Shayba's P.O.V.

It's been a month since I started living in this hostel. And I am proud to say that I am now used to it. I wash my dresses by myself. I make tea and sometimes snacks by myself. I learnt how to kill cockroaches with a sandal though I still am practicing how to deal with bloated lizards. I don't cry unreasonably for my family now. I don't act like a princess too. Rather I now act like a responsible young lady who spends each penny of her pocket money considerably. This form of mine is immensely different from that it was a month ago.

And finally it is time for the most beautiful thing happening to us. We are having a freshers party tonight. I am sooooooo very excited for this that no one can imagine! Not even Annaba.

I went home yesterday to fetch my dress. Turquoise being favourite, I brought one attire of this colour with a matching hijab that I custom made recently. After all I love designing my own dresses more than anything.

Everywhere in this campus, our seniors have agglutinated posters regarding this freshers that created an awesome festive mood. All those posters are drawn by them inviting us to join the epic occasion of this year.

I have heard rumours that 'Chirkut' is going to come over to sing and rock the party. If it comes true,then I will be completely overwhelmed because this is my most favourite Bangali Band. I have heard and almost conned all the songs of this band.

I brought my makeup bag too from home. Because this is one of my most important days, I can't go there looking blatant or clownish.

And most importantly I would never forget to bring my DSLR, will I? It's the love of my life after all. I had to keep it at home because it's safer there than here. But how can I leave that at home on this exceptionally special day?

Now tonight is the one that we were waiting for so eagerly since the very beginning to enter into this campus. Taking out my outfit and stilletos from the luggage I ask, "Hey Nadia! When are you getting ready?"

"Now now! Just let me finish this paper. You get ready quickly. We don't have much time for the makeup!"

"Yeah right. I'm going to the washroom then."

"Yeah ok. Better come out quickly."

"Sure." Then my eyes fell on Farhana's bed as I yell anxiously, "Farhaaana! How are you still sleeping so peacefully?!?! GET UP!!!! It's the FRESHERS NIGHT!!!"

She doesn't move a bit.

"You go to the washroom. I'll take care of her." Nadia suggests coming forward with a mug full of water in her hand. Ya Allah!

"You aren't going to spill water on her, are you?!?!"

"Yes I am. Now do as I say!"she scolds loud and I run into the washroom in an instant. We will be late!!!!

We three come down after an hour and a half after grooming ourselves quite nicely. "Hurry! It's already 8:30! We are late!!!!"

"I can't walk fast! I'm wearing high heels you know." Nadia almost cries.

And Farhana appears in her motherly attitude,"That's why I always say to wear sandals. Why? What was the need to wear this much high heels for which you can't even walk? Look at me! Am I facing any problems in walking? Good for you! At least you can learn something from me."

"Unbelievable!" I exclaim hearing her. "It's completely normal to wear high heels in parties Farhana! You are the one who should learn such things!"

"Guys wait!!! I'm lagging behind. Don't go without me pleeeeaseee!!!" Nadia hurriedly tries to keep her pace with us.

Complaining, arguing, advising and laughing, we at last reach our destination. Lights, loud music,smell of food, selfie capturing- everywhere it was grand exultation.

Being an extreme introvert,I always used to hate social gathering. Mom forcefully took me to parties and took several attempts to make me a bit social. But all in vain. I remained this way forever. Now when I've come to the party that I was craving for I realized that I have nothing to do except escaping from here as soon as possible. Alhumdulillah I brought my Nikon D3400 that saved me from this awkward situation. I begin to capture all these beautiful moments in my camera to busy myself, soon these pictures will turn into golden memories.

But the situation completely changed when there was my name being called everywhere,
"Shayba! Please click a picture of us!"
"Shayba here!!!"
"No Shayba! I told you first!!!"
"I was the one who brought her here!!!"

It seemed like they would get into a fight in no time, so I hurried and replied laughingly, "Wait wait I'll take everyone's photo! Just don't fight!"

I took pictures of everyone who requested but the job became awfully gross when girls and boys started to take photos together touching shoulders. I mean if you take pictures together, then take it. It's alright! But why do you tig each other so much? Can't you maintain a simple distance???

I awkwardly kept taking photos one after another as they too keep on soliciting me to send them the pics without delay so that they can post it on facebook. Geez! I don't have a single photo of myself.

But the satisfying part is the party was really worth it. At first some of our seniors who were leaders or representatives in different sectors gave us welcoming speech regarding directions, motivations, inspirations, goals and dreams. I could easily recognize the ones who treated me inexorably on my first day here.

To be honest they all are changed now. Everybody is treating us well currently accepting our entrance to this department. Then what was the need of that kind of indecent behavior? Why do they have to continue the trend of ragging for years to make a newbie's life hell? I don't understand.

Then it was time for various performances. Dance, catwalk, songs, poetry and many more. When a senior brother, yes, the one who asked me if I was single or not, came to sing on the stage, girls almost tore apart my eardrums yelling, "AAAAAAAHHHH!!!! It's ZAWAD BHAI!!!!" What the heck! Hold back yourself girls! Have some minimum self respect! Not only the first years, but the senior years too shouted like crazy. Man! He is really popular I assume.

At last we got the opportunity to sit in our dinner. When we were putting the first mold into our mouth a scream flew to us, "IT'S CHIRKUUUUUUUTT!!!!"

Yes, we heard it right. 'Chirkut' came. Everyone was screaming at their best in this concert. I sheepishly come out of the crowd to save myself. I can maximum tolerate a party but I will never be comfortable enough to attend a concert with mixed gathering of people. The me who was extremely overwhelmed by the news of Chirkut's arrival is now running away from its concert because I'm never going stumble with thousands of non mahrams in any way to attend a silly concert.

