Oh take me back to Barapani...

Tejes

There was Peggy. There was Mawi. There was Ching. There was Diamond. And there was Tejes. She was the quietest one among them all, and she was the only one who did not try to catch my attention in any way. Perhaps that’s why she actually caught my attention! She was this cute little bundle who looked too tom-boyish to be true. And instantly, I seemed to have a “crush” on her!! I guess I should be careful about how I use the word because at one point of time people presumed, or rather, tried hard to believe that we were lesbo partners! Yuck!

Anyway, getting back to Tejes, I found her very intriguing from the very first time I saw her. She was different from the rest of the crowd. And in a very subtle and most unimaginable way, special and beautiful too.

She hated to be ignored and left out. She hated to be taken for granted.

I remember being with her always, whether it be chapel, class, canteen or those rare Shillong trips. I remember sharing with each other all the minute details of our lives. I remember her as the only person I could be completely honest with. I remember her as a silent and endearing friend who never left my side no matter what I was going through.

And the pranks that we played – the most famous one being the chants of “Mango” and “I love you Apo” from our window during the football season when the lake dries up. Also, the innumerable gossip sessions during which we would plan the most vicious and indescribable revenges on our mean Professors and even meaner wardens!!

We did many things together. We fell in “crush” almost at the same time, but not with each other. We fell in crush with two different guys, both of whom never even turned to look at us. So… we even felt miserable together!

We were so stupid then, all full of zealous pride and at the same time, of childish immaturities which, now when I look back, we should have indulged more in! We were too grown up for our age and so self-righteous too! We were always trying too hard to be the best. But then, who cares? We did manage to have some solid fun when we were together, didn’t we?!

Tejes brought a lot of change into my life. And even though she claims I am the one who changed her, in reality, she is the one who changed me forever. She gave me a whole new perspective towards life. She taught me what it felt like to be loved and respected for who I was. She taught me how to demand and expect nothing but the best for myself.

And scandalous though it may sound, I am totally in love with her and will always be!

On the face, honest and full of hard punch – that’s Tejes for you, and I absolutely adore her!!

Lee

There was a certain boy who came up to me and asked me to book a room for Lee in the Girl’s Hostel because she was his friend. I said ok. But he insisted. He said, “She is different. She is special!”

That was the first time I had heard about Lee even before I had laid an eye on her. And “the boy” was not wrong! Lee is special, in her own special special way!

I admire her for all her talents, but more so because of His love that shines through her.

Thanks for all the songs, Lee, and also for all the happy moments and lazy afternoons in your room! Hope we can someday be together again and have as much fun!!

Miss you!

I miss...

I miss racing down from Science block to girls' hostel in the pouring rain and going back again with more umbrellas for the guys! I miss mass-bunking english class and frying fish in the canteen. I miss gossiping about the latest couples in college post college week. I miss Chapel every morning and evening. I miss the loathsome food in the refectory! I miss the ghost stories at night, when the lights would go off and even a trip to the loo would become a nightmare! I miss laughing till my eyes watered at some silly joke inside class. I miss conspiring against the wardens and planning all kinds of catastrophies on them. I miss the green lawns where we would sit all day watching the beautiful blue sky. I miss the trips to the ladies store where everything would be priced at Re. 1 more than the MRP. I miss climbing those 199 steps to high hall to see UCC bathed in silver moonlight.

I miss college week, when football field would become accessible to the girls too! I miss Ashim running around trying to get everyone to the grounds in the mornings so we could at least participate. I miss Bah Vid pulling his very short shorts still shorter while playing badminton and Peggy screaming "Sexy!!" I miss Diamond and Basuk wearing jeans for the first time in college because "It's college week man!" I miss those motivational speeches to Pegasus, because we would lose all the time! I miss all our seniors who would protect us and who ultimately became such good friends.

I miss falling in love at UCC. I miss those stolen moments beside the lake, away from prying eyes...

I miss the memories created in an era so different and distant now.

I miss UCC.