Why was Cholkar delayed in fulfilling his vow to Sai Baba, and what did he do during that period?

After passing his examination by Sai Baba's grace, Cholkar faced a significant delay in fulfilling his vow to visit Shirdi. The reason for this delay was financial hardship. Chapter 15 describes this predicament poetically, stating that for a worldly man, crossing the 'threshold-ghat' of home expenses is very difficult, implying he could not afford the journey. During this period of waiting, Cholkar undertook a personal act of penance to remain true to his vow. He renounced sugar entirely, treating it as an 'inedible substance' until he could complete his pilgrimage. As Chapter 15 mentions, he even took to drinking his tea without any sugar, demonstrating his steadfast resolve and devotion despite his material circumstances.