Yesterday was 13th may. Friday the thirteenth. Whatever. Yesterday was our farewell day. We're being sent off. Out into the big bad world to fend for ourselves. Some have got something to look forward to .... A job, a wedding, another degree, etc. etc. Some have to go through more struggle, more hard work, more interviews and technicals and aptis. But whatever happens to us after we leave, the main fact still remains that we're Leaving. LEAVING. The word stands out in big bold letters. Leaving. Leaving our college. Our friends. Siliguri. Our home for the past 4 years. To a certain extent I think its tougher for us hostelites. We've been staying with these people. People who outsiders say are our friends but who we know are our family ... have been our family for the past 4 years. Through thick and thin.... depressions and celebrations.... studies and parties .... They've been there. Always there. Whether helping or hindering is besides the point .... but they've always been there. How will we now manage to live without them ?? How will we do without them ??
It's amazing .... when I left school I thought I was leaving the cushioned and pampered life .... and that in college I would have to fend for myself ... But in college I was equally pampered .. treated like a kid .... indulged .. scolded ... loved. They held my hand when I crossed the street ... They hugged me when I cried ... They fought my battles for me ... They reprimanded me when I did something wrong ...They always kept me in sight ... Sometimes I feel they made more of a baby out of me .... But then they taught me things too.... taught me survival ... taught me respect ... taught me tact ... taught me how to hold my tongue (thanks Somali) .... taught me how to be confident and proud of my self ... taught me to learn from experiences - others and my own .... Robert Fulghum said " All I need to know I learnt in kindergarten ". Sorry Mr. Fulghum but I learnt most of my stuff in college. And I think friends are the best teachers possible. I'm such a better person because of them.
For the past few days whenever I went to college .. someone or the other would come upto me and ask me to write in their diary. "Write something, Piyali". As if this was their way of taking me away with them. As if they were trying to say "Although you're not going to be there in person, this diary's going to be with me. And I'm going to remember you." I've asked each and every person to keep in touch. How difficult can that be, specially in this age of emails and yahoo groups ?? But reality comes rushing in. We'll lose contact someday. Maybe not immediately but inevitably. As we grow older and as we get busier in our own lives, we're going to lose touch. But today the emotions/tears are flowing. And everybody wants to hold onto this life ... these friends. Lets hope the day we drift away is as far away from this day as possible.
And coming to my hostelmates (Reema you included)... everybody thinks I'm going to be the first person to stop writing or calling or smsing ... but I hope everybody proves everybody wrong by staying in touch forever and ever. We've got about 23 days with each other. Lets make those days as memorable as possible. Sans the tears you guys. Finally to everyone of you ... "Take care. All the best. Stay happy. Keep smiling. I love you very very much. And I'll miss you lots and lots.(Yes PD you too)."