The olive and wristwatch

What is the function of philosophy in our society? 

The old man at the right corner, in a grey suit, asked. 

(What seems to be the problem? Why are they asking this ??) 

The philosophy gives us a sense of confirmation with our thoughts and actions, a society driven by a philosophy has a strong foundation for acting upon the values and sets up the criteria to judge between what's right and wrong, truth and lie, defining the colour to their nature and behaviour with those principles. 

But a wise person will put it to the test and trials, forsake knowing the truth and the purest nature of it. 

He answered in the cleverest voice. 

It was a dark room with few candles on the table, it was well arranged with different kinds of encyclopedias, maps, and literature in three different languages, and a lamp hanging from a hook from the ceiling, which was painted in sandstone red. 

Opposite to the three gentlemen, Ashvini was sitting upon a wooden chair, dressed in British attire, a white shirt with a beige tie and olive blazers over his rounded shoulders with a dhoti below. 

Why should we fund your education? We've got candidates more vulnerable and more meritorious than you seem; don't you think they deserve more than you do? 

The young man in the middle asked. 

I do agree with you, they may deserve it. But I have something that might be pretty rare in those candidates, THE CURIOSITY!! And purpose, earning a living and gaining respect, is not the only factor driving me in here, but my curiosity to discover, my purpose to understand the working of Mother Nature, is what drives me the most. 

Sir, what you are seeing now is maybe just a piece of glass, 

But I promise you if you give me the chance, I'll polish it into a diamond!. 

Ashvini answered in a heavy and serious tone as if delivering a dramatic speech. 

But it'll still be a piece of glass, worth nothing even close to gold, forget about diamond. We won't even allow someone with less than 75% for an interview, but since you got a recommendation letter from Mr. Shantanu, we are considering it. 

The middle-aged man at the left corner quickly! Replied with a harsh tone. 

SEVEN DAYS AGO…

On the other morning, Mr. Shantanu visited Ashvini's house. 

Asked his father to take him to talk in private. As his father respects Mr. Shantanu, he gave him permission, 

Upon receiving permission, 

They both went out of the room, 

What are you planning to do in the future, Ashvini? 

Mr. Shantanu said politely, 

Maybe I'll be a scientist like those people winning the Nobel Prize, or maybe a writer like him, Shakespeare, or maybe a doctor carrying on the legacy!. 

So, taking the science stream for higher studies? 

Pretty much, yes! , Ashvini replied. 

Let me suggest to you the best place to learn science in high school, 

' St. Xavier's' Calcutta! The place I have been from, and this year I'm going back to Calcutta to complete my Ph.D. 

Mr. Shatanu cleverly explained to him. 

You!, filling up his mind with dreams of Calcutta, what do you think he is, he'll barely survive there between the science geniuses and the Bengalis. !! 

His father interrupted like a thunderbolt in stormy winds. 

Don't worry, Mr. Dubey, he is a mature boy, he'll be fine, and I will be sending a recommendation letter, which will help him get a scholarship. 

It seems like Mr. Shantanu has an eagerness for the bright future of his students. 

And what about the location?, It's very far away from here, questioned Mr. Dubey 

In order to gain something, you need to lose the comfort of your home!. 

Flashed Mr. Shantanu 

Who said that? Asked Ashvini 

I did, for you! The teacher replied, 

And all three of them burst into laughter. 

Three days later … 

 Ashvini and his father were loading their luggage on a cart that a horse pulled. 

Have you met Mr. Shantanu? 

" yes, pita ji" ashvini nodded, 

They sat on the cart, which took them to the nearest railway station. From there, they boarded a train directly to Calcutta. 

On board, they had a co-passenger, an really old man with a bold look and pride on his face as if he had received some kind of Nobel Prize, Mr. Faisal, who was from Lahore and a professor at Calcutta University, and was heading towards Dhaka.

This was nothing short of a tiresome journey for them; it took more than twenty hours to reach there. 

As they were stationed at the Beliaghat-Sealdah South Station in Calcutta, it started pouring heavily, but they started walking towards the exit, Ashvini carrying two large brown trunks and Mr. Dubey holding up his suitcase, hastily walking as if he'll end up winning a sprint against the British government, he gets a halt at the main exit, turns back to navigate ashvini's position and just saw him trying to swim between the heavy rainfall. 

" Hey!, ASHVINI!! FAST!" he shouted top of his lungs as if he were a British officer and Ashvini was a slacking colonial plantation worker 

Which caught the crowd's attention, Ashvini felt a bit embarrassed.

Quickly, ran towards his father. 

Mr. Dubey called for a taxi, to the surprise of Ashvini, as he would be travelling in a taxi first time in his life. As the cabby loaded up the luggage, Ashvini was fascinatedly looking at the wheels, the steering wheel, the headlamps, and the seats. 

Through the streets of Bengal, a city of royal life, he was immersed in a fabulous glimpse of the city near the ghats of the Ganga. 

Smelling different cuisines, fragrances, listening to the sounds of vinyl recorders, English opera, classical instruments, and the Bengali language.

Everything was new and different except three: skin, currency, and brutal colonialism. 

Soon, in about an hour, they reached the district lodge, where they'll have to stay for the next 3 days. 

As they opened up their room 

"Pita ji, these are just two beds stacked upon each other," Ashvini spoke in a dead sound. 

"Keep your mouth shut beta" he replied politely 

The duo went to visit the school, hostel for his stay, and of course, the faculty. 

They completed the registration process, although Mr. Dubey lent some money from the town's sahukar, in case Ashvini couldn't score for a scholarship, but still, he got a dream and saw a bright future for himself. A hope which should not be deprived in his life from his father's end at least.