A crisp gust of wind was blowing, the sky was still outcast with sporadic rains. I was sitting in the parents-teachers meet with my mother, who by the way was busy on her cellphone, probably orchestrating a 'million dollar' deal. We were waiting for our turn and in a humid monsoon season, it wasn't a piece of cake. I looked outside the window. A group of rag pickers, about the same age as me, were dancing in the rain. So happy they seemed, without any shackles of society. I sighed, my life rather seemed similar to a puppet. My parents, the society were the puppeteers. My life felt so confined, a cage of aspirations that were passed through generations. My mother ended her call and started to view the meetings with a smug look. The teacher was berating a boy, who I identified as Aksham Mittal. Her mother was practically in tears but the teacher went on and on." He is failing in three subjects ma'am. Please tell him to focus on education rather than cricket. He is disastrous in English and is just scraping in Economics. Doesn't he gets required sleep? He is always sleepy in my class. With his marks..." the teacher went on and on. I never understood why we discussed marks in public, just broadcasting a person's weaknesses across a group of gossip mongering Indian parents. My mother slowly whispered in my ear "Why is that lady taking so much time. I am getting late. I have a presentation at 11:25 with the investors." I gave a shrug. Two minutes and many apologies later, the mother-son duo finally left. My mother quickly grabbed the seat and motioned me to sit down. As custom, every parent channeled their attention toward us. The teacher's grim expression turned into a smile. She pulled out the mark sheet and gave it to my mother. I peeped in from the corner of my eye, hoping for the best.
MID TERMINALS
NAME: ARMAAN AWASTHI
CLASS: 11th SECTION: D
RESULT: PASS
CLASS RANK: 1
SEMESTER RANK: 1
PERCENTAGE: 97.67
I smiled and looked at my mother. She still had a smug expression. The teacher launched into praises and I involuntary blushed. The teacher picked a form from the table and gave it to my mother. "This is the excursion form to Taj Mahal. Submit it latest by next Wednesday" she said. My mother studied the form and shattered my heart into millions of pieces " He won't be going ma'am. He must be having some class that day." The teacher looked at me. I gave a nod. She saw my distressed face and tried to convince her but my mother refused to comply.
A gust of wind blew open the teacher's folder. I saw a parchment blow away. I quickly picked it up and by chance I saw the name on it. Tanya Sehgal. It was her trip form. I somehow controlled a sob. I desperately wanted to go. I wanted to go with Tanya, but my parents wouldn't allow it. Somehow this was the last strand inside me.
We drove silently to home. My mother dropped me and as usual she didn't say a bye or didn't wave her hand. But this time I didn't gave a damn thought about it. I nicked a sleeping tablet from the medicine box and rest became oblivion.
I woke up hours later with a severe headache. I came to the dining room to see that my parents were back from their office life. It was rare that I saw both of them together back from their 12 hour sparkling glass building office early. I gathered some confidence and approached them. "Ah, Armaan, I am a little disappointed. You need to get a perfect 100. Anyways we were just going out for a dinner date. Do you need anything. I am sure you can call restaurant and order your own dinner." I nodded and forwarded the trip form. "What is this son?" he asked. " It's a form for school excursion to Taj Mahal"." You won't be going. It's a frivolous waste of time. I want better marks." "Isn't 97 good for you" I asked, anger radiating from me." Watch your tongue." he yelled. "I am tired of you. Never in my life you were there for me in my life. Not in my first match, not in my annual day and not even when I broke my wrist. A four year child learned how to take paracetamol when he had fever. A wonder why you brought me into this world, probably a contraceptive failure. Don't think that I am one of your employees. If you don't allow me, fine, I won't go. But remember, you will further lose me. Excuse me father, I have to go and study for what you call at your board meetings 'world domination'.". I threw the form at them and marched out of the room, leaving behind a perplexed father and angry mother.
An hour later
I locked the door as my parents went for their date. I looked at the central table. A signed form and 5000 bucks were lying there. I picked them and sighed. I picked my phone and typed a formal thank you message.
I sat on the couch, thinking about Tanya and the trip. Deep down, I was missing her and probably the trip was the best opportunity to confront her. I sighed and called my favourite number on the phone.
"Dominos?"
" I would have a large Mexican pizza with extra cheese and soft crust. Also add..."
To be continued...
Authors note: Please read, comment and vote. Comments help in better content delivery.
YOU ARE READING
UNTIL THE END (#Watty's 2017)
Novela JuvenilWe were enemies. Yet were in love and only one of us lasted till the end. 'The opposite did attract' were her last words. I sat beside her remains, a holy inferno burning her mortal remains away. She was dead, the realisation was very hard, like los...
