Chiranth
I was really very happy when I got selected in JSS after I completed my PhD. I've always wanted to work in JSS as it has too many memories of my life right from my degree days to my Masters. So working here was my dream come true. I've stayed in Mysore city in my apartment since my degree days. My parents live in Chamrajnagar as my father Vasudeva Rao, works in MDCC bank as manager.
My parents were happy when I decided to take up teaching as a profession. As my father told me he doesn't mind the profession I choose as long as I'm content with it. According to him job satisfaction matters more than the position. So choosing my career was an easy task for me.
My mother Veena Rao, is a lovely home minister of our sweet home, who recently decided to get busy finding a suitable daughter in law for our family. As soon as I got placed in JSS, she started getting busy with the bride hunt. Since I was ok with her choice I didn't mind it.
Though she was eager to get me married, she didn't force me about anything. That's the best thing about my parents, they always considered my opinion in everything they choose for me. So habitually I ask for their opinion in my decisions too.
Coming back to my life in JSS, its really good. My classes are going well and I don't have much complaints from my students too. Even the faculty members in my department get along well with me. One of my friends, Harshith joined JSS along with me. We were good friends in our Masters though we belong to different streams. He was a M.Com student and right now he is working in Commerce department after his PhD.
I still receive notes and letters of confession indirectly, but this time its better than my PhD days. Back then my desk used to have dozens of it. I don't bother much about these things as I don't want to hurt someone with harsh replies or something. Its college life, so having crush on lecturer is pretty common. I have seen my own classmates doing it while we were students, so rather than making it a big fuss, I choose to ignore it. Sometimes I do read the letters and I find my students funny, poetic and utterly nonsense too.
Since I'm the academic advisor for 1st year students, I try my level best to understand them and their problems. Students are quite welcoming towards my suggestions. I can really expect some great achievements from them in future.
I saw some of the familiar faces in my class, like students from St.Philomena's and Sharada Vilas college, I had been there during their college fests when I worked in university college. Its good to see students who are willing to work hard and perceive their dream in chemistry field which is considered as one of the toughest subjects.
I keep guiding them whenever I find necessary, though they are smart enough. My preparation for NET is going good along with my students. I always believe in combine study techniques since we followed it in our Masters and PhD classes. Life is good right now without much complaints.
Shrinidhi
Second internals were completed by the end of September. We are now preparing for our lab internals. Labs are quite tricky part of our studies compared to theory. But unlike others I loved lab more than theory classes.
We finished our first lab internals of our PG life and it was quite an experience. Finally after too many trial and error calculations we would submit our papers with a sheepish grin. Everything else was fine other than the viva part. Even if we were confident enough with our answers, nervousness kicks in as soon as we sit in front of our lecturers. Mind automatically switches to its reset mode and words struggle to walk out of throat.
After a real struggle of completing the practical internals we were left with two weeks of class. By this time we were quite close with our lecturers and the campus felt much familiar. Chiranth sir's coaching classes were helping me a lot in understanding concepts required for GATE exam. Since I still had an year to appear for the exam, I thought of slowly preparing for it since Day 1 in JSS and to my luck Chiranth sir was there to help me all the time. Over these 2 months I have learnt many things from him both in terms of academics as well as life.
Our study holidays began from October 15th and I still studied most of the time in the college library. Since lecturers were in the campus most of the time, I could easily clarify all my doubts. Pri and I would spend our day in library most of the time and Samay would join us for lunch or evening chaats eating ceremony. We ate like homeless and hopeless cases sometimes and by the end of our eating saga, we would end up with teary eyes because of the spiciness.
After all the diligent preparation, our exams finally started in November. Most part of November was consumed by the exams as the time table was designed in a weird way. I don't know how they managed to make such nonsense time table, organic chemistry is the toughest subject for every student, still the amount of time gap we got for it was only 2 days. Soft core papers were moderately tough still we had a week long time for preparations.
Once the theory exams were done, the real struggle of practicals began. Unlike internal exams, external exams were bit scary for first timers. The constant knit picking of external examiners was causing unnecessary mistakes in our experiments. After three torturous practical exams we had 15 days of semester break.
My holidays just began so I decided to complete all my pending sleep. Amma woke me up late today and I was surprised to see Pri at my house. I quickly freshened up and had my breakfast, so I could tend my dear bestie who ran to my home. Either its some new gossip or her new argument with Samay, so I mentally prepared myself for it as we walked to our terrace.
" What is the matter this time that your highness couldn't wait for college reopen or talk about it in a phone call? Did you guys fight again?"
I asked her with my curiosity filled tone.
" We did fight a bit, but its sorted now. I am here to share some juicy news about your handsome lecturer"
" Are you serious Pri? You woke up and came here early in the morning just for some stupid gossip. You're becoming more like those neighborhood aunties who come up with new gossip every week"
I face palmed at my best friend's stupidity.
" Come-on Nidhu, be bit more enthusiastic when I speak about him. He is your lecturer for heaven's sake "
" Exactly Pri he is my lecturer not my relative or my idol, so I shouldn't be that worried about his life. Still for all the efforts you put in, I will listen to whatever nonsense you speak, but don't push me to believe it ok? "
" You will believe on your own if you hear me out. You know that Maya mam from our department? That fair and lovely girl... She is good friends with Harshith sir from commerce department. Guess what? Students have seen Chiranth sir with her many times. I think something is cooking between them "
" Cooking? Why are you making their life look like some cookery show "
I laughed at her and received a glare as reply.
