The office was already crowded. The clerks were sitting at their desks, busy with their work. As soon as Ramesh Babu entered, everyone looked up. He took Ramanath straight to the head clerk and introduced him.
“This is Ramanath Babu. He has come in connection with the vacant post.”
The head clerk looked at Ramanath from head to foot and said, “Has he brought an application?”
Ramesh—“Yes, he has. I told him to submit it to you.”
The head clerk took the application, glanced over it, and said, “Very well. I will put it up.”
Ramesh—“Please do it today. The poor fellow has been worrying about the matter for several days.”
The head clerk smiled. “We shall see. These things cannot be done in a hurry.”
Ramesh turned toward Ramanath and said, “You see? I told you that getting a job is not child's play.”
Ramanath stood silently. He had imagined that everything would be settled as soon as he reached the office. Now he realized that there were still many obstacles in the way. The very thought of having to visit the office again and again made him uncomfortable.
Ramesh took him aside and said, “Don't lose heart. I have already spoken to the people concerned. Your application will be considered.”
Ramanath—“But what salary will I receive?”
Ramesh—“Thirty rupees to begin with.”
Ramanath sighed. “Thirty rupees! How will I manage on that?”
Ramesh—“I have already explained it to you. You will have opportunities to earn more. Besides, you must begin somewhere.”
Ramanath—“I cannot understand how I will live on thirty rupees.”
Ramesh—“You are thinking about your present habits. Reduce your expenses for a few months and you will see that it can be done.”
Ramanath did not answer. He was thinking of his wife, of the ornaments she wanted, of the household expenses, and of the life of comfort to which he had become accustomed. Thirty rupees seemed to him almost nothing.
Just then a peon came and told the head clerk that the Sahib was calling for him.
The head clerk immediately became serious. He picked up the application and went inside.
Ramesh whispered, “There, now you will see what the Sahib is like. Don't be frightened. Stand quietly and answer whatever he asks.”
Ramanath's heart began to beat faster. He suddenly regretted having come.
After a few minutes the head clerk returned.
“He wants to see Ramanath Babu.”
Ramesh looked at Ramanath encouragingly. “Go. What are you afraid of? I am right here.”
Ramanath entered the Sahib's room.
The Sahib looked at him sharply and asked, “You have applied for the vacant post?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Have you any previous experience?”
“No, sir.”
“Then why do you think you are suitable for it?”
Ramanath hesitated. “I have received a good education, sir.”
The Sahib looked again at the application. “What have you studied?”
Ramanath gave the details of his education.
The Sahib said, “Very well. You may go.”
Ramanath came out, breathing more freely.
Ramesh asked, “Well?”
Ramanath—“He asked me a few questions and then told me to go.”
Ramesh laughed. “And you were frightened for nothing!”
Ramanath smiled weakly. “I thought he would eat me alive.”
Ramesh—“Now you understand. The first time is always frightening.”
The two men left the office together.
On the way home, Ramesh said, “I have done what I could. Now leave the rest to me. If the post is approved, I will let you know.”
Ramanath thanked him and went home.
When he entered the house, he found Jalpa waiting for him. She immediately asked, “Where were you?”
Ramanath—“I had gone to the office.”
Jalpa—“For what?”
Ramanath—“For a job.”
She looked at him with surprise. “A job? Why?”
Ramanath explained everything.
Jalpa became silent. She understood that circumstances were beginning to change. The easy life she had imagined was now being replaced by uncertainty.
After a while she asked, “How much will you earn?”
“Thirty rupees.”
She looked disappointed. “Only thirty?”
Ramanath—“Yes.”
Jalpa—“Then how will we live?”
Ramanath—“We shall have to live somehow.”
Jalpa did not reply. She went into the inner room and sat quietly.
Ramanath felt ashamed. He had wanted to give her a comfortable life, but now even the smallest expenses seemed difficult to meet.
That night neither of them slept peacefully. Ramanath kept thinking about the job, while Jalpa thought about the future and the ornaments that had become so closely associated with her happiness.
The next morning Ramanath went again to Ramesh Babu's house.
Ramesh was sitting at the chessboard.
Seeing him, he smiled and said, “Come, today we shall hear some good news.”
Ramanath—“What news?”
Ramesh—“Your appointment has been approved.”
Ramanath's face brightened. “Really?”
Ramesh—“Yes. You are to join from tomorrow.”
Ramanath felt a strange mixture of relief and anxiety. He had obtained the job, but he still did not know how he would manage his expenses.
Ramesh arranged the chess pieces and said, “Now forget all your worries and play one game.”
Ramanath sat down reluctantly.
As the game began, Ramesh said, “You will see. Once you get used to the work, everything will become easier.”
Ramanath moved a pawn.
Ramesh smiled. “Good. Now let us see how long you can keep your mind on the game.”