The sound of wind howling outside made him shiver. Rain was lashing on the closed windows of his room. He wanted to open them and feel the rain against his face, the blast of cold wind to touch his soul as it always did in monsoons but could not quite summon up the courage to do so. Rather, that would have resulted in a change of his decision and he didn't want that to happen today. For the first time in life he wanted things to go his way. Everything was ready as planned. The loud noises from the merrymaking downstairs that his family was indulging in would muffle any sound emanating from this room. His cold hands shivered, partly due to fear. He tried to concentrate. Voices from the past were talking to him...
7 years old: "My baby is the best. He topped the class this year"
10 years old: "Wow! So you are the best student of the class, eh? Big hug "Your elder brother should learn a lesson or two from you". The elder brother continued to stare at the TV nonchalantly.
15 years old: "Are you going to school to study or do something else? Look at your brother. He is so much smarter than you. Shame!"
18 years old: "I had to beg and catch the feet of the principal to get you admitted to this college. Please don't do anything that will further bury my head in mud. All I am asking of you is to pass with decent marks, I know you are not capable of anything else. Your elder brother is earning 1lakh a month now. I would appreciate it if you earned at least 10 rupee a month. Please!"
21 years old: "Ha, with this mark, who will give you a job? We knew we were wasting our money on you. You want to be a movie actor is it? You think I spent all my money on you so that you can dance away to glory? Here, the cigarette packet I found in your almirah yesterday. What a way to spend my hard-earned money? Learn a lesson or two from your elder brother"
Girlfriend: "I am sorry to hear about your results. It's okay, you will clear all the papers next time I am sure. Oh, I forgot to tell you, I am flying to NYC in 2 weeks. My dad has found me a job there with XYZ TV. See you...ermm..some time. And... well... goodbye"
22 years old: "I knew you would fail. Tell you what? There is a vacancy for a security guard in my office. Why dont you apply? With your bodybuilding drama, I am sure you will easily land the job. Ok, enough of this nonsense now. Tomorrow is your brother's send-off party to the US. Call any of your friends if you want. And please, not your rogue gang again"
He smiled. Everything was ready. His mother's old saree was to be given away to the maidservant but no! This has to be used for purposes far superior to such philanthropy. He climbed on top of the little stool.
Lights blurred. Faded out. BLACK!! Colour of freedom!
7 years old: "My baby is the best. He topped the class this year"
10 years old: "Wow! So you are the best student of the class, eh? Big hug "Your elder brother should learn a lesson or two from you". The elder brother continued to stare at the TV nonchalantly.
15 years old: "Are you going to school to study or do something else? Look at your brother. He is so much smarter than you. Shame!"
18 years old: "I had to beg and catch the feet of the principal to get you admitted to this college. Please don't do anything that will further bury my head in mud. All I am asking of you is to pass with decent marks, I know you are not capable of anything else. Your elder brother is earning 1lakh a month now. I would appreciate it if you earned at least 10 rupee a month. Please!"
21 years old: "Ha, with this mark, who will give you a job? We knew we were wasting our money on you. You want to be a movie actor is it? You think I spent all my money on you so that you can dance away to glory? Here, the cigarette packet I found in your almirah yesterday. What a way to spend my hard-earned money? Learn a lesson or two from your elder brother"
Girlfriend: "I am sorry to hear about your results. It's okay, you will clear all the papers next time I am sure. Oh, I forgot to tell you, I am flying to NYC in 2 weeks. My dad has found me a job there with XYZ TV. See you...ermm..some time. And... well... goodbye"
22 years old: "I knew you would fail. Tell you what? There is a vacancy for a security guard in my office. Why dont you apply? With your bodybuilding drama, I am sure you will easily land the job. Ok, enough of this nonsense now. Tomorrow is your brother's send-off party to the US. Call any of your friends if you want. And please, not your rogue gang again"
He smiled. Everything was ready. His mother's old saree was to be given away to the maidservant but no! This has to be used for purposes far superior to such philanthropy. He climbed on top of the little stool.
Lights blurred. Faded out. BLACK!! Colour of freedom!
