1~ The Excuse
A new day brings a fresh start but unfortunately that's not the case with me.
My days are the usual same with nothing interesting.
My schedule includes waking up, freshening up, going to work and repeating.
I guess that is what one expects from a doctor.
But one thing is definitely interesting in my life and that is her.
We aren't in a relationship, heck I doubt if she remembers me but she has her face engraved in my heart. I don't know where she is but I actually keep updates about her. Before you mistake me as a stalker, let me tell you that she is a world famous writer, so I watch her interviews and stuff.
I was surprised at first when I heard that she published her own book. During school days, she was the brightest girl of her age and following that she took science and pursued engineering but no one expected this sudden switch in careers. But, it's inspiring that she made herself.
Although my heart urges me to go to her and tell her about my feelings, I couldn't ever muster the courage to tell her about my feelings, that's because I can make a big fool of myself when I am in front of her.
Last time I remember that was almost a decade back, I stuttered so badly that she literally muffled her laugh.
So, you know how conscious I am. I would like to blame my father Dr. Hriday for this because I got his genes.
Buttoning my shirt with a sigh, I went downstairs only to find my brother and sister fighting for their favourite spot on the dining table. These two will never grow up.
"Bhai! See this Hrishit, piece of shit is not giving my seat ",Hrishika, my younger sister, complained. And their daily drama begins. These two should leave their studies and go join a circus. Well, my whole family is a dramebaaz as you call them.
"Hrishit, why are you troubling our small, little cute sister?" I sarcastically asked to which Hrishit bursted out into a fit of laughter.
"She is cute? Hahaha. She looks like a dracula", Hrishit said, clutching his stomach trying to control his laughter.
Hrishika stomped her foot and yelled, "Dadda! See your sons are troubling me".
This girl! She can't survive a day without dad. He pampers her a lot. Dad, who was reading the newspaper sitting on the head seat, specifically looked at us. That includes me and Hrishit. He rolled his eyes and scolded, "Hrishit don't trouble your sister."
Hrishit huffed, sitting beside me leaving his beloved seat.
He knew he didn't have a say in this. Amongst us three, Hrishika is the favourite of both mom and dad.
Well, they always wanted to have a daughter but Hrishit and I came along with her.
They haven't left any chance for Hrishika to complain and that's why Hrishit absolutely loves troubling our sister.
"So my kids are finally educated doctors, phew", dad said with a tired sigh.
Hrishit and Hrishika nodded and chanted, "Yes dad".
Both of them had their graduation yesterday which officially made them postgraduates.
But all of us know that there is more to it.
Now, they will have to pursue super specialisation and then some extra courses to be finally called an accomplished doctor.
"And now super specialisation ?" He asked.
"Maybe, not sure actually. I am so done dad! ", Hrishika cried, playing with her fork. Hrishit nodded and said, "I am sure dad, I am going forward with DM".
Dad nodded nevertheless and said, "Competition has become harder than our times, hasn't it, Adhi?"
Giving no time to me to reply, he continued, "There were those old golden days when there were just ten thousand children competing for just a few hundred seats without any competition.
One drop after twelfth and one after MBBS was a must but look at your generation, even these kids in elementary school know about competitive exams."
"You remember Mr. Sharma living down the street?" He asked and the three of us nodded.
"Yesterday, I asked his son about how his studies were going. The young man answered that he has already started preparing for that engineering test...what is it called?"
"JEE dad", Hrishit answered.
"Yes yes, JEE, can you believe this? He just entered eighth standard. All this competition has surely affected children's lives. At this age, we-
"Dad please don't start with it again, I am tired of hearing about your golden era and blah blah", Hrishika adamantly said and dad being dad just nodded. Just like I said, he can't argue with Hrishika.
"What are we talking about everyone?" Mom's sweet voice interjected us. Dr. Mishika Bansal, my mother, is the sweetest woman one can ever meet. However, when she gets angry, she doesn't leave even the best ones.
"Competition and dad's good old days", Hrishit nonchalantly answered, plopping a piece of freshly sliced apple. Mom smiled and chirped, "Great, I hope you guys have started preparing for your exams".
Hrishika groaned and cried, "Is it compulsory to do super specialisation as well?"
