Monday, 26 August 2019

Short Story: "It's not me"




I slept that night and woke up late in the morning. I looked into the mirror and screamed, cried, yelled "It's not me" .

"It's just not me."

I collected myself together with great difficult, and dragged my feet to the washroom. As my hands got busy carrying out the routine tasks;  I was able to focus on my mind and the million thoughts running therein.

The news I had received the previous evening had made my mind go numb. All my dreams were shattered, my life had come to a standstill. I had no hope left and probably, nobody had any hope from me.

It's not me. It's just not me. It can't be me.

Wasn't I the topper for 10 continuous years in school? Wasn't I the role model and inspiration for all my younger cousins? Wasn't I the Star of the Family?

Then how could I fail?

I, who didn't know the meaning of "failure" till yesterday, had failed. Miserably failed. Not just one, but I had failed in "all" the subjects of the semester.

It was just too much for my mind to process.
It was too overwhelming and humiliating to accept.

I came out from the washroom and collapsed on the sofa. In an desperate attempt to distract myself, I picked up my cellphone and started to thoughtlessly browse through various social networking apps.

It's then that I happened to open Tumblr. I started to read the inspirational quotes there, hoping that it would ignite a spark within me.

And I came across "THE" quote…

"If the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall, you will only reach the dead end faster."

I felt a spark within me as I read that!

Wrong Wall…

Dead End…

Had I chosen the wrong course?
Was it something I really was passionate about?
Had I chosen it on my own interest or was it forced on me?
Had I given in peer and societal pressure and suppressed my own dreams and aspirations?

Energised by the new spark, I got up and went out to the garden. 

Meditating for a while in the calm and peaceful atmosphere made the spark develop into a flame of guidance and clarity.



Letter to Myself from Me





Dear Kiran (aged 30)


Hi ! 

*waves hand*

*high five*

I'm SO excited to meet you!


I often hear that your version of me will be more sensible and mature. And when I turn into you, my life will be more stabilized and will finally be in a position to fulfill all my life long dreams.

No wonder I'm so excited to meet you!

But, there are certain things wish to know.

First of all, how similar are you to me?
Or rather, how different are you from me?

Is the change too dramatic?

I know change is an essential part of life, but I wish to maintain my authenticity and remain true to my Core Inner Self throughout my life.

Have I managed to do that?

Despite all our difference, is our "Essence"  the same?


Next about my dreams.

How many of my dreams do you see fulfilled?

Or, are our dreams and desires different?

Do you find my dreams to be silly and childish?

What are YOUR dreams and goals?


Uff…too many questions, right?

I'm sorry for that…just couldn't hold my curiosity.


Anyways, looking forward to meet (and merge) with you at the earliest.


Love,

Kiran (aged 22)


P.S.  Just one last question. Do marks, grades, and other such things hold any value for you?
What are things that YOU value the most in life?


XOXO