In a hyperbolic adaptation the entrance exam would be interpreted in the lines of Homeric battles and quest. Proto-consciousness was the quest - this is the full on suiting up of battle armor complete with its own portents, strategies and of course the cry of conch shells.
The night would have been spent restlessly - pondering over victory and preparations. And if those preparations have been patchy or the battle comes hard on heels of another one the night can be hellish. Snatches of sleep caught between waking hours and trips to the laptop searching once again to be sure of differance and spectacle are very precious indeed. Even paralyzing nightmares are welcome if only to be sure the mind has finally sunk into a somnambulic state.
You pay homage to your patron gods and goddess in the early hours of morning. You pray for survival and subsequent rewards. And with the raging sound of battle horns you step to face the music. In the lines of cliches the battle has just begun.
Waiting is done in dark buildings either horrifyingly stuffy or wafting with draught. You look around gauging ground - people bored having decided nothing to do have entered this unwittingly, people frantically going through pages of revision, and the others parleying most annoyingly around your ears. Keep aloof, do not open your mouth and wait until the doors open.
Imagine the belly of the beast, Harry's final battle with Lord Voldemort, Middle-earth's stand against Sauron, Luke Skywalker duel with the Emperor - all dark, endless and necessary. Combine all of them together you have an entrance exam[this is a hyperbole after all!]. You do the quick survey, line up the strength and weakness - you take a moment of pause to gather your courage. At that time you can almost feel the cry for blood ringing in your ears - almost.
The you charge - head on, no holding back, the last stand till the next one. At that moment all doubts vanish - it is you versus the dragon and you have to slay it. The pen finds itself mightier than the sword, fighting against overwhelming odds and a clock that refuses to be kind to you.
The reward of victory will be sweet indeed - just hang in there. Odysseus did return home and so did I to fall flat on bed hoping fervently never to do it again. The fates just weren't listening.
The next day:
Ding dong
The tentacles of sleep threaten to drown you, however with supreme effort you do get up and drag yourself to the door. The khaki clad man has an indifferent frown.
"Delivery for Miss Rijuta"
You sign and then turn the envelope over - Hall ticket for JNU-Delhi. It is just not this day - is it.
The night would have been spent restlessly - pondering over victory and preparations. And if those preparations have been patchy or the battle comes hard on heels of another one the night can be hellish. Snatches of sleep caught between waking hours and trips to the laptop searching once again to be sure of differance and spectacle are very precious indeed. Even paralyzing nightmares are welcome if only to be sure the mind has finally sunk into a somnambulic state.
You pay homage to your patron gods and goddess in the early hours of morning. You pray for survival and subsequent rewards. And with the raging sound of battle horns you step to face the music. In the lines of cliches the battle has just begun.
Waiting is done in dark buildings either horrifyingly stuffy or wafting with draught. You look around gauging ground - people bored having decided nothing to do have entered this unwittingly, people frantically going through pages of revision, and the others parleying most annoyingly around your ears. Keep aloof, do not open your mouth and wait until the doors open.
Imagine the belly of the beast, Harry's final battle with Lord Voldemort, Middle-earth's stand against Sauron, Luke Skywalker duel with the Emperor - all dark, endless and necessary. Combine all of them together you have an entrance exam[this is a hyperbole after all!]. You do the quick survey, line up the strength and weakness - you take a moment of pause to gather your courage. At that time you can almost feel the cry for blood ringing in your ears - almost.
The you charge - head on, no holding back, the last stand till the next one. At that moment all doubts vanish - it is you versus the dragon and you have to slay it. The pen finds itself mightier than the sword, fighting against overwhelming odds and a clock that refuses to be kind to you.
The reward of victory will be sweet indeed - just hang in there. Odysseus did return home and so did I to fall flat on bed hoping fervently never to do it again. The fates just weren't listening.
The next day:
Ding dong
The tentacles of sleep threaten to drown you, however with supreme effort you do get up and drag yourself to the door. The khaki clad man has an indifferent frown.
"Delivery for Miss Rijuta"
You sign and then turn the envelope over - Hall ticket for JNU-Delhi. It is just not this day - is it.
"Are you not entertained!!"
ReplyDeleteYeah totally ;D
Glad to hear that :)
ReplyDeletevery true!!! dose tym of entrances.... I mean u feel so sleepy almost lyk u hv not slept since ages.. and as more n more u go on reading it seems not enough ... Glad!!! am out of that phase now!!!....
ReplyDelete