Someone Walks In

The snowfall had stopped. Even the mild rain which had followed had slowed down to a drizzle. It was very cold, although winter had just set in. Local people had told him that must be coldest November they had seen. 

It was time to shake up lethargy and see the outside world. Parag quickly dressed for the cold outside. As he stepped outside his room on fifth floor, a gust of cold breeze greeted him. It reminded him to put on a jacket.

He stepped back inside. Fortified with a heavy woollen jacket, this time he was all set for the outside world. Once he was out of the hostel building, the cold weather greeted him again. But this time the attack could not pierce his defences, yet his face felt very cold.

He shook off the feeling of cold and continued walking towards the campus. After a walk of a few hundred metres, he felt warm enough to be comfortable in his clothes. As he reached near the administrative block, he could see that the campus was not deserted as he had expected. Instead there were many on the roads seeming to be enjoying the weather.

Students were either walking in groups or just sitting on the benches, oblivious of bad weather. Soon he reached the cafeteria. It was almost fully occupied. All this while, his eyes kept on darting around looking for a known face. Since he was only a few months old in the campus, he did not find many known faces. Nor could he see any of his friends in the crowd. They all must be staying in the warmth of their rooms. He was all alone in a crowd of strangers.

Instead of sitting in the cafeteria he decided to enjoy the weather outside. He was also keen to find some company. Perhaps some of his friends might have come out by now. He walked on the campus roads for more than half an hour, yet he did not see any known face. He decided to go to the café, have some coffee and walk back to the warmth of his room.

He bought a cup of coffee from the counter and walked to a vacant table in the corner. Just when he was about to sit on the chair, he saw someone joining him on the table. Since there was no vacant table in the vicinity, he had to be content to be sharing the table with someone.

After sitting on the table, he looked at the other person occupying the table. He was surprised to see that it was a girl from his class, although he failed to remember her name. He had seen her around but not even exchanged ‘hellos’ with her.

She must have seen his confused his face.

“Recognise me?”

He deliberately gave a cryptic reply, “Yes.”

She did not embarrass him further. “I am Juhi, in case you don’t remember my name.”

He made an effort to introduce himself, but she cut him off. “I know you quite well. You are Parag. You are studious type and do not mix much.”

He was trying to absorb information about himself from outsider’s point of view. Perhaps this was common impression in the class. He must work on changing that perception.

“Actually I am not aloof type. It just takes me longer to open up to the people.”

She did not respond to his remark. After that both of them focussed on their coffee. She was the first to finish and after saying ‘bye’ to him walked out.

He wondered if he had said anything to alienate her or was it his demeanour which discouraged people to come close to him. Maybe she was just having fun at his expense.

At least he had one more casual acquaintance in this place.