Follies never end!

Though my follies seem to be never-ending in this life of mine, they do bring me some good things that could not otherwise be had...

While i was in the subway, with Aadhar - whom i accidentally bumped into at the Borough Hall station, i realized that my friendship with him would never have come about if not for my follies in life.

........During one of the orientation session days I, myself entered NYU-Poly once again not knowing what i am going to do once inside. I walked inside, saw a front desk where students were writing their names down, getting a new bag with the NYU-Poly logo and myself did the same. I saw them all going into a decorated hall where i knew that the Graduate Toast Party was to take place at night. I entered it along with the rest and saw a Indian looking face in the last seat all alone by himself. Finding nobody else whom i met on the previous days i went to him and introduced myself. An announcement was made which i could not hear well. So, as everybody got up and moved, me too moved - but i saw many staying inside the hall too. I left with the rest to the Pfizer Auditorium.


Very few are here. That is fine, i took a seat. Next to me, the boy to whom i spoke sat - Aadhar, is the 'little' kid's name. On the other side of me another boy sat. After 10 minutes he smiled at me. Me too smiled back "Are you Indian?" - my first question! "No, i am not"."I am sorry, you do look like one!". We spoke about our departments. I asked "Where did you do your undergraduation?". "I am here to do my undergraduation".

Something rolled within me, a restlessness. I am here for Graduate studies, but him...I turned to Aadhar - "Are you a graduate student?"(I forced the question out of me unwilling to hear a 'yes'). He said "yes". What should be the next question now???

I had sat there for the seminar for about 15 mins by now. He asked me "Are you not undergrad?". "By no way!!! I am a GRAD". I felt so helpless when i uttered the next question "Please, can you tell me whether this seminar is meant for undergrads?". "yes, it is". I was perplexed and embarrassed at myself especially when i faced these 2 small kids on either side of me. I picked up my belongings and left the hall immediately.

Nobody would take back the bag i got for free when i signed up as an undergrad in the entrance. So i went to one of the rooms and kept the bag on a chair.

...Now coming back to subway 4 - It was soon Grand Central and we parted ways.As i was walking towards track 27 to get my Metro North i just smiled at myself as i was not sad anymore for that folly of mine landed me with a 'small' good friend - a junior friend.