The Last Incarnation (Kalki Chronicles)

Irretrievable Breakdown

A year later, on 13th July 2014, Samaira’s happiness knew no bounds. She was very happy as she would not be alone in the City of Dreams. Her sister would join her in her endeavors. Harlyn was coming to Delhi for pursuing a course in Masters of Business Administration.

It is not one of the usual mornings for Samaira. She had to rush to the Airport to receive her sister. In no time, Harlyn gave her company. Sipping green tea, both sisters shared a great bonding before they began their conversation.

“So, what are your future plans, Harlyn?”

“Plans? What plans? I have come here all the way from Kolkata only to enjoy with you. At the moment, that is the only plan I have”.

“That is alright, Harlyn. But I wanted to know what plans do you have in mind regarding your future? Remember, I supported you all throughout so that our parents send you here to study”.

“I remember. I too have a plan. However, for the time being, I want to spend most of the time with my sister, Samaira”.

“And? What else?” queried Samaira

“We will visit Parantha Gali, Chandni Chowk, Connaught Place etc. and go for sightseeing all around Delhi, Harlyn remarked gleefully. “Oh…And I forgot. I also wanted to visit your Aim Law Institute?

“It is not my Institute” said Samaira

“But you work there right”.

“I just work there. I am an employee. In any case, what will you do visiting the Institute?” added Samaira

“I want to know what work do you do there. I also had something else in mind”.

“Yeah…I got the hunch. May I know what else do you have in mind?”

“I want to work with you. As in, I want to do internship in the Institute. I have heard a lot of good things about the Institute”.

“But how will you manage your studies, Harlyn? Parents will never allow you to work. We will never allow you to work”.

“Please. Can you introduce me to your boss?” requested Harlyn

Okay, get ready. We will leave in about an hour’s time. Samaira hurried to another room when Harlyn interrupted.

“And?”.

“And? What?” replied Samaira.

“And? Will we go for sightseeing Delhi? I want to go to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib at Barakhambha Road.

“Okay, we will go there also. Now get ready soon” hurried Samaira

Introducing Harlyn to Aim Law Institute, Samaira feels relieved as her financial burdens will give way to smiles. Steeping through the passageway, Samaira shows her the photos of the toppers, surrounded by some quotes from great thinkers like Swami Vivekananda.

“So, much for the inspiration, Di”, said Harlyn.

“Hey, you never call me Di," interrupted Samaira

“It is a reputed Institute. So, I should also maintain a decorum”.

“So much for your decorum”. And they laughed.

“There is much more to offer in the Institute”, continued Samaira. “Experience is what counts. Come, let’s go inside”. Before they proceeded further, Mahadev Ji informs Samaira that Sebastian Sir is eagerly waiting for her at the waiting room.

“Is he angry," exclaimed Samaira

“Little bit," Mahadev Ji seemed anxious.

“Then I should be a little careful, smiled Samaira.

"Come, let us leave, saying so, Samaira takes Harlyn to the waiting room.

"Sir," she begins nervously. You had called for me? Is anything serious?

“Nothing is quite right here, Samaira. I had asked you to give me my schedule for the week? Where is it? And where is the final draft of the question paper for the students?"

"Sir, the final paper will be on your table within an hour while I would require some more time for preparing your schedule."

"Why do you need time?"

"Sir, I was busy organizing classes for the students of Common Law Entrance Exam batch. The students wanted your classes to be scheduled earlier."

"Then why didn’t you tell this to me earlier? How much work will you manage? You are overburdened with work it seems. That is why it is all messed up. We need a manager for organizing and managing the various batches for Law entrance exam."

“Do something, Samaira. Shortlist some candidates for the interview ASAP”.

"Sir, I have done that. Here is the list".

"How did you manage that fast? What is this? It is not the list that I wanted"

"Sir, this the resume of the prospective candidate for the post of manager in your Institute."

"Call her in. I want to interview her".

Samaira calls her sister inside the cabin.

"I will take it from here, Samaira. Now bring me a copy of the recent judgments. Till then I will interview this girl." Saying so, he begins with his interview, his voice being loud and clear -

"So, what is your name, Girl?"

"Sir, my name is Harlyn Sidhwani."

"Now tell me why do you want to join this Institute?"

"Sir, I have heard a lot about the Institute and want some exposure and learning experience before I complete my masters in business administration".

"From whom did you know about this Institute?"

"I have heard a lot from my sister, Samaira who works at your Institute".

"So, you are her sister". He smiled.

"Yes Sir." Before she continued, there was an interruption at the door. It was Samaira.

"Sir, May I come in?" asked Samaira

"Yes, you may".

Turning to Samaira, he said -

"Her internship is fixed for two months after which if everything goes fine, she will be made permanent."

