MADMISSIONS!

“Next station is Rajendra Place.Doors will open on the left.Mind the gap.”

“Agla station,Rajendra Place hai.Darwaaze baayein taraf khulenge,kripya saavdhani se utren.”

After delaying it for days,I was finally on my way to Kalindi College to get my OMR Centralized pre-admission form.With the sun making life miserable,and travel nearly impossible,the only way to get there was by the Metro.An air-conditioned journey would be so much delightful,I thought.What I didn’t know was fate had something else in store for me.

Getting up quite late in the morning,I rushed to get ready and get my form,as the windows closed at 1:00 p.m.Reaching the Metro station at 12:30 p.m.,I figured out-okay,now I would have to think up another way of reaching the college.The reason?There were long queues at every Metro counter!Luckily,I remembered,I had my Metro smartcard.But being the Mr.Smartypants that I am,In a hurry to get ready,I had left it at home!

Groaning and cursing,I asked a fearful-looking and aggressive rickshaw-wallah whether he would go to Kalindi College. “Chalenge”.Thank god.

I asked him to pedal faster,telling him about the limited time-slot.Upon hearing I was a student,he immediately picked up his speed.

 “The perks of being a class 12 passout.Life would be so much better if everyone would…”Disrupting my train of thoughts,the rickshaw-puller suddenly braked hard. “Bhaiya,chain nikal gayi hai”.12:45 p.m..Great.

Fixing the chain,he started again.Thankfully,there was no problem this time.But then,he said something which just made my day—“Kalindi toh ladkiyon ka college hai na.Wahan ladkon ka kya kaam?” I snapped “vahaan form mil rahe hain,wahi lene hain” Irritating me further, he said “Ladkiyon ke college ke form ka kya karoge”. “Kuch nahi bhaiya.Aise hi” 12:55 p.m.

Fervently praying that the windows be open till 1:05 p.m. due to some miracle,I got down from the rickshaw,and handed the rickshaw-puller a 100-rupee note. “No change……….”I ran to the counter,and had just reached it,when I saw the windows being closed. Even a number of “Sir,please” didn’t work.Losing all hope,I exited the college,and saw the same rickshaw puller standing there,waiting for a passenger. “bhaiya,Café Coffee Day”. “In flat 5 minutes,I was transported to the chilling AC ambience.Ordering a cold coffee,I sat down,and pondered upon ways to get up early in the morning.Especially when I have to rush somewhere important.