AneStory

              It was last paper of second semester examination, and Hera was ready to pack and live for home. But today was the longest paper of his bachelors, not that anything happened, but it really was 4 hours long, while all others were only 3 hours. Hera, as usual had not taken this in consideration and therefore, booked a ticket of bus which was half an hour too early.

              Hera only realized his mistake when he was in examination hall, writing, rather drawing the answer, half hour in to exam, supervisor said "3 and 1/2 hour more to go." All others, anyone in right mind would speed up, and they did, but Hera stood up and clearly said, rather shouted "Wha....T!" There was pin-drop silence, before and after it was deadening silence! Every one had there eyes on Hera, and most of them went back to there work, while Hera was grilled for disturbing others, in process disturbing even more people.

              Next half hour or so went in thinking of bus that he would miss, and cursing the university. As examination progressed it became more and more clear to Hera, the 4 hour examination was for others, with his choice of questions he could still complete it in under three hours. And he speed up the work.

             The university also gives four hours for last paper, taking things in consideration, it was not only the lengthy paper, but for the Gods tradition too.  

              "2 and 1/2 hours into exam, Gods tradition begins", is what used to be told by seniors to every junior, each and every year, "its  the real initiation in to bachelors, the ones who clear this hurdle will make it through, through the finale." 

              First, clouds come over, taking out the sun, then goes the power, hence blackout in examination halls followed by rains outside.  And if you want to be tested more, it will leak on to your desk, ruining your answer sheet. And hence ordeal of Hera had begun, he was allowed to shift, but leak followed him two times, at third place there was no leak but no light either, not even a weak flicker. 

              Bus was out of question, but there were serious questions in Heras mind of being able to finish his paper in time. Deadline was now 45 minutes away, 45 minutes being wasted in moving here and there, next he finds out, the rounder and set-squares had fallen out while coming to exam hall from room. He had to draw the curve free hand, and it had to come right, class act, he managed a curve, somehow scampered through other questions and bell ranged. There was no time to tie the sheets together. He was sweating heavily, had he made any mistake, no time to poof read it, no time to check anything, well thats "Gods tradition!" 

              Under more volley of words, Hera managed to tie the sheets together and submit it, lift all of his remaining stuff and make it to room, where he started packing frantically, though first bus had gone, there may be a chance to get second. It was still raining. As soon as Hera had packed the bags, all the gang walked in. 

              Monc: "Where are you going?"

              Hera: "Where all else are going?"

              Rack: "We are not going anywhere."

              Hera: "Home!"

              Smoky: "He does not know, i guess. Who will break news to him?"

              Hera: "What news?"

              Monc: "Okay, I will. Hera, our second year collage starts day after tomorrow. You can not go home stay for few hours and come back."

              Hera: "No it starts on 2nd!"

              Monc: "Today is 31st, and if you do not come on first day, you will be fined Rs.1000, and Rs.100 for each lecture you miss of first week."

              Hera: "Oh Shits!"

              Hera went down to STD and called mom and told about college, and canceled his home visit. Monc said " Now he understands the importance of that deepawali vacation!"