Chapter 12

Arjun and Udhi were classmates from Indraprasta Management Institute (IMI). They had become close friends during their term at IMI. They were almost like two bodies and one soul. It did not mean that they were alike in everything. It just meant that in spite of their differences, they had something that linked them to a common purpose and a belief.

Arjun came from a middle class family in a small town in Indraprasta called Tridevpur. He did his schooling in Tridevpur. His father was a priest in the temple. So they were not very well off. His father and mother encouraged him to learn the scriptures. He became quite proficient in these. He also read scripture of other religion and he was quite familiar with them too.  He was not deeply religious. He was comfortable at both religious and non-religious settings. He was not sure in his mind his religious position. One part of him was a believer; believer of heaven and hell. The other part could not put his faith in the concept of the immortal soul whose ticket to heaven was determined by his actions during few years on earth. However the religious background shaped his life’s values of decency, integrity and doing good to his fellow humans.

Arjun was good at studies. He came first in the school and got admission to College of Engineering Tridevpur.

He participated in extracurricular activities. He stood for college union elections and was elected as the student council secretary. He loved swimming from his school time and was a regular at Tridevpur swimming pool.

When he finished Engineering course, He wanted to do his management from an Ivy League Management school. He knew that was the only way to be catapulted to the higher echelons of corporate circle. But he know with the background he came from it was going to be difficult to get into an Ivy League school. He took up job with Tridevpur Automobiles as a Graduate Engineer Trainee (GET). They were a batch of 25 GETs Tridevpur Automobiles had taken first time as an experiment. This had created quite a shake-up in the company. The old timers who had come up from the ranks were not amused with these upstarts.

He and his close friend Chandi Varghese took up a studio apartment. This apartment was sort of an outhouse of a Bungalow owned by Mr Romeo Fernando. 

“My father has come up with a marriage proposal. He is insisting that I meet up with his girl” Chandi was pouring his heart out.

Arjun, Chandi and Joshi had got together on the terrace of their apartment. This was a regular pastime they had after their work. As usual they had their supply of chilled beer.

“But Chandi, it is too early to get married. I agree the job we have in this company is good. It pays decently. It has respectability in this community. But if we get married and settle down, our growth will be restricted. We will be like frogs in a well” Arjun remarked as he lit is cigarette.

“I agree with Arjun” Joshi added “ I plan to migrate to US. I have already started applying to schools in America.”

“You can dream about it Joshi. You are a rich man” Arjun replied with a laughter

“Fuck of. My popsy is not going to give me money to go to America. I am trying to get a scholarship” Joshi retorted.

“Oh Come on Joshi. You know it is not so easy to get Schol. Even if we get some partial schol, there is still going to be a big cost. I can’t afford that” Arjun said.

“ I have some ideas on how to improve my chance of getting into an ivy league school in US” Joshi grinned and took a sip of the beer.

“You always have many aces up your sleeve.  Tell with us your smart idea”

“Man ideas don’t come free.” Joshi replied with a wink

“Don’t act pricey. We are not trying to go to US and we won’t steal your ideas. But we are curious about your ingenuity” Chandy interjected

Joshi did not reply. His eyes were at the terrace of the neighboring building. Sheena, the neighbour's daughter was standing there with her pet Alsatian.

“Mr Joshi, Turn this side. You are getting distracted ” Chandy said

“Oh I was just looking at the beautiful bitch” Joshi replied

“The four legged or the two legged one” Arjun asked.

“Come on guys. Be a sport”  Josh replied

“Son, don’t lech at  Sheena. She has an elder brother who is a police inspector. He will help you to count your ribs and ours too” Arjun tapped Joshi’s head and said.

“Come on. I was only looking. No comments, no winks, no smile. Just enjoying nature’s beauty. Joshi said with a mock protest.

Arjun lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.

“Joshi, tell us about your master plan” Chandy implored.

“Arjun pass me a fag” Joshi asked

He was getting ready for his narration.

“I am planning to join this NGO called ‘Tribal Arts’. They work among the tribes in one of the most backward regions of Indraprasta. They help to market the various artifacts made by these tribes. “ Joshi started

“That is a very great work they are doing” Arjun replied

“What are you going to do? You have no sense of art” Chandy asked laughingly.

“Oh I am going to be based in one of the villages deep into the forests” Joshi replied

“I will be teaching and helping the tribes on how to do their business better” Joshi continued.

“I have variety of roles to play. I will teach them basic arithmetic and basic language skills, help them to package the products well. Will help them in their inventory planning. Based on the feedback from the corporate office of NGO I will help them prioritize and focus their production so that they can maximize their revenue and return”

“That is a very honourable thing you are doing” Arjun said appreciatly

“I agree” Chandy added

  

“The international Ivy League schools give lot of value for such work from their prospective students. If I spent two years doing a serious job of this, I have a pretty good chance for my admission. Anyway I have a decent score for GMAT, my graduate results are pretty good and I have some good reco”

“Man you are something. You are determined. I am impressed” Arjun said

“But Joshi, how are you going to spent two years in the forest. It can be so boring”

“That is the price I have to pay for what I want to get. In the process many tribal people are going to be benefited”

“Wont it be quite boring and lonely there?” Chandy asked

“I already made a visit to the place. The forest is quite scenic. Quite a lot of trekking opportunities for my weekends. I am sure there can be some good fun with nice weed and may be there is some good mushroom there” Joshi replied

“The king’s daughter is quite a chic” Joshi continued with a wink

“Man don’t mess around with the King’s daughter. They will catch you and castrate you” Arjun replied

“Oh no. No fooling around. I will marry her” Joshi replied nonchalantly

 “Marry her?. But you are going to be there only for two years. I don’t think she will be able to adjust to city life” Arjun

“Who asked about adjusting to city life” Joshi asked

“When my objective of getting admission is met, I leave. She stays” Joshi continued

“But that is not fair” Arjun replied

“Everything is fair in love and war” Joshi laughed

“This is neither war nor love” Arjun commented

“Winning in your career advancement journey is a war and my love for admission to Ivy League School is unconditional. I am willing to pay any price for it.”

“ You can rationalise. It is still mean” Arjun commented.

“Look at this way. She gets a first class husband for two years. She is not worse of. As Barnard Shaw commented a woman would rather have a one tenth of a first class husband than full of a third class husband. She gets to have a first class husband for two years”

“You are really vain” Arjun took a swig of beer from the mug

“When you leave her and go after two years she will be devastated” Chandy said

“For some time. Then the hormones will start working and she will look for another mate.”

“You are a rascal. I hope you won’t make a baby” Arjun remarked with a serious note.

“It is a point. That way I will have no head ache. On the other side, should I not leave something for her to remember me”

“Have you told all these plans to the NGO who is sponsoring” Chandy asked

“Are you out of your mind? All these ideas about marrying the King’s daughter are just dreams” Joshi replied

“I hope your dreams don’t come true for the girl’s sake” Arjun commented.

“I was just letting my imagination run wild a bit.” Joshi suddenly changed the tone.

“One thing is sure. I am willing for a two year sojourn in a forest if that will help me the admission I want”

“Let us go and get some food” Chandy got up.

“Arjun you wait here. I will hitch a ride in Joshi’s bike and get some nice Paratha and Chicken”