Log kya kahenge?

Rohit was constantly trying to open the website for the last half an hour but due to heavy rush the website crashed. Today JEE was announcing the results. And will definitely going to screw many lives. His family’s anxiety level for rising with each passing second. His mother was praying or better to say begging a good AIR to each and every God she knew. His father was nervous and thus sweeting. Then phone the rang, his dad picked and walked to other room. After a while his dad started congratulating the person on the other side and came back and said “Sharma’s son got AIR 177 and Patel’s daughter got AIR 103”. That phone call worked as petrol in a fire. Everyone in that room listened but no one reacted.

Rohit clicked the reload button, yet again but this time it was asking for roll number and DOB. Seeing the website active, he called his family and everyone came running to him. His mother was still praying. With trembling hands, he typed his roll number and DOB and after re-checking he clicked enter. And now the moment stops, the page started loading. It’s the moment when he will be going see the result of his 2-year hard work. It is that moment which will be going to decide his future (unfortunately a result decides a future, because its India -_-). He was very confident that he could make through IIT but his parents expectations were damn to high which did nothing but pressurized him and shattered his confidence (Story of all Indian students). He was very nervous. Website was taking time. He closed his eyes. He just wanted to get into IIT. He didn’t care about the rank. He wanted to fulfil the dream of his family. Suddenly a thought came to his mind that what if is he couldn’t make it? What if he couldn’t become an engineer? Does he really want to become an engineer? This was something that was disturbing him for past a year. But deep inside he wanted something else. He knew all the answers, very well. Rohit has closed his eyes but his family’s eyes were glued to the screen. At last the wait came to an end. Her mother put her hand on Rohit’s shoulder and slowly he opened his eyes. The screen was displaying AIR 794 in bold letters. Rohit sighed and smiled, after a long time. He turned and get terrified. Tears were rolling down from his father’s red, angry eyes. He was stunned. He turned to his mother and saw a similar scene.

There was a silence for a while. Breaking the silence Rohit said “Dad I have made it. Then why are you crying?”.

“Can’t you see it’s 794. We have expected you to see in top 100”

“Dad, I have done my best. You should be happy. I have done what you wanted”

“Sharma’s son got 177 and Patel’s daughter bagged 103 and where do you stand. And you are telling us be happy. I don’t know what had happened to you. You have topped till now both in your school and coaching. Then how could you be satisfied to this. I have told everyone that my son will going to be in top 100. You have let us down”

Rohit have never ever imagined that these words will be said by his father. He was shocked. He was getting furious. He could feel something different in himself. He wanted to speak. He wanted to confess. He wanted to say what he had decided a year ago. He was waiting for the right time. He thought this is the one. He gathered courage took a deep breath and finally he spoke

“Dad I don’t want to become an engineer. I always tried to tell you but never have the courage to do so. Seeing your expectations and dreams have always stopped him. I hated Science but you wanted me to choose science. I did that. You wanted me to go to IIT. I made your dream mine you to make you happy, see you smiling. I have spent 2 years of my life locked up in room with just books everywhere. I did that for you. I too have my own dreams. I wanted to become a musician. I want to compose songs, sing songs. I am very passionate much more about it than being an engineer. You are my parents I know you want me to see successful. But I also know that I couldn’t be successful being an engineer. You can guide me but please don’t impose your dreams on me. I beg you. I was sacrificing my dream for you. But I can’t...”

Rohit wanted to say more but then his dad slapped him hard.

“How dare you talked like this. Don’t even think of being a musician. You better become an engineer. You are going to Kota. Study there and next time I want you in top 100. Arre log kya kahenge agar musician bana toh? (What will people say if you become a musician?)

His dad walked away.

Rohit died from inside at that moment because his parent ambitions crushed his own one. He is now a man without dreams. He is dead actually.

--Many dreams and souls are killed by “log kya kahenge”. Once again and yet again.--