Paid in full

I can't help but use the cliché that though it has just been 2 months since college ended, it seems like ages have passed! 

I can't help going back to all those memories, looking at old photographs and letting the current of nostalgia take me along to those familiar old places. Also, monsoon! Rains make me nostalgic and I was never very fond of this season.

So, this is the account of one of those days in college, the memory of which make me want to laugh and cry at the same time and they will definitely be a part of my autobiography which will be called - "A series of funny yet unfortunate events."
Successfully submitting the term bill on time, I believe, is an achievement. If you have the stamina and patience enough to stand in a long queue, you make it to the bank counter where you deposit your fee to a gentleman who won't share your relief and happiness, he has his own share of sorrows which never seem to go away. The students away from the counter are annoyed by the lack of efficiency of this whole system and the people working in the bank are annoyed by the never ending chatter and chuckles of the students. 

It was the last time I was standing in that queue to deposit my fee. It had to be memorable. It was.

The bank was supposed to open at 10 am. I, being the smart self that I am, decided to go to the bank at 9:45 am to avoid queue and get done with the work as soon as possible. I reached the bank only to be disappointed by the little queue that was already there."Never mind, I can obviously wait for some time." I thought.
10:30 am. The bank was still shut. More students gathered there. There was a long queue behind me. Interestingly, there were more people in front of me as well! Yes, they broke the queue and no, I didn't say anything. I was standing there, judging their insensitivity and rudeness and was hoping that they pay for this, soon. Not to forget all the conversations I heard and over heard while I stood there.
It was perhaps around 11 when the bank opened. The queue moved really slow. I really wished people around would do me favour and shut up. They didn't. The whole process was a real test of patience. 
It was around 12 when my turn came. if you have been in the queue, you know how that moment feels, right? It is a moment of sheer happiness - as if you've won an Olympic race or you're set free from bondage or an end to a period of struggle - that is how it feels.I reached the counter, took out the money and gave it to the gentleman on the counter. I was enjoying this little moment of success when the man at the counter said -

"56 hundred rupee notes? Yahaan to sirf 55 hain!"

I could imagine how the hue might have left my face then. I was puzzled, scared. I couldn't utter a word.

"Theek se count nahi kiye the kya?" He scolded me.

(God knows I counted them multiple times!)

I checked my bag and pockets for that hundred rupee note. But it was not to be found. My vision was now blurry.

All this struggle, for this moment?

I couldn't come to terms with the 100 rupee note that vanished in thin air and took a few moments before I could come to my senses. Then asked people around me if they had extra money on them. Someone from the queue gave me 100 rupees and God knows how thankful I felt to that guy, that unknown guy who helped me!

I gave the 100 rupees to the man at the counter. He counted the money, stamped my term bill. Tore the student's copy. Paused. 


PICKED THE 100 RUPEE NOTE WHICH ACCIDENTALLY SLIPPED FROM HIS HANDS, ON THE FLOOR. 

Smiled a not so friendly smile. And pushed the note and the student's copy of the term bill over the counter to me. Could have passed on a little apology too, but didn't, and I was not expecting it either.  I immediately passed the note to the guy who had helped me.

I came out red in face. My legs had given up after the ordeal which lasted for 2 hours, 15 minutes.

Last term bill submission. It had to be memorable. It was.