" You think I am joking here? Try to understand Nidhu, physics and chemistry departments are into some physical chemistry right now. What if they are actually dating? What if they are planning to get married? God...... our entire college will be in tears when they get married. Both of them are highly popular and have their own fan clubs. Poor admirers will be heartbroken once they announce it publicly. "
" Pri, breath in and breathe out. You're taking unnecessary tension about someone else's love life. Even if its true its their personal choices, I'm sure both of them are mature enough to handle the situation. You should stop worrying about others and focus on your love life. "
I advised like a good friend.
"Whatever Nidhu, I am not quite happy if they are actually together. I just hope its just a baseless rumor. Anyways I came here to inform you that I won't be here for next 5 days, I'm going to my relatives house in Madikeri. So my phone will be available only after 5 days since network connection will be terrible. So take care till I come back "
" Aww... as if you were the one taking care of me all these while... There won't be any drastic change in my life in 5 days. Stop worrying and enjoy your stay there. Convey my regards to uncle and aunty. Come back safe "
She went back after a dramatic hug.
But what if Chiranth sir is actually dating? Will his behavior change in any way? Will he become conscious about his actions in our classes ...
What the hell... This nonsense best friend of mine left me with unnecessary thoughts in my brain. Why should I worry with his life decisions? He will do whatever he wants, so let me focus on something productive rather than all these nonsenses.
Next day I received messages from my lecturers from St. Philomenas. I had secured 3rd rank in BSc. So finally a part of my dream was somewhat true but instead of 1st rank I secured 3rd. I reminded myself that I need to work hard in future. Our convocation event was on December 15th which still had a weeks time. I shared the good news about my achievement with my family. Everyone was happy.
Amma made sweets for dinner and all our relatives and well wishers called to congratulate me.
Next day Appa took a day off and we had a family outing. It's been a long time since we went out as a family. Appa also got me a gold necklace as gift. At night he called me to talk in his room. Finally I could see proudness in his eyes about me and all my sleepless nights were worth it.
I went to his room and he asked me to sit with him.
" I am really proud of you Nidhu. All my colleagues and friends were praising you when they got to know about your achievement. Thank you for working so hard and making us all proud "
He spoke patting my hair and I was almost tearing up hearing to his words. I had craved for this since long and finally I'm getting it. I can't explain the happiness I'm feeling at this moment.
" I'm really happy that you're happy Appa. I will always work hard and continue to make you proud. I will fulfill all your dreams in future "
"Appa will always be proud of you Nidhu, but can I ask you something in this happy occasion. I don't know how you might react once I speak about this"
" Ask me anything Appa. I am your daughter, you have all rights to talk to me about my life "
I was really blinded by the happiness I'm experiencing.
"I want you to meet a boy Nidhu. He is well educated, good looking and his family is also nice. They promised to let you continue your study and your dreams even after marriage. I want to see you as a beautiful bride before I retire. I am not asking you to get married right now. You can take time after getting engaged. Please do this for me my child. I know my daughter never disappoints me"
His words were making me numb slowly. The only topic I tried to avoid is coming up again. I almost promised him and gave him hopes too. What do I do now? If I keep rejecting him, he will be upset and it will definitely affect his health. Should I just meet this guy and reject him? Or should I accept this proposal and marry the boy he chose for me. I don't know what to say right now.
Since I was silent for a long time he continued to speak.
" Nidhu, I've always wanted to give you the best thing in everything. I may not be affectionate with words but whatever I decide for you is for your own good. Do you think I will casually send you away with a random stranger? Of course not. They are coming to meet you in two days. Meet him, talk to him, if you both are ok we can have a small engagement ceremony and wait for you to complete your studies to think about your marriage. Please consider this for your Appa's sake Nidhu. "
His words were slowly pushing me to accept his words. He has given me so much in life may be I can do at least this much for him. He isn't asking me to accept this boy with force so I think I can manage.
" Ok Appa. I will meet him if that's your wish. "
I replied with a fake smile.
" Thank you so much Nidhu. I'm very happy and proud about your decision. I'm pretty sure you will like him. He works as professor so he can help with your studies too. I just hope everything goes well "
" It's already too late Appa. You need to rest. I will get some rest too. Goodnight "
I came out of the room and Ajji and
Amma were already waiting for my explanations as they had already heard the entire conversation between me and him.
I asked them to join me in my room for the talk.
" Nidhu what's wrong with you? Why did you agree to his words? "
My mother was already impatient enough.
" You must have your reasons, so let us know about it Nidhu"
Ajji tried to talk to me calmly even though she was worried.
" I didn't accept the boy. I'm just meeting him. After so many years I saw proudness in Appa's eyes towards me. I didn't want to hurt him with a rude 'no' as soon as he mentioned about the boy. I don't know if I will accept the proposal or not. But let me at least face the situation. I promise you both, I won't accept if its not suitable. "
My explanations somewhat convinced them and they shared knowing glances with each other.
" Ok ladies its too late already. I think we should sleep now. We will discuss once I meet the boy ok? "
They both nodded in agreement and left my room.
There's a saying..
"We make our choices and then our choices make us"
Will the choice Shrinidhi made, make her dreams come true or break her entirely?