The Trip

Raj was sitting behind his father on his scooter sandwiched by his mom at the back. His mom’s never ending growth side-ways made the trip all the more suffocating. He seemed to be gasping for breath, between his parents, each time the tyre found a pothole, and in return, he was rewarded by the hot dusty air. The Sun’s sweltering in the noon, as if to drive in a point, didn’t help at all.

The Government of India at the right time, as though to ensure Raj’s safety, came out with a timely issuance. They were reiterating safety rules by making everyone travelling on a two wheeler, wear a helmet. Now, that didn’t go down well for Raj at all. The scooter itself was puny, two was a company, but three on this vehicle? It was definitely a crowd !!!

Especially, since he had a smaller head and he was made to wear their loving neighbor uncle’s helmet. So, at every pot hole, his head was like the clapper inside the bell. The helmet itself clanked on both the front and the back, both on his father and mother’s helmets, and his head literally rotated inside the helmet. He was dizzy by the time they had reached the Entrance Exam center. Stars swam in front of his eyes rather than the numbers and the formulas he had learnt for the Math Exam.

While he was gasping for air and tottering about after getting off the scooter, he suddenly felt a hand laid on his shoulder and grip him tight. He looked up at his father, after pushing back the helmet that covered half his face.

Rakesh held his son’s shoulder as though bestowing blessings, and said, “Do well my son. Yesterday you wrote for engineering, and today you are writing to become a doctor. We will choose from the best of the results, ok? Don’t worry.”

Raj looked at his father and mother, searching for some last signs of miracle and gave up. He gave the helmet and started the longest walk of his life. It felt like he was headed to the gallows. Children studying and throwing formulas at each other. Not that he hadn’t learnt. Just that he was low on confidence. He hated studying. He always had… But then he had to…

Rakesh was wringing his hands under the tree at the parking lot, waiting with baited breath. Rani, his wife laid a gentle hand on his shoulder, and said, “It’s ok. He will do fine”.

The Short Circuit

The Bell rang, and Raj entered the class. Droplets of Sweat formed on him, even though he sat under the fan. The questions were familiar but he felt blank. The seconds ticked louder than thunder and the sweat had formed rivulets all over him. His palms were wet with sweat. He didn’t seem to know how to arrive at the solutions…

At the Parking Lot

Deepak saw his old school class mate under the tree in the parking lot and walked up to him.

“Hi buddy”, He shouted with excitement as he hurried towards him…

After the Exam

Raj came out of the exam hall. His ribs pained as his heart hammered mercilessly on his ribs. He tried to slow the pace but he couldn’t slow it down beyond a stroll. He had not fared well. He knew it in his heart of hearts. He just didn’t do well. He didn’t have the guts to tell his dad. Shriveled and sunken within himself, he felt more like a zombie.

He reached his parents and looked up at them.

Rakesh looked at him while Rani was beaming at him. Rani was ecstatic that their son had finished the entrance exam, but Rakesh knew that look in his son.

The Revelation

“You did what I told you to do. Now, there is something I want you to do. Figure out what you want, and do that”, Rakesh said gently and slowly.

Raj stammered with tears in his eyes,”I wanna draw”.

Deepak came forward, gently laid a hand on his shoulder and said,”Come with me son, I will tell you what all you can achieve by drawing.”

Raj turned and looked at his father, and his father gave him a nod with a smile.

Deepak steered Raj towards his car while saying, “Do you know you can apply for National Institute of Design and…”

Rakesh watched his son walk away with his best friend from school and thought wistfully…

If only he had guts to follow his dreams too… like Deepak had…

Hopefully Raj would be able to…

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