Chapter 12- Future Plans

Amrita was sad that she did not get offer from anywhere in public universities. The only offers she got from were private universities and private universities were never her option. She applied for a numberous of diploma and foundation courses in various public universities. She also applied for matriculation courses too. But not even one application was accepted.

After further discussion with her parents, she has decided that she will join private university but not to do diploma or foundation but to do her STPM. She wants to be able to live her dream of getting a scroll from a public university. She could have just done STPM in normal government school. But she wanted to do it in a proper school. Besides, Amrita did not want to continue in schools because she was sick of schools and she was afraid that she might see Suresh as he got even worse results compared to hers.  

Amrita did a lot of research on which college would be the best option to continue her studies. After a long research and surveys with people around her, Amrita decided to enroll in Tuanku Abdul Rahman College. It was nearby her house and it was easier for her to travel. While she was busy preparing to enroll, she completed her driving classes. Now, she also owns a driver license. Her father got her a car as a present for her results, but Amrita feels that she doesn’t deserve it.

Amrita still has some time before she enrolls. She decided to focus on earning some money. She felt bad that she had to make her parents pay so much for her studies. She decided to do some part time jobs to collect some money for her to for other expenses use during her studies later. She went to apply a job at tuition centers and research offices.

Eventually, she got a job to be an enumerator at a research office. She decided to tell her parents about it. She went back home and saw her mom at home.

“Amma, I am home,” Amrita said.

“Where are you from?” her mother asked.

“I went to apply for a job,” Amrita said.

“How many times have I told you? You don’t have to worry about money,” her mother said.

“Amma. I really want to do something to help you. I feel so bored at home and I also feel bad. I didn’t do well in my exams like I was supposed to. I made a mistake and now you and Appa have to pay high amount for my education. It saddens me, Amma. Please let me do this job. At least it makes me feel better,” Amrita explained to her mom.

“But I don’t wanna do just any job. If the job can benefit you only in money but experience, the probably I might agree. What job did you get?” her mother asked.

“Well, you don’t have to worry about that. I got a job as enumerator at a research office. How cool is that,” Amrita said.

“Research office? What do they do there? How much are they paying you?” her mother asked again.

“Well, research office is a place where a group of people do data collection and data entry job to help research bodies or organization who lacks in manpower for research. People who conduct big researches hire them. So my job is to collect data. They are paying me RM 4 per hour and if I continue working after I week they are paying RM 5. So, I would be able to earn up to RM 40 per day. I work for a month, I can get about RM 1000. Isn’t that ok?” Amrita asked her mom.

“Very well, that sounds different but fun. Are you going to continue working after you start classes? I hope you don’t,” her mother asked.

“No, Amma. I have to focus on my studies. No time for jobs then,” Amrita said.

“Ok, then. But you have to tell you father tonight. I am not going to tell him,” her mother said.

Amrita got nervous and panicked. Breaking it to her mom about the news and making her mom to understand is easy. Her father is hard to handle and that is who probably inherited her stubbornness. She tried thinking of different ways to approach this issue with her dad.

Amrita went to her room to shower and freshen up herself because she had a really long day. She was nervous about how she is going to tell her father. She knows how much her father does not like her getting a part time job. When she came out of the shower and put on her clothes, she heard her father’s voice. After a few minutes, she heard her mother calling her down for dinner.

“Amrita, come down. Dinner is ready,” her mother called.

“I am so dead. Still haven’t figured out how to tell Appa,” Amrita thought to herself as she went to the dining table.

“Hi, Dear. How was your day?” Amrita’s father hugged her.

“Great, Appa,” Amrita said while hugging her father but she was looking at her mother who had a cheeky smile plastered on her face.

After the short greet, they all sat for dinner. The atmosphere was silent because no one started a conversation. Amrita kept on thinking about how she wants to tell her father the news. While she was deeply in her thoughts she felt someone kicking her leg. She looked up and saw her mother signaling her to tell her father.

“Appa. I actually have something to tell you,” Amrita said.

“What is it?” her father asked.

“I got a part time job,” Amrita said and observed her father’s reaction.

Her father stopped eating and turned to look at her,” Tell me more,” her father said.

Amrita told her father everything she told her mother.

