CHECKMATE

Chapter 6

"Your results are out!" exclaimed Adhira waking up a sleeping Pratap.
"Five minutes," he groaned pulling the blanket over his head.
"It's 12 o' clock," she shouted, pulling the blanket off his body.
"Five more minutes," he replied curling up into an embryo.
"Alright continue sleeping," taunted his mother, "when the fact of the matter is that you have failed."

Pratap awoke with a start, rubbing the sleep off his eyes he stared at his mother who was grinning at him.

"That's not possible," replied Pratap, "I've never failed any exam!"
"Yes, you've passed in merits..." She smiled and kissed her son on his forehead.

Siddharth and Shivendra came to visit him in the evening and groaned in misery as they found him studying again.

"You've graduated, now what?" asked Shivendra snatching the book from his hand.
"I'm studying for the American Bar Exam," replied Pratap with a sigh. "With that done I can do my LLM at Harvard."

Shivendra smiled proudly at his friend, he had no words for him. Returning his book back to him he said, "I can bet that you will be a world famous advocate."

Pratap smiled and wished them luck for their exams. Another two months of preparation and exams and Pratap topped once more. Receiving a scholarship for his studies half the amount had become less.

"The only expenditure that you have to incurre is the traveling and hostel charges that comes up to 50 lakhs." Said Pratap with a sigh.
"Don't worry son," reassured Utpal, running a hand over his son's head. "We can apply for a loan."
"I have papa, the amount is...umm.... limited..." Replied Pratap reluctantly, unable to tell the reason why.

His father simply smiled knowing well why his son stopped what he was saying. For a moment he felt ashamed for being unable to provide for his son's education. He cursed his misfortunes and loathed his job and status. His son had gone through a lot and yet he was unable to do anything.

"I...can ask Rathore sir for some money," said Utpal which made Pratap gulp hard. He hated the fact that his father had to stretch his hands in front of anyone for money, but he felt too helpless to either say or do anything.

Hearing about Pratap's success in cracking The American Bar Exams Jaswanth gladly gave some more amount and advised Utpal to go to the CM to sponsor the rest if the education and the VISA facility.

Though hesitant, Pratap and his father visited the CM, Mukesh Chauhan, a man who knew Jaswanth and his family very well. Getting an appointment on Jaswanth's name wasn't too difficult for the father son duo.

"I heard about you Pratap," began Mukesh with a broad smile. "Your professors in the college as well as Mr. Rathore himself has told us about you. I'm proud of you young man! Don't you worry, I have some contacts who can help you out."

With the money and the VISA Pratap left for the US a few weeks later.

"I wonder how a country bumpkin like Pratap will survive in the US." Laughed a young lad who was munching away into a sandwich.
"Don't you work your head on that." Taunted Siddharth. "I know my friend too well..."
"Let's have a bet!" exclaimed Shivendra. "If Pratap returns as a renowned world famous advocate, you will buy for Pratap an iPhone with your first salary."
"Haa haa..." Laughed the lad, nearly spitting out the chewed sandwich in his mouth. "And if I win, you bloody well gift me the latest iPhone."
"Deal," said Shivendra shaking hands with the lad.

~

Pratap felt out of place as he stepped into the college. Students were literally walking around in leather jackets, Adidas shoes, well styled hair and gorgeous looks. Students were oozing brands and money as they walked in and out of the campus.