My First Day at Residential College: Rules, Romances, and the English Hurdle
It was the year 2012, and I was more nervous than excited. A long, exhausting journey finally ended late at night when I arrived at a residential college focused on character building and faith—essentially, a strict boarding school for young adults. After a whole day of travel, I just wanted to rest. My family had driven me there, and we were all made to sit in the reception area, waiting for "Director Sir," the college boss. After a seemingly endless wait, he and his wife finally appeared. His wife immediately launched into the college's rules. I remember thinking, Couldn't this lecture have waited until morning? Then came the shocker: "Boys are not allowed to talk to girls." I paused. Wait, are there even girls here? I thought this was a boys-only college. I also wondered why I was getting a lecture before I had even done anything wrong. I’m an introvert; I barely speak to boys, let alone girls! I write more than I speak. But I was relieved when the lect...