It was evening time; the doorbell rang; my mother asked me to open the door. I opened the door and saw my uncle standing with his luggage, smiling at me. I invited him to come in and touched his feet as he proceeded. Everybody gathered - chit-chat began, Mumma was preparing tea, and suddenly out of nowhere, uncle asked me how my studies were going. I gave him an awkward smile and said that it was going well. I thought the conversation might end here, but he seemed more interested in my studies than me:') He further asked me that then in which year I am, I said in the final year. As soon as I said the word 'final' - I was able to see the light of enlightenment behind him and the innumerous life lessons he was going to give me. I prepared myself, one ear for the information to enter and the other to let it exit, mind blank, neck flexible to move up-down, and an expressionless face.
Then the unwanted career
counseling began-
Round 1 - "The
interview!"
Uncle: So, what are your
plans after graduation?
Me: Not planned yet!(though
I have some plans, but don't want to reveal ๐ค)
My mind: Wrong move!
Uncle: Oh, ok! Don’t you
worry, Main hoon na!(I am there for you)
My mind: Yeah, that’s my concern!
Round 2 - "The
guest lecture!"
Uncle and just uncle: You
see, I suggest that you follow your passion, do something that fascinates you,
and should not follow the cattle herd, hence why don't you try for a Sarkari
Naukri (Government job) then? There is job security, respect, and
high stature in society if you go for a government job. If you say- I can give
you complete (undesired) guidance for cracking the exam to
get a government job. And still, if you are not able to do then I have my
sources in the municipality office, there I will get you a good job. Look, I am
not forcing you, but you have to go for a good government job!
Me: Hmmm! (with a
wobbling head and again the awkward smile)
My mind: Why God? Why?
Why only me??? ๐ญ
Uncle (the unstoppable): Take
this very seriously son, this is a crucial year for your career.
If you don't focus now, you will miss the opportunity to get your dream ("government") job.
I hope you are understanding!
Me: Yes! Yes! Of course,
uncle!
My mind: No! NOOOO!
Please no more!
Final Round - "K.O.!"
Uncle (to my parents): Soon,
he will graduate. Now he is grown up. It is high time. You have to make
decisions for him. He doesn't know what's good for him. He is still a
child.
Me (in a feeble voice and
same wobbling head, awkward smile): How contrasting!
My parents: Yes, you are
right, we will make him choose the right path, don't worry!
Finally, the conversation
on my future career ended!
My life: *ruined:')
I would be having a better career prospect if I was given
proper counseling in my 10th class itself; I wish these random bits of advice
were of some use in my life. But they are as stereotypical as India in
Hollywood movies(*cough). So,
it is always better to ignore them instead of getting offended.
Well, nobody knows how our
future will be. Most we can do is have a goal and try to bend our fate towards
that path. If someone’s advice manipulates the direction, it will only lead to
a dead-end!
Even if I plan to do a
government job, someone’s constant ranting will only divert me and make me
frustrated. My friends and parents also advise me and suggest me things, but
they aren't someone. They know me, my interest, and my habits. Hence, their
advice is worth brainstorming. Some random person suggesting what is good for
me is something that we should completely ignore, just like we neglect our
teachers’ suggestions to start studying from the beginning of the semester
itself (who does that? LOL!).
Suddenly it felt that someone
is pulling my ears and cheeks. It was my younger brother trying to wake me up
from the after-lunch sleep. I realized it was just a dream, a nightmare, I
would say ๐ฐ. Another realization that struck me - how my uncle can
come from another city when there is a lockdown. I took a deep breath and
relaxed; then the doorbell rang…
Comments
Post a Comment