“yeah. They are two and they want to meet all of us. This is what they told me.”

Another ragging class.!!

We were in fear but we had no choice but to face it. The only thing which was good was we were facing it together. We all were required to go to the room number 61. It was the room just in front of mine. Gajendra lived in that room and may be that is why it was chosen whenever any senior wanted to enjoy us entertaining them. Gajendra knew how to do it. He could dance, he could make the very postures when asked to, he could even dance to the tunes of ‘nirma, washing powder nirma’(many could do this, but not me), he could smile every-time he was slapped, he could smile even when he was slapped for smiling.! So, atleast he was not the one who could complain.

We all went to the room number 61 as told to us and waited there with our neck bent so as to look at our 3rd button from the collar and also the collar button closed. Our hairdo was similar to each other- 9mm soldier cut.! With our heads down we all looked the same. We were waiting for them to come, but in real no one wanted them to come. We all knew we didn’t wanted this, but then no one knew why we didn’t refused to do it. We were just standing there waiting and thinking what is next in the store.

Just when the door opened. We didn’t see there faces. We were not allowed to. We just found two pair of legs, not wearing formals, entering inside and calculated there were two of them. So, we wished two times,

“Good evening sir, good evening sir.” synchronously.

“good evening bhai logo. Sit down common just relax.!” One of them said.

Everybody was confused as to what we should do.

“Sit down. Sit down.” Second one emphasized.

Everyone sat down, wherever they found places to.

“allright just keep your heads up. But no eye contact.!” This wasn’t expected.

There was a lull. No one among us knew what was to come. We just thought there was something fishy in it. We all knew we will be fucked up again. Someway, somehow they will just fuck us up again. ‘they had no right’, I thought. But then only thoughts don’t work, actions do. No one acted. Everyone was in real fear.

“Don’t fear us dudes! We are here just to have some fun…….so,who sings well?”

We were not allowed to make eye contact, but we still could somehow see there faces. One of them was kind of a baldy. He had the same hairdo as we had. Had a stubble. Another one was taller, had longer hair and wore  spectacles.

”C’mon guys! you know each other don’t you?” We didn’t. We hardly had time to be together with each of us. We were 70 and we were almost always with our seniors when we were together.

“Alright then. Lets see….Everyone will sing. Don’t worry even if you are not a good singer. This isn’t Indian Idol! Even I don’t sing well.” The stubble one said.

And thus started the auditions. First was Ayush. Rock on!!! was the music everyone was listening to at the time and thus he started singing,

“Meri Laundry ka  ek bill..na..na..nanana….”

We all came to know that he doesn’t really know how to sing. He did the worst opening to the auditions. But then there were some good and some mediocre performances, which settled down every nerve inside that room. Then the mic moved again to the ‘judges’.

“You people have got talent!…”said the stubble one and continued,”…..and even you need to hear a good singer. Don’t you?”

“yes sir!” we all said again synchronously.

“So, ask your sir here to sing something for you. He also sings good.”

“Sir please sir.” Gajendra knew this was the time to get something back.

“Ohk. Don’t laugh though.”

And he sang. He really sang good and I can imagine him singing in front of his seniors as we all did and then it struck to me that he had another 100+ people to help him when needed. That’s what he got from doing stuffs to entertain them. Now I knew what it was that we will get. Suddenly, for the first time after entering the hostel I felt relieved. But then not everything goes well.

We went back to our respective rooms. I found my mobile showing 1 missed call and 1 message received. It was from Priya.

“….Hey. sorry to bother you. but m in emergency.got no one to ask for help in indore.wen free call me.”

PS: Listening to ‘apologize’ from one republic. the song’s awesome.

PS: got net access now so will try updating the post sooner.

PS: rock on!!!

We tried to catch some glimpses of the person ‘ordering’ us. Everyone was confused. No one ever had gone through this. Although we knew we were about to being ragged(if thats the right word ), but no one knew what was about to happen. No one was experienced enough to know what was happening.

