Feeling, "THE BEST"

 It has been a while since I published a blog. In fact had lost the rhythm is what I would like to say.I was moved by this incident and decided to record it.

Saturday afternoon, I went to the beauty saloon to get a haircut, beautician being my very good friend smiled and greeted me, I grinned at her and sat waiting for my turn. A lady was sitting on the chair getting her nail shaped, went on with her nonsense and poor jokes. The beautician remained quiet, I noticed the sadness in her eyes, she was physically present but mentally absent and disturbed.

After a while, she called me while I slowly got up from my seat and went to her, loosened my hair and instructed her, layer with feather and steps. She looked lost as she listened to me. I shook her when the tears rolled down her skinny cheeks.

Though I was shocked to see her in that state, I waited patiently till she went out all her frustration, helplessness and grievances accumulated like debris.

It went on for fifteen minutes after which she looked at me and said, "I am sorry, for making you wait", Please do not mind. Smilingly, I looked at her and gave her soft hands a tap assuring her that it was alright.

She rubbed her eyes and nose, swallowing the lump in her throat; she asked me, What haircut do you prefer to have this time?, she asked me with a feeble and a fake smile on her lips.

I repeated the above statement, and she slowly started to move her scissors and the sprayer while the FM played in the background. I slowly bent down to reach the switch and turned off the radio.

While she was busy trimming the hair length, I slowly started to chit chat with her. Being known for quite some time now, I had the privilege to ask her about the Parlor Business and her customers.The talk went for a short period of time, once I felt comfortable talking to her I asked her, "Hey buddy, what made you weep?", "Why did you sob so badly?" "Is something serious?"

Initially she hesitated to reveal the matter but slowly she started to open the Pandora's box.

All my earnings is purely dedicated to the family, I do not get a chance to enjoy even a penny, but I do not care about that. I am twenty years old and I have the responsibility to take care of my entire family, My dad is a drunkard, My mother is as innocent as an infant and an illiterate, I did not have the privilege to get good education, I remained a deprived kid. Being the eldest daughter, I have always had a chance to support my family,I thank the lord for this. However, i am unable to arrange for the admission fees for my sister's graduation.I have really become helpless. I am lost and I do not have any source whom I can go to. As her mouth spoke the words, her little hands were busy wiping the tears off her face.

My observation and listening went on quietly till she completed her part of the story. I then held her hand, drew her close to me and the conversation went on for five or six minutes till I gathered the background of the problem. After some How's, Why's were asked, I understood their interest lay only in one famous college of  the city. I questioned her, why haven't you applied in other colleges, what is the specialty of this college?Is this the only Institution who can afford to produce the brightest, brilliant and the most efficient students of this Nation?

My sister has scored seventy seven percent, yet I am unable to get her admitted to that institution. When the results were announced, the fee structure remained 13 thousand. It was reasonable and we had decided to pay the fees. To confirm the same, I had her sent to the college to re-confirm the fee amount, she came back disappointed. She ran into my mom's arm ans started to weep non-stop. We were terrified looking at her state. As we were discussing, her sister came downstairs. She refused to look at me, and when I greeted her, the first sentence she uttered was, "I am not continuing my Music Class, Please forgive me".I looked at her and asked teasingly, "Why, what has you learning Music got to do with anything else?".

She replied, "I do not have money to study", There's none to help me, my sister is killing her happiness and I am unable to make it to degree. I fell short of two marks to qualify to the 13000 grid and my name was shortlisted in the 25000 fee grid was what i heard from her. I studied day and night sleeplessly with my sister and mother beside me supplying the basic things when needed and now this is the result I give them. I am ashamed of myself.I would not learn Music and make my sister spend a penny on me hereafter. I am not worth all the pain and efforts she puts in.

I was dumb-founded listening to the thoughts running in her head. Her sister went close to her while she pleaded her sister to forgive her. I could not stop myself from helping that girl. I was first surprised looking at the girl's desire and passion towards studying and then I was moved by the bonding that the sisters shared with each other.The love and affection that existed between them. It was as pure as as a crystal.

Just to draw their attention, I cracked a joke to which they laughed, in the mean time, I asked both the girls to relax, called my Uncle who has contacts in colleges to find out if he was of any help to us. Unfortunately, I could not get any. I came out of the parlor assuring them that the money would be arranged for her fees.

Thanks to the latest technology, "the mobile phones", A message was typed, transmitted in a matter of few seconds.News spread as fast as rapid fire amongst all my friends, Kind and genuine hearted people contributed for the noble cause. An opportunity to help the needy had come on our way unknowingly.It was a blessing in disguise to do some good deed. The intended amount was accumulated in a day. I relaxed and told myself, "The Mission Impossible is now Successful" We were all glad and surprised looking at the sum collected. It seemed priceless and the joy felt within was beyond words.

I ran to her home with the envelope, called her mother, sister and her. I said, "Close your eyes", "Lend your hand". She religiously followed my instructions, I handed over the heavy cover to her, she opened her eyes, On the cover were the words, "ALL THE BEST" from all of us.... She was confused, while I winked at her to look inside the cover.

Her heart jumped with joy,eyes filled with tears,lips adorned the beautiful smile I ever noticed. She came running and embraced me while her mother and sister remained speechless with a wide smile and tears. After some casual talk, I bid good bye to her family, I walked down the street humming lines of my favorite track with a great feeling inside. i realized, "Happiness is the state of Mind" and I had attained it.

When you help yourself you feel good, when you help others who are in real need of it you feel "THE BEST" and that is what I had noticed a couple of minutes back.THE LOST SMILE and HAPPINESS was back on the tired faces again.

I remained happy all the day while I had few questions unanswered.

1. Are educational institutions so corrupted?
2. Does 2 marks really matter to ruin a poor student's life and does it really give the institutions a right to harass lower class people ?
3.I have seen people craving for materialistic life and why was this girl dying to study?

4.Are educational institutional built to make or break lives of students?

5. Will a studious candidate from a low financial background be able to survive such exorbitant prices?

6.With such population, how many such bright students can have a helping hand when required?