Her courier arrived after two days. I opened the package. There was a bunch of my favorite pens and refills. I had no clue about how she knew that it was my favorite pen? There was a note too that read: “Use these pens for our dreams and your goal.”
After that day, I only used her pens. I had forgotten everything. I was only imagining two things: My father’s belief and Vanishka’s dreams.
Finally, the date arrived. She had called early to wish me luck. I was not carrying my phone. I kept her blessed pens. I reached the center and took my seat. I began my paper. While attempting the 4th problem, I broke the nib of my pen.
I couldn’t attempt that question as the time was running out. It happened again while I was attempting the last question I was not sure of.
I had left five questions by the time I was done with the exam.
I did well enough and was satisfied with my performance. I cross checked all the solutions at the hostel. My score was among top 5 scores. Everyone congratulated me.
At room, I checked my phone. I had missed calls from my friends, parents, and, of course, Vanshika.
I called her back. She didn’t answer. After sometime, I got a call on my phone. “Hello.”
“How was the paper?”
“Awesome.”
She screamed with joy and disconnected the phone.
Days passed on. I started preparing for AIEEE. I performed will in it as well.
30th May
The Judgement Day finally happened. The results were out.
I asked my landlord’s daughter to check the results on her laptop. But, I wanted to see it alone.
Vanishka, my parents, and my friends were calling me endlessly. I didn’t pick up their calls for the fear of being flooded with questions I couldn’t have answered—ever.
I wanted to confirm that I was selected.
Time was passing by faster. I switched on the laptop but, due to tiring internet speed, couldn’t open the website.
I shut down the system and stepped outside to a cyber café nearby. Suddenly, my friends arrived in a sad mood.
“Bhai hum logon ka nahi hua.”
“Oh my god,” I was surprised too. “What about me?”
“We don’t have your roll number.”
They left immediately to buy Daroo.
I ran to the cyber café. It was crowded like hell.
“Sir please check my result first,” I requested the café owner.
He looked at me and asked for my roll number. I told him and, suddenly, slipped into thoughts of my father and Vanishka.
He asked again loudly. I told him again. He hit the enter key on the keyboard. I was breathless. Heartbeat pounding.
Requested page cannot be found. A message appeared on the desktop. I was frozen.
“Nahi hua.”
“What! Have you entered the correct roll number?”
“Let me check.” After a quick gaze, he said, “Roll number is not right.”
I entered again. This time, I checked it twice. I hit the Enter.
The result was displayed.
I ranked 112th out of thousands of aspirants. I screamed with joy.
I called up my parents.
“Ha beta.”
“Ho gaya pita ji.”
“I knew it beta.”
“Congrats,” said my mom. “You have added 10 more years in our lives. Ab ghar chale aao.”
“Pita ji can I call you later?” I was about to cry.
“Okay beta”
The phone was disconnected. But my phone rang again. It was Vanshika.
“I have done it.”
“Thank you.”
After a long pause, she said, “Go and enjoy your success.”
“Okay.”
Later that day, I reached my flat, where my friends were already sleeping after getting drunk. I was feeling sad for them. But I was happy for myself, especially, because I was returning.
Next day in Ballia, a crowd of my friends, relatives, and, to my surprise, even journalists, welcomed me. Though, a girl, holding balloons some meters away, caught my attention.
I walked up to her. She stopped me midway. I waved my hands at her and then she ran away. I smiled and left.
There was a party organized by my father in the evening. I wanted her to come.
But how on earth was it possible?
I sought help from Tani.
She brought her home along her and managed to position her right by my side while I cut the cake.
She was there. Close to me. I held her hands, which she tried to cover under her Dupatta. And noboy saw it.
Everyone was enjoying the party. I shared a secret of success with everyone. Success is just what you dream you can achieve.
Meanwhile, suddenly, my father called me to make an announcement. As I was approaching him, he announced slowly, addressing me to the public, “I have fixed my son marriage with my best friend’s daughter.” I couldn’t hear to what he said later. All I could see was her face and hear the clamor of the guests, cheering for me and, of course, now, for my marriage with Anjali.
I controlled myself and later explained Vanishka about it all. I assured her that everything will be all right one day.
Days passed on. We met whenever we had time. After her 12th boards, she also prepared for JEE. Though, she did not taste the success. She got MLNR through AIEEE and I took admission in IIT Kanpur in EC department.
I had just completed B.Tech and she was a final year student.
One day, a bad news came. Her father found a perfect guy for her and started insisting her to get married with that guy. She tried everything to refuse but to no avail. Then, finally, as there was no other option left, she told her parents about us.
Surprisingly, her parents agreed and invited me to meet them home.
“Have a seat,” Vanishka said as I stepped in to the drawing area.
“You are a Singh and we are Brahmins. Do you think it will work out?” her father bombarded me with poignant questions.
“Yes. We love each other. We understand each other and, definitely, we will be happy together.”
”You both will be happy together. What about the society?”
“I don’t care.”
“But I do.”