We were taken to room no. 53.  It was supposedly chosen for its location. It was inside, the last room of that corridor and thats what favored the seniors. Untill I was walking through to the room, I was hoping for some miracle to happen. Something like what happened in  Chetan Bhagat’s “5 point someone”. May be someone like “RYAN” came up and scared the seniors away. But that didn’t happen. Instead we were standing in the room no. 53 and the no. of seniors increased.

They were four. We were more. But no one among us was encouraged enough by “RYAN”, to tell them that they can’t rag us.

And infact they looked scary for the moment.

One of them was short haired, one tooth staring out from his mouth and the way he spoke, it all added to the scariness. Another one was, not so scary and he was quiet. But we were told, “better stay good, otherwise if he becomes violent…” No one ever told what he does when he became violent.!!

There was this, who took us to 53. He was slim, no, not slim. Even more than that. He was trim or better trimmed. He spoke violently though and everyone of us was definitely scared.

But one of us, kept smiling.! Gajendra Lavania. He kept smiling as if it was a joke. As if our seniors were doing something funny. He just kept up laughing as if they were they were doing some mockery.!

“you!!If you laugh or even smile again, wont be able to do it again.” the toothie once even reminded.

But he couldn’t just control. It was fun for him. It seemed he was enjoying it.

Seniors told us the “fundas” and left. They gave us few days to start following them.

They were:

1. wear black plated pant whenever you are in the hostel.
2. dont sleep until 1 AM
3. wish every senior whenever you go by them
4. etc etc.

Getting short hair was also one of them. So, we went to the barber, the very next day.!(we were very obidient…!)

He was surprised to find around 9-10 people coming to get hair cut and that too same style.

“you all want to get them 9 mm short?”

“yeah…now will you do it quick? we will be late for the SSB interviews otherwise.” Gajendra with his usual comic things.

I was sure that when we get back to hostel, our wardon would know that we were being ragged. I was wondering if he could save us. Afterall, he was the incharge of the hostel and promised everyone taking admission that there would be no ragging.! I thought there is a chance we would be saved.

The whole day we were shoping for our days to come. The only thing we enjoyed was being together. The fact that we were ragged together was something which made us very united. No one was given special treatment. We all were going to wear the black plated pants and we all had got haircut and yes we all were absolutely looking funny.

So, we went back united. We went inside the hostel. The wardon saw us. No doubt he did.! But he didn’t respond. May be he would call one of us later. May be.

We went inside our rooms and changed into the black pants we just bought. I was thinking of studying something, you know the pre-starting of studies passion for studies. But it was not to be. Ayush came in our room.

“come on lets go.”

“where?” Parth asked.

“room no.61.?”

“did any senior called?”

“yeah. They are two and they want to meet all of us. This is what they told me.”

Another ragging class.!!

“hello, I am Parth Chandel from Jabalpur and for your politeness I am your room partner.”

” Oh …hel…hello.” Pankaj finally responded.

” hello  I am YOUR room partner.” He stressed ‘your’ to catch my attention.

“Oh..sorry…I am Rohit Bhatt, your room partner.”

” I know.” And he smiled. I was still wondering why I said ‘…your room partner..’

“Don’t feel guilty buddy.! Even I would do the same if our thinking didn’t match.” Saying this he went in the bathroom.

“He is still a lil’ angry I suppose.” Pankaj stated the obvious.

“No I am not.” In came the reply.

It was looking like it wasn’t a good start and for real it wasn’t.! But still when we talked for the next few hours and knew each other better, he seemed to be an interesting guy.! It was 7 pm and Pankaj left. I was thinking of talking with ‘my room partner’ although it wasn’t to be.

Someone knocked on the door.

“Its open come in.”

And in came a short, black, atheletic person.

“Hi I am Ayush Nagwanshi from Jabalpur.”

“HALO, I am also from Jabalpur. Just shifted there.”

I was about to introduce myself , but that didn’t happen due the talks of the Jabalpurians. They kind of ignored me. And when I am ignored, I am not supposed to talk. Isn’t it?

Somehow they finally thought of me.

” Oh..umm sorry. I am Ayush and you?”

