C11 Lease of Life

"Clouds of dreams ought to bring rains of reality." However, she was far from realism.

A depressed Aastha visited the Aim Law Institute for a job.

She looked at the posters of toppers of judicial service examinations of various states and thought, "One day, I will also be amongst them".

Passing through the passage of the Institute, she entered her ambition of finding her true identity with many others also making similar endeavors. She now had an added experience of teaching, which was required for the job.

At the Institute, students could be seen hurrying towards a bigger auditorium where Mr. Sebastian was holding a class on the Indian Evidence Act. He had just begun his lecture. Many visitors were waiting for Sir to come out as they had appointments with him. Aastha was one of them.

"The waiting area to his room is crowded at this time of the hour," remarked his assistant, who had newly joined the Institute. Few students gathered around a small room to take question papers. After some time, Mr. Sebastian Gonsalves came out of the class only to take updates from his assistant. Everybody around the waiting area greeted him. Some of them were academicians in law, while others were business personnel. People kept on coming to the Institute.

Aastha found it difficult to speak to him. It was during lunchtime that Mr. Sebastian spoke to her for ten minutes. He called her inside the room when he was having his lunch and began -

"I am a little busy. Can you show me your resume, please? If I am not mistaken, you had come here previously to seek a job?"

"Yes, Sir. I had come here before. You had asked me to gain some teaching experience before I get a job at your Institute. I had thereafter joined Learner Coaching Institute where I used to teach reasoning and current affairs".

"Okay, what are your expectations from us?" he interrupted

"Sir, kindly go through my resume. I have passed Law in first class with 68% marks and was the topper. My achievements are also provided in the resume for your perusal".

"That is alright. But what do you want from us? We don't have any vacancy for a teacher right now."

"Sir, I want to become a Judge. I am a judicial services aspirant like others and would like to work as a researcher with you".

"So, do you want to take coaching from me or do you want to teach in the Institute?"

"Sir, I want to do both. I want to study at your Institute as well as do a part-time job as a researcher if you permit".

"Okay, let me consider".

Saying so, he flipped through the pages of my resume and called for some tea.

After some time, he continued -

"I cannot give you a good salary. It will be rupees fifteen thousand per month. If you are agreeable to this, we can begin with the work from today. As regards my tuition fees for teaching you, I will waive that from the salary I will give you every month. Thus, you will receive an amount of ten thousand rupees from the Institute".

Turning his attention to some papers marked as 'Very Important' he continued, "You need to maintain discipline at the Institute and attend office regularly".

"Okay, Sir. I am agreeable to everything," replied Aastha

"Further, you need to report to the office every day at sharp 8.30 in the morning".

"Okay, Sir", nodding her head, Aastha looks at the pile of books kept on the shelf.

"So, when are you willing to join the work?" he inquired.

"Sir, can I join you after a week as I have some personal commitments to make?"

"What personal commitments, if I may ask? he asked in a friendly tone.

Sir, my sister is coming from Kolkata and I need to spend some time with her. She is new to Delhi.

"It is not done," he replied angrily. "You will have to be a strict disciplinarian and maintain good work ethics. No absentees allowed in the Institute."

"Sir, I have one request to make. May I join you a week later? If you allow that, I will be highly obliged."

After giving it a thought, he responded -

"Okay. You can do so. Ignoring the important documents at the table,

Sir turns towards the door to leave his room when he speaks -

"So, welcome to our institute, Aastha, and best wishes for your future endeavors with us".

He called his assistant, Mr. Akash Sharma, to his room to inform him that Aastha has joined the institute as a researcher and that he explains the work and rules of the Institute to her.

Thursday, 25th May 2013, Aastha went to the New Delhi Railway Station to receive her sister, Harlyn. She spends some time with her, away from the usual tensions of everyday life. They visit the famous parantha gali to eat and then they enjoy the sightseeing in Delhi. It is not before the week gets over that she realizes she has to join the new job. After a week's stay, while Harlyn leaves for Kolkata, Aastha resumes the new job.

At work, Sebastian Sir was a strict disciplinarian. He even succumbed to several fits of anger during his work schedule. At the slightest mistake of anybody, he would shout at them angrily. Nobody would dare oppose that, for he was a revered figure in the field of law. However, for the same reason, he never kept enough staff to support him. He was a perfectionist and appreciated the same from everyone around. Hence, nobody in the staff could work in the Institute for long. Aastha was the only researcher he had in the Institute. Amongst the permanent staff, he had very few people who were his closest aides and confides. Mr. Akash Sharma, who joined the Institute recently, was one of them.

