8 months and 109 slaps later, the caterpillars were given the wings to fly, by our 'generous' seniors. It was an April night, and all of us were asked to assemble at the hall 4 terrace (that's where the final years stayed, that's where we stay now, ironically). We knew this was our last last time. And then the moment arrived, one of the seniors, after his speech, announced, "You are Free". Those three words can give any other combination of 3 words in the English Language, a stiff competition. We all hugged, everyone, all the bitterness evaporated. It all seemed like a new world now, a new planet. Funny, we were all enlightened in near pitch darkness. Yes, It was a happy ending. Oh, wait, ending??? It was the beginning....
The next morning I had to pinch myself to make sure everything was for real. Yes, all of us from 'Bongaon' zone dressed up their best, and went to college, feeling as if we owned the place. (Oh, yes, by the way, that is the name of our zone, 'Bongaon Zone', no, the 'Royal Bongaon Zone', is, and always will). The freshers party followed, it was at Durgapur House. The seniors were all strangely different that day, so much so, that I forgave them for all their sins in a moment. And yes, later there was alchohol, that too in plenty. The 'drinking sessions were held at Hall 3 mess, and I complied with my policy of 'no drinking, no smoking'. Inspite of being forced, I did not drink. Chimpu was funny as usually, drunk with a neck brace. The GPL competition followed, and we, the first years, were 'Welcomed to the College'.
PS: I carried a drunk Souvik Ray back to his room, and tried to control all the other drunk people. I thought to myself, "This is disgusting, why do these morons drink?"