The following post was written as a "Psenti article" for The Fine Print, the newsletter published on BITS Pilani campus by the English Press Club, ,my last one as a member of the club.
The ceremonies have begun, indications have been given that it is the time for me to leave. I am at the wrong end of treats, eager to take snaps and making sure that I collect any pending debts for there is not going to be the dreaded journey through those badly laid roads for one more time. Over the last few months, I have had the belief that I have overstayed my “welcome” on campus. I no longer find familiar faces when I step out, get to know about the happenings on campus as soon as I used to or even find company for the long trip to sky from my hostel. With absolutely nothing to keep me occupied, one thing I have wondered about all the time is whether I will be accepted anywhere outside Pilani. I doubt that the habits and nature that I have grown used to over the past 3 years are considered regular and normal in the social setup outside these walls. Despite this, I do not feel sad, nostalgic or “psenti” about this place. I do not have any regrets or “things to do” before I leave. I do not know whether these were really the best days of my life, for I believe that I have a lot more to see. I do not know whether I would laugh over incidents on campus many years down the line. I wouldn’t go as far as saying that every moment I spent on campus will be etched in my memories, but it would not be a lie if I say that there are many moments and a large number of smiling faces which I will cherish as a memory of my time in Pilani. I have also realized that there is a distinct possibility that I might not be seeing many of these faces again and I hope that I encounter the same faces sometime in the near future outside of this environment . We all knew the day we stepped in that we had to leave, the 4 years on campus was expected to be just a preparation for more “exciting” things we expect out of life. I would prefer to walk out happily, thinking about all the time I spent here and the people I have got to know, than grieving over the fact that I am leaving and I might not be missed by anyone at all.
