Memories Of Love

Three Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore

The alarm rang. Sunday changed to Monday. A new day. A new beginning. My medical life was starting. The journey to chase my dream had started. I closed my eyes and prayed to god and opened my eyes slowly looking at my palms. I touched the ground and prayed to mother earth to give a good beginning. The chill from the morning touching my skin tickled me. It was cold outside. I looked outside through the windows. It was still dark. The sun was about to rise. I grabbed my towel and walked into the bathroom. I turned on the shower and stepped in. As the water turned hot, steam rose from the floor of the bathtub and filled the room. As the water washed away the sleep, I began thinking of the day ahead. I turned the knob and with a rattle and a squeak the water stopped flowing. I continued my morning routine. Contacts, hair, teeth, clothes. I stepped out from my hostel in my red salwar kameez and red dupatta. I wore a red earring too which was shaped like a rose flower. I wore a lot of red bangles on my left hand and kept the other hand bare which gave a trendy look. I did not wear a lot of make up since I was going to a college. The college, Bangalore Medical College, now renamed as Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, popularly known as BMC, is a medical Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute college run by the Government of Karnataka, located on K.R. Road, near City Market. I saw many people like me who were wandering all around without knowing where to go. Hundreds of people walked the halls and filled the air with jumbled conversations. Doctors whisked by in white coats, workers pushed tubs of linens down the halls. The students had to weave between administrators and dodge carts as they turned corners. They loosened their jackets against the warmth of the hospital. Soon they arrived at a sprawling glass and brick atrium. It opens before them, fills with morning light and echoing conversation. I went inside the main block of the college to check the college notice board. There, I saw on an A4 size paper written...
'All the first year students are requested to assemble in the college auditorium at 9:30 am.' Wisps of silvery hair strayed from my chignon. Patting them with my hand, I turned and saw Yadav just behind me. He was a second year student there. His inserted black shirt, off-white pants, awesome hair and innocent smile added to his formal look. 'Have a look at your missed call list. The amount of times I called you...!' he said placing his hands on his hips. I ran my hands inside my shoulder bag, but couldn't find my phone.
'Oopz... I'm sorry. I forgot to take my phone.'
'Don't repeat this. Okay, madam?' I gave him one of my best smiles. He told me that he would guide me to the auditorium.
'Are you not coming with me?'
'I have some work here, Arohi... we are those great ones who are organizing this party for freshers...I will see you after the function. Okay?'
'Mmm...' I said in a weak tone.
'C'mon then...I will show you the auditorium.' It was a large and spacious room located on the fourth floor of the whitepainted college building. It had many windows on its four walls. Pictures of the passed-out batches were hung on neat rows. I looked at all those photos with much respect and admiration. Many freshers like me were seated on the well-arranged white chairs looking at the strangers all around. I sat in the third row from the front. Yadav was busy arranging banners, chairs etc. When the function was about to start, Yadav came and sat near me without looking at my face. 'How's it?' He asked when the Principal's speech began.
'What?'
'The college, auditorium, students?'
'Everything is good except the ones who arranged this programme.' This time he looked at me and chucked my head with his head, smiling. I too smiled. After the function we headed towards our class. The first day in my college was a memorable one. I enjoyed being with new friends, campus and teachers. The white-painted college with its shady trees and greenery stole my heart. Back at the hostel in the evening, the girls were busy with their girly talks as usual. Most of them were busy, finding the names of the handsome faces they had met in the morning, from facebook. Some were busy surfing the net to get the latest fashion trends to rule the college. I had lost all my interest towards fashion and internet years ago and such things were irritating me. So, I walked out to get some cool breeze and also to get out of that technical world. I stood in the verandah for long enjoying the beauty of the night. I loved being left alone to wander with my own thoughts. I watched the college building from a distance whose flag at the top was waving vigorously due to the cold breeze. There was deadly silence everywhere but this time it did not scare me. Instead it brought back some old memories which I hated to remember. Silence has two faces. Sometimes it's good, to avoid conflicts and problems. But sometimes it becomes too awkward. Silence reminded me about my past and present life, about the hidden secrets that have travelled with me all through my journey and the harsh changes that came to my life. As I looked deep into the night, the memories too went deep. I closed my eyes and prayed to get out of all those cruel memories. I swallowed twice, though I was not chewing anything. Took a deep breath and walked towards my room, where I found my roommate talking to her boyfriend on the phone. I did not want to intrude on her privacy, so I went out again and stood in the same place where I was standing a minute ago. I kept my phone in the pocket of my pink Patiala and wrapped the dupatta close to my body to fight the biting cold. It was an amavasi day. So the night was growing darker every second. I felt everything around me was dissolving into the dark. Suddenly, I heard a sound which made my whole body tremble. It was the ringtone of my phone. I checked. It was an unknown number. Since it was too late, I did not attend the call. When it kept on ringing, the sixth time, I took the call.
'Hello?' I said in a low voice. No one spoke for a minute. I kept on repeating the word 'hello' like a mike tester and a voice was heard from the other end.
'Mmmm...'
'Who's this?' I asked.
'Arohi..' he called my name with much affection. 'Yes...Let me know who this is.'
' Where have you been all these years, Arohi....' asked a familiar voice which sent a chill down my spine. I ended the call. He called me again and again. I switched off my phone. I sat there engulfed by memories. There was no escape from them. I broke down and cried.