‘Old girls’ of C B College get together for reunion

Islamabad
Memories related to our school and college days are among the treasured ones we are apt to recall, especially if they have been happy and pleasant ones. To this end, reunions serve a good purpose — classmates come together; they reflect upon their shared past; exchange stories with one another about what has happened since the ‘good old days’; talk of their hopes and dreams for the future — for some through their children and grandchildren. Through all this chatter about days gone by, stories about how well their children and grandchildren are doing, what and where, are woven through the narrative by proud parents and grandparents.
The annual reunion of the Cantonment Board College, better known as CB College, is organised by one of its alumni, Tehmeena Malik, who says she ‘loves’ what she does although it’s quite frustrating at times! The event was held at the Islamabad Club and attended by over eighty old ‘girls’ — those who graduated way back to a few who have graduated recently. Each year the list grows bigger as more and more ‘girls’ find out about this event and become regulars — one of whom is Professor Dr. Nusrat — a happy go lucky, young at heart ‘girl’ from the batch of — no I will not mention it!
As the hall filled up the sound of excited voices grew louder and there were exclamations of surprise and delight as classmates met — some of them after the last reunion and some for the first time since they graduated. Sitting on the sidelines, it is interesting to hear the happy remarks like ‘so good to see you,’ as well as the half truths such as ‘You haven’t changed a bit!’
Addressing the gathering, the head honcho, aka TM, welcomed everyone and said she was really thrilled that so many ‘girls’ had turned up. “Believe me, until a few days ago there had not been much of a response and I was feeling a little low,” she said. “I now feel all the effort is justified.” She went on to appeal that response to her e-mails should be given on time so that organising the get-together is a little less stressful, but she would carry on as long as she could then went on to introduce one of the younger girls to sing a few songs.
Zainab binte Shaheen — who has a good voice — began by singing ‘Mujh say pehli se mohabbat mere mehboob na maang,’ which is a beautiful song and many of the ‘girls’ did join in and sang along but it was not the right choice and neither was the one which followed. In gatherings such as this, where the mood is celebratory and upbeat and a lot of chatter is going on, loud and lively toe-tapping compositions go down much better. Everyone either joins in if they know the words or participates by clapping along. Though reminiscing can sometimes make you sombre, the purpose of these few hours is to relax and evoke happy memories of the days when we were young and carefree.