Thursday 2nd June 2013, the results of the civil services preliminary exam would be out anytime. Aastha couldn't fix her mind to the work and wanted to take a leave. Her results came out. She couldn't pass the exam. Ruminating over the thought of not passing the exam, Aastha wept bitterly when she saw Sebastian Sir looking at him. After some time, Aastha goes inside his cabin and finds the results of the exam on the table.

"Sir, Can I see those papers for a while? Saying so, she looks at the paper for some time".

"Did you also appear for this exam?" He enquired.

"Yes, Sir. But I couldn't clear the exam."

Smiling at her, he continued, "It is ok. Better luck next time".

"Sir, this was my last attempt. I have exhausted all my attempts".

"Okay. If that is so, why don"t you try for lower judiciary? I mean, you are preparing yourself well and now that you have gained command over the major subjects, you can very well appear for the preliminary exam. Prepare yourself well for the exams and I will give you a waiver of tuition fees.

"Sir, my salary is meagre and if I take formal coaching, I will have to part with the salary".

"Now, this is a serious problem. In that case, I will not take any tuition fees from you. The only thing that I expect from you is your loyalty to the Institute in whatever circumstances be it.

"Thank You, Sir. I will give my best to the Institute," her eyes swelled up in tears of joy.

Their conversation ended on a warm note.

The next day, he began his class on the Constitution of India with his favorite quote -cribbed, cabined, and confined. It was a famous quote from Shakespeare's Macbeth. However, his coup de' oeil made her a little insecure about herself. She felt a little uncomfortable. Ignoring everything, she could now see her dreams turn into realities.

"He is just a lane away... I wish I could see him". Aastha began missing Parth. Her love for Parth grew manifold. Fasting and prayer for his good was her usual routine. "I will not intake a meal for one time the whole day on Mondays. I want him to see him promoted or get a better job. Her usual fasts were replete with sweetness due to her intake of sweets throughout the day while she took a complete meal once at night. Nine Mondays were spent especially on this endeavor. She continued with her work even during fasts, which cost her heavily. Soon to be, Sebastian Sir saddled Aastha with more responsibilities. Her hard work resulted in her promotion. The promotion was not much, though. She was asked by Sir to read on some minor laws before she could take up some classes

"You will do well. You don't need to worry". He said. "You just need to have some confidence and prepare yourself well, before the class".

"Will you be able to take this responsibility?" Sir looked on suspiciously at Aastha.

"Yes Sir. I will try and put in my full effort. All by God"s grace"

"It should not be by God"s grace. Have some confidence in your talent. Am sure you are capable enough to handle a class by now?"

"Okay, Sir. I will do what is needed. Saying So, Aastha prepares notes on the Indian Registration Act for the class.

She begins her first lecture on a positive note. Nervously, she gathers her notes and herself before speaking to the audience. Their numbers started increasing within an hour. Speaking on the microphone never came easy to her, for she had a relatively loud voice. She didn't need the microphone. That was her advantage. It made things easier for everyone. While everyone's eyes peered at her, she immersed herself in the essence of the topics she taught. She explained the concepts first and then gave them notes. In the end, they appreciated her lecture.

She received valuable feedback from the students, which helped increase her morale immensely. She was now a teacher.

"Mam, you teach like Sebastian Sir". Came a direct response to her teaching. Soon to come, she began teaching students preparing for law entrance as well. To them, she taught the law of crimes, contracts, and torts. However, they enjoyed the law of crimes more than any other subject.

Once a student joked in the class- "Mam, we love the law of crimes. We get good ideas from it". Aastha laughed at that. Thereafter, everybody else in the class joined her.

During the break time, everyone used to gather at the nearby chai ki tapri (corner where tea was served).

Chandu ki Chai was everyone's favorite. It was highly refreshing. All the students of the Institutes would be seen there sipping tea and gossiping about their favourite topics–When is the Delhi Preliminary Exam notification coming? Or, which exams will be held shortly, etc.?

In the break time, Aastha would always come down to have tea at the Tapri only to receive some appreciation from the students. For Aastha, months passed in the Institute with no substantial monetary gains. She even tried several alternative methods for earning quick money, but all to her dismay.