After completing my three-year diploma in civil engineering, the natural next step for me was to pursue a Bachelor of Technology. Before going outside the state, I tried my luck with the lateral entry exam conducted by Kashmir University for the vacant seats in its engineering departments. I missed the selected list by a very narrow margin and landed first on the waiting list. That small hope kept me tied here for months. I waited till November, expecting that someone might withdraw and I would finally get a seat. But by the time I realised no seats were going to open up, it was already too late. With no option left, I packed my bags and moved over a thousand kilometres away to continue my studies.
The feeling was mixed—disappointment for not clearing the cut-off here, and at the same time, a strange thrill because I was stepping out of Kashmir for the first time. When I reached Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand, I initially stayed as a paying guest. The food and the unfamiliar environment made me question my decision. But things started changing once I began interacting with my classmates and seniors. Slowly, the place stopped feeling strange and started becoming welcoming.
Once I got close to a few classmates, I left the PG and shifted with them into a flat near the college. That move changed everything. Friendships started forming naturally, and with time, we became inseparable. We watched movies together, ate out, celebrated small moments, and even dealt with our disagreements without letting them affect our bond.
Our flat had a small backyard where we spent countless evenings playing games. Many nights were spent around a deck of cards, talking and laughing till late hours. We explored tourist spots around Dehradun, discovered our favourite food joints, and even bought bikes, which made our everyday commute easier and our outings more adventurous. With time, we knew the markets inside out and figured out where to get everything at the best prices.
Those years felt like a new chapter in life—a phase where friends became family. None of us imagined how difficult it would be to leave all that behind. When we completed our studies in mid-2018, goodbyes became one of the hardest things to face. One by one, everyone left, and I was the last to depart along with a friend from my hometown.
After returning to the valley, meeting frequently became almost impossible since we all lived far apart. Now, we only get to see each other on special occasions. Last year, one of our friends got married, and attending his wedding felt like reliving our college days. Just a few weeks ago, another friend from my village got married, giving us yet another chance to gather. Some of our old friends travelled here as well, and it was a joy to host them. The fun started the moment they began their journey and lasted until they left after spending a couple of days with me.
We stayed up late at night, laughed endlessly, and revisited memories from years back. I wanted them to stay longer, but their responsibilities didn’t allow it. Watching them leave made me feel empty for a while, but that’s how life is—we meet, we part, and we wait for the next reunion.
Now, I’m hoping for another moment when all of us can be together again. Those reunions are priceless, and I look forward to making new memories with them whenever life gives us the chance.
