College Days

I completed my higher secondary education in 2002. The same year I got married. There was a gap in my education for seven years. I delivered two kids and got busy raising them.

It was in 2010 that l realized, l stand nowhere with an intermediate certificate. I visited 'Mahila College' with my husband to enquire about the enrolment process. To my dismay, the last date for the distribution of admission forms was over. I aspired to get myself admitted for the English Honours course.

"No more forms. Yesterday was the last date", the clerk asserted in an authoritative tone.

I requested, "Please sir, l am only late by one day. Please give me the form."

The clerk promptly replied, "All the forms have been distributed. Not a single form left. What were you doing all these days?"

I don't know what occurred in my mind to haggle with such a stubborn man. Again l provoked him, "Sir what can be done now. Any substitution?" "There is nothing in my hands. Go and talk to the Principal madam", he affirmed.

I spoke inwardly, "Ahh!! that's it" and hurried towards the Principal office. The Principal was a very humble lady, l realized that while conversing with her. She listened to me patiently. She was impressed by my potential to learn, even after having a family and little kids. She asked me to write an application stating my need for the form and the reason for appearing late.

I did as directed. She signed and sealed the application. I took it to the stubborn clerk. He immediately handed me the admission form without speaking a word. It was my moment of victory. The feeling was like, l have acquired the universe. Admission process completed. I purchased all the books prescribed in the syllabus. I got to know later that the college does not possess any English professors. That was another moment of escape for me because l would not be tormented for attending regular classes.

My kids were aged 4 and 5 then. I also had a Preschool to preside over. Thus my re-education started with the first schooling years of my children. When they saw me sitting with a book and studying, they would fetch their copies and books, and sit beside me. I never had to ask them to study. They imbibed an interest in learning by seeing their mother with books usually at night. They even mimicked my style of studying.

I had to report to the college only for some formalities. The hell broke upon me when my registration certificate did not reach the college due to failure in filling up the registration form which had to be done two months after the admission.

My first-year examination was approaching. The timetable was published in the local newspaper along with the guidelines. l needed to fill the examination form. I walked into the college to grab the exam form at the earliest. You must be surprised to know that l didn't have an encounter with any of my batch mates. I visualized meeting them in the examination hall. I had only known their names through the selection list.

I reported at the counter and stretched my hand for the examination form. The stubborn clerk was sitting behind the barred window. He notified, "Show me your registration slip?"

"Now what is this registration slip?", l thought to myself trying to maintain a composed look.

"Sir, what is a registration slip? I didn't receive anything labeled like this during the admission time",l countered him hesitantly.

"What? Didn't you check the notification displayed on the college notice board for the students to get registered? Don't you attend your classes? 75% of attendance is required to be allowed to sit for your upcoming exams. Were you sleeping? The clerk left me in a reverie.

I didn't find any sense to talk to him further. I headed towards the college exam controller's cabin. I remember his name was Sony Sir. When l unfolded my dilemma, he was fumed with anger. The next moment another girl from the English department arrived with the same issue.

He added to my misery saying, "Nothing can be done. You people don't attend your classes. Now, pay the price for it.No exams for you. No, admit card for the examination."

That girl and I were in a confused state of mind. We didn't even have the guts to inform him that our department was devoid of teachers. We were not at fault. We left the room in despair and strolled around the campus like nomads.

Both of us started discussing what is to be done. The kind watchman noticed our plight. He suggested we confront Sony sir again, he is the only one to help us in this regard. My mind had not accommodated the previous insult, I didn't possess any courage to face him again. The girl started crying. I forced myself to confront Sony sir along with the girl.

"Sorry sir, we are working. There is no teacher for our subject. That's why we don't come to the college regularly",l spoke courageously. It was a do-or-die moment.

"Acha, you both are from the English Department. Now that it's too late, take this form, fill it, attach the required documents and meet me tomorrow. l will see what can be done", he warned haughtily.

The girl took the form and departed. l also returned home with the form. I enlightened my husband with all that transpired in college. He was also a bit shaken. l scrutinized the registration form, acquired all the necessary documents, and filled it diligently.

The next day, I stepped into the college campus with the form and submitted it to Sony sir. He verified all the documents, signed them duly, and asked me to wait. I saw him walking inside the Principal's office to get the form attested. After a while, he entered his cabin with an air of importance and instructed, "Now move towards the University to submit the form. Attach a handwritten application stating the purpose and reason for delay. If your application is approved by the Chief Examination Controller, your registration slip will arrive within a few days in college."

It was time for me to write another application. I had to search for a specific reason for my dereliction. Being a married woman, l thought it is best to give the excuse of pregnancy complications. This falsehood was necessary for the continuation of my education. I reached the University with my husband. My husband preferred to wait outside as it was none of his business. I felt lost in the large University. The guard directed me to the Chief Exam Controller's main office. A signboard denoting "Dr. P. K Pani, Chief Examination Controller" was displayed on the door. My heart raced faster. I wiped the beads of perspiration dripping from my forehead, composed myself, and mumbled standing outside the curtained door,

"May l come in sir?"

"Yes, come inside", uttered someone.

I ambled inside deliberately. An elderly man with a bald head, big spectacles and a tie dangling from his neck, was sitting on an easy chair. He was busy with some papers.

"Yes, what's your problem?", he inquired inquisitively. Finding a student in his department was a rare case. He was the Examination Controller of about 200 colleges coming under the University.

I did not have words to utter. I simply extended my hands and placed the registration form before him. While he was examining the form, l mustered some courage and spoke,

"Sir l am from Mahila College. I did not receive my registration slip. I have to fill the examination form for the admit card. Please accept my form."

He encountered me with a peculiar question in a harsh tone,

"You completed your 12th in 2002 and you are seeking your registration for graduation now. Such a long gap. What were you doing all these past years?"

Scanning his anger, l instantly replied,

"Sir l got married soon after 12th. I want to continue my education now, that's why l got enrolled."

"Next time take care. Since exams are knocking at your door, l will not hold you from the examination. Be careful in your paperwork", he explained vaguely signing my form and other documents. I thanked him and retraced my steps. A big burden was released from my head. I felt relieved.

Finally, my registration slip arrived at the college. l filled the examination form and received the admit card, two days before the examination. I passed the first-year examination with flying colors. The second year went smoothly. The final year was more pleasant. I completed my graduation with a distinction. I distributed Kaju barfi to the entire college staff. Sony sir was very happy with my achievement. He felt proud. Had he not helped me that day, l would not have come this far. The college received an English teacher soon after my withdrawal. Not sure if that was for my greater good or not.

The only things l missed during my graduation days were the fresher's welcoming by the seniors, celebration of the important days with peers, the college Masti, the lectures, the college picnic, and the farewell party by the juniors. However, all my wishes got fulfilled during my Post Graduation days, in another college under the same University.

THE END