Which school will take her?

“It is just 968,” said father rushing inside. Rithanya was looking at him in awe. Both Dadda and Amma seemed a bit disappointed. Satvik was too confused to show any sort of emotion. He was stumbling over his expressions.

“Yay! 88 per cent. Wow, I aimed for 85% but I have got more.” Rithanya exclaimed with joy. If any of you do not know how to add fuel to the burning fire, you should probably approach Rithanya. For, she was doing exactly that with her words.

“Well, I am disappointed with you. I was expecting you to score above 1000 out of 1100. So, it remains my dream!” said Dadda.

“No Dadda. I am content with 85% and now the additional 3% is a bonus and I can celebrate it, right? If I had aimed for 95% and had got only 88% I would not be able to celebrate.” Rithanya responded in a merry mood.

“I should have seized the bike and stopped you from playing matches. You would have scored better.” Amma’s disappointed voice came from the corner of the room.

“No Amma, I would have failed if you had not allowed me to play. Look, I am happy with my scores. Please fill up and send the application form for SWR boarding school. We shall attend the interview.” She smiled at her mother. “That settled, when am I going to get my bed coffee?" With that question, Rithanya brought an end to the morning session.

Looking back at her life so far, given how difficult she was as a child, how goal-oriented her family had always been, and how serious they were about education and top ranks, the attitude Rithanya had developed was indeed surprising. How they allowed her to sport, camp and roam at her will, was really a question without an answer. Thanks to Satvik, who encouraged her to be self-dependent, free-thinking and doing things as she wanted without any mental barrier, Rithanya never felt the pressure of any social issue or stigma, especially those surrounding women. Her lifetime goals were two: either to become a doctor from Armed Forces Medical College and serve in the army, or crack the Administrative Services exam and become a Collector. Nevertheless, she had never been serious about studies and marks were mere numbers to her. More than academic, she was interested in acquiring wider knowledge in all subjects, by reading and observing the world around her. With strict parents but relatively less devotion to tutored studies, she had always been a shock to everyone.

‘Well, what to do? It’s my choice. My life. My decision. My freedom. That’s all,’ Rithanya thought as she went to her room for her morning ablutions. A serious issue has been sorted out. When every other kid of her age screamed and shuddered at the very thought of a boarding school, she volunteered herself to join it, away from home for two years to finish her Higher Secondary course. Her idea of boarding schools was that they were strict, all-work-no-play camps where she could devote every minute of her time to study – memorise. They were educational factories churning out top scorers and rank holders every year. She could score 100% and easily get into the Armed Forces Medical College.

SWR boarding school was the top-ranked and the most popular (medical training!) institution which produced an enormous number of rank holders and potential doctors and engineers year after year. It was her choice or rather her family’s choice to get admission there “I do not think she can get into SWR with this score.” her father said, sounding worried. “We will have to pay more. Tuition Fees, capitation fees, school fees, boarding fees and many more itsy-bitsy charges like that. I am afraid I can’t spend so much. I have to plan for Satvik’s education too.”

“Chillax Dadda! See which other boarding schools will admit me without capitation fee, I shall join there.” Rithanya tried to calm him.

“It is only because of this I had asked you to concentrate more on studies. I suggest you forget the boarding school idea and remain with us and study.” Amma voiced her anger in between.

“Never mind Amma. Let her go to a boarding school. If not SWR School, she can apply to IA Group of Institutions. She can easily get admission there.” As usual, her brother came to her rescue.

Dadda and Amma took care of the entire process, step by step, doing everything meticulously, attending to every minute detail needed for the admission. The application process, scrutiny, interview and selection, payment of fees; all were done. It was informed that the school would reopen for HSC students by June end.

Rithanya was super excited to join a boarding school. She began the countdown. A series of shopping was done. A large suitcase, travel bag, backpack, plates and coffee mugs with names written on them, new dresses, pyjamas, bath soaps, buckets and mugs; anything and everything a young girl might need to set up a home away from home were bought.

Dadda said, “I will take you to the school, drop you and complete the initial procedures. Once in three months, either of us will come to pick you up and bring you home.”