Things we do..-2

Viji set about doing everything that was essential to get in to school, her father was very encouraging but the rest of her family was not which did not surprise her. Her grandmother came over almost every evening to talk to her father about sending unmarried girl off to a foreign country "nataraja..what are you thinking, we can understand that she is motherless child but you cant give in to her every whim and fancy" her grandmother almost ended every evening with that statement.



"well it is one of the hazards of having relatives living a street away from you " Viji once vented to her friend Vinaya. "don't worry about them" Vinaya responded "concentrate on getting the entrance cleared and other essential things that need to be completed"



Viji focused all her energy for now going to a foreign school became more of an obsession. Months ran fast and she got a call back from the one of the top universities in US. Viji was ecstatic and she ran to Vinaya's house to see if her friend will be joining her there.



"No Viji..i got a rejection from them three days back" Vinaya responded despondently " and i have not heard from any other school either"



"and good thing too" Vinaya's mom said as she walked in to the room with snacks "my little darling is not going so far away from me". Viji's joy was dimished but she still had her hopes up that Jayanthi might still be going to US with her. She quickly excused herself and headed back home. Once there she quickly called Jayanthi who answered the phone gleefully. Not only had she gotten in to the same university as Viji but also from MIT.

"so which one are you going to choose" Viji asked anxiously.

"UPitt ofcourse, after all we three did plan to go to school together" Jayanthi replied which put a smile on viji' face.

"i dont think Vinaya will be joining us" Viji said and explained what had happened in her place.

"yeah her mom was not really encouraging about that" Jayanthi replied "so i am not that shocked"

"yeah atleast two of us will be together "Viji said once again on cloud nine.

Few weeks passed with Viji filing all necessary paper work for Visa and also battling with her grandmother, uncles and aunts who had now started hassling her along with her father.
"i wish you will not open the door" Viji complained one evening
"kanna (dear)" her appa said " if you are very sure about something you should be able to defend your ideas in face of any opposition. You are going abroad to increase your knowledge right, so tell them that and shut out the negative energy"

"i am heading to bank" Her father said one day "to arrange for some loan".
"why do we need a Loan appa" Viji asked truly perplexed, for she knew they were not very rich like Jayanthi's family but still they are well off. Her father explained the expenditure involved in the process to her and for the first time she understood how finance ruled most decisions especially for a middle class family like hers. She resolved to be better and do everything well.

Weeks flew by and Viji got her Visa, and with two months left for her to fly she decided to get shopping done. Armed with the list of the things obtained from her seniors she headed to T.nagar with Jayanthi.

"you are quiet" Viji observed "what happened?? i actually thought we will go together and apply for Visa but your amma said that you had yours already".

"well ..yeah" Jayanthi replied " Viji i accepted MIT. Its my parents they said i should go to the best school and we have many friends and relatives close to the campus there and it is a top school"

"oh.." Viji said feeling deflated suddenly. "you are not mad at me .." Jayanthi said " well both the schools are in the east coast and we can see each other whenever we want..it is so much easier in US"

"no.." Viji replied half heartedly "yeah.."

"well lets complete the shopping" Jayanthi replied relieved. Shopping was a hazy experience for Viji for she also pictured all three girls heading to US together and having fun like they did in their undergraduate college. "may be i should not go" she thought as she headed home, all her relatives admonishments becoming more real.

As she entered the house she saw her father was talking heatedly to her grandmother " amma i have made up my mind" he said " Viji is a smart girl and has worked hard. I trust her and even if i have to sell this house she is going to study where she wants. I would appreciate if you would stop pestering me about this matter. It is settled and she is going to US to study, and i dont want to hear anything more from you in this regard"

Viji froze for she had never heard her father so angry and she silently slipped in to her room, tears she had been holding back tumbled out of her eyes. She suddenly realized that she would really and truly be alone in a foreign country "but i cant let appa down.." she thought "i am a friendly person i should be able to get along with people. i can do this". With that thought decided she came downstairs to find her appa sitting in the dining table.

"so kanna how was your shopping???" her father asked

"it was great appa" Viji realized "but i have to go again..few more things to collect"

"good" her father said with a big smile "I only want the best for you"

.....to be continued