"Not compulsory but nowadays people don't prefer just normal doctors, before coming to you, they check your degrees and accomplishments . It's your choice, if you don't want to continue then you can start your practise-
"Gosh! Please leave all of this mum dad, we just completed residency, there are four months for the exam!" Hrishika deadpanned. Both of my parents sighed. Mom collected a plate for herself and served herself a toast and tea.
"Adhyay? Are you planning to get married any time soon?" The next question was dropped for me. Ever since I have crossed my thirties, both of my parents and even relatives act worried. They think that I am impotent or interested in males when the reality is far away from it.
I instead focus on eating my toast, not even bothering to answer my mother's question. The truth is I am tired of arguing with them about the same topic everyday. Don't they realise how embarrassing it is for me when they question my sexuality every now and then?
"Adhyay, your mother asked you a question", dad calmly said which was sort of a warning for me.
He rarely raises his voice at us but even his calm tone can shake the world.
Dad is a law abiding, punctual, dedicated doctor who absolutely hates it when someone messes up with his wife, he is protective not to mention.
"Mom, why do we need to have this conversation everyday? I hope you understand that I don't like arguing about this petty matter every morning", I softly answered with a sigh.
"But Adhyay, you are thirty three years old!
It's just the right time to get married.
No one can live his life alone, sulking.
Look how happy Adrija is with Yash, rest of your friends are married too.
I don't understand exactly what you are waiting for.
Atleast, try dating if not marry", mom explained. I closed my eyes in frustration.
"And if you can't choose yourself, I have-
"No mom! I am not going with your selected girls! I expected better from you guys but here you are with the same drama every day. How do you not get tired?"
I exclaimed with a pinch of frustration in my tone.
Mom shared a look with dad who shrugged. Mom glared at him but continued, "And how do you not get tired with your boring life? Guess what! I can't even say anything to my son because the next day I see him, he is packing his clothes to live in the hospital! How absurd is that?"
I took a shaky breath when she further said, " Is it my fault that I want my son happy?"
Her lips wobbled at the end as if she were going to cry but I knew it was all a drama. She never cried upon such things, instead she troubles the person who tried to trouble her. Yes, she is dramatic just like other Indian mothers.
"Hriday, will you say something now?" My mother warned dad who was busy sipping his tea and enjoying the drama unfolding before him. He looked up like deer caught in headlines and stuttered, "Y-yes Adhyay, listen to your mother".
Mom smacked his back and muttered something which I couldn't hear properly. Helplessly looking at the twins, I tried to ask for help but who am I kidding? They never help me, they are siblings for a reason!
"Dad! Tell me when did you get married?"
"Umm when I was thirty four?"
"Exactly! So I still have one year if I follow your steps", I stated as professionally as a businessman. Dad blinked his eyes and mom glared at us both.
"But I was thirty one! Why do you need to follow your dad?
You can follow your mother as well and wedding preparations take a lot of time.
We got engaged two years before our marriage", mom argued and to be honest it was a fair point, enough to wrench my attempt of running away from this discussion.
"Mom-
"What mom! Will you marry after you turn fifty or die! I don't get this boy!"
"But mom-
"Shut up! Try talking to females, what type of man are you? There are a hundred colleagues of yours who are single and interested in you", mom yelled. Hrishika giggled but stopped after I threw a nasty glare at her.
"But I am not interested in them", I yelled. My mother rolled her eyes and muttered, "If you avoid them like plague them how will you even develop a liking for a woman? I don't understand what has gotten into this boy".
"Mom, for once stop this", I scream, quickly stuffing the rest of my toast in my mouth. Gulping my black coffee at once, I stand up and take my office bag, all set to run away from this conversation yet again.
"Look! Hriday are you looking at him? He is running again!" My mother taunted, pointing at me. Dad clutched his forehead and said, "Mishika, leave it. He just completed his super specialisation, give him a break".
I smiled at my victory and added, "Exactly! That's what I have been trying to say for three years".
Mom pointed her finger at me and yelled, "Do whatever shit you want.
I won't say a thing to these father and son duo".
Without saying any other word, she stormed out of the dining room, throwing one last glare at me.
My father shook his head and ran after my mother.
I exchanged glances with the twins who did not look at least one percent interested in the drama which just happened.
Guess what, that's what my family is like, chaotic.