It has been more than a month now since I returned from
Hyderabad. Oh God! No! I started writing on 16th August and today
its 16th September. It has literally been two months and it
seems that I am still in, what should I say- “Hyderabad Hangover”. You must be
wondering, what the hangover is about! Well it is the late night chats, long gossip
sessions, jokes that made us roll on the floor laugh, studying in a group with
hot cups of coffee and delicious egg puffs that got finished in just two bites,
occasional jokes to overcome sleep, songs with a soft melody. Then, of course
the wonderful bunch of people who made you feel worthwhile, who added bright
colours to the white canvas of your lives, who held your hand when you needed
support, who helped you in studies and loads of assignments and above that, the
people who just knew (and still know) you better than yourself.
It all started from packing my stuff for Hyderabad on 14th
June when I was in no mood to leave as I returned from a mind boggling trip (Gangtok
and Darjeeling). And who wants to study after coming from lap of nature. But
because it was an educational trip and I had put hell lot of efforts to get in
there, I had not much of an option. And if you choose to lock in to a course
and you end up getting the grades needed for a place you would have preferred,
you may regret accepting the offer. And I didn’t want to. So I had to go.
When I first landed up in Hyderabad on 16th June, the
place was obviously new and so were the reasons to be here. To come to a new
place for a new course (PGCTE- Post Graduate Certificate in Teaching of
English) for a month was a whole lot of new affair. We were a group of five and
therefore we hired a radio cab for our new destination- The English and
Foreign Languages University. The roads were in fairly decent
condition. My eyes were glued to the restaurants, being a gourmand I am and
especially searched for “Paradise”, famous for its Biryani. Paradise's “Mutton Biryani”. If you are in
Hyderabad and you are a non-vegetarian, it would be a crime to miss this! This
place serves the best biryani in Hyderabad. And take my word for it, it's
awesome! If you like spicy food, when you place the order tell them to make it
'double masala'.
Ok! So not going into that, after an hour, the “golden gates” of EFL
University opened. And we entered the campus. It was late night, so I couldn’t
see the whole campus and just the Gate No. 3. Guards, being cooperative,
directed us to our Girls’ Hostel (“Mahalaqa Bai Chanda”) (I am sure this was
the name, as some people called it “Shaka-laka” also :).
We were not allotted rooms by the office, and I was quite happy about
this fact (due to some personal reasons) and so acting very smart, I jumped up
the place and told the ladies who were allotting the rooms, my preference. And
well, that created a problem for me as some people started taunting me for
leaving them alone. Well, I ignored it. So, we got our luggage in our rooms. To
talk about the rooms, they were quite decent with a “broken” window and thus
ventilation was proper (“natural A.C.”). Spacious almiras, table chair (which I
never used even once), 2 single beds without “matrices”, shelves – these were
all there to occupy the room. We unpacked quite fast, and dozed off.
Next day, almost whole of it was taken up with concerns of preparations
for the next one.
And from 18th June, classes began officially. Having dreamed of this day throughout my
post-graduation, it was certainly a very heavenly moment, then no! You are
highly mistaken. Indeed, it was not. What a tight schedule! Moreover, my first lecture
was not so interesting, which I thought would be great as “Interpretation
of Literature” is my favourite. Anyways, we got our schedules of that
week, and trust me, it was pretty bad. (9 to 1)- lectures, (2 to 5)-P.T.
sessions, which in reality, used to extend up to 6 or 6:30. I mean, what is
left after being grilled by the professors. Your day is a total waste. But not
to be so negative, I enjoyed every bit of it, (except some things). The
punctuality was obligatorily called for and was on top of everybody’s
list. We all were accustomed to getting up early in the morning even if going
to bed was not in time. Ironing clothes one night before is now not that much a
duty as it was two months back. As the two
months change tonight, I am looking back into the memories.
New people, new surroundings, new weather, new language, new food-
Everything seemed perfect! To talk about weather, it was most of the times
pleasant. Grey clouds, rain showers stuck around us.
To talk about people, I met some amazing ones with whom I clicked
immediately, and some not so much. Well I had the coolest of all. We had the
best of our times. In fact others had the best as I was the subject of their
laughter (Be it the ingressive and the glottal trill laughs or “what the
hell” thing or that “auto” run). I realize how mean you guys were to
me!
But yes, apart from them, the condition of
people around me was bad, actually worse than the worst! It appeared as if they
were “struggling for existence” (I don’t know why)! I lived those moments
completely when people who are twice your age, or some of your age also were
bothered about your grades and studies, instead of theirs. Not only this,
sometimes you meet people who are so much concerned about your personal life
than you have ever been about yours. And you become a “central” character or
the topic of their lives. Well, I was one of those “central” characters. (Pissed!!).
What to write and what to leave! The lectures were going pretty well, or
turning the language and a little bit show-off, I can say that I was doing
pretty well in the lectures. (Except the fact that I didn’t know, some
people had “J”-factor regarding my active participation, though they were
equally active. :)
Mugging up the blocks of the
courses (Especially Phonetics, Linguistics, Methods- actually all 7),
preparing for PT sessions and the live PT sessions as well, my PT Group(
in which I was the youngest, and I took every advantage of that fact), making
lesson plans, hostel’s breakfast, lunch and dinner (though I hated it at one
point of time as I couldn’t bear South Indian), Sagar’s and Maitri’s
coffee and egg puffs, Siddiqi’s Kababs ( I am fortunate enough
that I could be there), #deathbychocolate, pizza
party and not to forget ( Vowels and Consonants on that empty Pizza box!),
local trains, “Hyderabadi lizard” , campus’s dogs and “bitches” and
what not, became a part of me for a whole month and it seems they will always
be a part of my life. How can I forget the studies in library with my room-mate
as something or the other happened in that “quiet room” whenever we were
present. Late night gossips while sitting on a “particular bench”, mocking at
the jealous people (Some people will get it!!) on the bench, and also
getting to know on the last day on that very bench that the people with whom
you made fun of others, you were also a subject of that mockery. (“air tree
diagrams”) - I still can’t believe it! Serious discussions about
future, instant outings are still fresh and in fact, flashing in front of my
eyes.
The office is now a
better known place where more people are already seen faces and the work we are
doing is going pretty well and seems up to something. But that month
is now gone and that is a lesson that re-visits me hard, every now and then.
People have gone to their cities and work with their old set of people. So much
so sometimes, that Good Morning and Good Night is what you get to say to them.
With some, even this is a luxury. Others have ‘newer’ priorities and need to be respected.
In all, the fact that friendship has its own limits has dawned upon me and
again a bitter-sweet tablet to swallow. That one month
in Hyderabad is the most transient in my entire life, given the
effects and the time frame involved. I feel the change in myself (intellectually).
The credit goes to my company (of people).
I have had a chance of enjoying one of the best companies I ever kept in
times to come but at the same time I am sort of ready to accept what it all may
turn into.
I miss rushing to class at 9:00, and trying to eat in class without
being seen (Well, that I did just once as “some” people offered me
something which was irresistible- Badusha). I miss talking to them everyday,
and the jokes and the pranks that we did play (on some particular ones). I miss
hanging out with my favourite people, talking away to glory, and each telling
many a story. Surprisingly, I miss the professors. I miss that carefree life As
Bryan Adam says “it cuts like a knife, but no, it doesn't feel so right”.
P.S.: I
didn’t mention any names as they will understand themselves. But yes, whatever
I penned down is for them and about them!
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