“Okay. But why are you so adamant about getting a job even when we clearly said that we can support you,” her father said.  

“Appa, I am not earning to pay for my studies because I know that you do not like it. I am earning to collect some money to be used as pocket money. Besides, I still have another 3-4 months before enrollment. It is too boring to stay at home. At least this job can let me make use of the time. I know you wanna support me fully. But, Appa, there is another two that need to support. You are already working so hard. Please let me go on with this job. It is only for a while. I wont be doing it once I enroll in a university. I promise,” Amrita explaines to her father.

“Well, if that is what you want to do, go on then,” her father said smiling to her.

“Thank you, Appa,” Amrita said.

After dinner, Amrita went to spend some time with her brother and sister. Amrita has a brother and a sister. She is the eldest among them. Amrita always tries to set an example for her younger siblings. Her brother, Amaran is 4 years younger than her. He looks up to her a lot even though he fights and irritates her a lot. Her younger sister, Amarika is 6 years younger to her. Amrita is really attached to Amarika because of the age gap. Amarika adores Amrita and follows whatever she does.

The two of them were watching TV when Amrita purposely came and lie on them.

“Akka, you are so heavy. Move,” Amaran said trying to push her away.

“Well, I don’t mind Akka lying on us like this. Akka is probably tired. She spent the whole day finding for a job,” Amarika said.

“See, Amar. Rika understands me better. You lazy pig. All you do is watch TV and play games,” Amrita jokingly said after taking a seat next to Amarika.

“Don’t get started, Akka. Please. You know how amma and Appa would react if they hear you, right?” Amaran said.

“Oops. I forgot that they are here. Anyway, shall we play a game? How about scrabble?” Amrita suggested.

“Sounds cool,” Amaran said and they started playing scrabble. All three of them had a fun night without needing to think about anything.

#

Right after getting his results, Shivanesh decided to enroll in PTPL College to continue his studies. He decided to do Diploma in Medical Lab Technology. He discussed with his mither about it and decided to not give up.

“This is a new chapter in your life. Put aside everything. Forget whatever that has happened. Start anew. Another step for your future. You have a long life ahead,” Shivanesh told himself the day he was enrolling in the college. He decided to bring his mother along. He feels that he wants to start a new life with a proper blessing fom the Goddess of his home, his mother.

When he arrived at the college, he was a bit shocked to see the condition of the building. But then he told himself to not let that be any reason for him to not focus on his future. He just want to focus on his studies and achieve the best at what he does. He has had enough of giving his mother heartaches. To help reduce the burden on his mother, he decided to take up an education loan to help him pay off his tuition fees. Being able to get accepted in a college seem to be a great chance given to him to make a better future for himself and his family.

He was having plans of continuing his studies in Forensic Science and join the police force. At least that was his goal and motivation that makes him more determined to do well in his studies.

Shivanesh went for his first class without any expectations in mind. When he was walking in, he met 2 senior students. Shivanesh was shocked to see them because they both look tall and big to be compared to him. He was lost and not sure where his first class was going to be and he was worried that he might get to his first class late. Like it or not, he had to muster up courage and ask the big fellows for help.

“Excuse me. May I know which floor will most of the classes be conducted?” Shivanesh asked, a bit afraid that they might rag or beat him up. He doesn’t want to have to face any problems on his first day of school.

“No problem. It is in the second floor. Don’t worry. There is no chance for you to get lost in this building,” one of them said.

“Owh, okay. Thank you. Anyway, I am Shivanesh,” Shivanesh introduced himself.

“Hi, I am Sanjay and this fellow is Herald,” the guy introduced them to Shivanesh.. “Join us for lunch. You can meet with the rest of the gang. I feel you could really jive with us well. See you later okay?” Herald invited Shivanesh. Shivanesh was feeling excited that he was able to make friends on the first day in college.

During lunch, Shivanesh met with all of them from the gang. Eventhough they seem loud and look like a bunch of pranksters, Shivanesh could see that they all had goals to wish to achieve in life. For once, he was happy with the group of friends he has around him. Every day, going to college seem like a fun time for him. He enjoyed the friendliness of the lecturers and the fun he and his friends have.

That is how Shivanesh started his new chapter in his life.