Unexpected Sunshine Beyond the Dorms

A few weeks ago, I was staying at a hostel, and the gloomy weather made me not want to get out of bed. Unexpectedly, a classmate of mine arrived with surprising news: we had a holiday due to the intense rains that put our area on a Red Alert.

We all honestly believed that it would rain heavily, but that wasn't what happened. Forget about the intense rain; the entire city was bright and sunny. Not a single drop of rain touched down. Yet, we hostelers made the most of this unexpected day off. Without any particular schedule, we decided to host a spontaneous hostel darbaar, where everyone could voluntarily showcase their talents.

The darbaar was filled with laughter and admiration as our classmates and juniors took the stage. We enjoyed beautiful dance performances, heartfelt poetry recitations, and hilarious stand-up comedy acts. The atmosphere was electric, with everyone cheering each other on and celebrating our diverse talents.

Later that day, we had a dance night that turned into an unforgettable memory. We danced until we ran out of breath, the music pumping through our veins, and the joy of being together lighting up our faces. The barriers of different grades and classes melted away as we shared this wonderful experience. This unexpected holiday allowed us to build closer bonds with our classmates and juniors.

Due to our hectic study schedules, we often had little time to interact and truly get to know each other. This day off from studying was a rare and precious opportunity to connect on a deeper level. As we sat together enjoying delicious food, the conversations flowed freely, and we realised how much we had in common. We shared stories, dreams, and laughter, strengthening the sense of community within our hostel. The day was a perfect blend of fun, relaxation, and meaningful connections, making it one of the most memorable days we've had.

Written by Shweta Choudhary

Shweta wrote this article while working as an Intern at the Media Makers Fellowship.

This article was created for the program zine, Didi's Notebook.

This zine was established to showcase the work of students and interns at the Media-Makers Fellowship's July '24 cohort.