The Campaign Part 5

Trisha was frustrated, she wasn’t expecting a setback.

‘I did whatever they wanted. I agreed on whatever they said. I did everything! And when I needed just a little bit of help, they said no!’ Trisha shouted in frustration. Her parents came rushing to the living room.

‘What happened?’ asked her father. Abhay tried to answer that question but Trisha interrupted

‘You were right dad; these people don’t care about change. They just care about money, money and money!’ said Trisha, sad and disappointed.

‘I told you Trisha, this isn’t your game. You are too innocent for this one. Now you see why I was against it all along’ her father said sternly.

Trisha couldn’t reply. She knew it was going to be hard, but hard by what means? She had been cheated by her own party. They didn’t approve her schemes and decided to give the extra funds to another candidate who supposedly had grabbed more voters from a bigger district.

‘Trisha beti (Hindi for daughter) your ideas are not wrong but the party cannot shell so much money for just a few voters, and besides we are not even sure if you will win from your district’ Yogendra ji said to Trisha.

‘No room for amateurs’ some of the party officials said.

That was ultimately the final verdict from the party for Trisha. Abhay tried his best to explain them the pros but no luck. Trisha was mad because she wasn’t expecting such an outcome. She didn’t eat her dinner. Geetanjali tried to talk things out, but her attempts failed. Trisha decided to sleep.

The next morning seemed better, she got ready for breakfast. Her parents and Geetanjali, her secretary were seated already. Nobody talked on the table, Geetanjali just informed Trisha about some meetings in the following week in a hush-hush tone.

‘By the way, the journalist from the Times magazine was asking for an appointment’ Geetanjali finally said by breaking the barrier of silence.

‘Any day is good and I will be only answering questions...’

‘Yes I know’ Geetanjali said. She had proven herself as a very useful asset. Trisha adored her and trusted her with all her heart.

‘Where is Abhay? Wasn’t he supposed to be here?’ Trisha asked

‘He said that he will be working from his home today, he really didn’t explain why’ Geetanjali replied

‘Okay, I guess I will have to check on him myself’ she said.

‘Trisha’ her father said

‘Yes Papa?’

‘How much money do you need?’

‘No papa, I am not going to take your money’

‘Enough Trisha, have you seen yourself. Your mother and I are very worried. Can’t you see what this campaign has made you, you work all the time, and you are not even getting your results, how can a father see her daughter slog so much, that to for nothing!’ her father said

‘Papa I am going to be fine, yesterday was just a minor setback for me. I understand your concern but trust me I will find some willing sponsor for funds. And I promise if I don’t get anyone I will take your money, but it will be my last option’ she said. She then gave her father a tight hug and left for work. Abhay had been preparing schemes to gain some sponsors. He had worked on them the previous night.

‘Abhay what chances do we have?’

‘Just like all others have’

‘You know papa offered me money…’

‘What did you say?’

‘I said that I will not take it and I will find my way out of this situation’

‘You said the right thing’

‘But what if I don’t find a way, what if all our hard-work goes in vein?’’

‘We will Trisha, don’t lose hope. If you will lose hope, then all this is doomed!’

‘Yes, I know. I really don’t have a choice’

‘Exactly, so are you prepared for the interview?’

‘What? Oh that…I haven’t been preparing for it’

‘Trisha if you nail this one, we can attract sponsors beyond your expectations, this is the best platform to voice your opinion apart from party based campaigns. Do take this one very seriously’’

‘Yes sir!’

In the week that followed, Trisha had a very hectic schedule, only forty five days were left for the polling. She was often seen giving party speeches in her area. The candidate from the opposite didn’t seem to her as a threat, but she was mistaken.

‘And you are telling me this now?’ Trisha asked

‘I am surprised myself’ Abhay replied

‘But this is wrong! Nobody can appeal to the voters in name of god and religion, that’s violation of the law’

‘He isn’t doing it directly; it’s twisting of words’

‘Whatever it is, it’s wrong. Did you inform Yogendra ji?’

‘Yeah, he says he will try his best to put an end to it’

‘How?’

‘That he didn’t explain’

‘But…’ before Trisha could ask more question, Geetajali entered.  

‘Jyoti Pathak from Times magazine is here for interview’ she said

‘Now leave this all and focus on what you have to say’ Abhay advised

And the interview went for quite some time. Trisha answered all her questions without hesitations. ‘Stick to the point’ she kept reminding herself.

‘So off the record, what chances do you think you will stand in politics?’ Jyoti asked

‘Well, I guess I have a long road to go… it’s where I belong!’

‘I have to admire you for your confidence; it was nice to have a conversation with you. You will feature in our upcoming issue; I will send you a copy!’ the reporter said and Trisha smiled.

‘How did it go?’ Abhay asked

‘I gave my best’ Trisha replied.

‘I am sure you did, now it’s a just a matter of few days. Once this is published I think we will be expecting many phone calls’

‘I hope you are right, we need funds as quickly as possible’