“I am Rohit.” I said with a smile. All three of us went outside. There was a balcony which was the best place as it seemed. As we were on the way to the balcony (there was a corridor in between), we saw a kid, with his mother going inside. He was looking a kid by the body structure, but not by face. A pretty dense moustache, long hair nicely combed, frameless specs; we were confused if he is from the first year or if he is the father although his body completely defied it. He saw us and went in.

“Looks like another 1st year student.” Ayush said.

“yeah..” Parth and I accepted.

The ‘kid’ came out within few minutes. He came straight to us. We were a lil’ surprised.

“Hi! I am Tikesh Narain from Bangalore.” He said to me.

“Oh south indian.!” Wasn’t I stupid?!?

“Not actually. My family just moved from Ahemdabad. I have even not seen my Bangalore house.”

“Oh…OK oK.” Tikesh joined the conversation.

“Which branch?” Parth asked a better question.

“Electrical and electronics.” Cool.!

“I am also in the same branch.” Atlast I found someone with the same branch, Ayush and Parth being in Electronics and communication.

The first day at the hostel was beginning to be interesting. Many new people came in. I made new friends in Gajendra Lavania, Virendra Bansal, Arpit Parihar, Sagar Bhadoria, Kalpraj Gupta……..and the list goes on.! We all bonded with each other very easily.

We were in Ayush’s room, playing cards as we had no other timepass, when suddenly someone banged the door very loudly. Ayush opened the door.

“No eye contact!!!” And he put Ayush’s face down.” Come on, move to room no. 53. Quick!!”

ohh…you will get one…” Was that a sympathy?”…you have a personality that girls like.”

Saying this she opened the door and went to the bus. I smiled to myself and she smiled towards me.

Life gives you reasons to smile. You tend to think its going worst when it suddenly becomes good. I started by thinking of “pataoing”  this girl, but ended up being friends. But still its something I am happy with. May be this is what was to happen.

Well, lets not disturb the story with my stupid thoughts. Let us proceed.

“Where?”

“to the hostel.”

“oh yeah oh yeah!” A grin again. I didn’t like it anyways.

“what now?

“what?”

“what are you smiling at?”

“at you Mr. Rohit.”

“WHY?”

With this he started he just hummed the famous line from I WANT IT THAT WAY.

“Ain’t nothing but a heartache.”

“Shut up and drive faster.”

“Yes sir”

He started his vehicle again and we inched closer to my hostel. The thoughts at that time were even more intriguing than they were at the time of offering the poha to priya. Different kinds of thoughts ranging from different topics started to come in my mind. What would it be like there.? How will the people I am living with be? How will my life be, living away from home for the first time in my whole lifespan?!?

The road was congested and to help it some construction was going on.

“What is this for?”

“Flyover… I think”

“ohh….how much time is still left to reach ?”

“don’t worry….10-15mins more.”

“WHAT???!!!???”

This is Indore-Ujjain road. One road on which various factories are established. And the one where road is still sandy due to construction going on. And also the one on which, various colleges are established. Too much of establishment.! Finally reaching the hostel, we would be able to rest a little bit I thought. We were continuously driving. Actually, Pankaj was driving and I was enjoying the drive. But enjoying a drive is also work and from physics you know that every work consumes energy…….what?? You understood?…oh ok.

Finally as planned we reached the hostel with every part of our body and the car. Yes, we made it! Entering the first gate we were welcomed in by a DOG. Yeah you read it right. No No I didn’t understand his language, but a man following him came to us and told that he welcomes every person like this.( What the hell you keep a dog for?? Welcoming anyone and everyone??) Funny way of interpretation though.

One tiny person was called for to escort me to my room.

“What’s your name buddy?”

“kittu, which is your room no.?”

“umm….55″

“ohk…this is it.”

“Thanks kittu.” He just smiled towards me and left. Looks like a smiley day. Everyone just smiles. Pankaj, Priya and now this Mr. Kittu.!

I entered my room and went straight into the bathroom. Yes, this hostel has a bathroom attached to the rooms. After relieving myself with the natures pressure ( ) I started unpacking. Pankaj helped me in adjusting the room. It had two almirahs. One for me and another one for my room partner. It was spacious enough to keep one’s things.

Finally adjusting the room, I and Pankaj were waiting and thinking about my room partner as if people think about there life partner.