Oh Allah, why aren't there more socially awkward people like me who will abandon the party too and accompany me? I should rather go back to my hall now. But Nadia and Farhana are nowhere to be seen. They aren't even receiving my call, obviously can't hear their phone in this crowd.

Oh Allah! What am I gonna do now!?! I can't leave them and walk alone in this hour of night. I seek for them here and there anxiously and a voice creeps me out all on a sudden,

"Need help with something?"
Being startled I look back and find some guys. Yes I know them. I have seen them a couple of times in my first month in this campus.
"No Bhaiya,it's ok." I try to put a smile on my face but the nervousness running through my spine doesn't let me.

"You don't have to worry. Are you searching for someone? Tell me, how can I help you?" He comes forward so near to me that I felt like almost choking out of my breath.

"Leave her alone Tanveer. She's way too scared already." hearing someone chuckling loud at me I turn to the guy who just said that.

"I'm not scared. I was just looking for my friends."my awkwardly reply goes. So the previous one was Tanveer and this guy's name is Zawad who just performed in the stage.

"They must be enjoying the concert. Why don't you join too?"he says.

"No Bhaiya. I better go back to my hall now."I try to elope asap but he blocks me,"Why? Don't you like concert? We spent so much money to bring Chirkut here! Only for you freshers! Do you even know how much we toiled for it?"

"Yeah but..."Oh Allah what should I say to him? That I am an extreme introvert who doesn't like concerts? Or I am a practicing Muslimah who hates mixed gathering? He will unnecessarily prolong the chat. "Ummm others are enjoying it,right? It doesn't matter if only one person like me leaves..." I try once again to make an excuse.

"I asked WHY.ARE.YOU.leaving?" he makes it crystal clear to me so that I don't get a chance to ignore it anymore. Uggghhhh!!!

"I just...ummm don't like. mixed gathering." I endeavor to look as cool and calm as possible.

He, with all his friends now stare at me as if they have never heard of such thing before and it was impossible for one not to like concerts. At their weird glance I felt like I should dig a grave in the earth immediately to bury myself in it. Ufffff....

Thanks to Allah for he breaks the silence to say,"Well that's weird. As it's Chirkut after all. Fine, go."

I nod and turn to the way to my hall. Aaaaand YES, I'm scared. It's already 11. I never stay outside my hall at such late hours, that too alone. All the hair on my body are standing still out of fear.

What if someone attacks me on the way? What if they snatch my beloved DSLR? Or my iPhone? I'm wearing my gold bracelet today that dad gifted me when I passed the tenth grade with distinction. What if they take that too? Ya Allah! Even worse, what if they try to do something with ME!?! No one will even hear my scream because of the loud music.

I start to sweat while taking each step slowly and carefully. I'm scared like hell. Oh Nadia! Where are you????

"Wait! You shouldn't go there alone. Tanveer! go with her."the voice behind me speaks.

What? No!!!!! I will never go with a non mahram alone! Even if I die!

"Yeah right. In your dreams baby. Let me enjoy the concert." comes the reply. Oh thank God!

"You're unbelievable! Let me handle this." Zawad bhai comes forward and says,"Come! I'll drop you there."

"What? No Bhaiya! There's no need at all! I'm fine to go alone."

"Don't act stupid. Do as I say. Come!" He starts to walk causing me to follow him slowly. Why the hell did I wear my stilletos tonight? I should have known that I would have to walk! Now I'm starting to consider Farhana's advice seriously.

May be realizing my condition, he slows his speed and keeps his pace with me. "Trouble in walking?"

How did he know what I was thinking????? I just nod awkwardly in the affirmative. I believe there are already blisters in my so called beautifully pedicured feet. Oh noooo! I better not cry out now.

"Geez! I don't get it. Why do you girls bother to wear such heels? You are better off without it."

I say nothing. What is even left there to reply? That heels are the love muscle of all the girls? That they can't even imagine attending a party without it?

"It's fine. Walk bit by bit as you can. No need to hurry."he suggests and my heart fills with gratitude towards him. It was really painful to walk fast in these stilletos.

"Yeah Bhaiya. Thanks." I murmur. If there was a mirror in front of me now, I'd definitely see a ruby red reflection in it. An embarrassed, humiliated, pathetic me.

I curse myself in my mind as I never felt such ashamed before. Die Shayba! Die!

"What was your name again?"his voice cuts my thoughts.

"Hmm? Ahhh Shayba."

"Shayba...... What college are you from?"he asks, eyes forward on the path.

"Edward Girls' College."

"Oh..... Where do you live?"

"Bhaiya banani."

"Hmm. So! How did you like the party?" He turns his face to me.

"Good!"

"Just GOOD?"he frowns.

"No I mean. Yeah it was great!" I smile nervously trying to convince him.

"Really? It doesn't sound like that."

"Actually I don't like social gatherings that much. You know, where young generation mix freely with each other..... That just feels off key. I don't appreciate such things...... But your party was great! All the performances were really praiseworthy."I put my thumb up to mean it.

He stares at me in a slightly dazed look. "You take your religion really seriously, don't you?"

Man! He is observant! I nod affirmatively. Yes I do and I'm proud of that!

"We are here! Thank you Bhaiya. You don't know how much grateful I'm to you now." I huff in relief.

"It's alright. Go inside."

"Allah Hafez."

Without wasting a moment,I ran towards the door. Mom would have killed me by now if she saw me coming home with an unknown guy.