The last and the most anticipated episode of TVF Aspirants begins with Abhilash in his cabinet reprimanding a few local employees. The employees have never seen this side of Abhilash. He had an image of a rather quiet officer. Abhilash’s PA tells them that he has been in a bad mood since he came back from Delhi. 

After the results are out, in the flashback, we see Abhilash sitting on a bench near a tea stall. Guri is also there. He speaks with SK on the phone and tells him that Abhilash is really sad. Guri asks SK to come and try to cheer Abhilash up. In order to lighten up Abhilash’s mood, Guri mentions that Abhilash should come with him to his village and start farming. The comment is said half-jokingly. Guri was trying to divert Abhilash’s mind. However, because Abhilash was extremely upset, he loses his temper. He yells, in front of all the people present, that Guri has made it through a special quota because of his hearing issues. Otherwise, he doesn’t even deserve to be there. He also calls attention to the fact that it was his last attempt and Guri has still two more to go. After creating a scene at the stall, he leaves. 

SK arrives at the tea stall. He doesn’t find Guri and Abhilash. A few students over there let him know that the two had a heated argument and they had left. 

In his room, Abhilash creates a riot. It is evident he is now both upset and angry. Guri enters and is furious. How could Abhilash let out a secret which had been between the three of them for years? A fight breaks out. Abhilash pushes Guri towards the door. Guri gets injured on his forehead. He slaps Abhilash. And for me, two best friends fighting in this fashion was not a great sight to see at all. 

Abhilash is at an inspection site in the present. He gets a call from SK. SK tries to propose reconciliation between SK and Guri. He is that one friend who is always ready to compromise to keep his friendship intact. He also brings up his plight. He mentions how it was always about Guri and Abhilash. Why did SK have to bear the brunt of a conflict between them? Wasn’t his friendship valuable independently? Abhilash responds by saying that when two legs of a tripod (popular name for the three during college days) weaken, balance with the third leg automatically gets spoiled. 

In the flashback, Abhilash gives his books to a junior, returns back the room keys, and leaves for his hometown. Meanwhile, Guri is weeping alone and SK is looking for Guri and Abhilash.

In the present, Abhilash has a meeting with the ALC (Assistant Labour Commissioner). The ALC turns out to be Sandeep bhaiya from Rajinder Nagar. Abhilash is pleasantly surprised to see him. Over a cup of tea, they chat for some time. Abhilash asks Sandeep about Kusum, presuming that he would have married her by now. Sandeep, tells him that he never married her. He tells Abhilash that after not being able to qualify in UPSC, he attempted PCS. He eventually cleared PCS, but sadly, it was too late and she left him. Abhilash sees the bright side - Sandeep is a respected civil servant and an asset for the country now. It couldn’t have been better than this for him.

Sandeep is not of the same view. He regrets his decision to leave behind the love of his life in the quest to achieve his goals. He is indeed proud to be working for the country but he feels leaving behind your loved ones is not worth it. You get all the appreciation and praise but when there’s no one to share your happiness, no one to care for you, you feel hollow from inside. 

Sandeep makes Abhilash realise how selfish they were while preparing for the UPSC exam. They just kept working in one direction without paying attention to others’ fears, insecurities, uncertainties. It was just about themselves all the time. As always, Sandeep’s words, have an impact on Abhilash. Abhilash contemplates his mistakes for a couple of days.

In the next scene, we see Abhilash’s car stop at the venue of Guri’s wedding. Abhilash enters the wedding. He removes his spectacles and along with its case, the one gifted by Dhairya, and throws it in the bin. He accepts Guri’s decision and moves on. SK is gratified to see him.

We are in flashback mode again. It is February of 2014. Abhilash is at his office. His boss praises him but comments on his indifferent attitude. The boss offers that he go on a vacation to rejuvenate. Abhilash is unenthusiastic until he sees that the government has increased the number of attempts for UPSC aspirants on television. Finally, the viewers learn how Abhilash turned out to be an IAS officer eventually.

At the wedding, Guri and Abhilash hug and get over all their differences. 

Meanwhile, in 2014, Abhilash quits his job and goes back to the same house in Old Rajinder Nagar to try his hand at UPSC once again. 

Episode Rating: 3/5

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