Pass And Aggregate: Chapter 8: Revolution and Evolution

Chapter 8: Revolution and Evolution

“Away! Move away from me!” I heard as I entered the college grounds. I figured out that this voice was coming from the theatre group. I wanted to find out what was exactly taking place. I went to see the play. “Hey Ritika,what’s going on?”. “Adiii! Hi, where have you been all these days? Saw you after sooo many days!”. “Nothing was just busy with studies”(I am not stupid to tell her that I was battling  the depression of my break off!). “Actually this street play is about prostitution and human trafficking”, continued Ritika “This is a rampant problem of our society.” I was astounded; I tried to gulp down the guilt. That incident flashed in mind all again…In a recovering mode, I said, “Is there any way in which I can be of any help?”. “Yes of course we need some one who could help us with research work as the play is still in pipeline.”

Soon I began the research work with help of Nitin. He was a second year student and was actively involved in theatre group. My guilt and experience paved the way for an excellent script, which we performed at many places. The revolution inside me, created something phenomenal which I was happy to give back to the society.

Due to the excellent response received, we were approached by an NGO-“Ismat”, who were involved in rescue in rehabilitation and rescue of sex workers. We were asked to perform the play for the rescued workers at their organization. After the play concluded, I saw their faces and was gratified by the response as well as the instant feel of contentment that my heart felt. I continued my association with the NGO by contributing articles, and spreading awareness drives. (Till date I am in alliance with it.)

Life at coaching was hectic but gave me reasons to smile quite often. “So today, we have Residential Status topic in question. I would request students to improve their Geography before venturing out for the exams.” Remarked Prof. Gautam Aggrawaal. “This reminds me of my student who wrote Residential status of an Indian in Gangtok as a Non Resident, he mistook the city to be some compatriot cousin of Bangkok.” I chuckled at the ignorance of my fellow CA aspirants.

After a few classes an interesting question popped out, “Sir, what would be the slab of Income tax if the senior citizen is a minor?” Hiten was proud of his question, and his friend, Yash, frustrated… Yash wanted to ask the question before any one could. But, Hiten was quicker. The rest of the class burst into laughter, imagining how a senior citizen would look like a minor or may be…vice-versa. 

CA exams were in November, and no credits for guessing that I flunked badly. I mean during last six months I nursed a broken heart, a lost identity, I became the flag bearer of a cause, of course studies had to suffer. Karan passed in one group and my parents were quick in pointing out how I wasted my time and the various other reasons which held me away from success. They hardly knew the real reasons. I sometimes wonder what if they knew the real cause, they might have killed me.

Time flew quickly and the last days of the college approached. It made me sad; an enjoyable phase of my life was coming to an end. (Sans Shruti and Bobby Chaddha). Graduation exams went away peacefully and CA exams were slightly better this time. My college life was a mixed bag, I had my shares of ups and downs, and believe me those ups and downs were necessary to grow up and they certainly made me a better person. It helped me in evolving.

“TING TONG TING TONG”

I got up from my bed, rubbed my eyes and almost in sleep opened the door. “Where were you, that Dracula ( my boss) was asking about you, I said that you were ill and were taking rest, I called you so many times, why were you not picking up that phone of yours?” said Kripal who was my room mate and my office buddy. While I was pleasantly remembering my life story, I slept, without any knowledge of my surroundings. I woke up to the continuous ringing of bell and came back to the reality, after reliving my history for many hours.

I said “The mobile was on silent, I was feeling very weak and feeble after the convocation so could not be in the office, thanks for the lie, now I owe one lie to you.”

Afterwards I switched on my laptop and was soon on facebook, Akshya was on Chat. “How was ur convocation Anna??”

“ It was gr8”, I replied, “hw r u??wats up”

“I am fine and life is great”.

“She sounded so cheerful today, touch wood”, I told myself but once in life she had lost all hopes, she was depressed and was going through a period of self depreciation and loss of self confidence, I had never seen my sister to be bogged down but that day she was quiet.