I still remember every second,
When I first entered my college.
Everyone was busy with projects.
No one cared about bookish knowledge.
I can’t express how afraid I was,
For this college was bleak.
I wanted to talk to someone.
But damn I couldn’t speak.
I looked at my room allotment chart,
Priya was my roommie.
She was a gem of a person.
In the dark, something seemed gloomy.
And then I entered my class.
My classmates mocked me.
I rushed back to my hostel,
And the seniors ragged me.
I felt so broken,
I decided to call home.
But I never pressed the dial button,
For papa was so angry at me.
Priya proved to be a gem again,
Consoling me at that moment.
“Sugandha, make a try in the drama audition.
I will make the arrangement.”
I ignored and ignored but finally accepted it.
But I was so scared and I thought, “What if I didn’t make it?”
The time for audition had come.
I was ready to give my best.
Judges gave me the situation.
“You lost your close one” NOW ACT.
I don’t know what I did.
But I saw tears in everyone’s eyes.
“You mime act stole our heart,
And that’s why everyone cried.”
That’s when Priya told the judges.
That I am actually dumb.
“She has lost her own brother in front of her eyes”
Hearing this, the judges were numb.
Yes, My brother died in my arms.
I cried so loud that I lost my voice.
My father wanted me to get married,
But I wanted to study to make up, for my brother’s life.
That was what his anger was about.
But I wanted to be his son.
I wanted to study and labor hard.
So I left my home.
That was my past,
my present was dramatic.
But I couldn’t earn from it.
So I called it quit.
It was finally the time of my placement.
Companies rejected me because of my voice.
I had to make it through.
So I thought of something really nice.
I made up a PPT ,
On topic “12-stroke engine”.
This idea was new in the market.
I was guaranteed a selection.
I got the job.
That too for 50lacs per annum.
And I quickly rang up to my mother.
“Your dad can die anytime, come home quickly my dear.”
I tore up my selection letter.
And rushed back to my place.
2 months later, My father went in coma,
And I had a job to chase.
I had to find a job now.
To pay for my father’s medical bills.
I sat at a chemist’s and thought of my journey.
From 50lacs/annum to selling pills..
And then a stranger customer,
Asked me for a “PEN”.
“Sorry we don’t keep pens madam.”
“Hey stupid, this is me, your roommate.”
I was so happy to see her.
I hugged her tight.
I told her my situation.
God knows why she kept quiet?
Few days later, I got a call.
From some company’s executive.
Come here get a job Miss. Talented.
You are a superb engineer-cum-dramatist.
That Priya somehow stole my project.
And a video of my act.
She mailed it to a MNC.
And they were highly impressed.
I took the job, and started working.
Focussed on 12-stroke engine as well as.
Improved my acting.
I was succeeding
In everything where I took a step.
From National level dramatics club
To America’s Engineering Fest.
All this success never made me happy.
For all I saw was my father,
Lying in the hospital bed.
Then suddenly I got a call.
Mom said, “You made us proud my lady
“Saw your photos and articles in the newspaper today.”
“I plan to gift my sweety.”
I rushed back to the hospital.
My mother directed me to my father’s room said “RUN”
With the newspaper in his hand and tears in his eyes.
He hugged me and said, “You made us proud my SON”