1st Fall
After 6months.
Time 9 A.M.
“Jack, where are you lost?” My dad said.
Next thing I was expecting from him that he will say, “Don’t
worry you will get good marks.” But for my surprise he said, “You are sure na
that your exam went well, in case you don’t pass, the next thing you will feel
is yourself sitting in the shop and selling grocery.”
We reached my school, since it was Term1 result no other
parents came to take that but mine. And what happened next was totally different.
Everyone had got unexpected marks, even The Mohit, who was crying for loss of
10 marks after the exam had got 95%. As usual Saurav was the topper of the
class. Followed by Khusi and Mohit.
Slowly I reached to my class teacher who was distributing
our grade cards. I was so confident that I will pass in all, even the English. I
didn’t know why but my dad silently said to my teacher, “we will take care next
time, for the finals.” Hearing this my heart broke into pieces. He handed me
the grade card and asked me to prepare for facing my mom after failing in 5
subjects out of 7. I had 97 in Math, 32 in English, 21 in EVS, 35 in Moral
science, 31 in Hindi, 80 in Drawing, 20 in Computer and finally 10 in social
science. I had failed math as it challenges me, and others failed me as I challenged
them.
I could exactly remember the journey back to my home, no
word at all, closer I go more frightened I become. Though my dad said something
in the morning, but he usually doesn’t make much decisions, it is not because
he can’t but he believes that my mom can make better for creating me into
better person, because she was from the city and he was from the village.
I was so lucky to have Granny at my home, but that could
also not postpone my reward for getting such great marks. Here you will know
the other side of my Mom’s character. A while later, mom, called me in other
room. I got enough sticks on my hand and
everywhere possibly one can get. After my mom was tired of rewarding. There appeared
my loving granny from other room, and I was angry on her for coming so late in
this room. She is like police always comes after the incident.
Granny wiped my tears and made me sit in her lap. She is
the sweetest person I ever know. Even I love my granny more than my mom. Her
words always change me. At that moment she wanted me to understand my
conditions.
She said, “Beta, you are our only son, your mom also doesn’t
feel good after beating you, you know na, you will get your favorite food for
the dinner. Jack you know, you are treasure to her, a golden one. She invests
everything she have in you to make you a person she wanted to be, but she didn’t
because of lack of opportunity. You know your mama, used to study whole night
and see he earn so well and having good life in Delhi. What you have, a small
rented Flat, so less toys, and leave in a society where everyone wants to play.
I know it hard for you to study. But harder things always bring luxury and happiness.
You know we didn’t have enough money to send your mom, mausi and mama, to
school, but we stayed at their uncle’s home so that they can study. Your mama
used to stay with eldest uncle whose son was least interested in study and best
at disturbing, but your mama used to wait until late night so that he sleeps
and he can study. You know your mama take airplane to visit different places in
India.”
After all these I used to feel satisfied with a reason to
study and a reason to get through the punishment. But the conversation after
that change me into motivated.
“Airplane, that’s Is cool I too want to have a ride on it,”
I said with a serious look. Though riding a train was so uncommon for me.
“You know Jack, the waitress over there are called airhostess,
they speak in English and serve food and drinks and will help in everything
like your assistant. And they earn so much!”
“Wow, can they make my notes?” I made the joke.
“Ha Ha, No.”
“Granny, how much do I have to study to become airhostess?”
“I don’t know, maybe you can ask your mom.”
Slowly my mood boosted up and I became the old Jack, happy
and cheerful, until I got one sharp look of my mom. I took my books and started
studying, at least on the day of result I was not supposed to play, else that
would act as the oil to the fire.
At evening I got kheer and puri as dinner. And after the
dinner, It was the session for my mom to encourage me for my study.
She said, “How was the food?”
“It was awesome, I loved that.”
“And if you study hard I would pack these for your lunch every
day.”
“No, mom, I don’t want it for lunch!”
“why?” She said with surprise.
“Everyone says that you cook very testy and they eat 75% of
my food.”
“Ha Ha, no problem study hard, I will give two lunch boxes.
By the way why did you get so less marks?”
And finally she asked me, what my dad had asked me to be prepare
for. But I didn’t want to make excuse, so said politely, it is English, troubling
me so much otherwise see my math I topped in that.”
“Ok, study hard. “
“Mummy, how can I become airhostess?”
“How far I know, a boy can’t be airhostess, but there are Stewards, you can be one of those. For being those
you have to top in all the exams and learn how to speak in English. Without
English you are none to the outside this village world. You have to be happy
and healthy. And you must know how to take care of others but they teach these
stuffs.”
“Did you ever have a flight?”
“No, I give your school fees.”
“I promise you mom, I won’t fail ever in exam
from now onwards.”
“It is better for you, don’t fail.”
“Jack, you might find yourself fallen several
times on the ground, but remember one who gets up after every fall, wins
finally, remember the story of ants. Be calm and enjoy the school from
tomorrow, this time you are away from grocery shop.”
I slept that night with a dream of working on
airplane. The next day, everyone was so happy to have good marks, and everyone
was suggesting me whatever they can. Everyone was showing sympathy to me, and I
was feeling as if I am crying loudly and with all my heart. This was my first
fall. But I was holding. Here came a voice, sweet gentle and lovely, “Hey Jack”,
from right behind me.
Mohit and Khusi were there, and were smiling
as if they are having something good for me. Else everyone was making me feel
awkward.
“Awesome Jack, you are awesome ……………………………………
