Wintry Nostalgia

The season is changing again and, like always, that makes me nostalgic. And sick, of course. My nose and throat tingle in an irritating way, like my body can't decide whether to catch a cold or not. And my head hurts from the early morning chill. My lips are all dry and flaky suddenly and so is my skin. But I don't really mind. Finally, some relief from the sweltering, merciless heat that relentlessly beats down throughout most of the year.
Winter is my favorite season, even though I've lived most of my life so far in a place which doesn't have any clearly defined seasons. I like the cold because it means no harsh sun to hide from, no whirring ceiling fans creating a not-so-pleasant background noise all through the day and all through the night, no skin rashes, no soaking through your clothes with stinky sweat, no fuss about getting heat stroke and staying indoors in the afternoons and no a lot of other annoying things which I can't think of right now.
Winter also means nice warm showers, wrapping up in oh so soft n comfy woolens, feeling the wonderful cool breeze tickle my skin, yummy-smelling skin moisturizers and lipbalms, and the chance to finally make use of my extensive collection of pretty scarves.
Plus, winter brings along my birthday. Oh yes, I'm a total winter baby. :)
So, like I said, when two seasons merge into one another and the world gradually seem to be reborn, I lapse into thinking of the past and mulling about how everything changes. This time, not surprisingly, I find myself thinking back to college days. It's been a bit over eight months since my last day at college. A bit unbelievable but a bit believable too. I miss it, though not as much as I'd first thought I would. (Perhaps I was kind of ready for it after experiencing the end of school four years ago.)
As I'd predicted, I miss seeing friends everyday. There's something so comforting about knowing that no matter how bad a mood you're in or how down in the dumps you're feeling, you'll be around the people who'll undoubtedly manage to return that smile to your face. Not that I'm not in touch with friends - we talk routinely on the phone or meet online - but it's just not the same as spending four to five hours together, six days a week.
I miss the lectures we would grudgingly attend, taking notes and 'paying attention' yet simultaneously keeping up whispered conversations and an unending stream of lame yet hilarious private jokes.
I miss sharing food during recess and after lectures, treating each other to cheap cups of chai and packets of chips and mini chocolate bars and - my personal favorite - plates of hot, oily samosas!
I miss the excitement of the occasional bunk and the even more rare, mass bunk. When I first started college, the word 'bunk' didn't exist in my dictionary, both literally and figuratively speaking. That is, I called it 'cutting class' or 'skiving' and I never quite indulged in it. But soon, I was the one cajoling others into skipping Psychology I(First year) and Economics IV and Psychology III (Second year) and Psychology IX and XI (Third year).
I miss zipping off with my gang to some vada pav place or coffee shop or the famous Rambhai's kitli at IIM-A.
I miss our collective insanity and good natured battles of the wit, as well as our deep, philosophical conversations and heart-to-heart talks. I miss the sharing and caring and the stupid fights and pointless arguments and the easy way that things would always fall back in place. I miss how we'd always look out for one another, staying late to keep each other company and making sure that no one was ever alone when they didn't want to be.
I miss discussing future plans - or lack of them, and posing for photos anywhere, everywhere. I miss the buzz and bustle of of the canteen and the classmates who'd strum away on their guitars during free lectures. I miss the continuous stream of conversation, flowing from movies to music to politics to cricket to current affairs to any random thing. I miss the comfort and the camaraderie and the familiar faces all around.
Most of all, I miss being told by the teachers how I'd one day surely miss that place. College. I still can't quite believe it's actually OVER. For good. Though, I'm visiting it tomorrow with friends just to hang out! :D

Song of the day: Hum...rahen ya na rahen yaad aayenge ye pal... (It's the song two of my friends, A and S, sang at our farewell function all those months ago. And it always, always, makes my eyes well up.)

Happy Winter everyone. Keep warm and cozy. :)