The shrill alarm clock rang at its usual unearthly hour.

Deep in his sweet slumber, Yashu thought it was some monster screaming. Till Mama came in and shook him, “Wake up Yashu, otherwise you will miss the bus”. Rats! He wasn't fighting the monsters. It was Mama pulling his blanket. How does she hear the horrible alarm two doors away?

“Mama, can I please not go to school today? It is so cold and I am feeling very sleepy.”

“Are you crazy, Yashu? You will miss so much and I will have to run around, requesting the class Whatsapp group to post the work and making sure that you are up to date. Hurry up! Didi will give you milk. I will tell her to pack you some fruits. Also cereals. Eat some dry fruits. Almonds will improve your brainpower.”

As Mama monologued, she failed to notice that Yashu had drifted back to his sweet little world, dozing away. “Yashu!” she screamed and yanked him off the bed, pushed him to the bathroom. “Brush your teeth properly. Wash quickly and thoroughly.” She instructed and marched to the kitchen to supervise Yashu's snack box. Yashu meekly nodded.

Five minutes later, she came back, hoping Yashu would be all ready. No sign anywhere. She barged open the bathroom door and saw Yashu sleeping on the pot. Her heart melted at this utterly heartrending sight. Why was she pushing this little child so much? She composed herself in a jiffy and comforted herself by telling herself "all this for his better tomorrow. He will be well equipped for this ever-increasing competition”. She woke him up. “What were you doing, Yashu?”.

“Mama, I was just revising for my test today. I closed my eyes and was going through the answers in my mind.”

Mama suppressed her smile and said, "Okay now, hurry up. You hardly have ten minutes.”

“Mama, why do I need to go to Delhi to study? All my friends go to schools nearby and they have so much fun. They go late and come back early. I feel so tired.”

“I know, Yashu. When you come to college, you will know how lucky you are.”

“But Mama, I am only in class 6.”

“Yashu, it's next to impossible to get admission into your school and you don't value it at all. Anyways, we don't have time for this chit chat.”

The next quarter of an hour was a chaotic-panic blur and Yashu rushed through his morning ablutions though he craved for a few more winks. Peace was restored once Yashu got ready. The Sun was just breaking through the morning haze when Mama dragged Yashu to the bus stop. Mama was all ready to take on the world.

School was action-packed with math, science, arts and Founder's Day preparations. Yashu's lunch was shared with gusto with everyone while he lustily helped himself with others'. Finally, school was over and he wearily trooped back home hoping he would have pasta today. Mama was waiting for him at the door. "Why were you so late? Look at Mintu. He comes home straight. You just waste time by talking about useless things with your friends. There is hardly any time left for tuition. What day is it? Oh, Friday! So Maths it is. Come on, hurry up. Wash and change. Didi will give you roti and vegetables.”

“But Mama, why did you not make pasta? I asked you.”

“Yashu, pasta is not good for you. Okay, I will tell Didi to make paratha for you.”

“Mama, I will have three.” 

“No, no not more than two. Otherwise, you will be very lazy and listless in your tuition class. Your ma'am has been complaining that you have been inattentive.”

Maths was all Greek and Latin to Yashu. Adding to his misery, was his maths teacher who took vile pleasure in making him trawl through mounds of hideous sums. He stared at his digital watch wondering why time was crawling. He tapped the watch with a pencil and still unconvinced, unstrapped it and shook it against his ears. The teacher was watching him closely. Needless to say that his ears were ringing for a real long time, for the verbal tongue lashing they received.

By the time he finished with his classes, he barely had time to play his friends. At least tomorrow there was no school. He came back happily, wanting to watch some TV. Mama intoned, “Wash up. Have dinner and finish your homework.”

“But Mama, tomorrow is a holiday. I will do it tomorrow.”

“No! Have you forgotten it's the weekend? You have your robotics and personality development classes. You also have to prepare for Monday test.” And

Yashu had a busy day and a busier weekend ahead....

My career path was set even before I took my first breath.

Papa said, 'Mera Beta Engineer banega!'

I was not even three, I knew the entire colour spectrum, the numbers, and the alphabets.

A lottery decided where I studied.

Swimming classes, Abacus classes,

Piano and dance classes, karate classes, French classes. I multitasked.

In class 7, I was fed up of my life.

Classes 8-12 were a blur, with School and Tuition.

I forgot I was a kid and became a Robot in Motion

Finally, sapna poora hua, Engineering college mein hui meri entry.

Papa said, 'Yeh 4 saal padh le beta, acchi naukari mili toh life is party!'

Mein phir se padhne lag gaya.

Bas naukri mili aur boss bole, 'Kaam karle bacche nahin toh no entry...'

Bas mein pista gaya ...pista gaya.