With Head Held High

"There's a way you can surely become a Chartered Accountant in the upcoming attempt."

"What's that?", replied Koyal to Ansh.

"I know someone who can get you positive results in this attempt. We would just need to pay five to ten lakh rupees."

"And how do they do that?", asked Koyal.

It's not that Koyal was interested in bribing someone to get her work done, it was just that she wanted to know how her husband would make her clear her CA exams in the upcoming attempt.

Ansh further told her that a knowledgeable CA would go and write her exams in her place, and that would make way for positive exam results in her name.

Koyal mockingly said, "Oh really? As if this actually happens."

To this, Ansh replied in a serious tone, "Yes, it does. I got this offer during my graduation. I was offered the degree for a consideration of a few lakh rupees, wherein all the exams were to be written by a CA. But, I did not accept the offer as I wanted to get into family business, and so, the degree was of minimal importance to me."

"I don't believe this. I don't think all this happens in such a reputed course like Chartered Accountancy. There's such mighty competition in CA. I don't think any approach or such practices work in this course.", said Koyal.

"That's where you are mistaken. That's why I tell you that you don't know much about today's world. There's a lot more that happens than you can even imagine.", replied Ansh.

"Seriously?", said an incredulous Koyal.

"Yes, my dear. Now tell me, shall we go for it?", asked Ansh.

Ansh had complete confidence in Koyal's abilities. He knew that her wife is intelligent and entirely capable of getting through her finals with flying colours. But, he could see that her luck was not favouring her in academics at present. That was the only reason, why he was insisting so much on taking this step.

"Not at all!", exclaimed Koyal.

"But, where's the problem? You already possess adequate knowledge of your subjects. You have studied so well and devoted so much time to the course. Only one step is left for you to become a CA, and that is, clearing the final exams, which you are not able to accomplish, despite putting in so many efforts and doing fairly well in exams. Hard work and luck go hand in hand, my dear. I think you should go in for this alternative.", explained Ansh.

Hearing this, Koyal's whole Chartered Accountancy journey till now, flashed in her mind. She recalled her early success in the entrance and intermediate examinations, her 3 years articleship (training) routine, where she did fairly well and gained practical experience by carrying out various kinds of audits, her hectic 6:15 a.m. to 9 p.m. routine, during which she attended a morning three hours CA Final coaching class, then ran for her articleship, and then, attended another three and a half hours coaching class in the evening, how she prepared for her finals alongwith the tiring training and even after the training completed. She reminisced how she used to start her day at 4 o' clock in the morning, bathed, got ready, and did her daily morning prayers for around thirty to forty minutes, then sat for her self study, studying hard, day and night, forgetting everything, with her phone switched off and kept in a drawer, no social media, no television, no outing, just academic work in her study room, with minimal breaks for meals. She also recollected her four failed attempts of final exams, including an attempt after her wedding too, and how she broke down seeing her negative examination results, despite sincere perseverance in her studies. The thoughts of her unsuccessful attempts did spoil her mood, making her feel sorrowful, but she was absolutely determined to complete her Chartered Accountancy Course and gain the prestigious degree for becoming a recognised professional. She knew that she would surely fulfil her aspirations, as her hubby and her family also supported in her endeavours.

Thinking of all this, Koyal said, "I agree with you that only hardwork and experience don't help. Once, I did hold the opinion that success only constitutes hard work, knowledge and experience, but all my myths were broken last year, when, despite doing the best of my preparation, doing good in exams, and expecting positive results based on my performance, I could not get through it. It was so heartbreaking, and I was forced to believe in luck. But, I also believe that happiness and success achieved by unfair means does not stay for long."

"So, what do you want to do?", asked Ansh.

Koyal said, "I'll study and appear for the exams myself. I may become a CA by paying someone for writing the exams on my behalf, but after that, I won't be able to live with the constant mental burden and guilt that the success which I own, is not completely my own accomplishment.

Ansh said, "See, I don't see any harm in doing this. Only we would know about it, no one else. You won't have to feel inferior in front of anyone."

Koyal replied, "But, my conscience won't let me do this, and if I do, it won't let me feel good later on."

"Ok, as you wish Baby. So, you want to appear for the exams in the normal manner?", asked Ansh.

Koyal said, "Yes Baby. Undoubtedly, it's very difficult to study the same thing and appear for the same exams again and again, but no matter how much time it takes, I want to earn the degree through my very own efforts. I want to walk with pride and work with my head held high after I attain success. I just can't cheat my way for fulfilling my dreams."

To this, Ansh replied with happy tears in his eyes, "I am so proud of you my Baby. You will surely win in the upcoming attempt. God is with you, and hard work always pays some day. You are very close to achieving your ambition."