It was seven in the morning when my phone buzzed. Mom expressed her joy on the phone over her child growing so popular. She blessed me 'Yashaswi Bhava, Son'. "So shall your son be dear mom!" I bowed down in response. Sister Vinita had too left a message, "Be a glorious personality of this era!" I was proud of myself but feared of mishappenings. However, there were friends accompanying me in the journey but I bore the onus of taking them on the gentler path. Besides all these, I was happy. Dad instantly made a call on brother Bhargav's phone. He asked if everything was going well or there were difficulties to ponder on. Brother Bhargav replied him how unparalleled yet high, joy and struggle came into life. "It's only Agastya who can take us out of this situation Dad."
Dad: People have gone crazy about him after the interview. More allies and foes are born now. Handling all of them will be tougher. I can feel it's going to be like rewriting of history. But we have to be too cautious now or we may face insolence from everywhere. Not everyone, in the family, is able to tolerate and persist the upcoming changes in our life. See, we thought blue-blooded people live an effortless life and we bougeois struggle the most. You are right Bhargav. It's only Agastya who can lead us the gentler path. But as a father, I can feel the heavy burden my little son is bearing for all of us. Where is he? Pass him the phone.
As he handed me the call, I spoke up.
Me: Greetings Dad! How are you? Are you done with the breakfast?
Dad: Remain blessed Agastya! I had it just. I am fine now but future seems worrisome. You are doing great on your part but dear son, you never know what history may ask us to renounce to build itself. Are you prepared for it? You should have talked to us before. I do not want to discourage you but I fear of your safety. Not only you, but all the family members too. Do you have any idea how hard is it to accept change when one has walked over half-way in his/her life? You shouldn't discuss about your aim so early. Learn to keep secrets and grab the opportunity to bring them out.
I kept silence until Dad assumed my works go with what he said.
Dad: I understand your tacit words. You have left all of us a single option and we are all liable for choosing it. (And he cut the call.)
Brother Hemanta: We have surveillance cameras everywhere now Agastya. If we are oblivious of any mistake, we will be lambasted high.
"Come, let's go to the college." Brother Bhargav was prepared to move for my admission. I went with him.
When entered into the college, the students who identified me started gossiping in their group. A guy came forward to lead us towards the principal's office. Bhanu had also arrived there with Shubham, as her guardian. We were asked to wait awhile in the professors' office. The principal was notified about my arrival and the other AIRs. Aisha and Achyut too arrived few minutes later. The professors present in the office welcomed all of us and applauded our performances in the CLAT examination. We were informed that the principal was in conversation with Jagriti. Some of the A-graders of other competitive exams had also taken their admission in the college. A few minutes later, Jagriti along with her uncle walked out of the principal's office. The assistant to the principal called the other AIRs waiting in the committee office one after another but not me. Brother Bhargav felt anxious over such behaviour. I asked him not to make haste.
Me: The principal Guru Prashant has achieved the highest civilian award for his notable works in the education sector and his eminent writings 'The accounts of the Aravalli's', 'Democracy in Bharat and it's transpositions' and 'Unbounded Within'. He is a noble scholar and one of the most revered gurus in our country. He maybe testing our humility before concluding on accepting me as his disciple. Let us wait here!
As Bhanu walked out of the office, she said she urged the principal to call me in. But he furiously ordered to go and take the admission receipt at the teller.
Shubham: I think he doesn't want you here. You should apply in any other college.
I urged them to go and take the receipt.
Me: I shall notify you about my admission in the evening.
We waited for more three hours. Brother Bhargav couldn't handle so he asked one of the professors to let us know why we were asked to wait everytime. "Don't doubt on the principal's behaviour. Hold your seat. He will call Agastya in, when he wishes it right. If you make haste, you will lose your dignity anywhere you apply further. Be patient." The professor responded him insistently. Brother Bhargav had a call from his office. "I have to go Agastya. Will you wait or shall we come tomorrow?"
Me: You may go. I will wait for the principal's call. I will drop you a message on returning back to our room.
There was none left to attend the principal's call one hour later. Yet, he didn't call me. Few minutes later, the assistant to the principal approached towards me and said, "The principal is not willing to meet you today. You may come tomorrow to get your admission."
I smiled at him.
Me: Sir, it's still mid-day. Guru Prashant once said that he never leaves his job midway until and unless the scheduled time is over for the day. And if it's his wish, I shall follow the command that you iterated on his behalf. I bow down to the noble guru!
And as I stepped to exit, the confused assistant called me back and asked to me take the entrance into the office. Guru Prashant was elated to see me pass the test. He stood up to welcome me.
Guru Prashant: Come son, Agastya. Have a seat!
I bowed to his humility towards me.
Guru Prashant: Provide me your documents. I will ask Mr. Shaunak to get your admission receipt from the teller. Agastya, people tend to get nearer to those who are renowned to be prosperous. However, a student should live in solitude. Do you get me?
Me: Gurudev, anyone who wishes to near me, s/he can. Solitude is a pledge of the wise to stick to their dharma just like the tolerant oceans.
When Mr. Shaunak had brought the admission receipt, Gurudev asked me about my family and the past. He further advised me to take stand on the rules of the college and be focused on the studies. I bowed down to him and took leave.
When I exit the gate, I looked back on the huge structure of the age-old college that under its shade had provided Bharata the most brilliant reformers in the history. However the congressmen modified their agenda time and again in the last five decades to commercialize the education sector, this institution held its nobility as high as the sky. The Vikram College has its roots deep down in the memories of the Bharatiyas and wide in around every nation around the world. The professors have a sense of parity for all their pupils, the working staff act voluntarily in their appropriate designations, the seniors act as vigilantes to the juniors and the juniors bear the onus of smiting the aura all around. Each individual who had been conferred the doctorate degree from this college was/is himself/herself an institution in the respective field of study. The students rightfully do their duties and the college dutifully allots everyone their rights under its shade. People from all backgrounds take part in the college but anyone who tries to disturb its behaviour over personal issues gets rusticated and hence, s/he is accepted nowhere. At some point, Bharata is jinxed to be politically addressed and governed by the suspended pupils of this college.
It was 4:44 p.m. when I returned to my room. I messaged brother Bhargav and other friends about my admission. Shubham and Achyut both questioned on being late. "I am on time. Thanks to you all who cleared the way and managed my admission." I responded them in the group chat. Bhanu and Aisha were happy.