Unspoken Words

Apprehension

Lectures passed like a blur after that. You know what I mean. I am not the kind of guy who is super excited about my studies, knowing fully well what my career path will be. My dad is one of the most influential businessman in India and abroad. Alhamdulillah (All praise be to Allah). I smiled at the thought.

A single tap on my shoulder broke my trance. I turned towards Shaan who smiled at me with a glint of mischievousness. I looked down at my lap and sighed loudly.

"What? " Shaan exclaimed.

"Nothing". I answered hurriedly. Putting notebooks and pen inside backpack. Shaan did the same and stood up. Everyone else were also leaving the class by now. Sana and Sama were also getting ready to leave. All of us were so engrossed with our work that we couldn't notice someone walking down towards us and stood a good five feet far. We started moving out without giving anyone attention. Then, we heard someone clearing it's throat. We all (four of us) snapped our heads toward the disruption.

There, that same girl was standing with her hands crossed in front of her chest, looking at us with her little too big eyes, her lips pressed into a thin line. We just looked at her, waiting. She sighed like she already knew she will have to start first.

"Look. Have you attended orientation meeting after 6:00 pm in the college campus.... Yesterday? "

I blinked, trying to understand what just she said. From the corner of my eyes, I watched Shaan furrowing his eyebrows and girls with their mouths opened up. And all of it happened within two seconds. I was about to ask what she was talking about, but she rolled her eyes and glared at us, clearly getting the answer we didn't actually give.

She sat at the corner of table. "Let's see".

All of us looked at one another and sat over random tables or chairs facing her. "Is there something we don't know?" Sama started.

"Yes". Her only reply.

We waited for her. She again took a deep breath. I wondered if she had asthma or something. She began. "Yesterday, all new comers were called for a meeting with the seniors". She looked at all of us one by one. "Our seniors welcomed us, starting it very politely. They introduced themselves and told us about fundamental rules we will be following for four months".

She took out a simple A4 size page, which was folded neatly in the middle and handed it to Sana who grabbed it gingerly like it would burn the moment she touched it. I rolled my eyes at my own imagination.

"Just follow the orders which is written in that page".

"Is it some kind of ragging?", Sana asked.

She nodded. "Sort of".

We didn't say anything. Ala got up abruptly, losing her balance, but regained it in a flash. Looking straight ahead with that big eyes, she marched past us and was out of the lecture hall within a blink of eye.

"What's the hurry?", Sama exclaimed, raising her hands and then dropping it over her lap.

"Let's see what's in this paper". Sana opened the folded paper and read it aloud for all of us to hear.

Funda :-

- No fancy clothes.
- No fancy accessories.
- No make up.
- Eyes on the ground always.
- Upon meeting a senior: greet appropriately using proper lines and introduce yourself. Don't look into their eyes. Heads little bowed all the time.
- Canteen: not allowed.
- Library: sitting not allowed.
- Don't laugh in the open.
- Full sleeved clothes, no fancy dresses, totally covering the body.
- Don't try to have any encounter with seniors in hotels or shops.