The exam

The first paper was at 9.30 AM. On strict orders from home, I start at 7 AM sharp. Again, on strict orders, I give a long namaskaar to the dark rock (people call Shivalinga) inside the temple on the way. Since, I'm not convinced he's really there, I tell myself or.. heck, whoever (Allah/Jesus/Eashwar) is listening "I dont know if you're there but if you're there I'm not asking for anything. Just do whatever you want." It always feels better when you do that. It's gives you a feeling that whatever will happen will happen and there's no point getting anxious about it. As the Atlantean once said, "All Past was Future once and all Future will become Past. The Present is only an illusion" :p

I take the Metro to CP and my plan was to take an auto from there to Shakarpur. Finding an auto was some experience. The first guy says Rs. 80. I open my mouth wide open in disbelief. He understands and takes off. The next guy says Rs. 60. Actually, it takes Rs. 30 to go to Shakarpur from CP. The other guy comes and asks "Kitne doge?" I say "Pachaas". He gets the shock of his life. "Pachaaas doge?!!" and he runs outta there! This was getting a little too much. Finally, some guy comes and says Rs. 60. I realize there's no use asking them for less so I accept, breathing a sigh of relief that I actually got an auto! Huh!

Over to School Block, Shakarpur. The school was a government school and it had all the characteristics of one. There was a huge garbage dump right beside the school gate. Thousands of years from now, the classrooms will be important archaelogical sites as I got to see the modern version of cave paintings. No corner… I mean no corner of the classrooms was left empty. And the benches – those were for kindergarten students, not us! Only half our butts fitted on those benches. Two fans werent working, one of which was over myself. Fortunately, I got a window seat!

The Geography paper started at 9.40 AM, 15 minutes late (God knows why). It was okay. I mean, I shouldnt've wasted time all these days lamenting about the level of my preparation. A little extra preparation and I would've done a shade better. Anyway, I can get about 85-90 questions correct out of 120. This time, the posts are many, so the cut off might come down. I might sneak in

Noon was a bore. I spent it somehow. Over to General Studies at 2.30 PM. The first twenty questions were from Indian History and Mental Ability. I know little of Indian History as I left it compleletely during preparation. Tension aa gayi! Mental Ability was a strength for me so I gave my best there and though I was anxious while solving them, I did pretty well. This time, the paper was too general, more general than last time. That actually worked to my advantage because I didnt prepare for the usual stuff So after the end of the exam, I counted and I was overjoyed at the result. I can easily get about 80 or even 90 correct out of 150, which is considered safe.

So, it was a happy ending and I got back home feeling relieved. My chances of clearing the exam? – 6 times out of 10 – which is pretty good considering the level of my preparation.

Departure

The next day, I was all excited about leaving for Hyderabad. The departure time was 9.25 PM and I started from home at 7.30 PM.

I asked the autowallah "Domestic airport?".

"Kya?"

"Domestic airport"

"Indira Gandhi airport?"

"Nai nai domestic!"

"Palam?"

*I slap my forehead

"Domestic airport!"

He says Rs. 80. I got till that auto after walking almost a mile with a 15 KG. bag on my shoulder. There was no empty auto in sight and I was getting a little late. So I thought "Cant miss this one". Judging from past experience with Delhi autowallahs, Rs. 80 seemed reasonable from Rajendra Place to the Domestic airport. And we start.

This guy actually was about to take me to the international airport! I asked him a zillion times "Hey, if you dont know, let us ask somebody for directions". He's adamant. He doesnt even turn his head back. After delivering some hard-to- understand behaviour for some time, even he's convinced that we better ask for directions. We do and in fact, we were going the wrong way. Bloody hell! We turn back and after further asking for directions, we finally reach the airport after half an hour from the time we first asked for directions.

Getting on a train, I tell you, is far easier than getting on a flight! My airline was Air Deccan. Some call it "Air Dhakkan", pyaar se, which is completely understandable. There were 5 checkin counters there. Mathematically speaking, there were 'n' number of queues, where n = any natural number. Nobody knew which queue is it to which counter and there were frequent fights between persons who were trying to establish the authenticity of the queues they formed. I had loads of fun looking at these people, some well over 40 and 50 years old, acting like kids fighting for a toffee and at the same time trying to look dignified. It was pitiable infact. Air Deccan doesnt assign seat numbers and no secret is made of this. I fail to understand what these people were fighting for. Such pity… and such fun!

The takeoff felt really good although it wasnt very comfortable. It was night so didnt gawk too much outside. Up close, the airhostesses arent really beautiful. All makeup… yuck! I wonder how they manage to wash it off… must be some powerful detergent like Rin Supreme or something.

In no time, in about 1.5 hours, we got the "we'll be landing shortly at Hyderabad" message. I felt it was too early but it felt damn good to be back on terra firma and much better to be back at Hyderabad When I got down, I was taking a look at the aircraft while waiting for the coach to arrive. My eyes closed in on the engine and I felt a great urge to go stand in front of the engine to have a good look at it and see how it feels. I started walking towards it but some staff member stopped me and gave me a hard, "smileless" look which said "Back off kiddo". The world is full of boring people!

Back home

It was after eight months that I got to see my mom again and boy, was I overjoyed to see everyone! It was really good.

I already started the food fest. Beer and biryani ticked off already Much more's left of course.

So, till next time… salaam alaikum!