Episode 04: The Canteen

Why aren't they turning up? I am dying to eavesdrop on their amusing convos.

"It's the last end-sem exam. Must be stuck."

I quickly looked around and saw the fizzy, sugary black liquid wiggling in the glass bottle on the top shelf. This "vague funny looking guy" has gotten a lot of flak for being unhealthy. Guess what? He is still a favorite among these kids who say anytime is a good time for a thirst-quenching soft drink. Though we have the same job, we can never be on the same page. He is a Thumbs Up. I, a Chocolate flavored Milkshake.

"The sit-down-and-chat-the-breeze canteen is waiting for its young comrades who would be here any moment- in search of food for thought and to eat. It has stood here, basking in the sun, after the old one retired and gave it the charge."

"Woah! They are back. The canteen has its own way of mixing with them, serving them what they want. It is an eclectic space where all fit in. The sarcastic ones, narcissists, nerds, the humorists, couples- all can be found. Some are "Placement is my target" type, a few are- I wanna be a job creator, and the majority are- I am an engineer by accident. Some are here just to be present; some are silent doers and run away quickly. The nine-pointers and the five-pointers gather at this focal point of all critical discussions, the not-so-fashionable canteen."

"He is always indecisive over what to drink." Strawberry flavor remarked after waiting for a full minute.

"This one won't even order anything."

"Guy literally orders the same thing every time- Maggi and Pepsi. Now, it's high time. You got to try something new."

We wait patiently for our turn as they stand on the other side of the counter, looking straight into our eyes.

Each of them has their own story; their own pain; their own moments of sadness, hope, and of love. People need stories. It is the same for me. I have been a silent listener to all those tales- the short ones, the long ones, the serious ones on internships, the not-so-serious ones on relationships. I know the menu is not elaborate, but the food served here makes these stories move and brings them to life.

"The youngsters show up anytime for their hang-outs or during class bunks. So if there is someone who knows what is going on in an IETian's mind - it is the canteen and its animal friends- the pups. The pups sniff around and eat happily whatever is served to them. They silently listen to the nitty gritty talks and feel blessed for not having to maintain a CGPA and complete assignm…."

"A professor is coming this way. Though the profs visit this place less, their presence is not unnoticed."

"Hey, wait, why did you do that to me? Did I not save you from those incessant chants of theories, assumptions, and formulas? You came to me when you lost all faith in the culinary skills of mess wale bhaiya. I welcomed you with open arms. This is how you are going to pay me back? By spilling your drink on me?" The bench on the right corner squeaked. The items on the counter chuckled the way kids do- when they make fun of someone who trips or spills water on themselves.

Finally, I am out and placed on a table by a guy. He is waiting for someone and is constantly checking the messages.

A girl placed a vanilla-flavored milkshake next to me. Is this a sort of twinning? Or do I overthink?

The table next to mine is all set for a birthday party. The cake in the centre, the youngsters around it, bags on the bench, phones in their hands. The excitement on their faces as they celebrated made me feel ecstatic. For once, I wished to be one among them.

"Meri proxy laga dena. I am not going today."

"If you are not coming, I will also not go. Prakhar, You do the honours."

"You both are not going. What will I do alone? I am also not coming."

I don't know if they realize it or not- there'll be a day when they will come not as a student but as an alumnus. They will sit in the canteen and marvel at how much it has changed. They will laugh at the excuses they gave for not attending the lectures. They will search for the same taste in the canteen food. They will miss it. It will be the conversation, the feel, the whole atmosphere that would be taken away from them.

And I– ever so observant– would stay here– watch them fly away– and admire them from afar.