Bengaluru To Vellore( Part 1)

( This story is purely fictional,any resemblance is purely coincidental and no offence should be taken)

Last day of diwali holidays, second semester had already started and like any other student I didn't want to go back to 'hellore'(that is how Vellore is popular among us students).

The train number and platform number was called out.Double decker,14:40 train.
I looked at my parents.They put on quite a brave face ( I was travelling alone),but I could see my mom's eyes filled with sadness.After all,I would be back only after 4 months.

Got into the train and struggled a lot to find my seat with my hefty suitcase.
Finally I found my seat.The person sitting beside me helped me with my suitcase.
Little did I know this person and this journey would change my whole perspective of Vellore.
The person sitting beside me was my senior in the college ( the id card read 17BBT0079, I am 18BBT0075).Her name ,Irene. She was reading a novel and the title was quite amusing..."I know why the caged bird sings".

After exchanging the usual pleasantries,she asked me ,Why do I look so sad? Do I miss Bangalore? Or my parents and friends.

I did admit I was feeling sad as I could only meet them after 4 months and I really missed Bangalore.

She wanted me to feel happy and optimistic about going back to hostel and college,so she asked me few questions.

1)"Can you talk to your friends till midnight back home?"
2)"How often do you meet your friends back in Bangalore?"
3)"Can you confide in anyone, anyone from your home or friends,if you are feeling sad?"
4)"How often can you watch movies back at home?"
5)" How often do you have the freedom to go out on your own ,back in Bangalore?"

To which my answers were:-
1)Never
2)We plan,but everyone has some work ,so yeah ,plans get cancelled.
3)No
4)Rarely
5) Sometimes

"And in Vellore??" She asked me:-
1) Always
2)We are there for each other, always
3)Yes of course
4) Every weekend we make it a point to watch a movie
5) Atleast in the given timings permitted to go out,I go out.

She looked at me and said
" A city which is known to be cool ,but you have no fun over there, either because your parents are overprotective of you or your friends cancel the plans,you want to stay back in that place , whereas a city where you meet your friends and have loads of fun,you feel sad going back to that place??"

I was quite astonished at the theory she put forward. The spark it created in my mind and how my feelings towards Vellore changed.

(Contd in the next writeup)