Sometimes, we do things that leave us wondering why we did them in the first place. If they turn out well, we’re just eternally grateful they happened. That’s exactly what I felt on the night of March 9th.
I met AkM in person for the first time on campus and felt an overwhelming urge to get to know her better. Throughout the day, I made an effort—catching up with her during tea breaks, at the cafeteria, while shopping, visiting a food joint, and even at a pub. However, our batchmates were always around, and the only real moment of connection we had was during a rickshaw ride to the food joint. It had been more than two decades since I last rode in a rickshaw, and this one became special. Despite all the shared moments that day, I still had an itch for a deeper conversation with her.
Later that night, despite the cold, a headache, hunger, and multiple attempts to talk to her throughout the day, I couldn’t shake the desire to connect more. After returning from the pub, on a whim, I sent her a WhatsApp message saying, "Ping, if not sleepy and have energy for walk... we can take one campus round." Completely out of character for me, especially since we’d only just met. I wasn’t sure what drove me to hit send, but I’m so glad I did.
To my surprise, she quickly responded with, "Yeah, I can join if you going. Not sleepy." I rushed down to meet her at the reception, and as soon as we started talking, my headache disappeared. What followed was one of the most effortless and genuine conversations I’ve ever had. We talked about everything—why we chose the course, our families, our interests, and those random thoughts that only seem to surface in the quiet of the night. Before I knew it, we had walked around the entire 200-acre campus.
It’s funny how, after nearly 15 years of living a life filled with office responsibilities and family commitments, I suddenly found myself taking the most carefree walk. There were no nagging thoughts about emails, deadlines, or the well-being of loved ones. In that moment, it was just me and AkM, wandering through the campus like we had all the time in the world.
It felt like a break from reality, one that I hadn’t realized I needed until I was in the midst of it. I can’t remember the last time I allowed myself to be so present - so unconcerned with everything else going on in my life. I wasn’t rushing, wasn’t checking the time, wasn’t thinking about tomorrow. My only focus was getting to know this person who, despite just meeting, seemed to effortlessly click with me. It’s rare when we find someone who makes us forget our worries, but that’s exactly what happened.
As we walked, the world around us felt like it had faded away. It was just her stories, her laughter, and the shared silence between words that made the night feel even more special. We were two people enjoying the simplicity of a quiet night, free from the usual noise of life. And for the first time in years, I felt like I wasn’t walking alone.
That night’s walk was one of the most memorable I’ve ever had, and in that short span of time, I felt like I had added someone truly special to my inner circle. Of course, I felt a pang of regret later when I found out how cold she had been, the pain from her shoes, and that she was hungry too. But I was so happy that, despite all this, she agreed to the walk and helped create some of the most unforgettable memories for me.
After the walk, we exchanged a few more texts, acknowledging how the entire course had brought us together. We both knew that, if nothing else, this experience had given us at least one lasting friendship. Sometimes that’s all you really need - one connection that makes everything worth it. Looking back, I realize this course wasn't just about learning or professional growth; it gave me the opportunity to meet someone who I could talk to so effortlessly, someone who would remain a part of my life long after the lectures and assignments fade. And for that, I’m truly grateful.
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