In a few years, some of you will stand with me as I exchange sacred vows under a flower-adorned mandap. Others among you will become those ‘cool’ maasis and chachas, spoiling my kids while reminiscing about our college escapades. But for some, our paths will diverge, fading into the fabric of life’s ever-changing tapestry. It’s not what we wish for, but it’s the natural ebb and flow of life, as inevitable as the changing seasons.
Every one of you has left an indelible imprint on my soul.
I believe that people come and go, each bringing something meaningful into our lives and I know I can’t keep all of you close once these golden days of youth are behind us. I long to, but life’s responsibilities won’t permit such a luxury. The simplicity of college life, the joy of companionship, and the shared dreams under a single roof are treasures I will carry in my heart forever. We won’t be just a door away for midnight Maggi cravings or last-minute group studies, providing solace through our proximity.
We’ve never known solitude in these halls and classrooms, enveloped in the warmth of our collective spirit. But the reality is that soon, we will step out from the comforting shade of our alma mater into the sunlight of the outside world. The end of spontaneous chai breaks, impromptu cricket matches in the gully, and birthday bumps; the end of the chaotic, loud, and laughter-filled mess dinners. We won’t linger in the corridors debating over the best biryani joint or planning the next trip to Goa or Manali.
The silent echo of our individual apartments will be a harsh contrast to the wild hostel life we’re leaving behind. At first, the quiet will be unsettling. We’ll promise to meet for Diwali parties or New Year feasts, maybe catch up over a video call to celebrate someone’s promotion, or discuss the latest IPL cricket match ( Yes, RCB and CSK fans). It’ll feel novel, this grown-up life, but as time passes, our reunions will become treasured anomalies.
We will find new circles and forge new rituals, and our weekend adventures will adapt to fit our new cities. We’ll find ourselves in nostalgic laughter over shared photos and memories. Yet, we will forge ahead, creating new moments to cherish. Engagements, weddings, and milestone celebrations will become the events that reunite us, offering glimpses of our past selves.
Change is a given, and it’s okay. We’re not meant to stay cocooned in this sanctuary of our youth forever. We’re meant to venture out, to grow, and to apply the friendships and lessons to new life chapters-because life is change.
Leaving will be painful precisely because it has been so beautiful. The laughter, the camaraderie, the late-night philosophical discussions under the stars—you have all shaped me in ways words can’t capture.
When we return to these gates, there will be new faces and new stories unfolding. The trees might stand taller, There might be Hall 20, and the canteens might serve new delicacies, yet the spirit of our time will linger. Our memories will live on, immune to the passage of time and the physical transformation of this place.
Our time here is a shared legacy, a common thread in our diverse tapestry of life stories. It’s the strength of our bonds that will make this goodbye not an end but a beautiful milestone on a longer journey.
As we move forward, let’s carry the essence of these years with pride and joy. Our shared experiences are not just vanished chapters, but the foundation for all that’s yet to unfold. And know this: no matter where we roam the memories of our time together will remain a touchstone, a refuge, a home.
P.S. My github repository threatened to revolt if I added one more photo. Let’s call it a mercy mission for both of us.
P.P.S. Imagine all the amazing photos (read: potential therapy sessions) I DIDN’T subject you to . You’re welcome.
P.P.P.S. Farewell, my priya Y20 seniors! The heartache is real. sniff
P.P.P.P.S. Love you guys more than pizza! <3