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Price of Pressure

In the family and friend circle, he was considered as the most hard working, exceptionally intelligent and genuinely decent boy who breathed in his world of books.
11:16 PM Jan 18, 2025 IST | Syeda Afshana
price of pressure
Representational Photo
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There were seven million wonders of the world in the eyes of this child. He was born into this world as a new thought of God, an ever fresh and radiant possibility. The only son of his parents.

His mother meticulously packed his lunch, water bottle and some spare clothes. No sooner he heard the horn, he holed up himself behind his grandma. He was unwilling to leave the warmth of her lap. However, he had no other choice but to board the crèche van with other toddlers.

Standing feeble on the back seat of the van, he innocently watched the agile humankind around him. He was unable to comprehend the purpose of his arrival in the world of light. Rather, he pined for the darkness of womb, where he rejoiced his nine long months stay.

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Now, he would often hear his father saying to his mother-“This is the crucial year for preparing our son to face the interview for securing kindergarten admission in any of the leading schools.” The little soul was wandering whether he shall start by uttering Baba or shall he mumble Baa Baa black sheep… the rhyme he learned in crèche.

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He was in his formative age—the time to be moulded softly. He was mulling over the dilemma of either learning the moral lessons of life from his grandparents in his mother-tongue or struggle mugging up ABC and 123 in order to conquer the ‘competition’ he was saddled with from day one. Of course, it was the time for him to learn the diverse aspects of life and get his personality shaped. Perhaps, overbearing but concerned parents knew the wicked reality of the world waiting him outside—the one that thrived on worst kind of manipulation, treachery and fraud, and where high merit was vital to remain in race if one does not possess skill or knack of monkey business. The outer world was really brutal and bad.

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So, he was fashioned into a ‘proficient competitor’ with doses of stress and strain layered over him. In this pursuit, his guardians somehow forgot to pass on to him the true beauty of life and the actual demeanour of his being. While worrying about what he will become tomorrow, they forgot that he is someone today. The tenderness of his soul was overlooked.

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Crucial years gradually approached. He proved to be a submissive son, worked hard as it was ordained and never let his parents down. In the process of ‘burning the midnight oil’, his kiddish pranks and penchant also got seared. The child in him was lost. His childhood turned lifeless. He liked watching animated movies endlessly, but he was softly stopped for squandering his precious time.  He was fond of reading comics and fairy tales, but he was gently made to give it up. The do’s and don’ts were his live companions. He was told that his board exams were significant for him and he need to spend most of his time in studying. There was a strange and unseen pressure mounting on him. He was unable to express the uncanny unease that was slowly but surely depressing him. Yet, he concentrated on his studies and appeared in class 10th exam.

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In the family and friend circle, he was considered as the most hard working, exceptionally intelligent and genuinely decent boy who breathed in his world of books. Pointing him as a role-model, lot of his relatives desired their children to be like him, seldom knowing that he was fashioned only to be the ‘victorious entrant’ into the stunning cutthroat world, oblivious of the basic veracity of his survival.

The 10th class results were declared. He had secured more than ninety percent marks, but had lagged behind the three toppers with just a margin of few marks. The congratulations poured in from all relatives and acquaintances. However, the mood in the family was damp. His parents were not happy. “It is a downslide. You were the first position holder all through your school; your brilliant performance so far has petered out. Anyway, the coming two years are now most crucial for your career. Start preparing to prove your mettle,” said the disappointed father.

Some months passed. His parents had unwittingly left coercing him for his extensive studies. As usual, he used to remain indoors and study in his room. One evening, when he was having his dinner with the family, his father casually inquired about his studies—private tuitions, school classes, books, computer et al. He gave a brief convincing answer to everything and went to sleep.

Next morning, it took him unusually much time to come down for the breakfast. His mother went to see him, only to find him literally lifeless in his tidy room.

The crucial year had finally come, and taken him far away. Forever. The little teen didn’t grow up freely to be a caring friend of his Mom and Dad. He left eternally, making them painfully understand what life is all about while they had vainly tried to tutor him all about life.