The pursuit of happiness-I

Here is a tribute to my favorite movie and a try to make an Indian version of it.

Sweat drops fall from her eyebrows as Sneha stands in the middle of the front porch of St. Steven's Convent School, Saharanpur.

Somehow, all she can think about is how her mother will react after she gets to know what she & Lalita had pulled off. Even after giving the biggest test of her life, all she can wish for is to reach home before her mother.

Hey you, come here! Sit and wait, I'll be back in 5.

Savita announced and rushed back as soon as Sneha nodded her first nod.

It all started on the day of their last exam for the 8th standard as Sneha & Lalita, walking home discussed how boys from their school will ride their bicycles home, drink a glass of mattha and get to their ceilings to have their kite fights and will spend the whole of summer doing the same.

Kaateee, O Kateee

Lalita mimicked how they celebrate after winning one of their "stupid kite fights".

The girls giggled for a while and went completely silent and directly into the realization.

Did you talk to tailor aunty?

Lalita asked.

She won't agree. Sending me to taayi ji's place in Ambala.

Sneha replied with a sigh.

Why? To become a tailor like her? Why will you work for the Sarpanch as well?

Lalita asked as the girls went to silence once again.

Hey, it's the last day! Let's at least meet Reena.

Reena was the prettiest girl of Uchana & was their only friend who was moving to Delhi to work with her aunt at her beauty parlor.

I will go to the government school there & my aunt will teach me everything about beauty. You will see- I am going to run Saharnpur's biggest parlour one day.

Reena boasted every time they went there. Girls didn't like her as much as they liked her mother, Savita.

Savita used to work in the St. Stevens Convent School or "Badaa school" as called by villagers, who were split on whether they liked the school or not.

Some said that the boys of the school fled and ran into their fields, ruining the paddy.

Others were glad because the school gave employment to 15 people from the village.

Girls, however, were curious about how the life inside was and used Savita as their secret door into the lives of "rich people's children".

Each evening as Reena prepared 4 dark cups of chai, Savita told them about the dumb activities that occurred in the day.

Everybody used to laugh and make fun of them. Sneha however, didn't believe Savita and somehow she knew that Savita was just cooking these stories up.

Of'course you think that way. I know you- you like those frocks and skirts. I believe her. Have you talked to one of them ever? My brother has and he says the same. These "bada school" kids are stupid and it's a fact.

Lalita said rejecting Sneha's intrigues.

Here you are! How was the exam?

Savita

Same old, same old. How does it matter? This Sneha only keeps on studying. I have made peace with failing, now. I might at least get one more year in school.

Lalita

Sneha you discontinuing too?

Savita 

You know it, Ambala!! Where will I study, anyway? We can't pay badaa school fee and government school is only till 12th. Only place outside Uchana I am allowed to go is- Ambala.

Sneha

You must not even know english, right?

Savita

She does. She speaks like an "Angrej".

Reena

Do you?

Savita

Yes aunty, remember Prerna Ma'am?

She used to teach me.

Sneha

Wait here!

Savita said as she ran towards the inside from the verandah.

Can you read this?

Savita asked with excitement.

St. Stevens invites students for their scholarship program . . . . . .It says here, they will tach poor village kids for free.

Sneha said.

You clear this! I will handle your mother.

Savita

Aunty, it's day after tomomrrow! How will I go? I have to stay hame and take care of "Lalla" from tomorrow onwards.

Sneha

What time is the test?

Lalita

11-2

Sneha

Okay, you go with Savita aunty in the morning and comeback with her. I'll take care of your brother, just come home before your mother returns from Sarpanch's place.

Lalita 

I will try to stall her on the way.

Reena 

Where did you find this aunty? We dreamt so muvh, so fast! Where did it come from? This magic pamphlet!

Sneha 

Arre wo madam log padh rahi thi, to maine dekh liya..Arre, those teachers were reading it. They threw it away. I was curios so, kept it!

Savita

Great, now Sneha- you just rock that test!

Lalita

Let's see. Come let's run home for now, my mother would be looking for me.

Sneha

Where will we meet, day after?

Savita

7:30, near Panwadi's place.

Sneha

Alright!

Savita

On the day of the exam,

Lalita, what are you doing here? Where is Sneha?

Shanta

She is coming in a minute. How are you? Tell me- how is "Lalla" so cute?

Lalita

That's okay! But, where is she? Can't be at Renna's. I met her on my way? What did she tell you while leaving?

Shanta

Uhhh... She went to Prerna ma'am's place to return books.

Lalita

I don't when will this girl accept the truth and stop studying. We are not Choudharys. We have to marry her too.

Shanta

So, aunty if she could study for free, will you let her?

Lalita

I don't make decisions for something that can never happen. Shut up and live in real life.

Shanta

Aunty, I have heard "Bada school" is teaching poor kids for free.

Lalita

Huh! "Badaa school"!! Their girls wear skirts, abuse and are totally shameless. I will kill Sneha before sending her there.

Shanta

Aunty, you know this is not true! Sneha is Sneha! She won't change.

Lalita

You don't teach me, girl! I have seen the world.

Shanta. Lalita kept quiet, desperately waiting for Sneha to show up.

Savita, you have to stay longer today. Rukmani just went home, her kid is ill. You have to do her 5 rooms too.

Warden

I have to run today! Can you give it to someone, else?

Savita

Savita, what's with all these excuses? This is not the first time. Do it and do it fast- so you can go home.

Warden 

Tears start to roll from Sneha's eyes as she looks at the clock at the main entrance. It's 4 o'clock and she is now sitting there waiting for Savita for 2 hours.

Chal, chal, chal. Your mother would be home by now.

Savita. They both ran as no one said another word. It took them 18 minutes and 5 breath stops to reach home. As they came up with a reason that would explain the absence of Sneha to her mother.

Where were you?

Shanta

I.... I was with Savita aunty, she lost her nosering near Panwadi's place. I was helping her find it.

Sneha

What did you go to Panwadi's for?

Shanta

To feed his cow.

Sneha

Oh? Did you meet Prerna Ma'am?

Shanta

No, she has already moved back to her homtown!

Sneha.

Thuddd!!!! Shanta slaps Sneha as Lalita & Savita stand spectators to the dialogue between the mother and daughter.

Sneha cries and admits the whole truth.

Savita and Lalita, go!! Don't return to my home, ever.

Shanta 

Mummy, I am sorry!!!

Sneha started crying.

Hi, if you have read it this far, thanks! I am really glad you did. Now, please let me know if I should ever do this again. If I should, what should I work on?

Also, yes I will complete the story in the next part.