As time passes by, both sisters work hard and enjoy each other’s company at the Institute. They become everyone’s favorite. While Harlyn being younger is pampered by everyone, Samaira on the other hand, is now a teacher’s pet and a teacher herself! Both ascend the ladder of success.

“Who is she, Mahadev Ji, " exclaimed one of the new teachers at the Institute. "She is sweet," he added

“She is Samaira’s Sister," replied Mahadev Ji.

Samaira took pride when she overheard the conversation and joined them.

“How are you doing, Mohit Sir?"

“I was just saying that your sister is doing fine work. She has a sweet demeanour”.

“Thank you for your appreciation. And how is your work going?”

“My work is going fine. However, my schedule at your Institute is very hectic. I shall take your leave now as I am getting late for the class”.

Months passed working hard for the Institute.

Now that everything is going fine in my life. I miss him a lot. Should I visit the Learner Coaching Institute? pondered Samaira once.

It was a Thursday, when Samaira visited the Learner Coaching Institute only to know that Dev wasn’t there.

Moving up through the stairs of the Institute, she finds everything changed and new. The huge banner though had the same name inscribed on it “Learner Coaching Institute of Learning Pvt. Ltd.”. Sweet reminiscences about the olden days at the Institute fills her with excitement when she meets Mohan.

"Hello, Mohan. How are you doing?"

"I am doing fine and how are you doing?" "By the way, I am in a hurry. I have to take a class. Why don’t you join us for lunch".

"Oh. Thank you. I would be glad but I am getting late".

"So am I? Will see you later, bye"

"But…..Listen. Mohan. Err…How is Devvvv….doing? Before she could speak further, Mohan resumed his class he had left midway.

Turning to the reception, Samaira begins –

“Hi, there. Leena. How is everyone at the Institute?”

“Everything is fine, Mam. How are you doing? Where are you working presently?” she queried

“Oh. I am working at the Aim Law Institute situated in the farthest corner of the nearby lane.”

“And…” Samaira's eyes darted around warily.

“And what else, Mam”.

“Have you seen Dev Sir anywhere? Is he taking a class?”

“No. He has stopped coming to the Institute”.

“Why? Is he alright?”

“Actually, he is opening his own venture. He is busy with that”.

Hearing the news, Samaira’s heart filled with joy.

At the Aim Law Institute, things were taking a beautiful turn. It became an even more arduous journey for Samaira to embark on.

She was now preparing for her exams, taking care of the research work and the Institute as well as teaching some minor subjects.

It is one of the toughest exams to crack, she cried. However, she had to live up to the expectations of the Institute, particularly that of Sebastian Sir.

All came easy for her with Harlyn being by her side. She took care of the finances to a great extent.

“You need not worry about the rent," remarked Harlyn. I will take care of it. As regards other miscellaneous expenses like that of food, clothing etc, we will think of something about it”.

“I have an idea. Why don’t you take some work related to your studies and stay at home?”

“We are anyways shifting to the house next door. They are a family and charging a lesser amount of rupees as rent. Our financial burden will be lessened to a great extent”.

“Hmm…I agree. Okay. I will speak to Sebastian Sir tomorrow".

“Am sure, he will understand and allow you leave with some work so that you get paid," added Harlyn. In every situation whatsoever, we need to keep our financial wheel turning. We have loads of needs and we are staying away from our parents. We also need to send some money home.

"Done. I will try and keep up to everyone’s expectations. But I need a promise from you", said Samaira.

"What promise?"

"That you will not jeopardise your studies and will help me in my preparation for Delhi Judicial Service Exam".

"I promise," said Harlyn. Both hugged each other lovingly.

Next morning, while passing through the main lane of Mukherjee Nagar, Samaira thinks - "There is no time for love". She wished to meet Dev as she was nearing the Institute. However, other pressing engagements kept her busy. She hurriedly went to the book shop to submit her details for the form for the Delhi Judicial Service Preliminary Exam.

It was a Wednesday.

"Phew!! What a relief," exclaimed Samaira and quickly burnt an incense stick before her God, Shri Krishna. She lit a lamp happily and said - "I cannot believe my eyes". She was on seventh cloud. Eighth cloud would be after she would clear the mains stage of the exam. "Nobody could get luckier," she thought. It seemed apparent especially when she passed the exam on the borderline. She was one of the students who were shortlisted in the handicapped quota owing to a defect in the eyes. She had -11 power in both the eyes and could barely see anything without the aid of her spectacles.

An excited and happy Samaira went directly to Sir's cabin to give him the news -

"Sir, I have cleared the prelims paper?

"Congratulations, Samaira. But how much did you score?"

"Sir..Er...I...Umm.."

"Yes. Tell me. I want to know".

"Sir, I scored 124 out of 200".

"That is too low".

"Yes Sir", Samaira looked on in dismay around the room.

