Portentous Parenting.

“Youth” is considered to be the best time of our lives to do and to achieve something but we’re so occupied with our speculations,beliefs,concentricity that we’ve somewhere forgotten the fundamental aspects while using this “term” pompously! Whereas the youngsters are burdened with their own aspirations, there’s ton of load being rested on their shoulders. Load of Mr. XYZ’s son’s grades,his achievements,his enrollment into a prestigious institution.
I remember the poem “The Road not Taken”, but keeping in mind,the present scenario it’s opening lines can be re-written as:
“Two roads diverged into the woods,one led to Engineering and the other to Medical. ”
I personally wish to hear a news, someday,sitting in my rocking chair that a dentist colored his patient’s tooth just because he wanted to be an artist once,and the artist in him gave him sporadic attacks. Or that, an engineer has installed a flute in place of the smoke outlet pipe in a motorbike just because he was a music enthusiast in his young years. And that India’s GDP is on full throttle and people are dying of the lack of creativity and entertainment. What if every single child in India grows to be a doctor or an engineer? Where will be the future Kapil Sharmas?A.R. Rahmans? Virat Kohlis? Durjoy Duttas? and many other greats? We have to give up on our,aspirations, certain expectations in order to let our child breathe. Let’s give him his freedom,let’s not burden him with the hopes of what we have failed to achieve in our lives,and most importantly,let’s not wish our children to be like Mr. XYZ’s because admit it,you’ve all laughed at China for their similar faced people. That’d be so ironical.

Chapter-2

The Sun shone,filling my room with warmth and light just like Anu. I rubbed opened my eyes and found myself still in the chair. I slept in it the whole night due to which my neck ached,spine ached and my heart ached too,not because of the restless night but because of Anu’s deprivation. It was a just another Sunday morning which felt even more lethargic. A cool breeze,just like Anu blessed the unpleasant morning with its coolness. I was dazed by the feelings I had for Anu,so pure,so divine. It was just the beginning of my day and I have already started missing her. I sat on my bed,picked up my cellphone and called Shivi, Anu’s roommate. She told me that Anu didn’t eat her dinner and slept early last night. Shivi informed me about her outing plans with her boyfriend at 10 am. So I can come over their apartment and can meet Anu.
        I reached their apartment slightly before 10. I knocked the door and Shivi let me in with a welcoming smile on her face. I entered and saw Anu lying on her bed with her back towards me. Shivi informed her about my arrival but she did not respond or move. I quietly sat on a chair next to her bed and tried talking to her but she wouldn’t respond. I had no other option but to wait for Shivi’s departure.  As soon as she left, I removed my shoes and joined Anu in her bed resting my head on my left arm and caressing her hair with my right hand. I whispered like a coward,
 
“I am sorry Anu. I know you’re hurt,mad at me and you’re absolutely right. Please forgive me. I love you.”

She got up and so did I,she turned her angelic face towards me,

“See,this is what I am talkingabout! You don’t even want to know your mistakes,you just simply ask for forgiveness. Do you even care that I need you? Tell me the last time you took interest in what is upsetting me and what is pleasing me? No! Because all you have time for is,yourself,your blogs,your friends and your office work? Where am I in your life? If you’d have noticed, I am trying to share things with you,but it’s better if I break up with you because after knowing about me,you’d yourself leave me. So it’s better to end this thing. No one would like to have a rape victim as his partner. Yes,yes Mr. Sharma you heard it right! I was raped about 2 years ago. That’s exactly why I left Delhi and moved to Pune. No one would want a rape victim. I hate myself for being still alive.”

She said, crying heavily. And then I realized I just heard the sweetest thing ever so far in my life. She needed me! So what if she was raped? She’s as pure as a goddess for me. So what if he  touched her? She didn’t love him,and what if even she did? What if she’s not a virgin? I too am not! Everyone has a past. You can’t have a girl without past unless you book her before her birth. And after hearing all her pains,my love grew for her,not out of sympathy but out of respect. Respect because she didn’t break down. I pulled her near me and kissed her wet eyes,she was sobbing. I wiped her tears and planted my lips on hers she calmed down a bit and held me closer. I could feel her trembling soft lips which suggested she needs more and then I embraced my world in my arms, “I love you” she said. It was like a raindrop on a drought affected land,I knew it’s value but it wasn’t enough. I cuddled her and played with her hair almost for a couple of hours,tickling her belly,over running my fingers on her palm and kissing her forehead. Yes,I was complete now. I knew she skipped her dinner,so I got up and like an ideal house husband prepared low oiled and low salted omelette, toast and a cup of coffee for her. She ate and I felt tummy full,such was the satisfaction. Just then I received a call from my mother, for me it was unusual. Now what does fate has in store for me?

Will we get along quite well afterwards too or there are some problems to be faced? The next chapter will be published on next Sunday,till then keep guessing.