As the days passed, Chirant’s condition kept getting worse. Even in the 9th standard annual exams, he barely passed with low marks, while Meera passed with very good marks.
Seeing Chirant’s condition, Meera and Satyaprakash became worried. They started fearing what his future would be if this continued. Thinking that he should focus only on studies and not get distracted, meera decided to bring him out of his thoughts about Geetha.
But in reality, Chirant never once thought about Geetha while studying. Instead, he was studying with great effort, yet nothing stayed in his memory. Compared to the pain Meera and his father were going through because of him, he had even forgotten that he loved Geetha.
Even though he kept explaining his real problem, Meera and Prakash thought it was just an excuse to escape responsibility and stayed silent. But they never made even a small effort to understand what he was actually going through.
The pain that no one understood him haunted him day and night. Still, he neither spoke about it nor was able to express it to anyone—he suffered all alone.
From the very first day of 10th standard, Meera decided that she would make sure Chirant studied well.
On the first day after school, Chirant went alone into the forest and returned. Meera asked him,
“Where did you go alone?”
“I just went for a walk in the forest,” he replied.
“Still you haven’t changed your careless behavior? This year, stop roaming in forests and focus on your studies. You saw how upset uncle is because of you. At least now, understand and start studying properly,” Meera scolded him.
Without replying, Chirant lowered his head and went inside.
Even she loved wandering in the forest with him, but she was disturbed thinking that his life was going in the wrong direction.
In 10th standard too, Meera passed with very good marks. Chirant also passed—but just with minimum marks. Because of this, the way he was treated at home had changed. Still, he stayed silent, suffering within himself.
Meera got a free seat for PUC in a reputed college in Dandeli. While Meera and Prakash were happy about this, they were also sad that Chirant didn’t get a free seat there. To study in that college, a huge amount of money was required.
Since childhood, both had always studied together in the same school. Meera couldn’t imagine studying alone in such a big college.
Even though Chirant had fallen behind, her trust in him had not reduced even a little. She still believed that he would study well in the future.
So, she decided to convince Prakash somehow and request him to admit Chirant to the same college by paying the fees.
She went to him and said,
“Uncle, I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“Tell me, dear. Do you need permission for that?” Prakash replied.
“Uncle… I came to ask you to admit Chirant to the same college where I got a seat,” she said softly.
“Why does he need such a big college? I’ll admit him to the nearby government college,” said Prakash.
“That’s not it, uncle. He can really study well. Something is just not right now. I will make sure he studies properly from now on. Please trust me,” Meera said earnestly.
“To admit him in such a big college, they ask for lakhs of rupees, Meera. Where will I bring that kind of money from? And even if I somehow manage it, what if he still doesn’t study?” Prakash asked.
“No uncle, I will make him study like before. Please trust me. Just this once, listen to me and admit him there. He will study well. If not, I will never ask you for anything again,” Meera pleaded.
“Alright Meera, I’m trusting you and admitting him to that college. Arranging the money is my responsibility, but making him study well is your responsibility,” said Prakash and walked away.
“Okay uncle!” Meera said happily.
Chirant, who had been secretly listening to their conversation, came running after Prakash left. He hugged Meera tightly and said,
“Thank you, Meera… Even after everything, your trust in me hasn’t reduced even a little. I don’t know how I can ever repay you…”
He burst into tears.
“Chiru, first stop crying,” she said gently. Then she continued,
“Chiru, will you promise me something?”
“Tell me, Meera,” he replied.
“You know I don’t like anyone getting hurt because of me. I trusted you and convinced uncle to admit you to that college. He agreed because he trusted me. If I shouldn’t lose that trust… then you shouldn’t break my trust in you. You must study well. I will help you in every way,” she said.
“Okay Meera,” he replied, wiping his tears.
“And one more thing… if you don’t study well and break my trust, I will never speak to you again for the rest of my life,” Meera said firmly.
Though it was difficult for Chirant to accept, he had no other choice.
Trusting Meera, Prakash took loans and managed to admit his son into that college. He started dreaming about his son’s success.
From the very first day of PUC, Chirant began studying seriously. Meera also studied well while helping him in every way possible.
By the time they reached second PUC, Chirant was studying day and night. But a new problem started troubling him—he would get severe headaches the more he studied. Still, he ignored everything and continued focusing on studies.
Seeing him like this, Meera felt happy.
But that happiness lasted only until the results of second PUC were announced.
Chirant, who always used to pass with low marks, suddenly failed in two subjects this time. Meera, on the other hand, passed with distinction.
But she couldn’t celebrate her success. Seeing Chirant’s result, it felt as if the sky had fallen on her head.
Burning with pain from the result, Meera sat alone in a dark room, crying.
Chirant, however, went into the forest to forget everything. The greenery of the forest gave him a little peace.
In the evening, when Prakash returned home, usually the house would be glowing with the light of the lamp after prayer. But today, seeing darkness all around, he entered the house with doubt.
He saw Meera sitting in a dark room, crying. Shocked, he asked,
“What happened, dear? Why are you crying like this?”
Meera leaned on his chest but didn’t respond—she just kept crying.
More worried, he asked, “Did Chirant scold you or something?”
“No… uncle,” she replied while crying.
“Then what happened? Why are you like this?” he asked, gently comforting her.
“The results came, uncle… Chirant failed in two subjects,” she cried louder.
Though he felt pain hearing that his son had failed, he hid it and asked,
“Leave him… tell me, what about your result?”
“I passed with distinction… but Chirant failed…” she said, still crying.
“Oh silly girl, so what if he failed? You passed, right? Be happy. This is normal for him,” he said, trying to console her.
“No uncle, I’m not that selfish. Sorry uncle… forgive me. I couldn’t keep the promise I made to you,” Meera said sadly.
“Why are you saying sorry for his mistake? Leave it… whatever is written in his fate will happen. Don’t worry,” he comforted her.
“No uncle, it’s my mistake. Even when you hesitated, I insisted on admitting him to that college by paying so much money,” she said.
“That’s not true, dear. Just because he didn’t study, a father can’t ignore his son. Even if you hadn’t told me, I would have admitted him to that college. Not because you said it,” Prakash replied.
Then he asked, “Where is he?”
“I don’t know,” Meera said.
“Alright, let him come. We’ll talk then. You go and light the lamp and do the prayer,” he told her.
continued….
You can also read this story in Kannada.
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