A Packet of biscuit that changed my life

"Mom, Can you lend me some money?"

"More!! What for? , you got your pocket money a week ago, don't you? "

"I spent it; ummm........I bought packets of biscuit with them."

"Biscuit? Don't you have enough food in your lunch box? Am I lacking somewhere?"

"No, mom, you are good and the food is enough, it's just that I wanted to try something different."

This conversation that took place 11 yrs ago between me and my mom, came rushing to my mind when I saw a 15 year old youngster buying cigarettes at a cheap local shop.

"Mom you are good......................I just wanted to try something new."

Yes, my mom was good, not only good, she was the best mom anyone could have and yes, that something different for me, was a packet of cigarette. Being most popular chick in the school and living in a metro city of Bangalore, it was kinda necessary for me try it.

1000 voices in my head telling me not to take that puff and 7 encouraging me to just give it a try.

Even today, when I think of that moment, I get Goosebumps and my heart shatters at lightning speed. That cold, dark place with a single light bulb was enough to blind me once I took that puff for the first time. Those few minutes changed my entire life. If I had resisted that force, then I would have gone to college instead of rehab centre, I would have not felt guilty whenever I looked into mirror for making my mother go through that misery, I would have been living a more respectful life in this Indian society where every mistake is a mountain and its rectification is as impossible as moving it.

Today, after 11 years, after 11 years of combined misery with rehab, college and job placement to starting my own initiative to help and protect many luckless teens, all I would say is that, this was written in my fate so that I can leave this world a little better than it was before. And we know that each one of us have a mission to complete.

Who knew mine would start with a packet of biscuit.