Chapter 16 The Salespersons June 30, 2008

“Is it some opportunity provided to me by God to solve all of my problems?”

Whatever it may be, I took it. I started studying more sincerely. School-time was utilised in completing coaching homework. My new partner, Anurag, was good in mathematics. So, I started to learn a few things from him. (I was too weak in maths).

My new class teacher was Rao Sir, again a maths teacher too. Unlike Sinha Sir, he was quite sincere and somehow really took interest in teaching. But unfortunately again, he was Sinha Sir’s very good friend. Every now and then, Sinha Sir would come and disturb our class for rubbish chats with Rao Sir.

I got more closer to Palak. Now, we really were very good friends. She was my lab-partner too. So, I got some good time to spent with her. Life seemed to be balanced for a while.

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THE SALESPERSONS

Today Rao sir and Sinha sir had combined 12th A2 and A3 sections. I didn’t really know for what reason they did so. I just enjoyed sitting with Apurv after a long time.

Sinha Sir was sitting on bench at teacher’s stage, while Rao Sir was standing beside. When all of us settled quietly, he started:

“Today, we are here to discuss something important about your studies and about your future.”

He appeared serious and so were we.

“Sinha Sir and I have been observing some concerns for a long time and so we thought to have a talk about it with you people.”

He took a long pause then continued again.

“We have noticed most of you have joined some preparatory-classes for your IIT-JEE, AIEEE or other competitive exams along with this school. But still if I look towards the statistics, I find no one has performed upto the mark inspite of that.”

He reached the blackboard and wrote my name. I jumped out of my seat. Then he wrote some other names too. There were few things common among these people: they were 10th toppers, had joined some IIT coaching and had failed at least once in 11th.

He continued:

“So somehow, its clear that these extra preparations are hindering your way in both your school and competitive exams. The main problem here is no co-ordination between the two. So finally, Sinha Sir and I have figured out a solution for this.”

Then Sinha Sir stood up. In the next 15 minutes he told us about his new concept of combining school studies with IIT-JEE. Told us various examples and incidents and obviously everyone (except me) was impressed.

“So, if you join us, you’ll be benefited of what I’ve just told you.”

Now this was so cheap. He was advertising his ‘tuition classes’ in school! What a crap man..! I mean how someone could fall upto this extent, I haven’t just thought about it. Truly Sinha Sir and Rao Sir were appearing like ’salespersons’ to me.

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The advertisement did not have a great effect. Although, Sinha Sir was highly respected personality, still many students believed it was a cheap publicity tactic. Obviously, I was amongst them.

“Absolute Nonsense”, Anurag said. I nodded.

But there were still a very high percentage of people taking keen interest in this idea. Akshat appeared quite excited. I didn’t know about Palak, nor I wanted to discuss such a disputable thing with her.

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FIRST CRUSH WITH A BANG

Two days have passed and I was standing in a shop to purchase some rough notebooks when I saw Giya. She stopped her scooty near the shop and headed towards my side. One more girl was with her.

“Hie”, I said.

“Oh Hi! What a pleasant surprise!”, she exlaimed. It feels good to hear such things from a girl, especially when she’s your first crush.

Giya was in college now. She introduced her college-friend Sonal. A few moments later, I realised Sonal used to be my senior at school. Infact, I knew her very well. She was damn beautiful and I had heard some senior boys talking about her in my school-bus.

Giya went inside to purchase something, while Sonal and I were left to talk. She asked me about school, teachers and told that she really misses it. I told her everything about the school including Sinha Sir’s latest concept.

“What? So he bastard is doing these things now…..pleading students to join his tuitions!”, she howled angrily.

“Sorry, I didn’t get you.”, I asked.

“You know, once I also used to go his tuitions.”

While she was pursuing with her anger on Sinha Sir and convicting him with so many guilties, Giya called her.

“And once he personally told me that his married life is not satisfying.”

She said, waved a ‘good bye’ and left.

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This was a bang for me. Who on the earth talks about his married life with his student? Surely, something was wrong with this man. I had always doubted on him and now I started to feel I was right.

Obviously, it was nothing wrong for one to talk about his married life with a student, but I never wanted to think like that. I had already pictured him of guilty and I didn’t want to change this.

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TWO WEEKS LATER

Nine students found Sinha Sir’s idea fascinating enough to join him. Unfortunately, two of my friends ~ Palak and Akshat were amongst them.

{rest continued in next Chapter}

PS — Only one chapter left. The story is about to finish.

PS — This was the most boring chapter of the whole story.

PS — Today I officially became the third IITian of my colony. The coincidence is that all the three of us are in IIT Delhi Chemical Engineering branch.

PS — One of them has just passed out this year and other one is studying in his 3rd year.

PS — Movies I would like to watch – Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na.

PS — Special features by Boman Irani and Ritesh Deshmukh on IIFA Awards were marvelous.

PS — Adios.