It was too hot. He had gone to purchase some of his necessities as he was to leave for his hostel in two days. He had not recovered from his high fever, when his blood pressure dipped and left him unconscious. Thankfully his cousin had accompanied him, who helped him reach home. It was the scorching sun coupled with the long distance to the whole-sale shop, so as to save money his father gave him, which resulted in this condition. He purchased a new wrist for his father’s watch and a wallet for his mother.
His mother was attached to him. She never went to see him off as she could not bear the moment of separation from her only child. Today she was too busy attending to relatives, knowing she has just two days left to attend to her son. She served him the lunch and told him to rest. As all went for the afternoon nap, she quietly took her purse and went out. She had saved money from the monthly expenses, to purchase a shirt for her son. It was a bright blue shirt, his favorite color, which she hid in her almirah.
His father was a proud man for his son was the only one pursuing science among their relatives. He always wanted to tell his son how he held his head high but emotions never transformed in words. All that his son could earn for his achievement was a ‘pat on his back’. He was in debt; he did not hesitate while taking a loan, to deposit his son’s medical college fee. Any extra expense disrupted the whole month’s expenditure schedule. Today he had to book the tickets for his relatives yet another hole in the pocket.
Next morning, relatives left. His father went to office and mother started packing his bag after finishing the daily chores. He was fine, still his mother wanted him to rest, she had forgotten to tell her husband about his illness. In the afternoon, postman baba knocked the door and handed over the envelope to his mother. “Remind doctor bachua that I’ll always account for a free check-up at his clinic” he said with a coughing smile. It was his result letter.
He had FAILED!
Two drops of water trickled down his cheek and fell on the result card. His world had come to an end as if he was holding a death sentence. All the sufferings and sacrifices of his parents revolved around him, accusing him of breach of trust. He didn’t know how to announce this news to his parents. He stood up and quietly placed the leather wrist in his father’s drawer and the wallet in his mother’s closet. Every second that passed made him more silent with guilt.
As he told his mother, her worried face became still for a while. She was baffled; she didn’t know how to react for the moment. Her teary eyes consoled him and told him to face this failure with strength while deeply inside she knew what was going on in her son’s mind. She packed the bright blue shirt without letting him know, crying silently for her helplessness. Thinking how her husband will take this news, she started praying to GOD to give her son ample strength to bear this pain.
This year his father didn’t want his son to leave empty handed, he wanted to gift him something. Due to exceeded expenditure this month, he decided to give up his afternoon tea to compensate and brought a pair of new shoes for his son. Satisfied that this gift will boost his morale, he headed towards home. Ignorant about the new development, his father walked faster than his usual speed, to reach as soon as possible and see the bright smile on his son’s face.
The lobby was dark as his father entered and called his name in excitement while switching on the lights. He prepared himself for stabbing his father right in his heart. He came out with his face down. His father handed him the pair of shoes and told him to check his size. He in turn handed him the result card with trembling hands. His father’s face turned pale and he went inside whipping the sweat on his forehead.
His failure had a valid reason which he never wanted to explain and his father had not the courage to ask.
There was a complete lull while they had their dinner. Nobody spoke a word before they retired to their beds.
