Dressed in a simple yellow short kurta and a deep blue long skirt, kajal shimmering in her eyes and earrings dangling in her ears, Jeevika looked like she did every day. She had often heard people tell her that she was beautiful but the way she saw it she was just simple. She believed that people see simplicity so rarely these days that when they do they find it beautiful. Modesty, which was another one of her qualities, was something that she got from her mother.
She had finished graduation. She had done BBA from a small college in Rishikesh and now wanted to do law. But to get into a good Law School, i.e. to get into a National Law School she needed to get appropriate coaching for the entrance exams. After a lot of persuading Beeji had let her come to Delhi for a month's coaching in Career Launcher. She had to stay with her Mausi and her daughter Maanvi which had really displeased Beeji.
It was no secret that Beeji wasn't very fond of Jeevika's mother side of the family. Her parents had had a love marriage and Beeji had no say in the matter. Beeji didn't deny the fact that Sakshi was an excellent wife and mother. But she could never approve of her as a daughter-in-law. Or maybe she just didn't want to. Pride can be a tricky thing.
"Maasi! Mannu! Breakfast is ready!"
"Jeevika? Tumne Breakfast banaya? Kyun? Staff hai na. Yeh tumhaara kaam nahi hai Beta." Maasi berated her.
"It's Okay Maasi. I don't mind."
"Well I do. Tumhe kuch karna hai toh padhai karo. Didi would have loved to see you in a good law school."
"Maasi Yeh sab main Mamma ke liye hi toh karr rahi hoon. Sirf unka sapna poora karne ke liye yahaan tak aayi hoon."
Just as Jeevika and Manaswi were talking Maanvi walked out of her look, all sleepy eyed and bed haired. She rubbed her eyes and said, "Yahaan tak matlab? Kaunsa Antartica chale gaye ho? 5 Ghante dur hai delhi bass Rishikesh se. Aur agar aap apne crash course ke liye nahi aate toh main aapko Kheech ke le aati."
"Kyun?"
"Aur kya? Aapko mujhse milna nahi hota? Meri yaad nahi aati? No body loves me" Maanvi tried to pull out her puppy dog look. But by now Jeevika had grown immune to it.
"Nautanki!" Manaswi and Jeevika said in unison.
"Hahaha! Chalo ab tumne breakfast banaya hai toh khaa bhi lo. Class ke liye late ho jaaogi warna."
The Singh household was never quiet. And it wasn't just Maanvi. Her mother liked to talk a lot as well. Maanvi's father Bhaskar Singh used to be away a lot. So the mother and daughter had been very close to each other ever since Maanvi was a child. Jeevika on the other hand lost both her parents when she was just five years old on a fateful diwali night. After their death she had to leave Delhi and relocate to Rishikesh to live with her Beeji. But she had always been exceptionally fond of Manaswi and Maanvi. Maanvi and Jeevika had grown up in completely different surroundings but anyone who met them for the first time would never be able to tell that they weren't real sisters.
Jeevika was lost in these thoughts as she walked to the tutor centre. She saw a bunch of youngsters waiting outside the centre. Assuming them to be from her batch as well she decided to wait there too.
If I can get through a good law school I'll be able to get out on my own. Be independent. Maybe I can secure a scholarship. Beeji shouldn't have to pay for Law school. It's too expensive.' Engrossed in these thoughts she walked into the centre with the other students and took a seat. The girl sitting next to her introduced herself as Aditi from Faridabad. She had done her graduation in English Honours and clearly loved to talk. So much so that while Jeevika was sitting quietly and listening to her every word three more girls had joined in the conversation. Just as Aditi was talking about what a great weekend she had a tall, fair and beautiful lady walked in and introduced herself.
"Hi! I am Nidhi and I can be your English Skills professor and your coordinator. So in case of doubts or troubles I am the one you go to. Let me begin by introducing your curriculum." Nidhi had a wide smile on her face. She seemed pleasant and approachable. Jeevika had always been the kind of person to judge someone by the kind of vibes she got from them and with Nidhi she was all smiles.
"You obviously have five subjects, legal reasoning, logical reasoning, English, Basic Maths and General Awareness. They will be dealt with Mr. AmanDeep Brar, Ms. Tavishi Arora, Me, Mr. Pranav Sehgal and Mr. Viren Vadhera respectively. You have already received your class schedules and I suggest you stick to them. Every subject is held every day for half hour each except General Awareness. Mr. Vadhera liked to take his sessions for a complete hour. Also, while we are at it, I would suggest you don't get on his bad side," Nidhi said the last sentence in a whisper.
I know the title doesn't make sense now. but it will. trust me. :P
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