Shattered Dreams of a Student
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Shattered Dreams of a Student
I went for a morning walk in the park nearby. My friend KRK (K.Ravi Kumar) along with a friend Venkat Ramana Rao (VRR) joined me.
VRR was in his early forties, wearing a Khaddar full shirt over a pyjama and a gold chain around his neck and diamond rings on his right-hand fingers. He is a businessman in Hyderabad. VRR was known me since he joined BTech. I was surprised to see VRR as a businessman. I enquired VRR as to what made the change from Software to Business.
VRR shared his student life story ——
I had completed my intermediate studies in a corporate college and used to stay in a hostel. Swamy was my classmate and roommate. With our ranks in the Engineering entrance examination, we had no hopes of getting into the Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) branch.
In those days CSE was the preferred branch during that period because of the Y2K problem. All the existing software needed to be updated to suit this century and the coming centuries, which required many computer engineers throughout the world. They were highly paid for their job.
My father secured a seat for me in the Computers Science branch through the management quota in a reputed Engineering College in the state capital. I stayed in the hostel whereas Swamy joined Mechanical Engineering Course at a rural Engineering college. He rented a room with his friends and was self-cooking. He came to meet me during the holidays and congratulated me for joining CSE in one of the best colleges.
I took him to my hostel and my room which I shared with two other first-year students, each of us with a cot, bed, study table and chair. The room had an attached bathroom with a geyser and toilet. We used to get non-vegetarian food twice a week in the hostel mess. I was dreaming of flying to the USA, purchasing a big car, and a villa and working in an MNC.
Swamy was jealous. I consoled Swamy that he will get a good job in India and need not worry.
My college had 10 buses to cater to day scholars coming from different parts of the city. Because of the city traffic, the time taken for travel was more. The buses used to stop at specified places so that students from surrounding places can board the bus but the students coming late used to inform the driver to stop till they board. The buses were usually late to the college by 15 to 30 minutes.
One day a girl named Shalini came late to class. The faculty refused to let her in the class.
She requested, ‘Please Sir, the college bus was late’.
‘By which bus do you come?’ He asked.
Shalini answered with teary eyes, ‘Route No 7, Sir’.
The faculty then asked her to take permission from the principal of the college.
The class was over soon as Shalini waited outside. All students went to the canteen but I slipped out of the class and joined Shalini. She was weeping, probably feeling insulted.
Shalini was known to me as my intermediate classmate. She was an intelligent student and had secured a CSE seat through counselling and not through management quota like me. She was staying in a rented room with other girl students.
I consoled her and gave her my class notes.
Shalini took my notes.
We both had tea and then attended the rest of the classes.
Shalini was of average height. She was wearing a gown which was below her knees, with sleeves below her elbow with knitted designs, and she looked beautiful. She had long hair braided in coils. Her braided long hair dangled on her back. I could not shift my eyes off her long hair. Her eyes were wide and beamed. She had a long projected slender nose. Her lips were thin. Her smile was visible not only on her lips but also in her eyes and face. When she smiled, her white round upper teeth made her more attractive. She wore a bright red bindi between her eyebrows, adding more to her beauty. She dressed her hair from right to left looking special. I fell in love with her at first sight.
Our friendship continued in the second year. We used to roam together on the college campus. Now and then on Sundays, I used to take her for lunch in a hotel.
That year, our classmate Ramu planned a skit for the Welcome part for first-year students. He came to my room and asked for my help.
I asked him if he needs money, to which he said NO.
Ramu said, ‘I have sufficient money. I am in search of a female lead to play in my skit. Most of the girls are not acceptable to play.’
‘Why?’
‘It is a wife’s character and there are two close scenes with the husband.’
‘How can I help you?’
‘My request is you and Shalini play husband and wife.’ Ramu said.
I was shocked. Though I and Shalini were going together, I was doubtful if Shalini would accept the proposal. I told the same to Ramu.
The next day Ramu and a few other friends met Shalini and requested her to act in the skit.
Shalini enquired who is the male character.
Ramu told her that it is VRR.
Shalini was upset and said, ‘How dare he is asking me to act as his wife? Ask him talk to me.’
Ramu conveyed the same to me.
I went to her and requested, ‘Shalini, please accept to play the role of my wife in the skit.’
Shalini said, ‘This will create publicity in the entire institution.’
I convinced her saying this is only a skit and no one will misunderstand.
She gazed at me and with a smile said, ‘You are going fast idiot, go ahead. You want to make our love public.’
‘Thank God’ she accepted. I told the same to Ramu
Ramu was happy about his skit seeing the light of day. Shalini acted freely, without hesitation during rehearsals and Ramu was happy. With our participation, the skit was successful and got appreciation from students and faculty.
Since then, people in the institution started viewing us as ‘the hero and heroine’. Every weekend we were going out for lunch, a movie, and dinner.
Before the third-year classwork started, I sent a message to her, ‘Why live separately in the hostel and a room? Let us live together.’
Shalini replied, ‘You are moving fast. First, let us complete our studies.’
I said, ‘There will not be any disturbance but only enjoyment’.
I received a smart reply from her, ‘That enjoyment would spoil our careers’.
We continued discussing, our studies and our Sunday jolly trips.
At the end of the third-year first semester, I again put forth the proposal of living together. After two days, I received a message from her, Okay, as you like dear.
We took a single-bedroom flat on rent and shifted. Our living together started. I then realized how difficult it is to set up a family – one needs utensils, grocery materials, a gas stove, and a help-maid. Then also a cot, bed and other accessories. Money was a constraint but I was getting money from my home.
She used to cook, attend college regularly and study. But me? My only focus was on keeping Shalini happy and enjoying rather than studying.
I started skipping classes and lost interest in my studies. She warned me of losing the degree. She completed her third year with first-class marks. I failed in a few subjects but was promoted to the final year.
Shalini consoled me and said, ‘Unless you concentrate and study, I am not going to live with you.’
I promised Shalini that I will work hard and clear all subjects of the third year and final year.
Our living together continued and my skipping classes also continued.
Shalini completed her degree in first class and I again failed in a few more subjects. She got selected for an MNC and was posted in the USA. My friend Swamy passed his degree in first class and got an appointment in the USA. Shalini and Swamy were together working in the same company.
I did not keep my promise. Shalini kept her word. She gradually stopped communicating with me after going to the USA. She stopped responding to my calls and finally blocked my mobile number.
I went into depression. My father not knowing about my affair got me treated, and the treatment went on for a year. I could not dare to complete my BTech.
With the failures in life, I settled down in my father’s business and today what I am.
VRR completed his story. His eyes were moist.
Prabhakar Musipatla