Yes. It's been a year. It's strange how fast time flies. Dubious cups of coffee drunk at Milon-da's, sitting at the Ledge, lazing around on the grass, friendly adda sessions and random conversations- and before you know it, a year's gone by. Everyone's been saying, "We're the ickle firsties no more." But deep down at heart, I think we always will be.
I've been tagged by Reeti to write about my first day at JUDE. So here goes:
I remember it was a very rainy-stormy day. I had to go to Xaviers in the morning to cancel my admission, got thoroughly drenched, and took a cab to JU. Mom calls up, says, "It's terrible weather. Are you sure you have to go today?" I said, "Yeah, I do." And off I went.
Arunava was a big help. He was waiting for me at the gate with that huge umbrella of his, his trousers rolled up to his knees (I remember thinking, "Wow- he has surprisingly hairy legs!"). He gave me a slight tour of JU, and then, it was time for the admission procedures to start.
The first person I remember looking at was Lav. I recognized him because I'd seen him before at the British Council Play Festival the year before (of course, he had been bald then). He was wearing all-white. (But, of course!) And then, Pujarini came over to me and scolded me for not recognising her. I knew Pujarini too, although I'd never met her before.
One by one, the names were called, and we went in. I was sitting opposite Malobika Sarkar, and Prof.Lal beside her. He smiled at me as I sat down, asked how my brother was. Then Tintin-da says, "Oh, is she Bodhi's sister?" I said, "Yup. That's me." Then he says, "Did you write a poem in your answer script too?" I just smiled mysteriously. Haha!
I made friends with Shreya right after that. She was standing right behind me, I discovered that we had a friend (BDC) in common. So we got to talking, figured out common acquaintances. I guess you could say she was my first college friend. And then I met Mrinalini Sen. She looked familiar, I had the feeling I'd seen her before. We talked too, about theatre, and I realised that we had a common thread too.
I remember filling up my fee book at that little table. I had some doubt about what to write in a particular box, and I think Abhijan was sitting beside me, he helped me out. I might be wrong, it could have been someone else, but I fancy it was him.
The rest of it passed in a blur, and then we were called upstairs, where Insiya made us all introduce ourselves. I remember noticing Somdev, for some reason. And Shreya got up and said, "Hi, I'm Shreya from GDB, and I'm hyperly excited to be here" with that trademark smile of hers!
Then some of the Professors came in, and we were introduced to a certain someone's PJs, and no- I don't mean Moplah. I guess you all know who I'm talking about. But no names mentioned, eh?
Rimi-di warned us all against plagiarism, Tintin-da didn't say much, just smiled a lot, and Amlan-da fluttered his eyelashes. I think Supriya-di talked quite a bit. I remember Pujarini sitting right at the back, and asking Prof.Lal, "When is the JUDE annual theatre production?"
Then it was time to choose the EDs. Lav was very confused about what to take, and Prof.Lal told Arunava to 'help out a fellow Jacobean'.
That's most of what I remember. It was a pretty eventful day. We met each other for the first time. And at the back of everyone's minds was the thought, "Will I fit in? Will I make friends? Will my seniors like me?"
I took some time to settle down, and shake into things. I took a couple of months to get used to JUDE properly. And now of course, I love it like my second home. I've made awesome friends here, I've had awesome times here with them, most of the classes have been great, and so- here's to Second Year!
