Ankie, Mahi, Sanu, you guys are the best cheer squad. It’s how I force myself to keep at it and not get lazy. Anju and Breez, I’m glad you don’t think my story is ghisapitta and I’ll try and update as quickly as possible. Najma, the links are up. I hope that helps. Moushumi, I’m so glad you liked the update. I hope I can keep up the quality. Shruti and Pori, I’m always delighted to see your comments. Keep 'em coming. It’s the only way I’ll get off my ass and bother to write. Aparna, your kind words made my day. I am trying hard to make Prerna substantially opposite in character to RB without making her weak and silly. Anjali, thank you for providing the links. It totally didn’t strike me to do so. And I think collectively, many of us would do a better job of coming up with a better story arc than Ekta Kapoor. But I’m thrilled that you liked the story so far.
PART X
Prerna was looking at the notice board trying to see if she could fit in additional co-curriculars. She’d have to drop a subject then. Sino-Tibetan studies? Economics? Urgh. She despised economics. Her brain straight-up refused to process a single word. But too bad, if she wanted to get her M.Phil in Political Science, she was going to have to suck it up. Sino-Tibetan studies it is.
She was tapping a reminder into her phone when she was rudely shoved forward by a student running past her. Great, she’d dropped her books and her cell phone. “It better have been your girlfriend on fire, mister.” she muttered under her breath as she bent down to pick up her things.
Students kept whizzing past her and she caught snippets of their conversation.
“so looking forward to it…”
“…best in the business.”
“and that vibe…ooof”
“…did you read the last interview…”
“Hurry.. need the best seats...”
As she gathered her things, Prerna became convinced that Ranveer Singh was coming to college.
“You look like you need some assistance yet again, Ms. Sharma.” A voice behind her called.
His voice. The mad rush of students suddenly made sense.
She turned around “Mr. Bajaj. This is unexpected. What are you doing here?” She asked even though she had a fair idea why he was there. He looked like he’d walked off the cover of a magazine. Dressed in a patently expensive somber black suit, offset by a deep red tie, he oozed power and authority.
“I’ve been invited to speak to the MBA students. Guest lecturer. Thought I’d do some good in the world.” He added mockingly.
“Great. That’s exactly what we need. More Godfather-esque mini bajaj clones.”
“Come on now, even for a man with my talents, it would take more than one measly talk to brainwash so many kids.” Mr Bajaj said, a tiny smile playing at his lips.
“What’s your major, Ms. Sharma?”
“Political Science.”
“Ah, you must be one of those bothersome democratic socialists.”
“And let me guess, you must be one of those evil capitalists.” Prerna bit back.
Mr. Bajaj threw his head back and laughed. And Prerna didn’t know how to take her eyes off that sight. His face transformed from that of marble to flesh and bone and heat and warmth. She looked away, embarrassed.
“I don’t like being boxed, Ms. Sharma. I flit between labels as and when it suits me. Do you agree with it? Adam Smith’s concept of a free market?” He asked, gesturing towards the book that Prerna was carrying.
Used to his abrupt changes in conversation, Prerna said “I hate economics. And no, I don’t agree with Smith. I don’t think distribution of certain essential commodities should be determined by free market forces. Healthcare, education, childcare, minimum wage should all be regulated to ensure every citizen gets a share.”
“If you provide people handouts, no one will have a reason to work for better, will they?” He countered.
“That’s such a capitalist take on it! Look at healthcare in the Scandinavian countries, or minimum wage in Europe. Industry hasn’t stagnated, and people are living a healthy, livable life without suffering needlessly." Prerna finished hotly, her temper rising.
“What about public education in India? Definitely stagnated and no one wants to do anything to improve it because it’s free. But the parallel private education system is thriving and it operates very much like how a free market system would allow a company to operate: compete to provide the highest quality of goods and services to the most amount of people at a price decided by the marketplace.
“Yes, because all of us are Ambanis and Tatas and Bajajs’ and can afford to send kids to Dhirubhai Valley and Bombay Cottons and falanadhimkana. You can’t honestly be this blind to the plight of millions. Further, because affordability is absent, all future opportunities are affected adversely as well. People like you are the reason why—Why are you smiling? WHY ARE YOU SMILING?” Prerna roared.
Mr. Bajaj had the audacity to chuckle.
“Prerna, I think education is everything. We don't need little changes, we need gigantic, monumental changes. Educational institutions should be palaces. The competition for the best teachers should be fierce. They should be making six-figure salaries. Schools should be incredibly expensive for government and absolutely free of charge to its citizens. That's my position. I was just debating with you.” Mr. Bajaj finished with gentle sincerity. His voice like melting honey.
“Oh.” She squeaked, looking at her feet.
“Still hate economics?” He teased, eyes twinkling.
Prerna felt like she was on a ledge, struggling for composure. This earnest, charming version of Mr. Bajaj unsettled her. Caused her to do things like raise her voice and argue and hold opinions. Things she previously thought as unlike her.
“I have to get to class.” She said, looking for an escape.
“Yeah, don’t be late. Your education will be your greatest asset. Excel at it, Prerna. Don’t let others’ problems distract you from what’s important for you.” Mr. Bajaj advised, his tone devoid of his usual mockery.
With that, he walked past her to get to his waiting students.
She stood rooted at the spot, looking at her economics textbook.
It didn’t seem so terrible anymore.
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Cheers, Sohaa
Edited by Sohali19 - 4 years ago
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