The Trajectory of an Average IBA Student

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You just got done with a morning Calculus lecture, which though your watch says otherwise, was painstakingly longer than an average class. The Adamjee Foyer is occupied with a suffocating swarm of sleep-deprived IBA students gathered for a quick whisper before another class. Making your way through the crowd you spot one of your friend’s distinctive tote, the other’s bright sneakers, whereas the reverberating laughter of the third’s guides you to them. After jovial salutations, brief protests of the previous lectures, and a rumble of hunger later, one of you dares to address the elephant in the room, “Kahan jaana hai?”.

1. Adamjee Cafeteria

You prefer going to Adamjee cafe because of its near proximity to the foyer. Jittering constantly, you try to find a comfortable angle to sit on those old chairs. You have engulfed your first cup of chai and your friend has divulged in a full rant. You look at the time and only fifteen minutes have passed, suggesting a change of destination, you leave the cafeteria. On your way out you bump into an acquaintance or two, make impulsive plans to meet, but…never do.

2. Student Centre

The walk from the cafe to the Alumni Students Center always revolves around the introduction of an on-campus shuttle. After entering, you dart straight for the sofas in the lounge, you lay there motionlessly while maintaining baseless conversations with your gal pals. But sooner rather than later, the lounge starts getting louder, fed up with the commotion all of you make your way to the badminton court. You make a mental note and set an alarm for good measure, to hit the gym later. The court looks inviting, you and your friend start a match, with frequent interruptions of “Score? Score?” from those waiting for their turns. The rushed match consequently is left undecided and your friends and you trek towards a new temporary residence.

3. Tabba (wing you still can’t identify)

Even after spending three semesters on campus as an IBA student, you find it impossible to locate classrooms because of the changing wings of Tabba. Maybe the wings don’t change but you just can’t seem to keep track of them. Stumbling here and there to spot the corridor with the less finicky staff members who won’t repeatedly ask you to hush down. The chill of the air-conditioned hallway settles an odd feeling of comfort within you. Slowly slipping and sliding down to change your upright position to lie parallel to the floor.

4. Courtyard

After Tabba sends a nerve-numbing chill down your spine, your friends and you move towards the greater outdoors. Consequently, sauntering towards the courtyard located at the slightly skewed heart of the campus. You’re immediately validated as your presence is noticed and much appreciated. A swarm of cats welcomes you by gently and delicately caressing your legs with their small, adorable heads. There is an undeniable juxtaposition, with you tenderly stroking the little kitten in your lap, whereas on the opposite bench a group of extremely exuberant and boisterous individuals celebrating a friend’s birthday. There is tranquility; however, in both.

5. Organic Garden

Begrudgingly bidding farewell to your furry friends, you make your way to the organic garden. Surrounded by unruly trees, unkempt bushes, and ticklish grass, you settle with your friends for a quiet moment alone. However, the occupants of another bench, displaying endearing gestures towards their significant others, hoped for the same. To avoid invading privacy or seem too intrusive you leave the very intimate ground as soon as you came.

6. Library

To humor yourself and your friends, you enter the library engulfed by a deafening silence. Fleeting moments of motivation help you to secure a secluded spot, take out your laptop, start jotting a few notes on those colorful sticky notes, and stop. Your eyes wander off to the studious individuals with their heads buried in books. You look away in shame. Your eyes now wander off to the loud group that has to be ‘ssshhhhhh-ed’ by the librarian every few times because their laugh reverberates through the entire building. You look away in disgust. Your eyes wander off to the cafeteria with overpriced coffee and limited seating. You look away after screaming eureka. You gather all the belongings spread across the table and move outside to satisfy your hunger.

7. Safeet

Only after reaching Safeet do you realize how utterly famished you were. Scurrying quickly to find a place to sit, your friends quickly dictate the long order to the inattentive server. Chicken cheese parathas, pseudo-sharwmas, chutney rolls, and an unhealthy amount of chai later, you easily unwind and recount everything that happened during your tumultuously uneventful day. After checking the time on your watch, only to realize that the day is over, you get up after paying the bill, only to live the same day for the next four years. as an IBA student