‘Room no. 303A-From the diary of a hostelite’

Behind the doors of Manjunath Ladies hostel dwell hundreds of hearts with unknown stories.

Today someone asked me a simple yet strenuous question, How’s hostel life?

Do you know the fact, ‘Roses have thorns?’ i retorted.

The world went silent for a moment, till another thought hit me. Did you understand? I asked.

Let us talk about it, he replied smiling at my reassuring thoughts.

Always excited about living independently, far from home under the roof of a rented room, little did she know the difference between her thoughts and reality, i added staring at his puzzled face.

Who’s that person you’re talking about? He asked.

A single voice speaking out hundreds of hearts from behind the door labeled 303A, i replied.

As a kid she grew with an ambition, a dream to die for. While struggling with her thoughts of what to do next and bearing constant pressure from the society, she made her mind to leave everything behind and go forth with her perspective towards life.

Blessed with the umbrage of Almighty and ever supportive parents, she made it to a prestigious Institution, 3000 KM away from home!

The skyscrapers amazed her while the city lights filled her heart with glee. ‘Mom, the world around looks beautiful,’ she said over a temporary phone call.

Once the conversation ended, she sat alone at the terrace, looking at the starry sky and waiting for someone to call her for dinner.

 After a while a voice came, had your dinner? it asked.

Not yet. You? She replied in a soft voice.

They went for the dinner together and reluctantly spoke about themselves, keeping in mind that ‘strangers ain’t to be trusted.’

But time changes people, you know! It has been a year since then and the two strangers, (more like sisters now) share their pajamas more frequently than their secrets!

The group became larger, as time passed and so grew the family in a new town.

From sharing the home made khakhras and achaar to fooling the warden for late entries, the mischievous family now shares an everlasting beautiful bond.     

Isn’t it beautiful to feel the sisterly emotions from non biological sisters? Not only do they hold a special place in your heart but they stick to your bed like histones on DNA!

But…. there are dark sides of the journey too.

There are times when all you need is someone to whom you can speak your heart out. But as they say arduous times show you the true colors of people! So do the hard times at hostel. Sometimes paper has more patience than people. There are friends who support you like a family does and there are foes always waiting for an opportunity to bring you down.

There are times when you can no longer feed yourself the same taste of idli vada and you incredibly miss, Maa ke haath ka khana!

Then there comes a time when the sky scrapers don’t amaze you anymore and the world doesn’t seem to be as beautiful as you thought it to be. The thought of just sitting under a blanket and telling day long stories to your parents brings ease to your heart.

There are times when fighting with your siblings seems more cherishing than going out with your friends.

But just like the happy times, these moments too pass. And this is what life is all about! A stellar hue, filled with colors of joy and sorrow. Making us stronger and mending us for a better tomorrow. 

Heads or tails, both sides of the coin are equally imminent and contribute to each other. From different colors of people in varying situations to always holding on to our faith in the beautiful verse, ‘Verily after difficulty comes ease,’ the little heart became much stronger, learnt the power of patience and the importance of staying audacious under the shield of honour circumspect of every situation!

So yes! Roses do have thorns or rather thorns have roses!

                                                                    ~Words from a seasonal guest at her own home.