ALSphere Foundation
Arpita tried hard to fight back her tears.
If they caught her weeping, friends would wonder why she was crying when she should be rejoicing at her achievement.
Arpita had topped the final exams with a whopping 96% and had scored a centum in mathematics. She could apply for higher studies anywhere.
But only Arpita knew that destiny had played a cruel game with her. Her father suffered serious losses in his business and was reeling under debt
How was he going to afford her post-graduation fees? Even if her excellent results fetched her a scholarship, she would need money for traveling, hostel, and basic expenses.
With heavy steps, she walked towards the home. The home that would soon be auctioned.
A huge crowd outside the neighboring tenement caught her attention. Agonizing wails pierced the air. Arpita realized that the cries were from her friend, Suman’s house.
Suman was Arpita’s classmate. Her father worked as a foreman in a factory and her mother worked with a stitching unit. With their modest income, they maintained the flow of money well and dreamt of making Suman a post-grad in Physics.
However, today’s results had brought disaster. Suman had scored too less to obtain admission for post-graduation in any good institute.
Disappointed with her performance, the girl had ended her life by hanging from the ceiling fan in her room.
Words failed to soothe her agonizing mother.
A week after her daughter’s death, Suman’s mother summoned Arpita to her house.
“Here,” she said, handing over some ornaments and cheques.
“I had amassed this wealth to fund for Suman’s post-graduation. It is of no use to me now. I know you are planning to give up your ambitions of studying further because of adversities. Please accept this and live your dream.”
Arpita stood tongue-tied. When many of her well-to-do relatives had shrewdly cut off ties with their family, fearing they might ask for financial help for Arpita’s education, here was a female offering her hard-earned money that too at a time when she had lost her only daughter.
You never know when God decides to shower His blessings on you.
Though Arpita was going to pursue and live her dreams, she felt sad that it was over the lifeless body of her friend.
