On a rainy day in Goa, I was sitting in the balcony, admiring the raindrops. The air was thick, heavy with the scent of wet soil, and I felt an odd calmness settle over me. I lit a cigarette, the tip glowing warm orange against the grey backdrop.

           The rain had a way of washing everything clean, but today,it only seemed to stir up what I'd tried to bury.

           suddenly I feel a vibration in my pocket. I thought to myself it would be just another college related message. But something in my heart was telling me to check the notification. And there it was, my heart skipped a beat as I read the message.

"CAN WE BE STRANGERS AGAIN?"

I felt a familiar ache, like an old wound reopening. I sighed, slipping the phone back into my pocket, and found myself lost in thoughts of my past----a time filled with extreme emotions of ecstasy and doubt.

Every small detail about my past, be it the lows or the highs reminded me of her, the girl who touched my heart deeply. Her presence was a mix of happiness and heartache, and even though it felt a scar, it was beautiful in its own painful way.

"She helped shape the person I am today," I thought, feeling a strange blend of nostalgia and longing.

The rain drummed steadily, like a familiar rhythm underscoring the quiet echoes of my memories. I smiled a little, remembering how we would laugh at the simplest things, how she lit up even the darkest of my days. But just as swiftly, the sadness crept back in----bringing with it the memory of the day everything changed,the day I learned that some moments leave scars that never fade.

It all began in 2020, a year that seemed to set the stage for countless changes and new chapters in my life. Little did I know then that the year would transform everything, shaping me in ways I could never have imagined.

Now, looking back from 2025, I see how those moments from 2020 laid the foundation for everything that followed.

Let's dive into 2020, back to where it all began.

It was the year I was very excited to start college at christ University. It felt like a big achievement----it's one of the top commerce colleges in India! I had always imagined walking into this lively campus and meeting new friends.

But then, covid happened, and everything changed.

Instead of stepping into bustling campus, I found myself at home, staring at a computer screen. The pandemic meant I was part of the "COVID batch," which also meant starting college from my room. On the first day, I sat at my desk, waiting for my online class to start. It wasn't exactly the college experience I had imagined----no crowded lecture halls, no excited chatter. Just me, and a screen filled with tiny faces.

It felt strange and a bit lonely. I missed the energy of a real classroom and the chance to meet people in person. Now, I had to make friends online and learn through a webcam, which was a new and challenging task.

To break the ice between the new students,the college set up a whatsapp group for all the new students. I watched as the group filled up with numbers and short introductions. Akinchan,a guy from Ghaziabad took the initiative to start a conversation."Hey everyone!" he typed, introducing himself and asking questions about people's interests and backgrounds. His enthusiasm and willingness to engage made a difference, and slowly the group started to warm up. But not everyone was responsive. some people read the message but didn't reply.

Even though it was a slow start,I held onto the hope that once offline classes began we would all finally have the chance to connect in person. I looked forward to meeting everyone building real relationships, even if it took time.

That's for today see you in the next episode.......

Here your author come again....

As I settled into my new routine, the excitement of starting at Christ University was tinged with a touch of nervousness.

     When we had our first official introduction the virtual setting somehow felt special. Ad I logged in and my screen filled with the faces of fellow students we were greeted by Dr.(Fr.) Jossy P. George, the university director. His presence, a blend of warmth and authority, stood out amidst the usual webex monotony.

   With a warm smile and a rich husky voice, He said, 'Good morning Christine's.' His greeting carried a deep sense of pride and belonging. 'I know this year is different but once a Christite always a Christite. The spirit of Christ is in our blood.'

    Eventually, we were introduced to the Christ anthem.

 The anthem with its stirring lyrics and power ful melody, prominently featured the call to " March on, Christites." Even though the virtual setting, hearing those words gave us goosebumps. The anthem was a remainder of our unity and purpose, stirring a deep sense of pride and connection.

As we embrace the university's traditions and values, it became clear that being a Christite was more than just attending a college; it was about carrying a piece of your alma matter with you, no matter where we were or how things changed.

The day of our first class had finally arrived and a buzz of excitement filled the virtual space. As we logged into webex a mix of nervousness and anticipation swirled within me. And then she appeared on our screens--- Manjari Ma'am.

    " Good morning, students!" She said with her warm voice it literally felt like a hug for a second.

