Job's not finished.

Even if we are friends for 5 years most probably you didn't know this story.

Ngl, I cried while writing this newsletter.

This story dates back to when I was in 10th - 11th-12th std to set the premise I was a student who never crossed 80 per cent in his life till date. I remember, in the first periodic exam of 10th, I got 52 per cent because I was insanely focused on sports[ just like today in startups ;) ] and I was barely affected by it because I already knew it was going to happen.

But after the results came out parents usually used to yell at me but this time my dad cried in front of me. I was shattered and guilty to disappoint them. It was a horrible day, can't forget it. I took a pledge that I will score 90 per cent on boards(89 per cent to be precise). My board exam results came and I got 74 per cent. I cried the fuck out of me, shattered again because I thought I disappointed them again and I never wanted to see my dad cry again but turns out they were happy, as I am a first-generation learner and these were the highest score in our entire family.

When I compared my scores with so-called smart people in school the difference was 5- 15 per cent.

I studied from 3rd- 12th std in the same school/jr college. I planned to pursue commerce but Dad forced me to study science(I don't regret tho) I had already filled form for commerce but after pressure from Dad's side, I had to change my form to science. After noticing this,  one fine day, Principal called both of us to his cabin and he made me sit on a chair, my dad was sitting beside me and I remember Principle staring dead into my eyes and saying it to dad

"Aapka beta 12th me fail ho jayega, especially in maths and physics. Aap kyu apna paise barbaad kar rhe ho? Isse achha aap commerce dila do, hsc board se karva do varna cbse in science stream me toh fail ho jayega and the school will not be responsible for that"

I took that statement to heart, bones, iris and wherever possible. I felt like it was better to die, why do you have to be a curse for the family? But thankfully I didn't!

Fast forward to 12th std, the boards were 2 months away and almost the same time left for entrance exams. I was preparing for entrance exams with one of my friends in the library. We came back to class. The physics teacher asked us 'Where were you guys?' We said we were studying for our entrance exams and my physics teacher goes like

" boards me 35 per cent aayenge ki nahi uska pata nahi par entrance ke liye prepare karne chale hai"

in the rudest tone, I've ever heard.

And she said this in front of the whole class!
I took this again to my heart, bones and wherever possible. Turns out I scored 72 per cent, got admission to NMIMS and the rest is history. The result came out and I contacted the principal regarding my score and admission he says,

" you are a great student. I am proud of you. you proved me wrong. stay in touch and have a great future."

The physics teacher said:

" I knew Arpit, tu kar leta exam crack. I am happy for you and proud to be your teacher"

But tbh I am not proud of a teacher and principal like these!

And now, when I compared my scores and college with so-called smart ppl from school and college, I outworked every fucking one.

But but but!

( this scene is from one of the interviews of Kobe Bryant)

Interviewer: still waiting for a big smile you are up 2 - 0. What's the story? are you not happy or are you half happy or what?

Kobe Bryant: what's there to be happy about?

Interviewer: you are up 2 - 0!

Kobe Bryant: job's not finished! Job's finished? I don't think so.

Follow deliberate obsession.

Enough for today.