That afternoon she stood nervously outside Dr. Sumitra and Dr. Vikram's study.
The scholarship letter shook slightly in her hands.
"Come in, child," Dr. Vikram said warmly.
Alankrita entered slowly.
Dr. Sumitra looked up from her book immediately.
"What happened?"
"I got the scholarship."
For a second nobody reacted.
Then the room exploded with happiness.
Dr. Sumitra stood up immediately.
"You got Cambridge?"
Alankrita nodded.
The old doctor's eyes shone with pride.
"You extraordinary girl."
The praise only made Alankrita cry harder.
After several moments she gathered herself.
"There is something else."
The room became quiet again.
"I have a request."
Dr. Vikram folded his hands patiently.
"What do you want, child?"
Alankrita lowered her eyes.
Her voice became very small.
"I am sorry for asking this."
Nobody interrupted her.
"I received full scholarship and accommodation for five years. But I cannot afford to go there."
She swallowed hard.
"The visa will come next week. I gave your address because I had nowhere else to send it."
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
Then came the sentence that had terrified her all morning.
"Can you please buy me a ticket to Cambridge?"
Silence.
"I promise I will repay every rupee after graduation. I can work there. I can do part-time jobs. I can do anything."
Her fingers tightened around the scholarship letter.
"I don't want charity."
She looked up with tear-filled eyes.
"I only want a chance."