C14 Her endeavors
Kolkata, 2015
"Hey Sis, your results are going to be out. Are you excited?" said an excited Harlyn.
"Yes. I have prayed and kept my fingers crossed. Let us hope for the best.
Aastha had appeared for the Delhi Judicial Service Exams (Mains) after qualifying the preliminary stage of the exam in the special quota. She left Aim Law Institute after giving the exam. She was now awaiting the results.
She left Delhi, but Delhi couldn’t leave her. The results were out but to the disappointment of the students. The students had to file a writ on the results with a prayer that the papers of the mains examination be rechecked as the authorities selected only the influential candidates. The selections were scarce to death. The Aim Law Institute, along with others, reacted sharply to the decision. In response to the said decision, Aastha also received a call from the Aim Law Institute.
"Did you clear the exam?", asked Akash Sharma, the assistant to Mr. Sebastian.
"No Sir. My name is not on the list. I am not that influential, I guess".
"Why do you say so?"
"Sir, they have selected only those students who are wards of the influential persons like judges, etc. This is one reason for filing the writ".
"Now, what do you plan to do? Are you giving any more exams?"
"Sir, I don’t have any plan. I am thinking of joining an institute here".
"Okay. Sebastian Sir, was asking about you and your results? He wanted you to take some classes at the Institute. Can you come over?"
"Sir, not after what happened? He has literally thrown me out of the Institute".
Akash Sir laughed and showed some interest in the matter. He said–"No, he needs students like you. He only asked me to contact you for some work. Are you interested in preparing some test series for the forthcoming exams of Haryana and other states?"
"I would be glad, Sir. Kindly give me as much work as you can. And even more money," she chuckled.
"Can you take classes on Arbitration and Conciliation Act and Registration Act? I will schedule your classes accordingly and send you the details in no time".
"Sir, kindly proceed with your schedule. In the meantime, I will begin with the test series of the Rajasthan Judicial Service Exam and send you the test papers one by one."
"What will be your charges for the test papers?"
"Sir, you make payment as per the policy of the Institute."
"Okay, then I will pay you rupees 30 per question. Is that fine?"
"Yes Sir. Thank You. And give my regards to Sebastian Sir also".
'Give my regards also', shouted her dad, Kishan Sidhwani.
Turning to her dad, Aastha begins -
"Dad, what do we do now? The results of Delhi Mains are pending litigation in Delhi High Court. I don't see a chance of becoming a judge in near future. How do we tackle our police complaint, which is pending action by the police?" She spoke after putting down the receiver of the phone.
"Have patience Kid", he said. "Just concentrate on the key areas of life where your problems arise and tackle them one by one," smiled Kishan.
"There are many, Dad, she laughed
"Financial problem is our family problem and a recurrent feature now. So, till something happens on other fronts, why don't I join another institute here for a job?"
"That is a good idea," he said. "Approach TIME Institute. It is the best, and most reputed, coaching institute in the country with centers across India. I have heard a lot about them and even read their advertisement in the newspapers. Here look".
"Thanks, dad. I will send my resume and approach them soon".
The next morning, Aastha hurries towards the door, when she dashes against the wall separating the kitchen from the rest of the flat.
"Hey, you could get bruised. Are you okay? Where to, girl?" asked Rita.
"Mom, I am in a hurry. I am going for an interview at TIME Institute".
"Here, have something before you go".
"Mom, I feel sleepy and heavy after eating your food these days. I will eat my food after coming back from the Institute".
Saying so, Aastha leaves for the meeting with the head of the department of Kolkata branch office of TIME. He gives an orientation to her and discusses certain important topics of logical reasoning.
Finally, she is selected as a faculty member at the Institute.
Aastha teaches logical reasoning to aspirants appearing for bank and other related exams of the Country. On average, she used to take up 11-14 classes per week of over 2 hours of teaching every class. In no time, they gave her additional responsibility. They once asked -
"Mam, Can you teach some law subjects to the students appearing for law entrance exams like CLAT, etc.?
"Yes, " she replied gleefully.
Also, she prepared different test series for exams conducted by different states like Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, MP, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh for Aim Law Institute, for which she slogged for hours and hours, especially over the week. The weekends used to be spent more in TIME Institute than at home.
"Why do you take so much burden of finances on your petty shoulders? remarked Rita. "We will manage everything together. You need not worry". Saying so, she began serving food to my dad and sister.
"I will have to contribute," thought Aastha. Before she would leave the room, Rita began - "We need to pay our electricity bills. We need some more finances". Looking at Aastha, she adds - "Why don't we pledge some gold with the jewelers? That might solve some of our problems temporarily.
Tomorrow, let us go and take a loan, Kishan"
"No need to take a loan cried Aastha. "I will take up additional work from Aim Law Institute and earn some extra bit. That will pay off our bills. They are very helpful".
The next day, Aastha receives another notification on the social platform regarding the forthcoming Judicial Service Preliminary Exam for Delhi. She immediately leaves for Delhi. Harlyn, who has to stay in Delhi to complete her education, accompanies her. They leave in a joyous mood for they will meet their friends and most importantly, their mentor and father figure in Delhi, Sebastian Sir. In the meantime, Akash Sir arranges some lectures for Aastha at the branches of the Aim Law Institute at Delhi.
