C13 Irretrievable breakdown

At the Aim Law Institute, things were taking a beautiful turn. It became an arduous journey for Aastha to embark on.

She was now preparing for her exams, taking care of the research work and the Institute, and teaching some minor subjects.

"It is one of the toughest exams to crack," she cried. However, she had to live up to the expectations of the Institute, particularly that of Sebastian Sir.

All came easy for her with Harlyn being by her side. She took care of the finances to a great extent.

"You need not worry about the rent," remarked Harlyn. ‘I will take care of it. As regards other miscellaneous expenses like that of food, clothing etc, we will think of something about it."

"I have an idea. Why don't you take some work related to your studies and stay at home?"

"We are anyway shifting to the house next door. They are a family and charging a lesser amount of rupees as rent. It will lessen our financial burden to a great extent".

"Hmm…I agree. Okay. I will speak to Sebastian Sir tomorrow".

"Am sure he will understand and allow you leave with some work so that you get paid", added Harlyn. In every situation whatsoever, we need to keep our financial wheel turning. We have various needs and we are staying away from our parents. We also need to send some money home.

"Done. I will try to keep up with everyone's expectations. But I need a promise from you," said Aastha.

"What promise?"

"That you will not jeopardize your studies and will help me in my preparation for Delhi Judicial Service Exam".

"I promise," said Harlyn. Both hugged each other lovingly.

The next morning, while passing through the main lane of Mukherjee Nagar, Aastha thinks - "There is no time for love". She wished to meet Parth as she was nearing the Institute. However, other pressing engagements kept her busy. She hurriedly went to the bookshop to submit her details for the form for the Delhi Judicial Service Preliminary Exam.

It was a Wednesday.

"Phew!! What a relief", exclaimed Aastha and quickly burnt an incense stick before her God, Shri Krishna. She lit a lamp happily and said - "I cannot believe my eyes". She was on the seventh cloud. The eighth cloud would be after she would clear the mains stage of the exam. Nobody could get luckier, she thought. It seemed apparent, especially when she passed the exam on the borderline. She was the student shortlisted in the handicapped quota owing to a defect in the eyes. She had -11 power in both eyes and could barely see anything without the aid of her spectacles.

An excited and happy Aastha went directly to Sebastian Sir's cabin to give him the news -

"Sir, I have cleared the prelims paper?

"Congratulations, Aastha. But how much did you score?

"Sir..Er...I...Umm..

"Yes. Tell me. I want to know".

"Sir, I scored 124 out of 200".

"That is too low".

"Yes Sir", Aastha looked on in dismay around the room.

Looking at Aastha, Sir begins - "No need to worry, Kid. We will work hard together for your mains paper.

She cried - 'Thank You, sir. I am grateful to you".

When she was about to leave the room, he stopped her to give her a book. "Here, take this and solve all the questions within a week. I need all the questions and answers so that we may give it to the other students as well".

"It is ludicrous", she thought.

"How can I take up this impassable work, Sir". How will I achieve this task in such a short time? worried Aastha

"Should I decrease the time further?" He laughed.

"No Sir. I mean, nobody can write so many previous years' questions and answers of Delhi mains. That too, at such short notice. It would require a lot of time, hard work, and research".

"Do it or forget about the exam. I will give this work to someone else but you will not benefit from it".

"Okay, Sir. I will take up the work," Aastha agreed and left for home.

"I will write myself to death... I will not stop at this. I will take up the challenge of writing over 500 questions and answers for Delhi Judicial Service Exams (Mains). Sir is right. I cannot give up, ", she pondered and turned to Harlyn for an ointment.

"Can you pass me that ointment?"

"Why, is it paining badly, Di?" she mocked.

"You mischievous little kid. Yes, it is paining indeed. But I will have to write".

"Why do you take up such works from Sir? He must be kidding. Nobody can even attempt such an arduous task".

"Sister, I will have to clear the exam, and hence, this is incumbent. Now don't disturb me".

"You have no one in your life except work, worship, and we," said Harlyn.

"Now what is 'we'"

"'We' as in...'Me and You', all alone in Delhi"

"You have become very smart, Harlyn. Nice one, sweet little Sis. "They laughed.

It was their first Diwali in Delhi. The Aim Law Institute invited the Sidhwani sisters for a Diwali get-together at the Aim Law Institute. While Sir was busy offering sweets at the Centre, a new branch office was yet to be inaugurated. It was a very auspicious occasion as everyone got bonuses and increments. However, the Sidhwani sisters did not receive any bonus. They were treated more like family members.

"Mam, you know we are running short of funds in the Institute. We will pay you salary after a day or two, saying so" Akash Sir ended the conversation.

"So much for our Diwali, it was more of our Diwala (bad financial situation)", said Harlyn to Aastha.

"It is just a phase. We will receive our salary soon, " replied Aastha.

On a cold night, it all began. A kiss, a caress. She could feel butterflies in her stomach. It wasn't till there. While his lips locked on hers, a feeling of ecstasy filled her body. She was no more the same again. She needed nothing else. His body was warm. She came closer to him. He moved his fingers close to her hair to turn it around when she kissed him on his forehead.

She came down and kissed his nose, then his lips. She looked at him and cried happily. Tears started swelling from her eyes. In deep reverence and love, she hugged him and both melted in each other's arms. They didn't want to do anything.

"Just stay like this with me forever," he said in a mellowed tone.

"Like this. In this position." And she smiled shyly.

"Yes, my dear. I don't want to let you go anywhere away from me".

"Don't love me so much," she said

"You deserve even more than this." Saying so, he moved his fingers across her hair to turn it away. Slowly, he touched her face and kissed her. They loved each other immensely. The night passed lovingly.

"Wake up Di. It is 6 am".

"Why? How..... I am late. Oh My Gosh. I had to begin with my preparation from today," worried Aastha.

"You were having a romantic dream or what? Who is he? Tell me, Di, " smiled Harlyn.

"How do you know?"

"You were taking someone's name in your dreams and giving kisses. Some Parth.. I tried to sneak peek but could not enter your dreams".

"Very funny, Sis. Now, let us get back to work". Both hurried to Aim Law Institute. It was the day when Aastha was about to submit her work to Sir.

However, she could still not find any time for love. She yearned to see him and speak to him.

Aastha called up Parth to meet him. She introduced her sister, Harlyn to him.

"Hi, this is Parth, " he introduced himself. Parth met Aastha with two of his girlfriends.

The meeting was brief.

At the Institute, financial troubles became insurmountable. Aastha faced several problems at work, most of which were related to Sebastian Sir. His demeanor was unexplainable.

"What have you done?" He shrieked.

"If you give me such work, you will not get your salary. Promotion is a distant dream for you in the Institute".

"Sorry Sir, I will work harder," she spoke with teary eyes.

"As regards your studies, he began, "you can never clear any exam without my help. So, be subservient to me".

"But...Sir..". paused Aastha

"Just leave my institute now. I don't want to see you in this institute anymore".

Aastha wept bitterly. She couldn't understand what went wrong. Her worries knew no respite. She narrated the whole incident to her family, who asked her to come back to Kolkata.

The Sidhwani sisters decided to move to their native place, Kolkata.