“how would he be?”

“who?”

“your room partner.”

“he must be good.”

“still lets discuss.”

“discuss what?”

“about your room partner.”

“you don’t have any other time paas?”

“no..”

“ok”

“you start.”

“hmm…I hope he is good… I mean he should be adjusting.”

“what if has a attitude problem with you?”

“I will kick his ass….” I slightly opened the door.”…and would tell him to leave the room politely.”

“nice politeness” A voice came from outside the door. As the first reaction, I opened the door quickly and saw a boy of my age standing outside. He took three steps inside the room and shook hands with me.

“hello, I am Parth Chandel from Jabalpur and for your politeness I am your room partner.”

PS: THE sToRy begins now…

PS: DO comment….

PS: DO wish I get more of the internet access.

She came straight to us.

“Hi. My name is Priya and I like your offer to drop me to Indore.”

Ever wondered one gets a chance like this? I remembered the lines eminem said at the starting of his song ‘loose yourself’ :

Look, if you had, one shot, or one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted-One moment
Would you capture it, or just let it slip?

Until now I wondered when I would be inspired from these lines, but now I knew I was inspired.

“yup. surely you can come.”, I said seizing the opportunity.

“WHAT?”, Pankaj said surprisingly, “..You didn’t even asked me ?”

“Come on bro you wont say no to me.!”

“But why not?”

We were still talking in front of Priya, so as a gentleman I took Pankaj to one side and tried to explain the reason to his ‘why s’.

“you have to do it for me.”, the obvious and best reason.

“but why?”

“because I am your friend.”

“but who is she?”

“she is priya.”

“ya she is. But who is she to me?”

“Consider her your Bhabhi.” Sometimes boys think too quick.

“oh oh oh…” , and he smiled. This smile was the indication that the problem was solved and things are going my way.

So, we jumped into the wagon-R and Pankaj started to vroom off to Indore. But unfortunately Priya was sitting at the back seat and I was at the co-driver’s place.

“So where do you live in Indore?”

“I..” and Pankaj interuppted.” rajendra nagar.”

“oh. I am in VAISHNAV COLLEGE.”

‘VAISHNAV college’!!! I thanked god for doing this. I got admission into VAISHNAV COLLEGE FOR ENGINEERING. I quickly asked.

“Which year?”

“1st” WOW!!!

“I am also in the 1st year. ELECTRICALS AND ELECTRONICS.”

But soon the humour faded.

“oh i am in the commerce college.”

Pankaj was about to laugh but he somehow controlled it. Everytime I think the situation is good it turns the worst.!

Still I asked the important question, although I was a bit nervous asking it. No! I didn’t propose her. Don’t you think it would have been too early?

“Do you have a bf?”

“Don’t you think so?” I was a little held back. But she smiled and said.

“yes and we met on the internet.”

“are you serious?”, Pankaj and I were purely surprised. Internet love?? I don’t know if its real. I mean, there are real people around you. What the hell made you think the virtual person is better.? I asked her this to which she replied.

“the world of internet is no doubt virtual but the people using it are real. And thus emotions are real and love is real.”

“hmmm…”, the best word(or sound) which helps you when you are out of words. Things did seem clear now. The offer proved a loss. Anyways, I would find another one. This thought is what keeps hopes alive in most of the boys.! I still asked her phone no. so that we could be in help for each other when we can be. We were friends atleast.

We were about to reach Indore. 

“Where should we drop you?”, asked Pankaj.

“PHQ”

“hmmm….”, I thought some response should be from my side so that it may make up for the last one hour of me not talking.

“well…Rohit.?” Me? She took my name?

“yea?”

“tell me one thing .”

“what?”

“Do you a gf?” 

I wanted to ask her “are girls realy stupid or do they behave as if they are?“, but instead I replied negatively and that too very politely.

“ohh…you will get one…” Was that a sympathy?”…you have a personality that girls like.”

Saying this she opened the door and went to the bus. I smiled to myself and she smiled towards me.

PS: Don’t know when I will get internet access again.

PS:please do comment

PS: rock on!!!

Please do read the prologue first.

