Night Out

Written By: Malvika Nath

Illustrated By: Fahad Khatuda

“Because even though things didn’t go as planned, at least we have these things to laugh about during a trip down memory lane.”

Your college life is definitely one of the most important phases of your life. When you look back at it, what is the first thing that pops into your mind? The times you spent with your irreplaceable friends, laughing so hard that one of them sounds like a seal? Or is it the endless hours you spent cafe-hopping? Whatever it may be, the experiences you’ve had over these past years are unforgettable. As another year comes to a close, let me take you through a journey of the pre-Corona times, when online classes weren’t a thing and weekends were for road-tripping and hanging out with friends.

You remember that feeling when you’re driving down a highway in a Zoomcar at 100 km/h, with your AUX connected and the speakers blasting your throwbacks playlist? You’ve heard these songs so many times that every lyric is ingrained in you, and yet, they never get old. The bass is vibrating the car, the AC is on full and the energy, unmatched. At this point, you’re jamming at the top of your lungs, thinking you and your friends should drop out of college and start a band. As the chorus comes, every single one of you lets out the rock star prowling deep within the depths of your soul. Air guitars, DIY microphones, and finger drums come to life and at that moment, your entire world seems to freeze with one realization — the realization of how much these people mean to you.

After a while, the excitement levels have died down and the lo-fi playlist is being played instead. The onceclear sky is now scattered with clouds and you distractedly watch the blurred landscapes whizz by. The mellow beats of the music lull you into a mind space where all your problems seem trivial and you are completely at peace. With your head leaning against the window, you glance across at the driver’s seat, marvelling at the amount of trust you have put in your friend’s driving. The car is still moving at 100 km/h but life seems to have slowed down. It feels like a music video. In the backseat, your friends are struggling to stay awake. Eyes crinkling with a tired smile, you turn the AC down a little and reach back to adjust a blanket across their bodies. With their glasses resting crookedly on their face, you watch as their eyes flutter to a close, finally succumbing to the claws of sleep.

A few hours later, a hand on your shoulder shakes you awake. You have reached your destination and the night has officially begun. Somehow, between the salt and the lemons, the night passes in a blur of things you are probably better off not remembering. The next thing you recall is waking up late on a Sunday, so late that even the birds aren’t chirping anymore. As you stretch out your legs and head off to inspect the damage done the night before, you smile to yourself. It’s the morning after a party night. Sunlight’s fluttering in through the glass doors and the summer breeze is softly