First Friend

 The first day at campus was a memorable one. I was clad in a blue denim and a tucked in striped dark grey shirt with sneakers. The moment in stepped in to the lecture hall I realized the lecture had already started. There were around forty students inside the hall with the lecturer. Glancing at the students they all looked older than me. I felt intimidated. Nimbly I crept into the back row chairs. A strange feeling came over that everyone is staring at me but I quickly calmed down and started to concentrate on the lecture. 

It was Prof. Shanti giving an introduction to anatomy. I tried hard to listen but I couldn't hear anything. Reflexively I got up and claimed 'Madam sorry I can't hear you'. There was a moment of silence in the lecture hall. All heads were turning towards me which made me anxious. Prof. Shanti nodded and instructed another gentleman to adjust the microphone and increase the volume. The lecture continued as usual. 

To this day I cannot remember the topic of the lecture but vividly remember the incident of the microphone. Afterwards we went to the canteen area wanting to grab bite. It was a decent place but starting to build up. There were only a few options available at the time. I bought a snack sat at a corner alone. Scanning the student area I noticed there only around 8 boys and 30 odd girls. A wave of excitement and anxiety went through my spine. I always used to shy person and never had the courage to speak to girls. Scared and alone I kept munching my snack. 

The next class was Russian language. Didn't have a clue about the language but was excited to attend the class. She said 'Zdrastvuyte' to everyone the classroom which meant hello in Russian. She was a fair skinned, average build woman clad in skirt and blouse. She was always smiling and spoke in a kind manner. We were asked to switch on the Apple computers on our table. The desktop looked entirely different to Microsoft Windows and unfamiliar to all. I looked at the student who was sitting next me. 

She looked at me and smiled. She said 'Hi, I am Shazmin what's your name?' I guessed that she was around my age who seemed very friendly and nice. I introduced myself and we became friends. She was my 'first' SAITM friend. 

The class was interesting but didn't understand a thing. Since it was common to everyone nobody was worried. Soon we were informed by the lecturers that we are to be separated into groups A,B,C and D. I fell into group B with 5 other girls and one boy. Shazmin was allocated to group C. Without my new friend I was again alone. I isolated myself in the library. 

Thus was the first day at SAITM.