” Stop Mr.Driver“

“Fuck you!! Don’t you ever call me your driver again.! I am just taking you to Indore because I have to go too. UNDERSTAND?”

This is my friend, Mr.Pankaj Sah. Yes you read it right. Its Sah not Shah. One confusing surname. But who cares. Not atleast when you are travelling by his car. 

He works in Indore in a small firm and he is my friend. Wait a minute.! I didn’t give you my introduction. Did I? No.! OK. Let me tell you about myself.

I am Rohit. Rohit Bhatt. Just into college for Bachelor of engineering. My college is in Indore and thus I am with Pankaj, going to Indore. We have stopped at Dodi to satisfy the most important need of a human life- HUNGER.

“yeah yeah. I understand. Now lets go and eat something.”

“oHk”

We went in and got some Poha to eat. I bought one mineral bottle.

“I’ll just come from the washroom.” Pankaj said.

“Yeah. Just don’t do anything wrongful there.” I said accompanied with a grin. He went towards the washroom shaking his head and smiling.

The weather was nice and also the place. The food was tasting good and to top it all a really beautiful girl came and sat in front of me with her plate. Happy day is here again.! I decided to talk to her. Just a little bit. May be ask her the time?

But SHIT happens. The mineral water bottle which I bought was kept on the table with its lid open and I unintentionally pushed it. BANG!!!

The bottle fell on the table with its content spilled on the ‘beautiful’ girl and also on her plate.! WhyTF it happens to me??!!??

“I…I…I’m…I’m sorry.” The only words which eventually came out from my mouth and beleive me they required no courage at all.!

“Shit!!..” I guess they don’t sell shit in mineral water bottles.!”…you spoiled my dress.” Yeah I did it! And also spoiled my day.

She stood up and went to the washroom to clean herself. CLEAN? It was water and that too mineral water. Fittest for drinking! Its safe girl.! But who has the guts to tell a girl who is sooo angry.

Meanwhile Pankaj got back from the washroom and was laughing at me.

“Don’t call me driver. God punishes!”

“Yeah yeah.”

“Leave it now and eat your stuff. We should not waste our time here.”

“Yeah. OK.”

My mood was spoilt. I was cursing myself for ruining a good day. Suddenly the nice weather became dull and offcourse the topping of the day’s top was spoiled by me. I wished I could do something. And the oppurtunity came.

The tourism bus had gone and the ‘beautiful’ girl was asking the people nearby about it. Confused and frustated she sat on one of the vacant chair. May be I should apologise. But how??

IDEA!!

I stood up and went to the counter, took one poha plate and to Pankaj’s surprise, went to the ‘beautiful’ girl.

She was sitting with her head resting on the table.

“Excuse me.” She looked up. She looked angry and for obvious reasons.

“What now?”

I took the poha plate and kept in front of her.

“I am sorry”

“Are you nuts?”

“I am really sorry.”

“ok. thank you. Now go and take this plate with you.”

“No. This is for you.”

“No. thanks. I can buy for myself.”

I smiled and said,”Yeah I know. But I wasted one of your dishes and thus just an apology.”

“ok” This ‘ok’ was satisfying. Atleast she looked a much more relieved person.

“You missed your bus right?” I sat beside her.

“Yeah.. and also my luggage.”

“ohh…where were you heading to?”

“well..why?”

“Nothing…just I and my friend were going to Indore. May be you can come with us if you are also going to Indore or may be you would think as if I am some person trying to take advantage of a lonely girl. Whatever….I am not asking you for it.”

She was surprised by that comment, her eyes wide and her face expression told me she didn’t like it.

“Sorry for that. I’ll leave. My friend is waiting.” I had ruined it again.!

I went to Pankaj and we both went to his car. He was curious to know what happened.

“What the hell were you talking with her.?”

“Nothing. Nothing interesting.” Was it?

“yeah yeah…”

“Wait, looks like she is coming towards us.”

“you didn’t do anything objectionable, did you?”

“what do you think?”

She came straight to us.

“Hi. My name is Priya and I like your offer to drop me to Indore.”

PS:based on real incidences…BASED.

PS:looking forward to your comments.

PS:rock on!!