Well, all I can say is that most of the boys in the class were already flattered.

  "Alright, let's get into today's problem" Manjari Ma'am exclaimed, as she maneuvered through her slides.

 I groaned inwardly but it was high time I faced my fear of mathematics.

 Mayur sitting next to me in the virtual room,was also clearly struggling. "I don't get this at all, " he typed in the chat. "Is it just me?"

    "Nope, I'm lost too," Akinchan replied."But let's hang in there. she's supposed to be good."

    Just as we were getting wrapped up in the numbers, Manjari Ma'am dropped a surprise. " By the way," She said casually, "I'm married and have a child."

   The revelation hit us like a sudden downpour, dousing our daydreams. The room fell into a stunned silence, and the fantasy we had built around her came crashing down. It was a sobering moment, realizing that the person we admired so much had a full, happy life outside the confines of our virtual classroom.

    But Manjari Ma'am didn't let us linger in the shock for long."To lift the mood," She said with a warm smile, "We're going to have a fun project. I need you to collect pictures of every student, create a college, and post it on Instagram. The class with the most likes will win a prize."

    The change in energy was instant."That sounds cool!" Saurabh typed enthusiastically. "Lesgoooöo!"

    " Hell Yeah!" I quickly typed raising my hand on the webex platform. soon others joined in too.

   "Great I'll send out the details soon," Manjari Ma'am replied. "Looking forward to seeing your creative collages!"

        As we started planning the project, the initial disappointment melted away. The photo collage task became our new focus, and the excitement of collaborating on something fun brought us closer together. It was a chance to turn our day around and make something enjoyable out of it.

         The project was more than just a tusk; it was a way to bond and work together. And as we dove into it, the mood lightened, and the sense of camaraderie grew stronger.

That's for today guys see you in the next episode....

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The collage project was in full swing. A group of five volunteers—Pavni, Saurabh, Mayur, Akinchan, and I—had created a separate WhatsApp group to manage the task. I was responsible for collecting photos from ten students. It was a challenge, especially since I had never met these people in person and only had their numbers.

“Hey everyone,” I typed into the group chat, “I’m collecting photos for the collage. Could you please send yours by today?”

Most people responded quickly. Messages flew back and forth, and the collage started to take shape. But as the hours ticked by, I noticed that photos from one student were still missing.

Determined to track this person down, I sent a message to the number: “Hi! Can you please share your photo for the collage? Thanks!”

The reply came almost instantly: “Hey Dev, give me a minute. I’m sending it to you now.”

A few moments later, a photo popped up on my screen. I stared at it, captivated. The girl in the picture was wearing a breathtaking purple saree. It was clear this was a special occasion—probably a farewell from her class 12th. Her curly hair framed her face beautifully, and her eyes were deep and mesmerizing. The saree added a touch of traditional grace, and her whole demeanor spoke of elegance and poise.

I was about to type a thank-you when I noticed a new message: “Hi, I’m Avantika. Sorry for the delay. How’s the collage coming up?”

“Hi Avantika! The collage is coming together well. Thank you so much for sending your photo. It’s beautiful!” I replied, feeling a strange but comforting connection through the screen.

As I looked at her photo again, I felt a strange, unplaceable emotion. The grace and warmth she exuded seemed almost unreal. Her image added a touch of real charm to my otherwise dull online world. Even through the screen, she made the collage project feel more meaningful and gave me a glimpse into the diverse experiences each student brought to Christ University.

“Are you excited for college to start?” I asked, trying to bridge the gap between our digital interaction and the real world we were both missing.

“Definitely! It’s strange starting this way, but I’m looking forward to meeting everyone in person someday,” Avantika responded.

Her words echoed my own feelings. Even though we hadn’t met face-to-face, her photo and our brief conversation made the experience feel a bit more personal and real.

Sitting in the balcony on that rainy day in Goa, I smiled as I thought about how each photo and each conversation was a step toward building something meaningful. I felt a bittersweet longing for the moments I was missing and the connections I was just beginning to understand. It reminded me that while technology had brought us closer in some ways, it had also kept us apart. The journey was unusual, but it was full of unexpected beauty and connection.

As the writer Anaïs Nin once said, “We do not see things as they are, we see them as we are.”

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