Irony

this is just an illustration the irony of life here in IITK. Perhaps, just the irony of life..........It concerns the condolence meeting held to commemorate the death of the son of a contract labourer on the campus, supposedly due to negligence by the Health Centre(HC) three days before the first Mid-Semester examinations

I am sitting in the library, trying to make some sense out of the things floating in my notebook. The dull monotone of the fountain is disturbed by the erratic pitter-patter of raindrops falling outside. It is so soporific, it lulls me to sleep.

The rain is still falling outside, is the first thought that registers in my groggy head as I slowly wake up. My neck hurts due to the thickness of my book pillow. I stare into blank space for a moment, but as my eyes converge on the dial of my watch, I recall that a condolence meeting was supposed to be held in the SAC in the evening. My eyes sweep over the desk covered with notes and books. A lot goes through my mind in the following second: studies, thoughts, promises, convictions, illusions, pretenses…. The decision is not taken lightly, but I proceed to the SAC. I’d spend about 30 minutes there, is what I think.

As the raindrops are still falling outside, everyone slowly congregates in the small covered area in the SAC. I stand a little apart, scrutinizing every face as they slowly come in and take their places. Many are unsure of how to act, Should I be somber? Do I greet him with a wave or a shrug? Is it too cheerful to smile? Do I frown, or do I look into the distance? People as usual form small groups among themselves, there are two topics of conversations, the one at hand, and the one at the back of everyone’s mind.

As we hold the two minutes silence in mourning, I try to fathom the reason behind a face being there. Does it feel pain? Is it sad? Is it socially responsible? Is it here for a break? Is it here to accompany a friend? Or is it plain hypocritical, here to show off??

Some faces have names, some have associations, and others are complete strangers. Then the realization dawns that the reason for the paucity of familiarity is due to the absence of people. Maybe it’s the raindrops falling outside, definitely the midsems, but the present situation is exactly how I had pictured this thing in my mind.

A kind of discussion is started which leads me to think only one thing, Why am I there?? I had no particular objective in coming there. I had ambivalent feelings about the issue. As the discussion progresses along some very predictable lines, my mind wanders further. Not surprisingly, it remembers the things still left to be studied. The group also struck with a feeling of urgency, is now slowly building up in energy. With action imminent, reason takes a backseat. After twenty minutes of discussion (useful or not, I will not say) a plan of action of formed. It is decided that everyone would go to the HC, and enquire about I don’t know what. Even now, some people are very enthusiastic about finally doing something about the thing at hand, some are cautious about whether this is the best course of action to take. Some have already started walking; some are urging people to follow.

Is it of any use, I ask myself? I sure would like to find out. However, I remember my books spread on the desk in the corner of the third floor of the library. As people start moving towards the HC, I walk the opposite way. Soon, I am seated on my desk, staring through my notes again.

Still, the raindrops were falling outside.