"Hmm?"

"Do you really want to be a priest?"

"Huh?"

"To put my question in another way, what made you choose to become a priest?"

Saka studied Vira carefully. He didn't give a direct answer. Instead he asked Vira, "Why do you ask this question, Sen?"

"I just want to know more about you?"

Saka tilted his head. " Know more about me as a teacher?"

Vira didn't answer. It was true, Vira was trying to understand his student. But it was also Vira, trying to understand Saka. He didn't want to tell that to Saka though. Until he was clear about his feelings, he did not want to lead Saka on.

"Sen, why did you become a teacher?"

The question came from nowhere. He thought for a second, before responding.

"I wanted to make things so easy, that people enjoyed studying."

"And?"

"I wanted kids to feel there was an adult they could confide in, in case of any problems."

"Then?"

"Then?" Vira was puzzled. What was Saka expecting from him?

"What else did you feel you could do as a teacher, that you couldn't do in any other field?"

"I could help them build a future, get them to think beyond text books, build their confidence level, make them feel they were all equal and equally important to the country, no matter what they chose to do."

"Did you ever regret pursuing your choice of career?"

Vira shook his head without a second thought. "Not for a second."

"How is your choice different from mine?"

Vira sat speechless, as he understand the basis of the questions. He realised he had lost, once again to Saka. He was quiet.

Saka continued.

"You chose to teach math, I chose to teach theology, spirituality and philosophy. Other than the subject, what else has changed? You make kids feel safe and confident, but I want to make people of all ages feel safe and confident. People feel lost, sometimes unable to confide in anyone they know, looking for some direction in life. Why cannot I be the one to hold their hand?" 

Vira didn't know the answer. "Sen, the end goal is the same. To get people to value themselves and to provide value to the society. That is the purpose of education isn't it? And to get people to do it through math, is your job, to get them to do it morally, is my job. Do you think my choice is pitiful enough to be worried about?"

Vira shook his head vehemently. "Never once did I consider your choice pitiful. In fact, I felt it was a very mature decision. I only wanted to understand the rationale behind it. I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression."

Vira looked hurt. He felt guilty for assuming Saka had gone with the flow. But Saka had given his decision much more thought than even an adult would have done.

Saka had been irritated with Vira, because he was being a teacher. He wanted dinner date and not a counselling session. But it was wrong of him to take out his frustration at Vira, he realised. It wasn't Vira who was begging him to be his boyfriend. Saka sighed. His tone was as light as it had been when he started the conversation. "Sen, I am not mad at you. I just voiced out my thoughts, since you asked me. I'm sorry. I was a bit rough. All the teachers ask me this question. It frustrates me that no one asks a guy who decides to become a doctor why he chose to be one."

Vira nodded. He could relate. He still looked sad. "I genuinely want to encourage and cheer you on your decision. It was not my intention to question it, I swear, I was only trying to understand it."

"You wanted to make sure I wasn't blindly following my father's footsteps?"

Vira nodded his head. "I wanted to know if you sacrificed your dream for your father, or you pursued your dream because of your father."

"If it had been former?"

"I'd have stopped you at all costs. Saka, you are a brilliant person. You will certainly shine in whatever field you choose to pursue. But you should be happy too. I want that for you."

"Well, now that you know that it's not because of someone forcing me, what will you do Sen?"

"I will support you every step along the way."

Saka knew Vira meant what he said. 

"My father wanted me to do anything but be a priest. But I defied him."

Vira looked totally surprised by that confession. He looked so comical that Saka laughed.

"I thought I had no one to support me, but now that you have committed to support me for my life time, I don't have to worry."

Vira, without thinking, said, "of course!" 

Then the gravity of Saka's words struck him.

" I mean.." he stuttered, blushing at the thought of implication of Saka's words.

Saka giggled. "Sen, you look so cute when you blush."

Vira blushed further. "Cheeky aren't you?" 

"Am I?" Saka laughed out loud."You are fun to tease."

Vira was wise enough to not respond.

Saka continued on a serious note. "We've not had a class yet, but I can tell you this much. You are a fantastic teacher. Infact, it is yet another thing about you I fell for." 

Saka sighed. "I can't believe you'd make me wait an entire year without a response."

Vira hid his embarrassment by teasing Saka " Am I sensing a thought shift Jun Saka? Are you giving up?"

Saka shook his head and without a thought , replied, "That would never happen Sen Vira."

Vira didn't know how to react, he continued with his question.

"What do you want to graduate in?

"Sen, I don't plan to graduate. I don't need a degree to take over the temple."

Vira shook his head. "Just answer my question."

Saka thought for a minute. Then he replied, "I guess I'd like a degree on Northern Theology."

" Northern Theology?"

"Well, in the South, we have 5 schools of thoughts, dedicated to the five elements - Earth, Fire, Wind, Water and Space right?"

Vira nodded. He felt a bit smart that he knew atleast that much.

Saka continued, "whereas in the North, people worship Time and Energy. While principles might be the same, I would like to understand their scriptures."

"Just out of curiosity, why do you want to study all the scriptures?"

"Scriptures help understand thought process of the people. It helps us get closer to people. When we can't understand people, how can we help them?"

"I see..." 

Vira made up his mind that he would get Saka to do his degree at all costs.