Our Hope

12 - Ansh

Ansh's mother knocked on his door, awakening him. She was older with black and white straightened hair and wore a dark blue robe. "Good Morning Ansh. It's 7:30am. You need to shower and eat before your tutor arrives."

She carried a white porcelain cup of tea. The familiar lemon and mint smell let him know she made Holy Basil. It reminded him of his grandmother that passed away. She drank it all the time.

Ansh wanted to sleep in this Saturday morning. He felt exhausted.

"Can we cancel?"

His mom groaned and shook her head with a disapproving scowl.

"I've been studying throughout the summer. I just want a break."

"Your food is ready." She left and walked back to the kitchen.

He stared at his beige walls that were the same throughout the house. His parents had asked him which color he wanted. He told them purple, thinking they would paint his room, but they chose beige instead except the white ceilings.

"Take a shower," his mom called from the kitchen.

"I am." He rolled out of bed, made his way to his bathroom, and started the shower. He grabbed a new bottle of the coconut-scented soap. He used a lot and lathered it to clean the farm odors and stains off him. He washed his hands and arms. He noticed dirt under his nails from yesterday, probably yesterday. He could not remove it from his hands and feet. He gave up and got out.

He dried himself and then put on clean clothes, khaki shorts, and a blue collared short-sleeved shirt. This was appropriate attire for his tutor. He found that out the hard way. Then he joined his parents at the dining table. It had a glass top and natural wood legs with matching natural wood chairs and white cushions.

His father and mother were seated around the table. His father was an older man. He wore a business suit and tie; his jacket was hanging on the door. He was balding with short black and gray hair. His father read a newspaper. Ansh glanced at his older sister's empty seat. She was lucky enough to get out of here and go to college. He missed her because she used to stand up for him.

"Dad, can we cancel my tutor?"

"No."

"But I was top of the class the entire first week. I have it under control."

"Do not question your father!" his mother yelled. "Plus, you already asked me, and I told you the same thing." She kissed him on the cheek and placed a plate of idli with vada, in front of him. "I made your favorite."

"Thanks mom." He took a bite into the crispy and savory vada.

They sat in silence like normal. He finished eating the rest of his food.

"May I be excused?"

"No. Sit and study until your tutor arrives," his mother said.

He sighed, stomped to the kitchen counter, and grabbed his viewer that was charging. He returned to his seat and read.

His father folded his newspaper and placed it on the table. Then he addressed him. "You are not in control. When you were, you were ranked 68th out of 100. You need to be in the top 3. Now, that we are in control. You are in first place. So, no. You will not take a break. You will take a break after you finish."

Ansh returned to reading in silence. When he was a child, they asked him if he wanted to go to Mars. Obviously, he said yes. Which kid would not want to go? Yet, after years later of constant pressure to succeed, he no longer wanted it.

The doorbell rang and his father rose from the table.

"Ansh, wash your hands and your face, your tutor is here."

His father hobbled over to answer the door.

Ansh quickly cleaned his hands and face but did not use soap because no one was watching him.

"Good morning. Dr. Sodhi."

"Dr. Kain. It is great to see you. How is your family?"

"Very well. Thank you."

"Please come on in.'

Professor Kain wore long black dress pants, white long-sleeve-collared Bettencourt Enterprises shirt, and carried a leather briefcase. He removed his dress shoes and Ansh's father led him into the house.

His mom motioned for him to follow her and they met him in the hallway.

"Good morning. Mrs. Sodhi,"

"Hello again, Ansh. Are you ready to get started?"