It was our first day.
Dad had already surprised all the cadets (excluding both of us, since we knew it beforehand), about the IST of one cadet.

Everything was new. Most of the boys never stayed out of their homes. This was their first hostel life experience, so they had no clue about ragging.

We both were silently waiting for the night..
With both fear and excitement. We have heard stories about the seasoning, from dad. But after he came to know that we too are planning to join army, he stopped telling about it. My theory says he wanted us to experience it personally.

So here we are, waiting for the experience.

Throughout the day, nothing much happened. We were shown important sites in the campus. Explained the timings, events, games etc. It all went smoothly.

But when it started to get dark, both of us were exchanging looks, which said- when will it happen?
At last, we were told to break off, have dinner and go back to our rooms. We had dinner, went to our rooms, and others changed into their comfortable shorts and PJ, while we were still in our uniform.
We were sitting like dogs, sniffing a movement, ready to run.

And then it happened!

"run! run! Fire! Fire!"
"Run to the hall! Fast! Everyone!"

We heard two voices. We don't know who they were, must be them only. We knew it has begun.

And everyone ran! Without thinking anything.

There were boys like us, fully dressed, and there were others, in shorts and Ts. It was really cold outside.

What we saw there had our mouths open in shock. Everyone wished they had stayed in the fire...