At the entrance of DCRT* (TIME- 7:52 AM)
[ DCRT* - Delhi College of Research and Technology ]
A large number of students are heading towards the entry gates of the College after passing through large security steel gates which allow the entry in area of DCRT presmises. There is chatter of excitement and curiosity among many others, looking forward as to what will come for the following day.
*Sigh* " So, for the upcoming 4 years of higher education, I will be studying here?"
Shray asked, more likely to himself.
He looked around the crowd of students, analyzing everyone with outlier of their clothes, body height, body structure, skin color and other mediums. Most of the students present in the crowd, had similar skin tone like him, a light brown shade, common among the Indian descent. Many students also had slightly weak stature and eye glasses, showing signs of studious and nerd type nature. He also spotted some groups already forming among the crowd even before entering in college.
He himself was pretty average looking guy with messy shagged black hair, average face with beige colored skin, which can easily be forgotten and go unnoticed, slightly thin body and glasses. His only somewhat special feature would be his grey eyes, which he could never figure out as where did he got them from? as no one in his known family tree had grey eyes.
After looking around for a while and marvelling at the sight around him, he stopped looking around and focused on the path ahead.
Upon entering through glass gates, where two security guards were on lookout for conduct, he found himself facing a huge notice board, with information about various classes of different year batches, different subjects and a map of ground floor. He quickly spotted his batch of first year and class subject of Technology.
After determining the map route and time duration of class, he headed out of the entry hall and made his way towards his class. On the way he asked working peons and guards for directions. Then finally, near left side of ground floor and intersection of two corridors and club room, he saw two rooms with semi transparent glass gates with steel handle and room numbers displayed above them on steel plates.
" Room no.11 is it? Here is room 10 and 11" Shray conversed with himself then entered second last room in that single loaded corridor.
Upon entering the room, he saw a big classroom with ceiling covered with white tiles and circular lights, shiny amber colored walls, a big white board with a smart projector mounted on top of it. Sitting benches placed behind rectangular wooden tables neatly divisoned with 2 columns and 10 rows each. All in all, this class can hold upto 40 students with comfort.
Looking out for his fellow classmates, there were few present. There was no External air conditioner, but it still was pretty cool, myabe there was ingrated conditioners in wall. Front two rows in each column were empty. He decided to sit alone on the second bench of 1 column.
' It's about 8:17, class would be starting on 8:40. I have some time to think my schedule.
Considering today would be my first day, we shouldn't be taught much and major class time would be based on discussing circulum. I hope they only make plans for half year otherwise pressure would be too much to clear the devised syllabus.' Shray thought to himself, while reaction put for his black school bag which he has been using since 2 years. Going through his bag, he took out his keyboard joint tablet.
Since, his family couldn't afford too much, he settled for the most efficient one. A laptop is necessary but is out of budget range. If only, if only he could have studied a bit harder...
*sigh*, he opened and turned on his tablet, opening browser, he typed his College website address and surfed through it for 5 mins. Time has struck to 8:25. He then closes his browser and then opens gallery. There he sees a photo, in which he saw a group photo of 5. His father with a warm smile, his mother with a happy smile, him and his younger brother grinning like idiots and his giggling cousin sister. A smile bloomed on his face while remembering his family.
His father, Shlok Savant Kumar, was a man of dignity and good will. He strongly believed in the principles taught to him by his parents and bypassers along the journey of life. He often taught Shray about humility, preservance, honesty and compassion, saying that one must remember his roots. Duty and responsibility often walk hand in hand with morals and the one who walks this path, brings true honor to their heritage and upbringing.
From an early age, his father had to shoulder responsibilities of the house. He only completed his high school studies by the time, he was required to start looking for a job. Grandma passed away and grandpa was devastated. So, he had to manage the house and his father.
His mother, Vaiga Anand Devi, on the other hand, was from a stable middle class family. Her parents supported her passion of education and allowed her to pursue higher studies in law. She Is a headstrong woman with borderline mischievousness, again an combination of attribute which isn't common. She was taught to be self responsible for herself and she had various skills in her skillset.
Father came to Delhi after death of grandfather, which happened after 2 years of his high school completion. Mother came to start her internship as attendant lawyer in Delhi. The two met by a coincidence in small restaurant. Father, who found a job in a corporate requiring someone who can manage data of eco-farm sector. Mother was hired for dealing with farmers and bulk buyers. Several times they corporated together, which led to them marrying with consent and negotiation after 2 years of working together. But even then, problems arose during marriage discussion because father had no guradians in his side and little to no relatives contact.
In the end, they married and together they hit off to a beautifull married life, which his mother boasted about in front of three children. But it was never truly confirmed who proposed to whom first, much to our curiosity. They often argued and said the other party proposed first.
Shray was born 2 years after marriage and after his birth, his mother's body weakened a bit, her sight detoriated from her perfect vision and she became slightly less energetic and active. Shray's little brother was born in 2013. That cute and naughty bundle of joy has gentler looks which match his mother's. Since it was house of two growing kids, they had to manage finances and work their part to keep home running.
In 2016, their distant uncle, from father's side, died with his wife in a horrific road accident in which they both died after their motorbike collided with a truck. They were on their way to pick Shray's cousin sister, their only daughter, Jenika Devi, from school after her evening shift. Shray's father departed from Delhi and went to himachal pradesh, to their home. At funeral, nobody wanted to adopt and take care of her, instead looked with greedy eyes towards the only property papers left under her name. Shlok decided to adopt her and brought her back home in Delhi. At first, she was very conserved and hesitant. She gradually opened up to them after a span of month. For some strange reason, she loved Shray and his little brother too much, even sometimes asserting herself as 'Older sister'. She is a very mischievous, caring and polite lady. She is especially good in studies and household chores like cooking and cleaning. Ohh!! Did Shray mentioned, she is a clean freak!
'Hahhh, those sweet and innocent times' Shray reminisced sweetly. But in a span of seconds, he collected himself and brought his attention to present.
His Journey has just begun.