Meera

Episode 03

After that day of their first conversation, they had been meeting almost every single day as both wrote the remaining tests and at the same time, found interest in visiting the library together for their exam revisions. They started travelling in the same bus both onwards and in return. They started having a good time befriending each other.

Raghav was still not sure if he could express his feelings boldly to her. He didn't want to lose that friendship which was underlying in his one-sided love for her. He infact wasn't sure if it was sheer love or twas just an attraction or infatuation as it is called.

The exams were more stressful, a usual phenomenon when it comes to the CA course. No one could ever be able to predict what the Institute would ask and what would the evaluation pattern be. And every student and member of the Institute have been wondering about the same for years. Thankfully the mock tests and the subsequent review of preparations gave Raghav the necessary skill set to cope up with the stern questions in the exams. He was sure of clearing all the papers with a good score. And Sahana too, was contended with what she had written. She wasn't sure what the results could look like.

Days passed by and the hunt for auditor firms to take up the 3 and odd years of articleship training had just begun. Raghav and Chakrapani Iyengar had zeroed in on top three auditor firms to which they went in person and got the appointments from the key partners for an interview. Since Chakrapani Iyengar had a good reputation amongst them, it was relatively an easy task. The results were round the corner. And Raghav was confident of getting placed in one of the top audit firms from which they had sought an interview appointment.

The R-Day

Usually the results would be published in the Institute's notice board and a huge crowd would wait outside to find their scores. Internet was not a resource those days. So Raghav had set out to the bus stop but Sahana wasn't there. He was puzzled and at the same time cautious that he had to rush to the Institute before it gets heavily crowded.

Oh! How did I forgot to tell you that they never spoke about their families nor they shared their addresses? Strange!, is it!? That's how they were. They had their privacy intact amidst getting closer as friends.

Now coming back to the results!

Raghav decided to take his TVS 50 so that he reaches faster to the Institute. Luckily, he managed to enter the premises when there were hardly 10-15 people. The results wasn't pasted yet. He waited there with a hope Sahana would some how make it there and they could see their results together.

It took 45 minutes for the staff to finally arrive with the results and the crowd started building itself around the notice board. But Sahana wasn't seen at all. Raghav was tensed to see the results and at the same time concerned for her not having come over to check her results. Since Raghav knew Sahana's roll number, he thought he would take note of both the results and convey it to her. But how!?

Amidst the confusion, he somehow managed to see her results first - her number was in the list - Pass! She had scored exactly the required marks to clear it all. He was happy to know that that he forgot that his results also were on the display. His mind went into a celebration. Strange mind!

The crowd grew impatient that someone from behind gave him a good knock on his head pulling him down to reality. He immediately started searching for his number. His number wasn't there in the list. He rushed through the other lists only to find he had flunked! Fail! A disappointment! He had scored exactly 4 marks less than the required minimum total, and revaluation was a distant call as the chances of getting additional 4 marks was almost negligible.

He had lost the race. He had to do it all again. He had to face the harsh reality. His thoughts on Sahana started fading before his failure. He wasn't ready for this. He was confident of passing and had even taken up interview appointments. Yet, if fate decides to screw you, you will not be spared. And that's what happened to him. He felt terrible. He could barely ride his moped back home. But he had to. He was afraid to face his dad and all his relatives. At the same time, he wasn't stupid enough to make a foolish decision, which most of the kids choose nowadays - to commit suicide.

As he reached home, he was surprised to see Sahana waiting there at the entrance with his mom. His mind was confused with mixed emotions, he felt joyous on seeing her and the same time, the pain that his results had given him was making his heart heavy. He wanted to pour it out, he wanted solitude. He could barely speak. Her voice brought him partially back to his senses. He noticed her limping.

"Sahana! Nee...!?"
"Hey Raghav! Glad that you're back. I was concerned about our results"
"What happened to you? Why are you limping?"
"Oh adhuva!? Last evening, I slipped in the backyard and sprained my leg! I thought I would somehow make it to the Institute, but I woke up late this morning"
"Adhu seri! How come you are here and how did you know my house?"
"Ha ha! We both weren't aware that our parents knew each other for so long! And I'd even been to your Kolu once in a while. I told Amma about you, she immediately took me here. She knows you though you don't know her. Seri adha vidu! Results ennachu!?"
"Pass Sahana!"
"Hey congrats da! I know you'd clear it and I thought I'll take up your help for my next attempt"
"Adhu illa Sahana!"
"Adhu illa na!? What's wrong with you Raghav? You don't seem to be happy for clearing the exams! Maami, ivana parungo eppadi pei arancha madhiri irukkan nu!"
"Congrats Sahana!"

Saying this, he dropped the paper in which he had noted their results and ran straight to his room, banged the door shut and burst his heart out through his eyes! He was exhausted, he felt lost! He lost the guts to face anyone around! He felt the world turning dark as he slowly went into a deep slumber!

Did they meet again as the same old Raghav and Sahana? Did their paths converge or was there a change in their paths?