For starters, I did my graduation from the famous-for-its-fests (amongst other things) University of Delhi. When I say I had my share of three years in DU, I don't tell people the complete truth on the first go. I let them admire that, be a bit curious of the fun I had, and then I tell them that I had my three years in DU during covid-19. And I see them lowering their eyebrows and a surprised smile being replaced by one out of pity.
Don't get me wrong; I have had my fair share of fun during my graduation. Well, I am confident that I had all the fun I could have, sitting at my home. Every day hoping earnestly that we'll hear of the good news of colleges reopening, then not hear any, and every few months I would take on a new internship just to subtly flex my education. But right before all of the covid fiasco, I attended my college's fest. Barely made it, by the time we had our fest, covid was already in and it's a miracle how none of my friends and I got infected. I know, if only I were to attend a few more, I would have had the normal experience every other student has and no, I wasn't planning on not attending any fest apart from my college's, it just didn't happen.
But that's what made the entire experience so special. I only have one college fest to remember by. Just one memory to refer to, and it was so so perfect. The way our group hoarded in towards a normally restricted space on the grounds and formed a circle and danced to mostly Haryanvi songs, to me, when I think of it now, the circle that we formed symbolizes the inclusivity that I have always craved for and have hardly received until then. I barely understood any of the songs, nevertheless, we danced in rhythm; wild rhythmic rhythm. That one night sums up my college life. It was night, but there were colors and lights nonetheless. Darkness makes colors more visible. That night, dancing like hooligans amidst the light drizzle of rain, we didn't know we were creating a precious memory. That we'd crave for 1/100th of something like this for the next two years. That night, I created my star in a dark sky.