The backgate was a popular hang out.A little minibus took Nayaki from the crowded market place at Gariahat to the back gate...a gate which now has the distinction of opening into a sesquicentennial old institutrion.The gate meant three glorious years of friends, long conversations between class breaks and the happiness in sharing the excitement of bunks.A basic hangout zone did not exist within the campus and the cool place filled in as an oases for discussions ,creative arguements and merry making...a gate were crosswords were completed,hearts met ,fought and lived happily everafter.The hangout ran from the favourite Delights upto Hungerford street and the street holds precious memories for Nayaki.Her minibus dropped her there in the mornings and another one picked her up after college hours......
Subbu accompanied his little girl on the first day.The father was an alumnus of the same institution.It was a moment of great pride for both the dad and the girl.It had been a cherished dream for the father and it was being fulfilled....an admission into one of the most prestigious colleges in the country.The proud father completed the formalities for his girl and he had given her the very best.
Nayaki came from an orthodox background grounded in values of Iyer traditions and customs.The conservative Brahmin family had her upbringing in a very protected environment.Having studied in an all girls school...the new atmosphere in a co-ed college was scary.A little wary...the lone TamBram stepped into the classroom and was in for a rude shock.The Ist year ECO batch boasted of a male majority and the timid Nayaki was terrified.She mumbled to herself..."Yes I guess girls can coexist here.Let me give myself a chance to act bold."A little apprehensive, she occupied the first bench.The braver girls and some of her schoolmates had easily mingled with the new set of friends.
The groups were formed and the gangs headed to the back gate or to the canteen between breaks.Pretty Nayaki headed straight to the Girls Common Room on the first floor.The room always wore a desolate look and the management maintained it for Nayaki.The heritage building on Park Street boasted of palatial classrooms.The girls Common Room was no exception and Nayaki was to spend most of the three years within the confines of those walls.........
