First Class

Sheetal's sunglasses shone like a tiara on her head. They reflected the lights from the false ceiling panels. Her gait made a few heads turn, for her pencil heels clicked hard on the vitrified tiles. As she reached her desk, Madhu exclaimed, "Oh, you are coming in now?" More heads turned. It was a daily ritual for both women to bicker on the office floor. Some colleagues found the catfight as a distraction in their busy day & some were annoyed. Sheetal softly replied, "Heavy traffic. I drove through bumper-to-bumper traffic." Madhu sarcastically replied, "That's what happens when an individual drives a four-wheeler for a 5kms commute. Look at the rest of us; we commute from another end of the city & yet make it on time." Sheetal did not respond & settled in her seat. It was so unlike her to back off from a catfight. Something wasn't right; something bothered her.

At lunch, Sheetal shared her agony, "My son is stubborn. He isn't studying. I don't know what to do." Kanika broke a piece of onion parantha & dipped it in curd. She casually asked, "How old is he? What class is he in?" Sheetal replied, "He is 4yrs old & in pre-KG." Kanika almost choked. She exclaimed, "He is 4yrs old! What do you expect out of him?" Sheetal almost shrieked, "He has exams next week." Kanika stopped eating & stated, "Irrespective of whether he writes or not, they are going to promote him. I don't know why you are so worried; chill." Sheetal asked, "He isn't studying now. What will he do in higher class?"

Kanika pressed her left palm to her forehead. Suddenly, she raised her head & stared at Sheetal with narrowed eyes. Sheetal lost in worry; chewed on akki roti slowly. Kanika confidently asked, "You were a first ranker throughout your academics. Weren't you?" Sheetal grinned & proudly answered, "Yes. I studied daily, on weekends & during holidays too." Kanika tried hard to respond calmly, "Just because you were first in class, do not expect your son to do the same." Sheetal continued to question, "What will happen to his future?" Kanika lost it & replied, "Give him a break. People take 7-8yrs to crack IAS exams; your son is only in pre-KG. Now, there are vast fields & unique opportunities in the world that don't require a bachelor's degree. He will figure out a way to survive. Do not scar his childhood with all this pressure." Sheetal was disturbed with the new outlook & she pondered over it.

A few weeks passed, Sheetal complimented Kanika, "Nice dress, it is a different kind of pink." Kanika said, "It is not pink; it is lilac." Sheetal smirked & said, "I haven't even heard of the colour lilac before." Kanika jumped & exclaimed, "Really? What about Chemistry laboratory experiments? What is potassium flame test colour?" Sheetal's jaw dropped. Kanika raised her eyebrows twice & said in a condescending tone, "Isn't it lilac? First in class hasn't heard of it?" Sheetal was not going to lose face. She clarified, "I studied it a while ago. Who uses those learnings?" Kanika enjoyed this; she remarked, "What's the point of studying so much if you can't use these learnings in life?" Sheetal's colour drained from her face. Kanika thumped her fists in freshly chilled recycled air.

Later that day, Sheetal was on a personal call & seemed a little agitated. Kanika asked, "All, okay?" Sheetal replied, "A relative is chasing me to get him a job. He has scored low; how will he get a job?" Kanika enquired with curiosity, "What do you mean low?" Sheetal replied, "Just first class." Kanika exclaimed, "Huh?! What are you saying? I'm a first-class student too. Do you know how much last benchers struggle to get those marks? First benchers have value because of us last benchers. Look at us, you a topper & me a last bencher. Yet, both are doing the same work. Most importantly, I am the one fixing your bugs & resolving issues!"

Take Away: Do not underestimate the last bencher. Last benchers rock!