Like A Butterfly

The college reopened on August 16, right the day after independence. There were Indian flags to be seen everywhere around. Welcome banners for the junior batch, Anti-ragging boards were also visible at assembly points. But for her, it was just the beginning of independence.

It was the first time Neha was to be away from home. 4 years of absolute freedom! She was rather excited than sad unlike most of the other students. Induction began and suddenly she found a familiar face. Sree! Wow, somebody from my school! It was a great relief knowing that there was someone like her. She ran to Sree during the first break.

She checked-in to the hostel and found that the 3 other girls have already reached. The 4 of them were to share a room. Frankly speaking she did not expect that. Being one of those introvert types, she did not gel along well with the other girls.

Neha had been very active during the induction and for that reason she was nominated to be the class representative. This was not the first time she took up a Position of Responsibility. She has held similar positions at school. But the whole point of removing her own city from the admission preference list was because she was much in need of a break. She wanted to be a new Neha, not the nerdy topper Neha back at school. She had always dreamt of bringing her name on the School’s Golden Roll. Finally, when it happened and when she held the Topper Award, she felt as if something was missing. Maybe because all this while, she had forgotten to make friends, she missed on a lot of trips, hangouts and her hobbies were replaced by RD Sharma and Pradeep.

First day at college was eventful. Neha was walking towards her class.

“Angry Bird”, shouted a guy sitting on one of those aisles.

For a moment, she did not realize they were calling her. They started making angry bird noises and some of them came and stood before her.

“Yes”, she enquired.

“Are you just pretending that you did not hear us, or are you still in your dream world?”

“You called me?!”

“I think you are the only one who’s pink bag says Angry Bird”

“Ohh.. I forgot that”

“Wait, it’s not just the bag. Actually you look like one of them. The Red one! With that yellow sharp nose and big round face”

Neha wasn’t very amused. People always said she need to keep a check on her temper. She knew her short-temper drew people away. She had promised herself that she’ll remain cool at college. But even before, she could attempt to do so, she was stamped “Angry Bird."

Two of her roommates were from the same department, though in different sections. But first year was common to all and they got similar topics to discuss. Slowly, she was receiving acceptance. She went to the mess alone most of the times and sat quietly at a corner until she finished her food. But that day, a group of girls came and sat around her.

“Aren’t you the angry bird?”, asked one of those girls.

“What??”

“I heard that from a senior”

“Mmm.. yea, they thought I looked like the red one”

“Maybe they have a point! Btw, which is your room?”

“210, the one at the corner”

“Ohh, you are Avni’s roommate? I came to your room last Wednesday night”

“Yea, I did not see you either. Maybe we can catch up next time”

She was beginning to change. The old Neha would never have said that. She could only respond to people. She could never initiate a casual conversation or join in on an existing one. She was brought up like that. Her parents were very conservative and way too protective at times. She hardly went out of her house. It was always a school-tuition-home saga for her. But this life was different. There were groups created for every subject. Group projects exposed her to multiple people and she was amused by the diversity. She started to realize maybe she was also like others. Everytime she passed by the canteen, seniors shouted “Angry bird” as she soon became their favorite.

That is the magic of college life. It transforms you in ways you’ve never imagined of. Neha’s story was no different. She was seen singing and dancing at college events, spending weekends at beaches. She soon became everybody’s friend. She was innocently adorable. Her family had also started noticing the changes in her. From the girl, who made herself comfortable in a corner seat, she brought herself to the limelight – Anchoring, Acting, Dancing, what not! She was successfully placed on the first day of placements and went ahead with the job she liked. On her last day at college, she had a hundred people to bid adieu to. She knew she was going to miss this place and all those people. But she knew whatever happens, happens for a reason. She had high hopes on life. She was different in her own way, yet one of those million girls around. She had, by then, transformed from a cocoon into a beautiful butterfly!