Numbing Nostalgia

The music was hauntingly beautiful, the corridors dripped with decorations, the fairy lights were blinding and at that moment, the college brought back joyful memories. I moved through the corridor and walked to the large open-air theatre. ‘College Culturals 2019-20’, the hoarding on the stage read. I was reminded of my own college culturals- the ones I had attended back in the 90s. ‘It seems like such a long time ago’, I thought.. ‘Truly unforgettable.’’

Students were dancing, some were cheering near the stage, participants were bubbling with a competitive spirit. But no one noticed me. How could I expect them to?

I walked to the library. No one spared me a second glance. I had grown sad. I didn’t fit into the crowd here, I thought. I walked to the collection of old newspapers and leafed through them, trying to find one in particular. 16th September, the day after my culturals. I reached the obituary section. My fingers shakily traced the words-

“Mary Thompson C. Bright student, a good friend and a beloved daughter. Died of suicide on 15th September-” I was in tears already. “-1990.”

My eyes fell on a photograph of me adjoining the description. It could have been different. After all, the college spirit was still in me.

Neha Rajesh

19/UPHA/042