Looking at Samaira, Sir begins - "No need to worry, Kid. We will work hard together for your mains paper.

She cried - "Thank You sir. I am grateful to you".

When she was about to leave the room, he stopped her to give her a book. "Here, take this and solve all the questions within a week's time. I need all the questions and answers so that we may give it to the other students as well".

"It is ludicrous," she thought.

"How can I take up this impassable work, Sir". How will I achieve this task in such a short time? worried Samaira

"Should I decrease the time further?" He laughed

"No Sir. I mean nobody can write so many previous years questions and answers of Delhi mains. That too at such a short notice. It would require lot of time, hardwork and research".

"Do it or forget about the exam. I will give this work to someone else but you will not benefit from it".

"Okay Sir. I will take up the work" Samaira agreed and left for home.

"I will write myself to death... I will not stop at this. I will take up the challenge of writing over 500 questions and answers for Delhi Judicial Service Exams (Mains). Sir is right. I cannot give up," she pondered and turned to Harlyn for an ointment.

“Can you pass me that ointment?"

"Why, Is it paining badly, Di?" She mocked

"You mischievous little kid. Yes, it is paining indeed. But I will have to write".

"Why do you take up such works from Sir? He must be kidding. Nobody can even attempt such an arduous task".

"Sister, I will have to clear the exam and hence this is incumbent. Now don't disturb me".

"You have no one in your life except work, worship and we," said Harlyn.

"Now what is 'we'.

"'We' as in...'Me and You' all alone in Delhi

"You have become very smart, Harlyn. Nice one, sweet little Sis". They laughed

It was their first Diwali in Delhi. They were invited to a Diwali get together at the Aim Law Institute. While Sebastian Sir was busy offering sweets at the Centre, a new branch office was yet to be inaugurated. It was a very auspicious occasion as everyone got bonuses and increments. However, the Sidhwani sisters did not receive any bonus. They were treated more like family members.

"Mam, you know we are running short of funds in the Institute. We will pay you salary after a day or two," saying so Akash Sir ended the conversation.

"So much for our Diwali, it was more of our Diwala (bad financial situation)," said Harlyn to Samaira.

"It is just a phase. We will receive our salary very soon," replied Samaira.

On a cold night, it all began. A kiss a caress. She could feel butterflies in her stomach. It wasn’t till there. While his lips locked hers, a feeling of ecstasy filled her body. She was no more the same again. Nothing else was needed by her. His body was warm. She came closer to him. He moved his fingers close to her hair to turn it around when she kissed him on his forehead.

She came down and kissed his nose, then his lips. She looked at him and cried happily. Tears started swelling from her eyes. In deep reverence and love, she hugged him and both melted in each other’s arms. They didn’t want to do anything.

“Just stay like this with me forever," he said in a mellowed tone.

“Like this. In this position. And she smiled shyly.

“Yes, my dear. I don’t want to let you go any where away from me”.

“Don’t love me so much," she said

“You deserve even more than this". Saying so, he moved his fingers across her hair to turn it away. Slowly, he touched her face and gave her a kiss. They loved each other immensely. The night passed lovingly.

"Wake up Di. It is 6 am".

"Why....How..... I am late. Oh My Gosh...I had to begin with my preparation from today" worried Samaira

"You were having a romantic dream or what? Who is he? Tell me, Di," smiled Harlyn

"How do you know?"

"You were taking someone's name in your dreams and giving kisses. Some Dev.. I tried to sneak peek but could not enter your dreams".

"Very Funny, Sis. Now, let us get back to work". Both hurried to Aim Law Institute. It was the day when Samaira was about to submit her work to Sir.

However, she could still not find any time for love. She yearned to see him and speak to him. Dev was nearby in the vicinity when Samaira called up Dev to meet him. She introduced her sister, Harlyn to him.

"Hi, this is Dev," he introduced himself. Dev had come to meet Samaira with two of his girl friends.

The meeting was brief.

At the Institute, financial troubles became insurmountable. Samaira faced several problems at work, most of which were related to Sebastian Sir. His demeanor was unexplainable.

"What have you done?" He shrieked once

"If you give me such work, you will not get your salary. Promotion is a distant dream for you in the Institute.

"Sorry Sir, I will work harder," she spoke with teary eyes.

"As regards your studies", he began, "you will never be able to clear any exam without my help. So, be subservient to me."

"But....Sir..". paused Samaira

"Just leave my Institute now. I don't want to see you in this Institute anymore. You are not required to take coaching from me and give me my fees for the coaching I gave you".

Samaira wept bitterly. She couldn't understand what went wrong. Her worries knew no respite. She narrated the whole incident to her family who asked her to come back to Kolkata.

The Sidhwani sisters, decided to relocate themselves to their native place Kolkata.