Night Walks
The moon shone brightly and the cool breeze brushed past us jingling the wind chime near the cooler in the passageway that acts like a link attaching two buildings. Either side of the corridor is open enabling us to witness the different scenarios. Our hostel has a Panopticon like structure enabling a complete view. There is a long bench and the writing table in the middle. The green kangaroo shaped garbage bins stands in the corner and a water cooler is positioned at the centre side. It made strange noises now and then breaking the silence of the cold night.
Resembling to customary hostel sights, some were busy with their phones, others were buried into their books, some of them were practicing the dance for farewell, and there is a different category of girls like us.
It was almost nine and we were sitting together in our hostel bench thinking what to do. Since it was the weekend, we were literally jobless in our hostel and bored, having nothing much to do. Unlike other hostels we enjoyed restricted freedom that permitted us from going anywhere within the hostel compound but outside the gate.
As we adjusted our hair which flowed with the rhythm of wind, someone suddenly mumbled to break the silence, “It’s so cold, I think it’s going to rain.” As a sudden impulse another exclaimed, “It would be so nice to sip a hot brimming coffee in this weather.” Those words appeared to be the epiphany. We suddenly hopped with enthusiasm and headed for the canteen. We have to walk a few distance to reach our destination. The streetlamps adds to beauty of the night as we strolled the empty track. It’s the final few months of our hostel life.
We ordered our coffee and enjoyed the moment accompanied with our chit chats, stories, gossips, laughter’s and stupid talks. It was already getting late and the thunder reminded us that we have to be back in our hostel before the rain. Going back to hostel seemed like a lazy act as we paced sluggishly.
We came from different parts of the country, belonged to different cultures and yet we never realised that by now we became an inseparable entity; a single family within these five years. The moment I saw my roomies is still a fresh memory as if it happened seconds ago. We were never concerned about the fleeting time. But presently the very thought that we will be shattered to different places after a few more months picked up like huge blow to us. As we walked aimlessly through the road, we encountered the beautiful memories at every nook and corner. It was unusually silent other than the soft music that emerged from the phone. Probably everyone must be lost in their own thought. As we recollected the days of past five years we laughed at our small fights and thought how silly it all was. The consciousness of reality started to gather its grasp over us with all its might and our eyes almost flooded. Suddenly the rain poured down wiping away our tears with its droplets. None of us had the slightest idea of taking the umbrella and so we got completely wet by the heavy shower. Instead of running back to our rooms, we sprinted and twirled around to our last few days of togetherness. Though the atmosphere was filled with the air of gloom and despair we were thankful, satisfied and joyful. The memories waved at us from behind. The untimely rain seemed like a farewell gift to us.
