2. My Last Day at College

 2. My Last Day at College

        Parting is always associated with gloom and grief. The place on loves to stay at cannot be easily forgotten. Thus it haunts the mind in the years to come. The good past days come to mind and their remembrance makes us sometimes sad and many times delighted. Hence, in the store-house of my college memories, enriched with many pearls and pebbles, collected over the last two years, the last day at the college occupies a very conspicuous position. It has mixed feelings of sadness and bliss. During my two years' stay at the college, I did never feel that I had developed so strong and deep association with the college. Hence, the very idea of last day at college makes me sad and gloomy.

On my last day at college, I got ready early in the morning and reached college at about 8;00 am to spend the whole day at the college campus. It was a chilly but sunny day. The students of First Year had arranged a farewell party in honour of the out-going students. It was to be held in the big Hall of the college. The farewell function started at 10;00 am. All the students sat very peacefully with the worthy Principal and the Professors. First of all, a student from the first year rose to speak. He appreciated our behaviour and dealings with them. He enumerated the good events and good days spent with us and hen bade us farewell. Then, I, on behalf of my class ,was asked to speak a few words. I thanked the first year students for arranging so  grand a party. I also thanked the teachers and office staff for their guidance and cooperation during our stay at the college and hoped that they would guide us in future as well.

My feelings at that time were a mixture of gaiety and sadness. I was gay at the thought that the first phase of my college career had been successfully completed. I could not help feeling sad also because I was going to leave behind the institution where I had passed two gleeful years of my life. I was so overwhelmed with passions that I moved to tears and a wave of sadness ran across the whole atmosphere. Even nature seemed shedding tears with us. Then the Principal rose to speak. He told us various valuable precautionary measures and practical tips beneficial for the examination. He guided us how to attempt the paper, finish it well in time and revise it. He reminded us of our duties as students and citizens of the state. He stimulated us to fight against evils like bribery, corruption, nepotism, jobbery, adulteration, smuggling and black marketing etc. and make Pakistan an ideal state. He advised us to remain staunch Muslims and true Pakistanis wherever we go and whatever we do. He quoted my precedences from the pious life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and our national heroes to lead a successful practical life. He urged us to work hard and bring good name to our Alma Mater, our parents and the country so that a positive image bout Pakistan may emerge in the comity of nations. At the end of the academic reference, an elaborate dinner was show. The students sang songs, performed skits and other fun-fair items. Then we were bade farewell formally. But I could not move off without having a last glimpse of the college.

I went to the Union Office ands at there for a few moments. I recalled the last election of the College Union. I remembered how we formed a new organization to beat the old organizations. Hundreds of students moved about enthusiastically day in day out to secure votes for their candidates. What a period of bliss, delight, fervour and enthusiasm! Then I moved to the library. I remembered how I had access to the rare and valuable books. I walked along the rows of almirahs and shelves of books and looked at the countless books wistfully. Afterwards, I went to the laboratory. I recalled the happy instructive hours spent there. Now, the memories of the classroom were stirred u. How often did I feel bored? How often did I dislike some of the professors for being too much serious about their lectures? How much did many of us hate a professor or two for their strictness about percentage of attendance and laboratory work? How often did we speak ill of the Principal for his strict discipline and turning down some of our requests. But on that day ,all of those feelings had transformed into love, respect and regards. I was so lost in the memories and thoughts that I did not realize the late afternoon. In the meantime ,Mr. Hamza stroked at my shoulder and we started to the gate. My mind was crowded with the thoughts of friends, kind, affectionate professors and the fatherly Principal.