III. HER PRESENT
A 22-years-old girl clad in black jeans and cotton kurti hurriedly tied her braid before glancing at the small chipped mirror beside the door and whispered "perfect!" Her face glowed happily as she hung her bag on her shoulder and stepped out.
She heard commotion behind her followed by loud cursing which turned her smiling face into frown.
"Ay ladki! Naashta (breakfast) banaya ke nahi? Kidhar gayi? Padhaai (study) ke naam par roz subah se raat tak ghar se bahar rehti hai, pata nahi kahan kahan muh kaala karti hai.. Arre ay kaamchori ka putla maa-baap ko khaa kar bhi chain nahi aaya...? Nashtey (breakfast) mei Choti ke liye fruit salad nahi banaya kya?? Arre ay khana kon banayega? Dhat teri phir bhaag gayi!" Angry shouts of a middle aged lady sounded from the house as the girl shook her head and stepped on her second-hand bicycle before hurriedly riding it.
It's 8:30 AM and she reached her university before time as usual. Her classes starts at 9:30 AM but in her attempt to escape those daily shouts for meaningless chores and baseless fights with the mother-daughter duo at home, her deceased father's second wife and her daughter, so every morning after making the breakfast she leave the house even before they get up and she arrives home late at night by 8 PM and just to sleep after making dinner.
She is tired of this routine but still hopeful for her future. She hadn't lost faith on herself. She knew she have a bright happy future and her hardwork and dedication will bring her the joy, she is striving for. Since she came early so she went and sat in cafeteria and started reading her book. Soon more students start arriving and by 9:15 cafeteria was crowded. She stood up and went to her classroom to meet her friends and other trainees.
"Good morning guys!" She greeted everyone happily.
"Hi!" "Good morning!" "Yaar morning isn't good, exams aa rahe hain!" "Tumhe exams ki padhi hai yahan internal marks ki lagi hui hai. Yaar Mrs Singh ne warning di hai that she wouldn't take any assignment after tomorrow morning sharp 10AM." "What!!? Par maine tou abhi tak start bhi nahi kiya. Oh God!" Everyone greeted her back and started whining.
"Exactly Yaar, exams are near and I haven't finished my assignment yet aur upar se yeh baarish! Iss mausam mei padhta kaun hai?" Liza huffed disappointed.
"Relax guys! Mera assignment hogya hai, here you all take help from it. Bas copy paste mat karna warna sab pakde jaayenge. Waise bhi aaj ka pura din free hai, let's postpone our group study and you guys complete your assignment." She said showing others her assignment file as well as the books she knew will help them.
"Oh My Lord! Tumhare bina hamara kya hoga? Bestie! You're the best." Liza shouted before hugging her tightly.
"Hey Lizard! Let her breath. But yaar it's true, you're the best." Shree said putting his arm around her shoulder. She laughed and said "Nevermind."
Liza remembered something and slap her forehead before turning to ask everyone "Ohho! I forgot. Tum sab log admit card ke liye photos and ID card laaye ho na?"
Everyone replied "Haan!"
Liza sighed in relief "So let's go, get it. Phir hum log assignment likhna shuru karenge."
They reached the enrollment & admission office and submit the required details and recieved the examination admit card. Soon her turn came and Mr Kumar, the office staff, asked "Tumhi ne tou job ke liye apply kiya tha na? Interview hogya?"
Startled at being mentioned suddenly, she stammered "Huh..uh.. uh.. woh.. ji.. ji, yes sir. Mera interview kal hai."
"Accha. All the best! Aur wahan aise haklana mat, confident raho jo kuch bhi aata hai aaram se confidently answer karo, bina nervous hue. Samjhi?" Mr. Kumar said. She smiled at the advice and nodded respectfully "Yes Sir!"
Soon everyone surround her as they ask her about her interview, about job and all. She tried to explain "Guys, maine tou bas apply kar diya, agar hogya tou I'll treat you guys, promise. You know it's my dream to live independently, so I have been looking for a job with good pay. Yeh bohut short notice pe recommend kiya mere part-time job ke senior ne isiliye tum log ko inform nahi kar payi. Sorry."
"Arre yaar, we're just happy for you. Tumhara interview hai and you still completed your assignment on time aur yahan ek hum log hain." Sakshi sighed, face-palming. Then they all wished her good luck and Liza propped up the idea of lending her a formal outfits suitable for the interview. They all went back to their classroom and start working on their assignments.
Soon it was evening so exchanging goodbyes and best wishes, she and Liza went to Liza's home. There Liza brought her to the wardrobe and said opening it "Here you're my bestie, you can choose whichever dress you like. Jo bhi chahiye ho just pick it up, don't ask. Savita didi thori der mei evening snacks layengi tou khaa kar hi jana, okay?"
Embarassed at the contrast of her elite modernly decorative surrounding with a huge wardrobe containing all kind of different fashionable expensive clothes and accessories while she is dressed in old kurti and jeans that has faded patch for being overwashed. Even her bag and shoes, which she bought recently with salary she earned from her part-time job, seems low class and not suitable here.
"HEY! Back to earth DOST!" Seeing her lost, Liza shouted in her ear.
"Ah mere kaan, Liza!"
Liza giggled at her response and said "Oh finally you're back on earth. Kya hua kahan ghum hogyi? Couldn't you decide which one will be appropriate for the interview? Need help?"
"Huh!! Yes, please help me na. And it mustn't be branded or too expensive." She requested.
"What, but why? You'll look more impressive and confident?" Liza frowned and asked.
"Hai kuch reason, so please yaar." She said. Liza shook her head, sighing "Ufff! You and your reasons na."
Soon they decided one outfit and packing it up Liza handed her the bag, saying bye to Liza, she peddle up her bicycle towards her part-time workplace that is Nurture Orphanage.
It has been like this since past few years. This is her present. Her present filled with struggles, hope and joy. She had been working part-time at this orphanage as a teacher and children's care taker for the evening. She had kept herself too busy to not dwell on the bitterness of life.
.
.
.
.
.
"Riya! Ms. Mukherjee! Ms. RIYA MUKHERJEE!" The receptionist called out loudly again which bring her out of her thoughts.
"Yes! Yes! it's me." Riya responded as she hurriedly stand up raising her hand with sheepish smile on her face.
Annoyed receptionist shook her head before gesturing towards the interview room. Compiling her documents, Riya held them in one hand as she walked inside the room inhaling deeply to calm her nervousness.
To Be Continue...
Edited by etfr - 10 months ago
comment:
p_commentcount