DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH

The clackity-clack of heels echoed on the cool marble floor as Avantika sashayed from her cabin to the conference hall. At 5’7” with waist length hair, the colour of a raven’s wing, her skin honey toned, she was the cynosure of all eyes today as she stood in front of corporate honchos to seal the deal of the merger and acquire multi million dollars worth in stocks and bonds.

With the initial round of heady cheers and toasting of champagne, she quietly made her way out and slumped into the welcoming recliner in her cabin and closed her eyes. Memories of the past flooded her and she suddenly felt warm hearted with gratitude.

Margaret…the blonde-haired missy who had visited her village three decades ago had taken upon herself to take a team of pre-teen girls under her wing and educate them. Avantika had taken a fancy to the kind lady who looked starkly different from the people she usually encountered around the hutments.

The lessons had begun with great fervor and excitement. Avantika sat wide eyed as the world unfolded in front of her, a world that she didn't know existed before this. Numbers, places, experiments, computers, literature…it was magical and Avantika was a fast learner.

Margaret had Avantika on her radar for a long time now and knew that she was a diamond in the rough. If polished right, she would dazzle everyone. This village was no place for a girl of her brilliance and ambition.

Seeking permission from her parents, Margaret had decided to take her along to the UK and take her in under her guardianship to sponsor her studies in the best school there was. Their joy knew no bounds! Avantika would be the first child from the village to go overseas to study.

Years rolled by and Avantika blended in so well after grooming sessions. There was no looking back once she decided on achieving something. After graduating from a top rated business school, she was all set to conquer the world.

She had come a long, long way from home and now it was time to pay it forward. She set about on a mission of her own, back to the same village to spot hidden talents and turn them into the gemstones that they were.

©️ Sangeetha Kamath

Pic Courtesy: Asian Literary Society

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