when did I?'

'Okay, okay, stop it. Whatever it is.' Shekar's father said and turned to his brother, 'Let's leave, we are getting late.'

'Shekar, take care. Call us daily. And don't keep playing on your Mobile Phone okay? Bye, take care' his Mother hugged him.

Everyone boarded their Innova car. Uncle sat to drive the vehicle. Others became busy giving farewell to Shekar. Slowly the Innova accelerated, saying bye to the spectacular campus, the mega-city, and to its beloved Shekar.

Shekar sighed and ran to his room in excitement.

He opened his valise and emptied it. He swapped six newly bought t-shirts and finalized the seventh of beige color with a bermuda. He wore a smart band watch and set his hair with the gel. He put on the socks and sports shoes. He looked in the mirror, reworked hair, and smiled to himself. This dressing suited his lean body and dark completion. He looked stunning with Level U around his neck.

He locked the room and went out. He jogged for a while and get exhausted and sat on a bench wheezing. How long can one run without doing it before? He never ran before, and now he wanted to run long. He could have run miles if a tiger or a lion chased him, but he couldn't just to pretend.

He thought of returning and take a nap. A group of three girls passed by when he was to get up and provoked him. His stamina reached the maximum, and he stood up to run miles. Only a girl can trigger a boy. He rubbed his face and moved on. He jogged till his last breath and stopped at CCC (Campus Cool Center), and thanked god.

God is the only one who is remembered at the last breathe by the believers.

He was wheezing like hell, and couldn't even utter a word correctly. He tried to say to the Shopkeeper, he wanted a drink but couldn't. The Shopkeeper understood and gave him a packed drinking water bottle. He thanked him wholeheartedly and paid the amount. Now, the Shopkeeper is no lesser than the god. Actually, greater than the god. Talking about the god dog makes me annoy, so now, let's forget it. He walked back towards the hostel, sipping water from the bottle. Water spilled over his new beige t-shirt while sipping, making him worried about his Level U. He removed it and carried it in his hand.

The dusk had appeared when he reached his room. He decided to freshen up before entering. He walked along the corridor and got the common lavatory, finished his chore, and walked back towards his room. While returning, he saw two boys talking in the passage.

'Hey, be calm... This is College, and all this will be happening. Complete this year, and you can also do it. Suffer now, and then rule. Simple.' one said.

'Why should I suffer? I'm a student, they are also students. I've rights!' the other said sobbing.

Shekar went to them.

'What happened? Why are you crying?'

'Huh?' the first one said startled. 'Oh, I was afraid you were a senior. Fresher right?'

'Yes.'

'I saw you going out from our wing. Just confirmed.'

'Oh... And I'm Shekar.'

'I'm Dheeraj.'

'Why he is crying? What happened?'

'Seniors. They ragged him.'

Shekar gulped and saw the other, and turned back to Dheeraj.

'When? Do they come here? But, they are not allowed here, right?'

'Yeah, and they didn't come here. They did it in the washroom downstairs.' Dheeraj said.

'Washroom? Is there only one for the whole hostel?'

'No, but I think they do come occasionally.'

'What did they do?'

'Ask him.'

Shekar turned to the other boy.

'Leave it.' he wiped his tears, 'And I'm Vikrant, Mechanical department.'

'Oh! Same branch.' Shekar shook his hands with Vikrant.

'Both Mechanical? Great. Mine is Information Technology.' Dheeraj said.

'Information Technology? It was my first choice, but my rank couldn't make it. What's your rank?' Vikrant asked Dheeraj.

'What will you do with the rank? Forget it.' Dheeraj said.

'Then you won't tell?'

'Nope.'

Shekar interrupted.

'Leave it. Vikrant, you did what they tell you to do?'

'No, I didn't do anything they told me. They were only three. Thank god, a parent came, and then I escaped. It was a terrific experience!' Vikrant sighed. 'You know what they told me to do?'

'What?'

'One told me to poop in the urinal! Another said me to... to...' Vikrant hesitated, 'To... masturbate in front of them!'

Dheeraj guffawed. It made an echo in the empty corridor. Shekar shushed him.

'I'll leave, bye.' Vikrant stepped away, hesitated.

Shekar tried to console him, but he rushed away and went upstairs.

'Let him go. He should come to the room.' Dheeraj said.

'Roommates?'

'Yeah.' Dheeraj said and opened his Mobile Phone.

Silence followed.

'Seniors not allowed, but they come here. We should report it.' Shekar broke the silence.

'Have they come to you? No right? Leave it. If they come, then you report.'

'They won't come right?'

'Not sure... Okay, I'll also leave. Bye.' Dheeraj patted Shekar and left.

Shekar waved weakly and moved towards his room, wondering. He unlocked his room and shut the door closed. He changed into a white t-shirt, unrolled the mattress, spread the bedsheet, and slept covering the quilt. The room fell silent, but his mind was full of horrific thoughts. The vague shouts in the wing made him petrify. He shivered for some thuds from the floor above. He sweated under the quilt but feared to remove it. His mind flashed several images of being ragged. He imagined different tasks given to him by the seniors.

