The Choice (6/30)

Keeping the advises aside, I moved on firm with my decision.

The first schedule started off with Mathematics, a subject that I loved throughout my schooling. I also liked all my Math teachers.
But this faculty, seemed the Expert. I was surprised by how he had answers for everything revolving under Math. I put a question, and he would have his set of tricks and logics to arrive at it. Pure Magic it was.

There was some percent of Statistics also involved in this subject. Well, even in college, I did not enjoy this subject.

The second schedule was Mercantile Law.
It is very new to all of us. We neither had it in our school, nor in college. We trusted the faculty and she aced it with her beauty and brilliance. Absolutely classy! She made the subject very interesting, that I still remember the examples she quoted back then!

These long hours of classes, even on Sundays, did not bother me, as I was happy about my choice!

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The Choice (1/30)

What do you aspire to become? - The most famous question everyone is asked by parents, teachers, friends and relatives. Back then when I was in 7th grade, the obvious answers were - Doctor, Engineer. I settled for Engineer as I did not have the courage to cut bodies and sight blood. But I was not happy with this career choice.

Luckily , In of the rare conversations, a distant friend told me to think about Chartered Accountancy. I researched, and made my mind to go with this.

Then , when this famous question came up yet again, I would proudly tell - "I want to become a CA." Only to be stared at, with strange looks.

In a class of 70 where the strength was divided into Doctors and Engineers, there I stood as a lone ranger, wanting to become a CA.
— % &

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The Choice (20/30)

Up next was, Advanced Accounts. A very thin person, thinner than his own skeleton, sat there on the chair, when we entered the class. He only looked thin, but his energy levels were thousand times higher and better. He would repeatedly tell a topic , until it gets implanted in our heads. We all could only appreciate his patience. He was a boon to all of us. Yet again, the subject was an easy walk.
While we were done with this subject, I had seen the Schedule, and it read Audit.

I was on cloud nine, smile on my face was the widest ever. The excitement was not for the subject , but for the faculty. When I had come to enroll for the course, I had seen him in the staff room, and thought he was a student and was later told he was the teacher.

I fell for his charm, smile and personality, before you run your imagination, let me just tell, he is married. But I really liked his personality. While some used to sleep in his class, as it was theory subject, some would talk about the dress or watch he was wearing and how good he was looking. I would sincerely listen to it. Probably because I liked the teacher, I liked the subject even more. 

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The Choice (3/30)

New college, new beginnings, new faces, a different perspective.
The same old tradition of asking names and marks began.
When my turn came - I stood up with head high and spoke - "I am Divya. I studied in Vizag. I scored 10 CGPA in 10th class."
When teachers and classmates, heard this, I could sense the surprise in their eyes. And it hit me hard, the teachers also carried the same notion.

As it goes, every general rule has an exception - A teacher walked in, he didn't seem to be bothered about Marks. He was there to impart what he knew best. And the subject was Accounts. I was blown away by his teaching.
I fell in love with the subject, like a child instantly falling in awe of toys.
Each day, I would eagerly wait for this class.

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The Choice - (5/30)

A new experience, new faces yet again.
But this time there were lot many!
A whole tribe of 200! I had never been in a class of such huge strength.

The classes kick started well, with 4 subjects in the curriculum! The coaching was for 2 long months.

People started questioning me whether I would clear or not, it being the toughest course. I had belief in myself and my efforts. Simultaneously, I also took up my under- graduation in an evening college. The trouble only increased.

I had to juggle between coaching and college.True to the quote - "There is no gain without pain."

People advised me to drop on the under-graduation course. I held on, turned a deaf ear to them, because only, I knew what was best for me.

At the end, it's our life, our choices!

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The Choice (30/30)

With stress all over, less hair on my head, nightmares every time before I sleep, too many questions than answers, getting restless all perfect signs of the Big Days lined up, the FINAL Exam.

As I struggle to sit for a stretch for as little as 2 hours , to getting carried away by what work is pending at office, the unanswered mails, its getting all worse.
Late night stays at office, early morning struggles of class and the terrific travel, have definitely taken a toll on my health and also on the studies.

Giving a little more priority to work and office over studies, and making excuses of being tired and having no time to study, are the most common stories of article students. We don't have a choice. It's after all a part of the journey, but not the final destination!
(Continued in the Caption)

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The Choice (2/30)

Some stood by my choice, some doubted.
I trusted myself, and set forward to realise this choice. It was no more a choice, but a dream now!
With lot of aspirations, moved base to Bengaluru from Vizag, though I never wanted to leave the City of Destiny, but fate had it.

The hunt for colleges began. My Parents settled for an admission in a college near my home.

To realise my dream, Commerce was the Key. People criticised this choice too, as a student like me who scored cent in 10th board, chose Commerce over Science.
I was taken aback by this school of thought that Commerce was only for average students, that too in what seems to be a developed city like Bangalore.
Well, nothing could deter my confidence.

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The Choice (18/30)

Our stomachs would pain during the class, as we would laugh to our heart's content, and then heads would pain, understanding the complexities of the subject. But deciphering it was in itself a new learning.

Arushi and I, used to sit back at the canteen uncle's table and revise the subject throughouly, make summary notes.

We would do a small question answer session, if one of us failed to answer, the Ruler would be roasted on the other person. The canteen uncle used to enjoy this sight. He was more than happy to see us studying with all our efforts.

We started gaining confidence over the subjects. All it needed was efforts and hardwork more than being smart. They were the ingredients for the Success recipe, and we seemed to be cooking it very well.

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The Choice (9/30)

The coaching class job was done. They justified the fees charged from us.

Now, everything boiled down to our efforts, our hard work and our results.

With the logics and concepts in mind, and the vision clear in my heart, I started my preparations for the D-Day.

As the big day approached, my heart beat was only getting faster with fear and anxiety. I held my nerve and had belief, I would clear through.

But thoughts like "What if I don't clear?", "Will my choice be criticized? ", "Will it be my first failure in studies?", started flowing in. I had no answers.

I confided my fears to my mom. But she also could not convince me enough that everything will be alright.
I had done my part, and the rest, I left it to the Almighty.

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The Choice (7/30)

I was enjoying the experience and loving the learning. From the bus rides, to waking up early and going to class with lots of energy, talking to the people, with whom friendship was just budding.

A few of us were from the same college, and me being an introvert never spoke to these girls in college. I had different perceptions and characterisations pictured in my head. And I stuck to , the common salutations - hello, hi, bye.

When I spoke out openly, after they initiated the conversations , I felt "Appearances are Deceptive". They were not what I thought about. They were very good. How wrong was I, probably that's why they say " Don't judge a book by its cover."

These small one minute talks and looks, eventually turned into never ending conversations. We would go out together, chat and eat, have lots of fun!

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