Episode 02: Gates of iET
This is the non-fictional realm of Narnia IET, Lucknow, all that lies between the orange, rectangular, neon-esque looking signboard spelling -
‘आई.ई.टी (I.E.T) सीतापुर रोड, लखनऊ ’
And the great residential castles of our faculty members.
In this 100-acre space lies an adventure only a few lucky ones earn themselves a ticket to. This journey of a thousand miles had begun with the first step you all took, fixing your gaze upon me. I got a variety of glances and read the stories that your eyes unfolded. Some had those dull and dark eyes, staring at the mentally speculated prospects of the future ahead, some had a tint of hope, wrestling questions in their mind. Yet I saw some eyes, (only a few) still having the glare of bright sparkles and their heads held high, well above the clouds.
I wondered for a long time about these startling differences, but upon eavesdropping on your late-night conversations, I came to this definite conclusion: Those young eyes have been restless for a long while now, they seek an abode where they can rest.
You guys have vandalized me with your signatures and all the “SAVDHAAN RAHE AAGE KHATARA HAI”, “do not disturb” signs, all the “<insert a branch name> RULES!!” and so much more. Still, I was the entry and exit point of your emotions. Remember those days when after a tiring day at college, you would unlock me. Enter your dorm room and completely forget the tension and lie down on your bed.
I also still remember the restrictions that were imposed on me in Ramanujan and Sarojini in my first year. (I guess we will never forget the days)
Honestly, I don’t like these shackles, either. I also remember witnessing your ‘late’ night breach of the curfew duly imposed upon you. Also, I deserve the credit of keeping myself silent to let y’all pass inside the hostel without waking up the guard.
I have been a quiet observer to your upbeat music, all those late-night inter-room life discussions, those group singing concerts, those hallway cricket matches, those late-night (indistinct) convos, those birthday bashes, those serious hours of study, those pre-Holi celebrations, those noisy mid classes breaks, those 8 pm “bhaiya ATM se paise nikalne h jaane dijiye” and so much more.
Those ‘sincere’ looks you gave to the senior-year hostels.
Those ‘let’s-have-fun’ looks you gave to the junior-year hostels.
Those ‘side-eyed’ looks you gave to the girls' hostels.
Don’t you think I haven’t noticed the heat between us? even though you never realized it before now, maybe next time you will give me your undivided attention.
Speaking of heat, I always felt your gaze at the back of my head during those boring lectures, trying to escape the hot, crowded room with the squeaky ceiling fan and the constant chant of equations and formulas. Somedays, the teacher scolded you out of your classes and you would come and stand by me. And again, in those gloomy-cold exam rooms where I saw you perspiring whilst skimming those impossible questions. Your eyes turning to look at me every now and then, with a sense of desperation.
The sorcery of this enchanted, evil witch of Covid-19 has haunted me for long now. The sight of those empty hallways with locked doors has made me realize and reflect on the relationship we have shared. Those reflections have sometimes given me a taste of hopelessness, but upon deeper introspection, I found myself closer to y’all(in a way).
Over the years I’ve seen every one of you (and those that were here before), some way or the other, have transformed into better versions of themselves- versions those dull eyes could never even have imagined. A few of those sharp eyes struggle over books to ramp up their prep on an expedition of the exams to come (those gems). Though others balance between their academics and passions, thus becoming an atypical version of how they were meant to be, and some are left with aching limbs after having brought laurels from horizons beyond.
The day approaches– sooner than you think - when you will leave the boundaries of IET with a permanent residence in my heart. You, with your friends, all of you will look back at me and see all the colors you shaded yourself with, all the frolic and fun you did behind those closed doors, all the Houdini acts you pulled to bunk lectures. And just like that, with a shine in your eyes, you will realize it did not turn out that bad after all.
And also, it will make sense when you grow up :)