'Whatever they may tell me to do, I should be brave and clever. Later I will report it.' he thought and closed his eyes. After four minutes, he fell asleep, and the room filled with mild snoring.

Shekar woke up, hearing the knock on the door, and his heartbeat fast. His other new t-shirt became wet. He doubted it was the seniors and didn't dare to open the door. He hid under the quilt and expected for the stop of the knock. None spoke in this interval. Shekar was relieved after the knocking stopped. He threw the quilt, switched on the fan, and lay on the bed sighing.

There was a thud on the door, and Shekar frightened.

'Darwaza khol madxxxxx!' the one outside the door swore.

Shekar shivered, and chanted himself, 'No, no.'

'Khol bhosdike, varna gaand faad dunga!'

Shekar remained silent, pretending the room was empty.

The one outside the room started thudding heavily.

'I know you're inside. Open the door, or I'll...' he shouted.

Shekar petrified but still remained silent.

'If you'd opened the door on the first knock, I'd have seen your fresh face and gone. But you didn't. Now, you'll suffer!'

Shekar gulped.

'Okay... you're not opening! Right, I'll give you an offer. Open now, do a simple task I give, and I'll get lost. If you didn't, I shall break the door, and I can't assure you what will happen to you next. Open!'

'I know you're inside, and don't think I'll getaway. Open! Quick!' the one outside the door shouted and thudded continuously.

Shekar frightened by the continuous thudding and dared to get up.

'You've ten seconds now to open the door, or...! One...'

Shekar rushed, unbolted the door, and hid beside the jamb.

'Two... three...' he continued and thudded on the door. It swung open and hit Shekar.

'Ow!' Shekar screamed.

'Not clever enough!' the one outside the door laughed and entered the room.

Shekar pushed the door away so that it could hit the one who entered the room. But, it swung slowly and did nothing.

'No strength enough!'

'Sorry sir, please sir, I didn't mean to do, please sir.' Shekar pleaded.

The one who entered the room faced him. He was lanky and pale-complexioned. He wore a white shirt with black checks and jeans pant. He carried a backpack and a valise. Didn't look like the one who stayed in the hostel. Shekar looked confused, scanning him.

'Chill, I'm your roommate, Ronit. Can call me Ron.' he said and went to the empty cot in the room, laid the backpack and valise on the floor, went out of the room and brought the mattress, and laid it on the cot with a bang.

Shekar stood still, bewildered.

'Huh? Chill na,' Ronit said, turning to Shekar, who was looking at him, mouth opened.

'Hey!' Ronit waved.

'Huh-um. I am Shekar, Mechanical department.'

'Shekar. Hmm, the coward Shekar. Nice to have you as my roommate man.'

'Didn't get your name.' Shekar said.

'Name? I told you... Oh, you were perplexed then. C'mon, I'll introduce myself again; Hi, I'm Ronit, Ronit Arya. You can call me Ron.'

'Department? Ron?'

'Fuckin' department.' Ron said, lifting his valise and backpack, and kept them in the closet. 'You were sleeping, right? Go, sleep. And Goodnight baby.'

Shekar walked to his bed blindly, and sat quietly for a long time, watching Ron arranging his bed.

Ron looked at him and asked, 'What?'

Shekar shook his head and lied on the bed. Ron continued to spread the bedsheet.

Ron finished arranging his bed and drank water.

'Sorry man.' Ron said, unbuttoning his shirt.

'Huh?'

'Sorry for the prank. Am really sorry. Didn't do it intentionally.'

Shekar didn't respond.

Ron removed his shirt and threw it on the bed. He had a flat belly.

'Now, don't annoy me again. You made me thrice today. I came to the room twice, and it was locked. And the third time you didn't open the door. That's why did it. And I apologized. Now forget it, man.'

'I was really scared. My heart had come to my throat. If you told me that is you, I would have opened the door. You are really crazy.' Shekar got up and said. 'What if the seniors had really come?'

'Don't worry, they won't come. They're strictly prohibited.'

'One was ragged in the restroom downstairs. He was very upset. It made me scared, so I thought you were...'

Ronit laughed. 'Coward.'

Shekar stood up and went towards the door.

'Where?' Ron asked.

'You made me wet. Need to freshen up.'

'Be careful, they may come again.'

Shekar left the room and returned after a few minutes.

'Were they there?' Ron asked, lying on his bed.

'No.' Shekar closed the door and sat with his mobile phone.

'Sleep baby, you've to narrate tomorrow's episode.' Ron said.

'I'm Shekar, not baby.'

'Yeah Mr. Shekar, sleep, you've to narrate tomorrow's episode!' Ron took out his blanket. 'I need to rest. I was restless today 'cause of you. Roamed the entire campus carrying my heavy backpack and suitcase.' He covered the blanket. 'Goodnight.'

'Goodnight.' Shekar kept his phone aside, covered his quilt, and slept wondering what's going to happen tomorrow.